Not recognizing wifi networks

[ogrerocks]

I can't figure out why vista is not recognizing any wireless networks. Here's a screen shot to help illustrate the problem.


Vista cannot see any wifi networks, but the broadcom wifi utility sees everything fine (it doesn't have the ability to connect though). Any external wifi adapter works fine, either USB or PCMCIA. I've even changed the internal mini PCI card with a new one. There are no windows restore points far enough back to go to and a full system restore is my very last resort.
I've tried all the windows updates and removing all security software on the PC.

I can't think of anything else to try. Does anyone have any ideas other than a restore?

[cmillar6]

might be a driver issue, see if any driver updates are available.

[ogrerocks]

Originally Posted by cmillar6 might be a driver issue, see if any driver updates are available.

Already updated the drivers. Didn't work with old ones or new ones.
If the broadcom utility can see it doesn't that mean the drivers and card re working fine?
I think the problem lies with vista somewhere.

[cmillar6]

what does it say about your wireless card in the device manager, any flags?

[ogrerocks]

Originally Posted by cmillar6 what does it say about your wireless card in the device manager, any flags?

No flags or alerts. Says everything is fine with all the hardware.

[cmillar6]

I am wondering if the broadcom utility is disabling the windows wireless service, please check to make sure the windows wireless service is running. Type services.msc in the run command and make sure the wireless service is enabled.

[ogrerocks]

Originally Posted by cmillar6 I am wondering if the broadcom utility is disabling the windows wireless service, please check to make sure the windows wireless service is running. Type services.msc in the run command and make sure the wireless service is enabled.

Tried that already. Its running. I've tried restarting it too. Still nothing.

[cmillar6]

did it ever work with Vista?

[ogrerocks]

Yes, it originally worked with Vista with a Realtek wifi card in it.
I have a the broadcom in there since I was trying to figure out the problem.
The Realtek gave me the same problems.

[cmillar6]

doing a google search there are many others with Vista and wireless in the same boat, the only solution seems to be a reinstall.

[ogrerocks]

Mind if I ask what page you read it from?
I found a few pages that resulted in a Norton incompatibility (from CNET I think) and a few that people asked the question and got no response.

Just trying to run through everything completely.
Thanks for the help and suggestions.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by ogrerocks I found a few pages that resulted in a Norton incompatibility.

Just out of curiosity, what type of Antivirus/firewall/antispyware are you running? If you have either Norton or McAfee Security Suites installed, I would immediately remove it and see if anything changes. 9 times out of 10 I find wireless issues are related to some security suite firewall. And networking with Norton is bordering on insanity.

[ogrerocks]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Just out of curiosity, what type of Antivirus/firewall/antispyware are you running? If you have either Norton or McAfee Security Suites installed, I would immediately remove it and see if anything changes. 9 times out of 10 I find wireless issues are related to some security suite firewall. And networking with Norton is bordering on insanity.

It has Trend Micro but I've disabled it to try and figure this out. I've run both the Norton and Mcafee removal programs to be sure it doesn't have any traces of them on it.

I can see how a firewall would cause connection issues, but would they really keep it from seeing any networks?
Thanks.

[Panama Red]

Humor me. Remove the Trend Micro Security Suite (I notice you didn't say PCcillin which is the antivirus only) and see what happens. You can always put it back.

I've seen several cases where Norton's Security Suite is installed and the owner can't join a network. The Symantec business version seems to work fine in a networked environment but the Norton version that comes on personal computers is the biggest culprit I've found when trying to get pc's to "see" each other on a network. I just experienced it again over the 4th of July with a new HP/Vista Home Premium machine. It belongs to my wife's cousin in Illinois and we were having a family reunion. When I hit a wall trying to network his two pc's, I asked if I could uninstall Norton and put AVG on instead. Once the Windows Firewall was restored, I had no problems.

[cmillar6]

I just experienced it again over the 4th of July with a new HP/Vista Home Premium machine. It belongs to my wife's cousin in Illinois and we were having a family reunion.

were you trying to network Vista Home Premium with XP? I have been trying for 3 weeks to get the inlaws new laptop running Vista to network with their existing XP box, they won't even ping one another. I have their ISP bringing out a new modem/router Friday. I uninstalled Norton Internet Security on both machines as well and it didn't help. I have tried every tip available on the internet and nothing helps.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by cmillar6 were you trying to network Vista Home Premium with XP?

Yup, the 2nd pc was an older emachine running XP Home. It too had Norton installed until I removed it. Wish I had an answer for your dilemma but, as you know, networking can be a nightmare. Years ago I had an issue with an XP Pro machine on my own network. I tried everything I could think of to make it work and nothing would. When it suddenly started working I had no idea what had fixed the problem.

[cmillar6]

try uninstalling the wireless card in device manager and rebooting. If this doesn't work and you are sure your wireless router is configured properly I would try a repair install or reinstall of Vista. Its drastic, but you are running out of options.

[ogrerocks]

Originally Posted by cmillar6 try uninstalling the wireless card in device manager and rebooting. If this doesn't work and you are sure your wireless router is configured properly I would try a repair install or reinstall of Vista. Its drastic, but you are running out of options.

I've tried uninstalling and rebooting, still nothing.
I've had countless laptops and devices connected to the router, it works fine.
I'm going to try removing Trend Micro.