Member Avatar for jokagini

Hey guys,


I recently installed a new copy of Windows 7 on my Dell Studio XPS computer. I successfully installed the Wifi drivers on the computer for the wireless card, although it always says windows was unable to find any wireless networks.


I checked to make sure all the drivers are installed correctly, the only two drivers i don't think I have installed are an ethernet controller or PCI simple communicatons control. Could this be affecting the WiFi? I couldn't figure out how to find out what type of those 2 I have, or find either drivers.

This is driving me nuts i've been trying to fix it for over a week, any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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A short, practical checklist that picks up where the thread left off (notes on what to try next and which facts matter).

The DW1525 in that XPS family is an Atheros card (AR9280) and has a long history of weak/spotty reception on Studio/XPS 8100 machines—so the symptom list you gave (1–2 bars, connects briefly, then drops) matches other reports. (deviwiki.com)

Do a quick hardware ID + status pass so answers can be precise. Open Device Manager (type devmgmt.msc), find the yellow‑exclamation devices, Properties → Details → Hardware Ids and copy the top line. From an elevated command prompt run these to check the Wi‑Fi stack and services:

devmgmt.msc
netsh wlan show drivers
netsh wlan show networks
services.msc   # verify 'WLAN AutoConfig' is Running and set to Automatic

The Hardware Id method is the most reliable way to identify the Ethernet and “PCI Simple Communications Controller” entries; use that ID when searching for drivers. Also disable adapter power‑save (Device Manager → adapter → Power Management) and set Wireless Adapter Settings to Maximum Performance in Power Options while testing. (howtogeek.com)

Install drivers in the correct order: chipset/INF first, then Intel Management Engine Interface (the usual cause of “PCI Simple Communications Controller”), then storage/audio, then Ethernet, then WLAN. Installing the chipset + MEI often clears the unknown devices and lets the network drivers install cleanly. On XPS 8100 systems the wired NIC is often Broadcom NetLink and the wireless is the DW1525 (Atheros) so make sure you pick drivers that match the Hardware Ids you found. (intel.com)

If driver swaps don’t fix intermittent signal: power down, reseat the PCIe card and check the two tiny antenna leads (U.FL) — a loose or mis‑connected antenna produces exactly the weak/unstable signal you describe. As a test, try a cheap USB Wi‑Fi adapter; if that works reliably, the card or antenna is the culprit and replacement is the fastest fix. Be cautious about unknown remote‑support services (security risk). Post the first Hardware Id line (or a Speccy snapshot, as suggested) and the exact IDs will point directly to the correct vendors/files. (deviwiki.com)

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Member Avatar for caperjack

two drivers i don't think I have installed are an ethernet controller or PCI simple communicatons control

it isn't going to work with out those ,use you dell service tag and download the chip set drivers i think ,if it doesn't show one ,go to networking and download controller from there ,enter you service tag here .
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/555?c=us&l=en&s=biz&~ck=mn

this is from my dell ,drivers page and it only showed one device drive ,and the controller driver ,i installed both and it worked .

network_.PNG 16.62 KB
Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for jokagini

Well i've been trying to figure this out for hours. There is nothing for me to download from dell, my service tag = jss6qL1....there's one driver under networking and I already have that downloaded.


My room is upstairs and the router is downstairs. On my old computer the wireless worked fine. I got it to work somewhat today (had about 1-2 bars, worked for 3 minutes at the longest) in my room. It kept disconnecting, trying to connect, and just overall not working.

I've been reading a lot of bad things about the adapter I have online DW1525 (802.11n) WLAN PCIe Card.

Should I upgrade the adapter? All the parts in this computer are great, i don't see why this adapter should be this bad.

Member Avatar for ThomasAnderson

well, I have dell Inspiron, it has the same problem couple of month ago. I have tried many things, search on google for help by unable to solve the problems.
So, i call the technician for the <snipped link>. I don't know what he did on my laptop. Afer some time when he finished something like executing command he told me that my laptop is now connected. I restart my computer several times & find my wifi is working fine.

Edited by ~s.o.s~ because: Removed questionable link
Member Avatar for caperjack

well, I have dell Inspiron, it has the same problem couple of month ago. I have tried many things, search on google for help by unable to solve the problems.
So, i call the technician for the . I don't know what he did on my laptop. Afer some time when he finished something like executing command he told me that my laptop is now connected. I restart my computer several times & find my WiFi is working fine.

i don't think anyone should give this site a call and let them have access to there computer ,if you need this then call your computer manufacturer, most offer this type of support, i don't think the issue here is with a work/trojan so link in post above is miss leading

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for caperjack

download and run Speccy program to give us a bit more info on what on thelaptop .it fee and safe ,run it and when its done go to file and click on publish snap shot,copy the link to clipboard and paste it here .
http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for ThomasAnderson

I have wifi problem with my dell 1525 when i intall windows 7 to it. Whenever i try to connect it start connecting after a couple of minutes it shows the error unable to connect. I install wifi driver & even format my lappy many times but unable to get a soluton.
Than i decided to take the technical help, as one of my frnd suggested, from the iGennie technical solution & there technician just run some commands, and my laptop wifi working fine.
wooow.... thanz to iGennie.

Member Avatar for caperjack

Than i decided to take the technical help, as one of my frnd suggested, from the iGennie technical solution & there technician just run some commands, and my laptop wifi working fine.
wooow.... thanz to iGennie.

you let some online tech support sitr have access to you computer ,how do you know that the file you had to download wasn't a trojan ,and now they are watching your every move, and what about payment ,i assume you used a credit card ,and now they have your number , or maybe you just a signature spammer .if you are,then i would suggest to other who think your idea is a good one to be wise and be careful when dealing with online tech support ,most are just another scam

Member Avatar for paulvincent

I believe that is a driver problem similar with what i encountered with my Compaq laptop on my first installation.

Try to visit your laptop manufacturers website cause they may have supports for the drivers, or better yet solutions.

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