wireless not working

[Grace Stewart]

Have read and seen how common this problem is. I bought a Presario f500 in April 2007 & unfortunately did not recognise the initial problems regarding wireless connection or lack of it! I assumed it was an internet supply problem mainly due to the fact my computer was six months old. Now..no wireless connection, but just out of warranty.Help desk, no help. Next plan, write to managing director in UK & if no joy there I intend to contact Watch dog & as much media as possible

[WalleeKat]

I just purchased (two weeks ago)an old stock f750 that was built in April 2007. I had wireless connection problems right out of the box. Turned out I needed to upgrade the firmware for my BIOS.
Check HP's sight and see what the most recent version is. Check your device manager to see what version is installed on your computer. My BIOS firmware was three versions behind.

[Grace Stewart]

updated the Bios with Hp help, bu still no joy!

[WalleeKat]

If you check in your device manager what does it say?
Device working properly or an error code?
Have you checked for a driver update for the wireless card?
Is the wireless light blue or orange?
Does your computer find any wireless connections when you search?
Did it ever connect wirelessly?
Does it connect to the internet through a wired connection?

[PAULA SADLER]

I have the same model and am having the exact same problem. My warranty was up in May. Switch is always red. Device manager says it is working properly. It does not pick up any wireless networks even though other laptops in the house are working fine. Took to local shop, they reseated the wireless, tested the card, updated drivers, even tried downgrading from Vista to XP(which they couldnt do). This is ridiculous...its only a year old!! Any ideas out there? Thanks!

[PAULA SADLER]

HP has identified a hardware issue with certain Compaq Presario F500 series notebook PCs, and you may be eligable for free repair.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c01480071&dlc=en

Good luck!

[Grace Stewart]

upgraded Bios, but no joy. Connects to internet with lead. Did originally connect wirelessly. I believe Hp knew know about this fault but are instyructing their staff to bluff their way out of it, unless item still under warranty.

[Wayne Sallee]

Updating the Bios will not fix the problem.

The problem is caused by a badly installed Nvidia chip on your motherboard. You need to call the main office, and ask for Mark Hurd, and demand that they replace the motherboard.

I've gotten so fed up with how HP is cheating so many people.

I got a black marker and blacked out the HP name on the cover of my laptop. I don't want
anyone to see my HP laptop, and make the bad decision to buy one too.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne@WayneSallee.com

[PAULA SADLER]

HP fixed my f500 at no charge and I was out of the warantee period. They put in a new motherboard and fan, that was in July and so far, so good. Unlike others, I found their customer service to be excellent. Hope you have the same luck.

[HPFIXWIRELESSFREE]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c01087277

The Link above explains the recall. The Computer Models and the issues for this recall. Wireless Card Malfunction is Number 1 on the list.

Dealing with tech support.

Hp Tech support is driving to minimize any chance of them having to pay for new parts. In saying this.
If your Wireless Card Is not in Device Manager and You have an Amber Light When the Wireless Switch is in the ON positions. This is a Malfunction With the motherboard and not the Wireless Card.

[WalleeKat]

@ Wayne.

While I can appreciate that updating the Bios did not fix your problem, stating flat out that it will not solve other peoples problems is doing them a disservice.

Taking three minutes to try updating the Bios before calling Tech support will mean less time on the phone with Tech support and, as in my case, it may just solve the problem.

Granted, it may not help. However, one of the first things Tech support will do though, is ask you to update all your firmware and call back if you still have a problem. Why not try it before spending time on the phone just to be told to go and do it. The more you try to help yourself the more seriously Tech support will take you. And No, I'm not a Tech support guy. I'm just someone who believes in exhausting all possibilities before subjecting myself to the frustrations of Tech support.

These are supposed to be help forums. Telling everyone that something that MAY help them won't help them isn't being helpful.

[HPFIXWIRELESSFREE]

wow, alright, Go ahead. If it works ill put money on it that you will be calling them back within a couple of days.

The reason why this is happening is because of heat. not software , not drivers, not firmware. simply put. Heat. these laptops have alot of power. Hp simple didnt do long term tests, instead like most companys they did simulated long term tests. What happens is the heat gets so great, and im sure you know because your fan is running constantly running to keep the heat down, the heat causes saudering points to lift and the board to start to warp causing things to not work. Most of the time it causes the part of the mobo to warp where the wireless attaches to the mobo. How do I know this. I used to work for hp repair canada.

[WalleeKat]

I'm so sorry to hear you had a bad experience working for HP Canada.

If you read my post you will see that I am just encouraging people to try helping themselves instead of wasting their own time on the phone just to have Tech support tell the o do what they could have done themselves before they called. Thus cutting down on the time spent and number of phone calls.

Also if you read my post you will see that 6 months ago I suggested to someone that they try the repair that WORKED FOR ME and is still working today. If this works for just one other person then we are being helpful instead of trying to imply they bought a piece of junk from a company that only seems to rip people off.

As I said, it may not work, but it worked and is still working for me. Therefore it might be worth trying for someone else.

Five minutes updating your firmware or 30 minutes of telephone hell just to have someone tell you to update your firmware. It's not really a tough choice is it?