Is My VGN-Z21ZNx Wifi Network card faulty? Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN

[alichoud]

I have a VGN-Z21ZNx it has ON/OFF swith at the front of the laptop that slides OFF and ON, left to right respectively. When its ON the green light is on and when its OFF its off.

My operating system is vista. ive had it for around 2years or less. Basically the WIFI keeps disconnecting.

Details below:

Wireless Network Connection properties

Networking

Connecting using: Intel(R) WIFI Link 5100 AGN.

This connection uses the folowing items(All below are checkbox ticked)

Client for Microsoft Networks

QoS Packet Scheduler

file and printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks

Internet Protocol version 6(TCP/IPv6) {Properties IP settings Auto}

Internet Protocol version 4(TCP/IPv4) {Properties IP settings Auto, DHCP enabled}

Link-layer Topology Discovery Mapper I/O Driver

Link-layer Topology Discovery Responder

Sharing = nothing ticked

Home network connection = private network connection.

Intel(R) WIFI Link 5100 AGN properties

Driver Provider Intel

Driver Darte 03/08/2011

Driver Version 14.2.0.10

Digital Signer microsoft windows hardware compatibility publisher

Driver Version 14.2.0.10 is the latest driver downloaded from INTEL

Device Network adapters

Manufacturer Intel Corporation

Location PCI bus 6, device0, function 0

Power management all off as in No checkbox ticked

Advanced

802.11n Channel Width for band 2.4 Value Auto

802.11n Channel Width for band 5.2 Value Auto

802.11n Mode Value Enabled

Ad Hoc Channel 802.11b/g Value 11

Ad Hoc QoS Mode Value WMM Disabled

Fat Channel Intolerant Value Disabled

Mixed Mode Protection Value CTS-to-self Enabled

Roaming Aggressivness Value 3. Medium

Transmit Power Value 5. Highest

Wireless Mode Value 6. 802.11a/b/g

What usually occurs is that when it loggs off  ie the WIFI cuts off i no longer can find the wireless network connection. Therfore i cant restart the adapter.

Start - Control pannel - Device Manager - Network adapters

Although i do have these two

Intel(R)82567LM Gigabit Network Connection

GlobalTrotter Module HSxPA - Network conntection

VAIO Smart network.

Also i have noticed if i switch the WWAN off the Green light at the front of the LAPTOP disapears even though it is on the ON postion and i HAVE NOT touched the WLAN. When trying to switch the WLAN on it has no response obviously as the wireless network card is off indicated by no light. So frustrating, i have to either put the laptop in a low power state or restart AND switch the WWAN on first then it allows the WLAN to be activated SOMETIMES.

Can anyone help Please?

Has my network card become faulty, but how does it work if i have the WWAN activated for a good day??

Also i only have McAfee security as well as registry mechanic...

[Blencogo]

Hi - this sounds frustrating.

You are probably right that there is a hardware problem with the Intel WiFi Card or its wiring connections if it disappears from Device Manager.  You should have 3 Network Adapters displaying in Device Manager:

1. Intel Gigabit - this is the Ethernet wired connection (LAN)

2. Intel PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN - this is your Wireless Adapter (WLAN)

3. Globetrotter HSPA - this is your 3G 'Everywair' SIM connection (WWAN)

You could try uninstalling and reinstalling the Vaio Smart Network from the Preinstalled Drivers for your model here and see if that helps: -

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VGN-Z21ZN_X/updates

Is your router using Wireless G or Wireless N?  If you are using G you could try turning off IPv6.

However, it does sound like a hardware fault to me that will require someone to look inside.  Disassembly is not easy for the Z-Series but I have some instructions somewhere if you need them - I will need an email address.