Laptop doesn't find any wireless network out there. Built in wireless card(Broadcom). Configuration problem?

Question

I have an Acer Aspire 3100+ with Windows Xp and Service Pack 2. For some reason, it doesn't detect any wireless networks out there. It has a built in wireless card which is a "Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter" it shows the device is working properly. I have two other computers : a desktop and a wireless Dell that are connected to the internet. The desktop is wired on it. I'm using a U.S Robotics USR5461 wireless router with AT&T DSL connection. I have searched everywhere to see how to get this laptop connected wirelessly but still nothing worked. One thing though: I went to the Services option in Adminstrative Tools (Control Panel) to Enable the "Windows Zero Configuration Utility". It showed that it was already 'Automatic' and 'Started'. This is supposed to make a "Windows Zero Configuration Utility" icon when I go to Control Panel. But there is no such icon there. I know there its supposed to be because I saw it my Dell laptop. My router has also set all wireless devices to connect

My connection is WEP open with a password. I have tried manually by adding the 'SSID' and a password by right clicking on the wireless icon in 'network connections' and it still doesnt connect to it. Because it can't detect it. Please help. Its worked before. I don't think there's any wireless software with the built in card. I have even tried reinstalling it and its the same thing. It doesnt detect ANY networks no matter how close I put it near my router.

Oh and the wireless icon in "network Connections" shows a red X with 'not connected' and 'firewalled'

There is also no switch on the laptop. I don't see how the built in card is bad because we haven't used it that much before. It has worked before though. I'm about to see if the updated wireless card driver works. I got it from the Acer website.

Answer 1

One thing I would check first on most newer laptops you have to enbale the wirless connection.
My wife laptop on her acer their is a slider button in the frount whare it turns on the wirless connection once that is you should be able to go into your network connectiona and do a search for the wirless connection.

Also other brand name laptops have it so you have to hold down your FN key and push one of the F# keys that has a wirless syombal on it

If your card is on and its not working at all it could be just a bad wirless card in general If it is under warenty I would send it back have them look at it

Hope that helps take care.

Answer 2

either look for a wireless switch on the front/side of the machine, if no switch try hitting Fn+F2 together some have a software switch and this turns it on/off, i was just on the acer site and it should have a small on/off switch beside the power lights on the front

Answer 3

In network connections in your control panel, check to see that the adapter is enabled.
make sure that if you have a switch for the wireless card it is on, or that your indicators are all go.
If it still will not connect, you can download a new set of drivers for it
at
http://www.acerpanam.com/flex/acerdrivers/bin/drivers.html?CFID=4798352&CFTOKEN=28222051
if that doesn't work send it back....