HP Wireless Assistant stopped working. Help!

My one year old HP computer (Actually, Compaq) had a dandy wireless assistant in it when I bought it. The other day, I could not get online with it. Clicking on the various links for the programs on the computer, the latest thing I found Troubleshooting wise is that I now have no wireless hardware in the computer.

I suspect that none of my relatives went to the trouble of removing the wireless assistant, so I’m dumbfounded. The light on the switch at the front of the computer (wireless on-off) is always in the orange (on?) position, which I don’t remember being the case before, but I can’t be certain.

Is it broken? Missing a driver?

Thanks,

greatshakes

p.s. Out of warranty by a week or three.

I suspect the hardware is broken, personally.

Ooh, that sucks. Before you assume you have no coverage, though, I’d call the credit card with which you bought it (assuming that’s how you paid). Many credit cards have warranty extension and/or buyer’s assurance programs, and you might not even know it. Your card might have given you a two-year warranty in place of the manufacturer’s one-year one.

Uh, dumb question – did you try flipping the switch? It should be blue. Orange means it’s off or not working.

Sorry, just got back. Yep, flipped the switch, and no change.

I ran a ‘diagnostic’ as far as an IT illiterate person can, and it says ‘wire disconnected’ or something similar. I’ve been googling, and I think I need a new, or repaired wireless card. OK, that’s where I am, and I’m for it. Problem is, I cannot find where to put a new card. HP manual tells how to replace everything EXCEPT, of course, what I want. Can somebody direct me to a website to show a picture or diagram of where to put the accursed wireless card for this Compaq 572US?
Thank you both for your help,

greatshakes

An alternative to replacing the hardware in the machine would be to add an external, usb wireless adapter like this one.

Looks much simpler, and I think I’ll do just that!

Thanks to you, and everybody!

greatshakes

Though it may be simpler just to use an external wireless adaptor, your computer might fall under one of the known hardware issues HP had with certain laptop lines. My Compaq laptop’s wireless adaptor failed exactly like yours. It turned out to be a motherboard issue and HP repaired it for free, even though I’m pretty sure it was out of warranty. I’d go look at HP’s website to see if your particular model qualifies - there were quite a few.

Yessir! Thanks for your splendid advice! I just got off of the phone with the HP boy, and I’ll be sending this rascal in to be fixed…for free!

Thanks JessEnigma!
Thanks again everybody else.

greatshakes