Wireless Networks Not Detected

[wissamyoussif]

Hi all, I have a DELL INSPIRON 5010 laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit OS. Wireless networks cannot be detected in it although I've installed all the necessary drivers (or so I think), and when I press the wireless botton (the one that looks like an antenna, otherwise used as F2), nothing happens. What should I do? Thanks

[Rustys]

Has the wireless ever worked?

Why did you reinstall the drivers?

Does is show in the device manager window?

the one that looks like an antenna, otherwise used as F2

Are you pressing the keys at the same time?

Have you checked the BIOS to see if it was disable there?

[wissamyoussif]

Hi Rustys, thanks for your interest. The wireless in my laptop I never tried (and never needed till now), and the wireless service in the area workes and detected by all other computers. I reinstalled the drivers because I've installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit edition-- wasn't the OS in my laptop when I bought it. The device manager shows an "unknown device" in the network section. I think only one key is required to press in order to turn on-off the wireless network detector in my computer. The BIOS I didn't check and I don't know how it works.

[patio]

The device manager shows an "unknown device" in the network section.

This means the driver is NOT installed...

[wissamyoussif]

Still, I've downloaded and installed all network drivers from Dell's website. It exactly says "Other Devices-- Network Controller", with an exclamation mark to it, showing that there's something wrong with it.
The BIOS setting, Network controllers are all turned on.

[jason2074]

It exactly says "Other Devices-- Network Controller

Can you post a screenshot? 
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=61232.0
Before hitting printscreen, expand the tab on network card or devices.

[Rustys]

Just to confirm some information

This is an Inspiron N5010?

You are selecting the Windows 7 64-bit and not the Windows Vista 64-bit.

I reinstalled the drivers because I've installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit edition-- wasn't the OS in my laptop when I bought it.

Did you install the chipset driver first after install the OS.

I've downloaded and installed all network drivers from Dell's website.

Remove all them there may be a conflict some where and re download the driver that is made for your WI-Fi card make and model.

[wissamyoussif]

Hi all, sorry for being late-- no network, of course.
jason2074, here's the screenshot attached.
Rustys, yes, it is an Inspiron N5010, I did install the chipset driver(s) first-- all of them. Afterwards, I've installed all the network drivers.
I've installed Everest Ultimate Edition and it told me that the one I have is Broadcom 802.11n Wireless Network Adapter-- didn't find that.
Sorry again- and this is a reminder that I've been to Dell's phone technical support and-- let's just say nothing happened.

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

[jason2074]

wasn't the OS in my laptop when I bought it

What was the previous? Have you tried installing the previous network driver available on your win 7 system?
Expand Network Adapters not Other Devices. Are there marks on your Network Cards?

[wissamyoussif]

It was also another version of Windows 7-- I don't remember the exact details. But since the hard drive wasn't partitioned, I've had to reformat, partition and install the version that I've had. I didn't look further into the details of the previous OS and the available network driver (and all the other drivers) and I was completely wrong to depend on the fact that I'd simply and easily find them of the manufacturer's website.
Please see the current (updated) Screenshot, the Network adapters are fine and there're no marks on them, but they're the Bluetooth devices, not the wireless.
Thanks

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

[patio]

Dell's are finicky about drivers...

See Here...

Also you have the option of entering your service tag@ and it will list all available drivers...
Did this machine come with Win7 originally ? ? If not that may be the issue...

PS...according to the posted screenshot apparently the network drivers are Not fine....

[wissamyoussif]

Hi patio, of course I've been through all that before posting here. I did download and install all the necessary drivers (or so I believe).
The retailer installed a version of Windows 7 on it before I've got it, but I believe that it originally didn't have any OS-- otherwise it'd have shown up on its documentations.

[patio]

Also you have the option of entering your service tag@ and it will list all available drivers...

Try this at the Dell site...

[wissamyoussif]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I already did that before showing up here. See that's the problem-- there's no way I can get any technical support from Dell's technical support, nor from any other source up till now.

[patio]

I didn't say you need to go to tech support...
The Driver DLoad page only needs the service tag # off of the machine...
If you didn't get a list of all drivers for your machine you may want to try again...