WiFi only works when Ethernet Connected? 1

hksoftware · May 19, 2008

Hi,
Very strange problem here.
The WiFi connection works fine, but only when the laptop is also connected to the router using an ethernet connection.
I can then ping both IPs assigned to the PC and connect through them.

As soon as I unplug the ethernet cable, I cannot even ping through the WiFi connection. Windows says the connection is connected.
As soon as I plug the ethernet cable back in, both connections start working again.

I have reinstalled the WiFi drivers. Still the same.

Bizarrely it was working fine earlier today!

It's a HP laptop with integrated broadcom WiFi.
Windows XP pro.
Connecting to a Zyxel router.

Thanks in advance for any help.

wahnula · May 19, 2008

Sounds like the WiFi is not working at all, despite your being able to ping its IP. Try System Restore to a time when it was working. Try connecting the laptop to other WAPs, and connecting other WiFi devices to the Zyxel wireless network.

Tony

Users helping Users...

jakeyman · May 19, 2008

I have had this mess happen to me before - The issue was the wireless card itself. When I connected via ethernet the network would get an IP for the wireless via DHCP over the ethernet line somehow.

I replaced the broadcom and it worked fine from then on, but first try manually setting your IP, DNS, and gateway. See if the network will let you on that way, and if it does, check the data rates in and out extensively (mine would drop like every 3rd packet and it was collecting huge numbers of collisions.)

Good luck ~

PS - In case you don't know, most HP business line laptops store the wireless card under the mousepad.

hksoftware · May 19, 2008

Excellent advice, thanks guys!
I didn't know you could change the wireless cards in integrated wireless laptops.

I may try the static IP/DNS/Gateway route first.
I'm confident that the WiFi is connected as it finds the wireless network and claim's it's connected even without the ethernet.
And when the cable is connected I can VNC in through the wireless NIC's IP from a remote machine but maybe it's lying to me and sending the data through the ethernet. Maybe I should check on both NICs and try to find out if it really is going through the WiFi.

Thank you!

G0AOZ · May 19, 2008

I guess you've tried the easiest solution already...?

Try turning off the router for 3 or 4 minutes, wait for it to settle down after starting up again, then see if the laptop can connect wirelessly. Sometimes power cycling can help a problem like this.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

wahnula · May 20, 2008

hksoftware said:
I didn't know you could change the wireless cards in integrated wireless laptops.

It's usually quite easy...but YMMV. There should be a plastic plate that's removable to reveal the wireless card and sometimes the RAM:

Once you have the card exposed there is usually a retaining screw and a press-on antenna connector. Be careful not to remove any screws that are recessed or do not have an obvious function. There should be a little chip icon near the cover screw holes for this part.

Tony

Users helping Users...

kjv1611 · May 22, 2008

Wireless? Who needs wireless with a laptop?! [wink]

hksoftware,

What's your current status with this issue?

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!

Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!

WiFi only works when Ethernet Connected? 1

hksoftware

Technical User

wahnula

Technical User

jakeyman

IS-IT--Management

hksoftware

Technical User

G0AOZ

Technical User

wahnula

Technical User

kjv1611

New member

Similar threads

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor