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Troubleshooting wireless connection problems, Cannot create a WLAN connection - wireless adapter

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Troubleshooting wireless connection problems Some possible causes for wireless connection problems include the following: ● Network configuration (SSID or security) has been changed. ● Wireless device is not installed correctly or has been disabled. ● Wireless device or router hardware has failed. ● Wireless device encountered interference from other devices. NOTE: Wireless networking devices are included with select computer models only. If wireless networking is not listed in the feature list on the side of the original computer package, you may add wireless networking capability to the computer by purchasing a wireless networking device. Before working your way through the sequence of possible solutions to your network connection problem, be sure that device drivers are installed for all wireless devices. Use the procedures in this chapter to diagnose and repair a computer that does not connect to the network you want to use. Cannot create a WLAN connection If you have a problem connecting to a WLAN, confirm that the integrated WLAN device is properly installed on your computer: NOTE: Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and Support for more information. 1. Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Then in the System area, click Device Manager. 2. Click the arrow next to Network adapters to expand the list to show all of the installed adapters. 3. Identify the WLAN device from the Network adapters list. The listing for a WLAN device may include the term wireless, wireless LAN, WLAN, Wi-Fi, or 802.11. If no WLAN device is listed, either your computer does not have an integrated WLAN device, or the driver for the WLAN device is not properly installed. For more information on troubleshooting WLANs, refer to the Web site links provided in Help and Support. Cannot connect to a preferred network Windows can automatically repair a corrupted WLAN connection: ● If there is a network icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, right-click the icon, and then click Troubleshoot problems. Windows resets your network device and attempts to reconnect to one of the preferred networks. ● If there is no network icon in the notification area, follow these steps: 1. Select Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. 2. Click Troubleshoot problems and select the network you wish to repair. 32 Chapter 2 Wireless, modem, and local area network

Section	Page
Features	11
Identifying hardware	11
Top components	11
TouchPad	11
Lights	13
Buttons and fingerprint reader (select models only)	16
Keys	20
Front components	21
Right-side components	22
Left-side components	24
Rear components	25
Bottom components	26
Display components	27
Wireless antennas (select models only)	28
Additional hardware components	29
Identifying the labels	29
Wireless, modem, and local area network	31
Using wireless devices (select models only)	31
Identifying wireless and network icons	32
Using the wireless controls	32
Using the wireless button	32
Using Wireless Assistant software (select models only)	33
Using HP Connection Manager (select models only)	33
Using operating system controls	34
Using a WLAN device (select models only)	35
Setting up a WLAN	35
Protecting your WLAN	35
Connecting to a WLAN	36
Roaming to another network	37
Using HP Mobile Broadband (select models only)	38
Inserting a SIM	38
Removing a SIM	39
Using a Bluetooth wireless device	41
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	41
Troubleshooting wireless connection problems	42
Cannot create a WLAN connection	42
Cannot connect to a preferred network	42
Network icon is not displayed	43
Current network security codes are unavailable	43
WLAN connection is very weak	44
Cannot connect to the wireless router	44
Using the modem (select models only)	45
Connecting a modem cable	45
Connecting a country- or region-specific modem cable adapter	46
Selecting a location setting	46
Viewing the current location selection	46
Adding new locations when traveling	47
Solving travel connection problems	48
Connecting to a local area network (LAN)	49
Pointing devices and keyboard	50
Using pointing devices	50
Setting pointing device preferences	50
Using the TouchPad	50
Using the pointing stick (select models only)	50
Connecting an external mouse	50
Using the keyboard	50
Using hotkeys	50
Using HP QuickLook 3	53
Using keypads	53
Using the embedded numeric keypad	53
Enabling and disabling the embedded numeric keypad	54
Switching key functions on the embedded numeric keypad	54
Using the integrated numeric keypad	54
Using an optional external numeric keypad	55
Multimedia	56
Multimedia features	56
Adjusting the volume	56
Multimedia software	57
Accessing your preinstalled multimedia software	58
Installing multimedia software from a disc	58
Audio	59
Connecting external audio devices	59
Checking your audio functions	59
Video	61
Connecting an external monitor or projector	61
Using the external monitor port	61
Using the DisplayPort	61
Optical drive (select models only)	63
Identifying the optical drive	63
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD	63
Configuring AutoPlay	63
Changing DVD region settings	64
Observing the copyright warning	64
Copying a CD, DVD, or BD	65
Creating (burning) a CD, DVD, or BD	65
Removing an optical disc (CD, DVD, or BD)	66
Troubleshooting	66
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD	66
The computer does not detect the optical drive	67
A disc does not play	68
A disc does not play automatically	69
A movie stops, skips, or plays erratically	69
A movie is not visible on an external display	69
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion	69
A device driver must be reinstalled	70
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers	70
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers	70
Webcam (select models only)	72
Adjusting webcam properties	72
Power management	74
Setting power options	74
Using power-saving states	74
Initiating and exiting Sleep	74
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	75
Using the battery meter	75
Using power plans	75
Viewing the current power plan	76
Selecting a different power plan	76
Customizing power plans	76
Setting password protection on wakeup	76
Using Power Assistant (select models only)	77
Starting Power Assistant	77
Using external AC power	77
Connecting the AC adapter	78
Using battery power	79
Finding battery information in Help and Support	79
Using Battery Check	79
Displaying the remaining battery charge	80
Inserting or removing the battery	80
Charging a battery	81
Maximizing battery discharge time	82
Managing low battery levels	82
Identifying low battery levels	82
Resolving a low battery level	83
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available	83
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is available	83
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is available	83
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation	83
Calibrating a battery	83
Step 1: Fully charge the battery	83
Step 2: Disable Hibernation and Sleep	84
Step 3: Discharge the battery	84
Step 4: Fully recharge the battery	86
Step 5: Reenable Hibernation and Sleep	86
Conserving battery power	86
Storing a battery	87
Disposing of a used battery	87
Replacing the battery	87
Testing an AC adapter	88
Shutting down the computer	88
Drives	90
Identifying installed drives	90
Handling drives	90
Improving hard drive performance	92
Using Disk Defragmenter	92
Using Disk Cleanup	92
Using HP 3D DriveGuard	93
Identifying HP 3D DriveGuard status	93
Using HP 3D DriveGuard software	94
Replacing a hard drive in the hard drive bay	95
Replacing a drive in the upgrade bay	98
Removing the protective insert	98
Replacing a hard drive	98
Replacing an optical drive	102
External devices	105
Using a USB device	105
Connecting a USB device	105
Removing a USB device	106
Using USB legacy support	106
Using a 1394 device	107
Connecting a 1394 device	107
Removing a 1394 device	107
Using a serial device (select models only)	109
Using external drives	110
Using optional external devices	110
Using a docking device	111
External media cards	112
Using Media Card Reader cards	112
Inserting a digital card	112
Removing a digital card	113
Using ExpressCards (select models only)	114
Configuring an ExpressCard	114
Inserting an ExpressCard	114
Removing an ExpressCard	115
Using smart cards (select models only)	116
Inserting a smart card	116
Removing a smart card	116
Memory modules	118
Adding or replacing a memory module in the expansion memory module slot	119
Upgrading a memory module in the primary memory module slot	122
Security	126
Protecting the computer	126
Using passwords	127
Setting passwords in Windows	127
Setting passwords in Computer Setup	127
BIOS administrator password	128
Managing a BIOS administrator password	129
Entering a BIOS administrator password	130
Using Computer Setup DriveLock	130
Setting a DriveLock password	131
Entering a DriveLock password	132
Changing a DriveLock password	133
Removing DriveLock protection	134
Using Computer Setup Auto DriveLock	134
Entering an Automatic DriveLock password	134
Removing Automatic DriveLock protection	135
Using Computer Setup security features	136
Securing system devices	136
Viewing Computer Setup System Information	136
Using Computer Setup System IDs	137
Using antivirus software	138
Using firewall software	139
Installing critical updates	140
Using HP ProtectTools Security Manager (select models only)	141
Installing a security cable	142
Software updates	143
Updating software	143
Updating the BIOS	145
Determining the BIOS version	145
Downloading a BIOS update	145
Updating programs and drivers	147
Backup and recovery	148
Backing up your information	149
Performing a recovery	151
Using the Windows recovery tools	151
Using f11 recovery tools	152
Using a Windows 7 operating system DVD (purchased separately)	152
Computer Setup	154
Starting Computer Setup	154
Using Computer Setup	154
Navigating and selecting in Computer Setup	154
Restoring factory settings in Computer Setup	155
Computer Setup menus	155
File menu	156
Security menu	156
System Configuration menu	157
MultiBoot	161
About the boot device order	161
Enabling boot devices in Computer Setup	163
Considering boot order changes	164
Choosing MultiBoot preferences	165
Setting a new boot order in Computer Setup	165
Dynamically choosing a boot device using the F9 prompt	166
Setting a MultiBoot Express prompt	166
Entering MultiBoot Express preferences	166
Management and printing	167
Using Client Management Solutions	167
Configuring and deploying a software image	167
Managing and updating software	168
HP Client Manager for Altiris (select models only)	168
HP CCM (Client Configuration Manager) (select models only)	170
HP SSM (System Software Manager)	171
Using the HP Universal Print Driver (select models only)	172
Routine care	173
Cleaning products	174
Cleaning procedures	174
Cleaning the display	174
Cleaning the sides and cover	174
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard	175

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Troubleshooting wireless connection problems

Some possible causes for wireless connection problems include the following:

●

Network configuration (SSID or security) has been changed.

●

Wireless device is not installed correctly or has been disabled.

●

Wireless device or router hardware has failed.

●

Wireless device encountered interference from other devices.

NOTE:

Wireless networking devices are included with select computer models only. If wireless

networking is not listed in the feature list on the side of the original computer package, you may add

wireless networking capability to the computer by purchasing a wireless networking device.

Before working your way through the sequence of possible solutions to your network connection

problem, be sure that device drivers are installed for all wireless devices.

Use the procedures in this chapter to diagnose and repair a computer that does not connect to the

network you want to use.

Cannot create a WLAN connection

If you have a problem connecting to a WLAN, confirm that the integrated WLAN device is properly

installed on your computer:

NOTE:

Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer.

You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing software, running

utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and Support for more information.

Select

Start > Control Panel > System and Security

. Then in the

System

area, click

Device

Manager

Click the arrow next to

Network adapters

to expand the list to show all of the installed adapters.

Identify the WLAN device from the Network adapters list. The listing for a WLAN device may include

the term

wireless

wireless LAN

WLAN

Wi-Fi

, or

802.11

If no WLAN device is listed, either your computer does not have an integrated WLAN device, or

the driver for the WLAN device is not properly installed.

For more information on troubleshooting WLANs, refer to the Web site links provided in Help and

Support.

Cannot connect to a preferred network

Windows can automatically repair a corrupted WLAN connection:

●

If there is a network icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, right-click the icon,

and then click

Troubleshoot problems

Windows resets your network device and attempts to reconnect to one of the preferred networks.

●

If there is no network icon in the notification area, follow these steps:

Select

Start

Control Panel

Network and Internet >

Network and Sharing Center

Click

Troubleshoot problems

and select the network you wish to repair.

Chapter 2

Wireless, modem, and local area network