Wireless no longer works after having recieved new HDD

[Dee Rhymz]

I brought the system back in time, and internet and shutting down seemed to be in peace with each other, until I started the computer back up and I was again without wireless internet.

In the meantime I carried my computer back upstairs, but this time the driver I downloaded didn't work. Out of frustrated randomness I plugged in one of my over-5-year-old wireless USBs, and strangely enough it works, even though I haven't installed any software for it.
I have the feeling this will also die on me as soon I shut down the computer, but for the moment I have internet again.

Strange things are happening here.

And it's not a laptop, Cobalt.
Acer is happy to accept my computer for repair, again, but I am tired of not having a computer. I want a simple solution; and if the current one won't fail on me tomorrow, I'll take it.

 

[Cobalt006]

I can understand you not being happy about not having your Computer. But why would want to put up with this? If you can have them repair your problem. I am sure you paid a nice penny for the computer and want it to work right. I know if it were me they would have it back Or they would replace it.

 

[tipstir]

ACER said they would repair the issue, so send it back.

 

[Row1]

These connectivity problems are really frustrating.
In our home, one solution is that we have three computers - so one can go down for a while.
I know a model of laptop that is reliable - I can always find one on Ebay for under $200.

Sadly, you have to have a "spare" computer, since every now and then you get hit with a diffiuclt-to-remove virus, or your wifi decides to hide somewhere. or, in my house, a preschooler spill salsa all over the keyboard.

 

[TheHawk]

I understand both Cobalt006 and Dee Rhymz's position, and here's my take on this.The fact that he took the pc upstairs and used another wireless adapter and it worked tells me it's not something that's a hard failure, but either something flaky going bad, or some incompatability or interference issue, and the 3 major players involved are his wireless router, the adapter(s), and Windows itself. If he sends it in, there's no guarantee when he gets it back he won't have the same issue since Acer is not going to test it with his equipment in his location, who knows, he might be having an interference issue causing this problem. I can understand sending it back if it were something like an overheating issue or some mobo problem and it was still under warranty,

What I would do at this point is leave it upstairs for a few days (or at least a few days past the length of time it was failing downstairs). If it works normally, I would take it back downstairs, and if it starts acting up again I would seriously look for some type of interference caused by some other electronic device in the room. It might just be a coincidence that this problem started after the HD was replaced. If it acts up when upstairs with either adapter being used, I myself would do a full format of the drive and reinstall Win8, and install all drivers, you will at least know Win8 is not the issue and you don't have some type of malware if you still have the problem. I also discount the router as a problem since your other devices don't have a problem.

 

[tipstir]

Either turn off your router or power cycle it when it does that. That's why it best to spend the extra money on better router like those aimed for business. Now they're selling SMB Access Point. Those are build to with-stand anything. Home Wireless Router just can't take too many connections before it starts to choke or act-up.

 

[Cobalt006]

I understand what you are saying Hawk. But what if he tries all the things you have said and six months down the line he is still having the same problem . Whats he do then when the warranty is off. I have fix many computers with this issue just by changing their settings or resetting the router and so forth. But at this point I am more app to go with windows being the cause. He can try a fresh reinstall. This might just fix his problem. But if not . I would ship it back and let them fix it.

 

[TheHawk]

I understand your point too Cobalt. If there is say a month or so left in his warranty, I would take a few days and try out some of the suggestions posted since the problem is intermittent, but if there was say a week left, off it goes ASAP. I myself also would go for a full format and reinstall of Win8 to narrow it down. At this point, I've done 1 Win8 reinstall (from a hidden partition), and it didn't take long. Although I don't know about Dee's router, I do agree with tipstir about cheaper home routers many people have that I've seen, some of which fail/give problems within a year. Another thing to try would be to see if there is a firmware update for this router if he's willing to go that route. It should only take a few minutes when done correctly.

 

[Cobalt006]

I do agree with you Hawk with the full reinstall Of win 8, Same with tipsters advice about the routers. So hopefully between these two things. If he tries them this will be the fix.