Connecting boot devices and adapters - IBM Computers & Internet

Damaged usb port? See if contacts are bent. Bad wifi adapter is possible. Try another wireless device in the port (mouse, keybd) to see if port is okay. Some adapters require that you install software before using, but this should not cause reboots.

I did this and it worked for me.

*do not connect device to computer yet


**uninstall any previous versions of the software


1. run WNA 3100 v1.1.3.22 setup in normal mode, do not connect device when it asks you to


2. restart computer and boot up in safe mode (hold F8 after turning on comp before windows logo comes up)


3. once loaded in safe mode, connect wireless device, let windows install it


4. once done, start computer in normal mode

There is a great article at Working with Windows Wireless Networks
If you need more help post back! Thumbs and testimonial are welcome!

after new install, unplug the adapter, reboot, plug in adapter, let recognize, set new recovery date. reboot again with adapter plugged in.

If a PC suddenly fails to boot properly, you should perform a hard reset as the first action. Performing the hard reset will correct many problems. If the computer still does not start properly, select your symptom from the list below to guide you to the recommended corrective actions.

1. Disconnect all peripheral devices and remove all USB devices and SD media cards. You want to test the computer not the accessories!
2. Disconnect the AC power adapter, remove the battery, and then press and hold the power button for at least 15 seconds to drain all residual power and restore default startup settings.
3. Reconnect the AC power adapter (but do not insert the battery), Press the Power button, Look for glowing LEDs near caps lock and num lock keys, and Listen for sounds of a fan or other moving parts turning.
4. If the computer does not start, the LED lights do not glow, and the display is black, you can perform one or more of the following actions to resolve the no power issue.
   • Verify the computer is receiving power from the AC adapter . Verify that the AC adapter is not damaged and is connected correctly to a working wall outlet plug. Verify AC power is connected to the system board by examining the AC adapter, wiring, and pin connection for damage. The keyboard LEDs will glow when AC power is connected to the system board. Damaged components, like the AC adapter or the pin in the power connector, may require an HP-certified repair.
   • Use a different AC power adapter . If you have access to a different AC adapter or power pack that is designed for the computer, connect it to the notebook and try to start the computer. If you own or have access to more than one notebook, verify that you are using the adapter which belongs to the notebook. CAUTION: Using a power adapter that does not meet the power requirements or has the wrong type of connector may damage the computer. On newer notebook models, connecting the wrong adapter to the notebook may cause the power LED lights to blink but not power the computer.
   • Remove the battery and boot on AC power only . A discharged or defective battery may prevent the AC adapter from supplying enough power to start the computer. To verify that power from the AC adapter is available for PC; remove the battery, connect AC power adapter, and press power button. If available, try using a different AC adapter, that is rated for the PC, and repeat this test.
     • If LEDS do not glow and the fan or hard drive do not spin, AC adapter may need to be replaced.
     • If LEDs glow and PC boots, the battery may need to be replaced.
     • If LEDs glow but PC does not boot, go to LEDs glow, fan is heard, but display is black or blank section.
   • Remove the AC adapter and boot on battery power only . A defective AC adapter may not charge the battery and prevent the computer from booting on battery power only. To verify battery power available for the PC; connect AC power adapter, allow battery to charge for 30 minutes or more, disconnect the power adapter and press power button. If available, try using a fully charged battery, of the same type, from another computer and repeat this test.
     • If LEDS do not glow and the fan or hard drive do not spin, battery may need to be replaced.
     • If tests of both the battery and the AC adapter fail, there may be a problem with system board requiring service by HP.
     • If LEDs glow and PC boots, the AC adapter may need to be replaced.
     • If LEDs glow, but PC does not boot go to LEDs glow, fan is heard, but display is black or blank section.

Your server tries to "boot" from several sources:
* floppy-disk
* CD/DVD
* disk-drive
* network (if you have a "boot-server" somewhere on your network)

So, if your computer FAILS to boot from the first 3 devices, above, it will try the 4th, namely via your network-adapter.
When your computer finds that its network-adapter is *NOT* connected via an Ethernet cable to a boot-server, it reports "check cable" and "test of the media has failed".

So, why did your server *NOT* boot from the 3rd device, namely your disk-drive? Solve that problem, and the 4th device (the "network-boot") will not be tried, and the error-messages will not appear.

Go to device manager, network adapters, select your wifi adapter, right click then uninstall it. If you're with Vista, do not delete the drivers. Then when its gone, select action on device manager and scan for hardware changes. It will re install the wifi adapter back. Now try to reconnect back to your router, put in your security key and once connected, save it. When you boot it up again it should connect back automatically again.

Hope this helps.

try Fn+F2 to enable the wireless.

As for the multiple entries in device manager, I'd delete the #2 version

Try booting to safe mode, remove any connection setups in the network connections control panel. and then remove the adapter from the device manager.

Reboot your system, then try adding hardware and setup your wireless connection.

If that doesn't work, test the adapter on another computer, and/or test another adapter with your system. (Your adapter might need a burial)

This sound like its a bios problem, check in the bios F2 or Del on boot up and look in the menu for your internal wireless adapter as it may have been dissabled. This is the only way your notebook can possibly have to keep installing it, as the device is there but not being recognised next time you boot, check to see if the cmos time is correct, as other things may be incorrect. The only other thing is that the card driver is not correctly loaded as when the pc boots it should find the hardware then install the driver for the wireless reciever straight away, if its asking for a driver then the driver has not been registered in windows and cannot be found.