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Windows 7: Problem finding wireless network connections

ThyromThyrom Member UncommonPosts: 45
in Hardware

Hi all,

 

Hopefully this is a simple one for someone to answer and something obvious that I am missing :(

 

I have recently purchased a new USB adapter to connect to my wireless router but it is not finding any of the networks in the local area - it is quite annoying as I know that there are connections available. To summarise what I have done:

 

(Running on Windows 7, 64 bit)

 

Installed, and confirmed the version, of the driver for the TP-LINK TL-WN722NC. All is well and it looks fine on the Device Manager. On trying to connect to a network, however, there are no networks available. I have tried to set a new network connection up but it doesn't find anything at all to connect to.

 

So....

 

I plug in my old old USB adapter (TP-LINK TL-WN821N) and it immediately finds loads of networks and connects to the network fine.

 

I have noticed in the drivers inside the Device Manager that there is one difference between the one that works and the one that doesn't. The one that works has the additional entry for "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter"...is this something to do with why the other one isnt working or is it a red herring?

 

I have also checked my firewall and this also looks okay....

 

Does anyone have any suggestions or pointers?

 

Many thanks in advance for any help

Currently playing; nothing

Previously played; Runescape Classic, Runescape, WoW.

Tried but failed; EvE, EQ2, Guild Wars, Darkfall, UO, DDO, LoTRO, FLYFF, Atlantica Online, Ryzom

Comments

  • jdnewelljdnewell Member UncommonPosts: 2,237

    So does windows actually " see " the device installed?

    This may sound obvious but my mother bought something similar. Could not get it to work and called me over. After trying to get it to connect I picked it up and actually looked at it. The " cap " or plastic peice on the end of the device ( where it fits into the cradle or on the end of the USB part ) was still on it and had not been removed.

    Like I said it may sound stupid and may not be your problem, but things like that are often overlooked lol =)

  • DarkPonyDarkPony Member Posts: 5,566

    TP-WN721N here on windows 7 64. Was a bit quirky to install only the driver (installer was kind of non-responsive) but it works like a charm.

    What was your reason to get that 722NC?

    It's 150 mbps while your 821N is 300 mbps.

    Could be that you got a bad apple. Or it is conflicting with other drivers.

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    My brand new bloggity blog.

  • DarkPonyDarkPony Member Posts: 5,566

    Apparently it needs a firmware update: http://puppylinux.info/topic/problem-with-wireless-usb-card-tl-wn722n

    Edit: that is Linux firmware it looks like. I'll try and find a win 7 version.

    Hmm, I guess you checked but the latest drivers are here: http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/?model=TL-WN722N&version=V1

    image
    My brand new bloggity blog.

  • ThyromThyrom Member UncommonPosts: 45

    Hi all,

    Thanks for the replies...to answer the responses:

    Yes, the computer is seeing the device - that was my initial thought and the green light is flashing green when plugged in.

    The reason I opted for the new device over the previous one was because of aerial (I'm hoping that it will improve my signal as I have been suffering from a very poor connection and wiring it directly is not an option).

    Those are the drivers that I have installed :(

    It is baffling me...and is very frustrating. I cant help but think I have missed something obvious...

     

    Currently playing; nothing

    Previously played; Runescape Classic, Runescape, WoW.

    Tried but failed; EvE, EQ2, Guild Wars, Darkfall, UO, DDO, LoTRO, FLYFF, Atlantica Online, Ryzom

  • ThyromThyrom Member UncommonPosts: 45

    Problem solved, and I am kicking myself as it was my cutting corners that caused me to miss the cause of my problem.

    It appears that Zone Alarm was the issue. I unistalled the firewall (rather than disabling) and after this the USB adapter worked a treat.

    :)

    Currently playing; nothing

    Previously played; Runescape Classic, Runescape, WoW.

    Tried but failed; EvE, EQ2, Guild Wars, Darkfall, UO, DDO, LoTRO, FLYFF, Atlantica Online, Ryzom

  • KryptyKrypty Member UncommonPosts: 454

    Dat ZoneAlarm! Honestly though, on a sidenote, 3rd party firewalls are essentially unnecessary. As long as you know what you are doing and know you are not infected or have some rogue 3rd party program (looking at you Pando Media Booster), then Windows Firewall works just fine.

     

    Heck, I even use Microsoft Security Essentials (I dont really need a strong antivirus, but if I did, I'd go Avira).

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