Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update

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Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update

This past week I blogged a problem I was having with a friend's Sony Vaio Vista laptop and wireless randomly dropping. After some digging on the Sony site, I came up with this: http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=568483

Details from the Sony KB article

Knowledge Article C568483

The wireless network connection intermittently fails to connect.

When using the internal LAN-Express (Atheros) wireless network adapter to connect to a wireless network the following issues may occur:

    * Not able to connect to a wireless network after a long period of usage or after resuming from suspend or hibernation.
    * The LAN-Express wireless network adapter intermittently disappears from device manager or VAIO Smart Network.
    * The wireless network connection intermittently fails to connect.

This issue is currently being investigated by Sony. Please contact the Customer Information Service Center at 888-476-6972 to speak with a customer service representative.

that's pretty much our issue in a nutshell. I guess it's good to know it's nothing we did wrong and there's nothing we could have done to fix it, but it sure is annoying still. Hope this helps someone else from going crazy trying to fix this.

posted @ Saturday, February 02, 2008 7:09 AM |

Comments

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Scott Kuhl on 2/4/2008 1:47 PM
Holy cow! I just ran into this problem yesterday. We had replaced our router and I was sure it was the problem. But no other equipment in our house was having an issue. I was just getting ready to look into this later this afternoon.

Thanks!

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Kevin on 2/7/2008 12:30 AM
How completely odd. I have a Sony SZ640 notebook w/ Vista (about 4 months old)... and I've had intermittent problems with my wireless connection over the past 2 weeks. It feels like I'm browsing the modern internet on a 2400 baud modem! It's terrible.

Oddly... I have a coworker who recently got a Dell notebook in the past 3 months (with Vista) that started having the same exact symptoms around the same time I started having them. Very frustrating. Any chance that this is a vista problem of epidemic proportions?

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Thomas on 2/8/2008 9:53 AM
Mine disappeared and never came back! I have a Vaio VGN-NR140e.

Looks a trip to the store for a USB adapter.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Jim van Scoyoc on 2/17/2008 1:52 PM
My wife just bought a Sony VGN-NR-160 almost two weeks ago, but started having this problem yesterday. The wireless indicator light was not lit and I worked with the Sony support tech for over two hours first just to get it set up so the indicator would light up like it was supposed to and the computer would "think" it was ready to connect. But it still didn't work, so he had me download a driver (luckily I was able to do this through my own notebook). After spending over 2 hours with the tech, the onboard wireless connectivity still isn't. Lucky thing we have Verizon National Access.

I don't think the problem is Vista generally, as my notebook is Vista and I've had it for over a year without any problem--but it's HP not Sony. However, I have Vista Home Basic so it could be something with Home Premium.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by sophie on 2/18/2008 10:40 AM
Sometimes I can trick it into restoring access by using the on/off wireless LAN switch located on the edge of the laptop.

So annoying, tho.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Des on 2/20/2008 10:29 AM
Been having the same problem with my Vaio PCG-384L. Like others, it seemed to work smoothly for the first month or so, then it started dropping the wireless intermittently. Now it's down every time I return to my laptop after a period of non-usage. And regardless of what fixes I try, it seems to come back magically after I leave it for a while longer. Very, very annoying!

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by bwana bob'o de bush on 2/21/2008 10:28 AM
i have also been trying to solve the sony vaio laptop (VGN-120e) wireless problem. worked fine until we used hotel (wired) ethernet? and came home to find that our linksys wireless router was recognized but would not connect (icon would show connection during start-up). tried every trick from every discussion group (router firmware update, registry fix per MS web-site, sony updates, hard wiring in TCP/IP router address, etc.) so... if you have spent days working on this like I have don't feel bad or better yet don't waste your time until Sony responds with something useful? Vista sucks in general- won't implement souncard functions, or recognize XP drivers or allow sony wireless to work right? I knew i should have waited until vista SP2 but the X-mas bug got the better of me.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Derek on 2/23/2008 10:24 AM
I started having this problem the day after I brought this laptop home. I thought it was something I was doing wrong until I took a better look. The wireless card actually disappears from Device Manager, like it doesn't even exist. I called Sony and they told me to bleed the system of power and boot it up. This has worked every time that I have had the wireless card go missing.

Just shutdown the pc, pull the battery out and hold down the power button for 30 seconds. Pop the battery back in and boot. Sure enough the wireless card is working like nothing happened.

Frustrating as hell, but it works.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by This might help on 2/23/2008 9:53 PM
Helpful article on this issue: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/09/15/intel-pro-wireless-3945abg-wifi-radio-adapter-shut-off-randomly/

Basically it appears dell was having the same problem. It's a compatibility issue with the intel wireless network adapter used by sony vaio and Vista. Dell has a work around that might help sony users as well.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Kayhan on 2/24/2008 9:50 AM
Really? My NR 160 works fine

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by More info on 2/24/2008 4:03 PM
Sony instructed me to load this driver for my Intel wireless Link (4965AGN). It appears to be working.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFZ285U&upd_id=3053&os_id=30

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Amnat on 2/29/2008 12:29 AM
search driver Network adapter model PCG-384L

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Problems
Posted by Arty on 3/3/2008 4:15 PM
Hi guys, i have a Vaio VGN-AR31M, i'm using vista, and while working online (as i am now) it suddenly goes away, disappears, and i'm stuck with limited connectivity for a couple of minutes (or more). It resumes suddenly, but it's really a pain. The "diagnose and repair" doesn't do anything. What do you guys suggest? Thanks.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Skip on 3/4/2008 3:33 PM
I have a Sony Vaio VGN-NR180E that's having the same problem. The Vaio is a couple of months old and when it goes into sleep mode it will lose the wireless connection. When this happens the Vaio will not located any wireless networks and the wireless connect light goes out. Only solution I have found is to restart and it's back working again ... a lot can be lost in this process .... can you say, pain in the butt!
Skip

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Ramesh Ranjit on 3/10/2008 1:12 AM
I just bought VGN-CR320E/R sony laptop 2 weeks ago,everything works fine,but whenever I try to update VAIO Update it doesn't work, it says- the internate explorer cannot display the webpage. If anybody know how to fix this problem then PLEASE help me out.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by MIKE on 3/17/2008 11:44 PM
I have a VGN-FZ280E, with similar problems. It is a fine computer with nice features, BUT if I have it off for the day and return home, about 80% of the time it sees no wireless connections at all unless I let it sit for about ten minutes. IF during the ten minutes I try to use the web, it will seem to lock the connectivity completely up, so thatI need to start over with a fresh boot again. Veyr annoying for a high dollar laptop.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Tim on 3/23/2008 2:06 PM
All I had to do was turn on the switch through the VAIO Smart Network. This worked for me.

http://www.iq.sony.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=880,E=0000000000825726360,K=4152,Sxi=3,Case=obj(567313),VARSET_OBJ=567313,VARSET_TSRC=results,UseTemplate=case.tem,VARSET_TOP=TRUE#

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Mario on 3/24/2008 6:36 AM
Hi guys,
some info at the following link

http://www.iq.sony.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE?New,Kb=CISCV3,Company={46BFA530-E01F-4F7C-B98B-69C2AA06051B},Case=Obj(568429),TS=externalv4,T=case.tem,VARSET_MODELNUM=VGNNR115ET,VARSET_OBJ=568429,VARSET_TOP=TRUE,workstage=all,question=ref(QC):ord(1),question=ref(QB):ord(1)

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Terry on 3/28/2008 8:51 PM
Brand new Vaio NR220E, wireless lan will not come on. Three sessions w/Sony chat "help" downloaded Vaio Smart Network Update, and Atheros Wireless LAN driver. Nothing. Now Sony recommends performing a System Recovery. Any thoughts?
Thanks

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by heather on 3/29/2008 10:03 AM
thanks tim! that did the trick.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Derek on 3/31/2008 7:03 PM
Using system restore worked on my machine (Vaio NR10E/S) to fix a completely screwed up Network Adaptor.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Steve on 4/2/2008 1:10 PM
Thank you so much for this posting. My Sony Vaio completely refused to recognize that any wireless capability was installed, even though it worked fine yesterday. The comment posted 2/23/2008 worked for me: I removed the battery pack, drained the computer of residual power by holding down the power button for 30 seconds, put the battery pack in again, and here I am with wireless interenet connectivity once again! What a hassle...

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Scott on 4/7/2008 4:55 AM
I bought a Sony Vaio VGN-CR320E two weeks ago with Vista. I've recovered the machine twice - trying to resolve some other issues that I was having (not related to Sony) but to my VPN client. Everything works great now - except that VAIO Update cannot connect to the update website - it gets an "Error on page." at the bottom of the window. The VAIO update worked originally - and I believe it worked after the first time I recovered the C drive from the recovery partition. Very frustrating.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Dee on 5/30/2008 4:58 PM
Thanx a lot Tim. it worked :D

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by japs on 7/4/2008 10:21 PM
hi guys, i was able to fix my problem with my vaio. i used to have a problem with my wireless lan not being detected after sleep mode or hibernation. i had to restart my computer after it goes to sleep mode or hibernation just to have a wireless connection again, that sucked. just check this link and download the sony notebook utilities software. its gonna take awhile to install so just be patient. when it's done, restart pc and open program VAIO Control Center and on the list tab, open VAIO Smart Network and on the general tab, check both Launch options and apply, then restart again. Try sleeping mode and when you get back you'd still have connection to wireless. Hope everything would work with other brand or find something similar in the support websites for you pc.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNNR240E&upd_id=3347&os_id=28

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Daniel on 8/2/2008 3:08 PM
My problem is that the wireless lan switch will not turn on at all. I have had it for about 2 month's and the switch lights up green, but while on my laptop the light suddenly dissapeared and won't turn back on. I can no longewr access the internet on my New Sony Vaio vista

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Nick on 9/28/2008 7:53 AM
My wife purchased a VGN-NR38E/S when she got it home it wouldn't connect to our wireless network or even pick up any networks in the surrounding area even though all the other machines have no problem. She took it back to the shop and it picked up their network no problem. Back home and again, no networks, the shop again said 'it works here so no problems with it. It must be your router'! We took it to a public network and it wouldn't even pick that up so now its back in the shop and see what they come up with next week!

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Machel on 10/2/2008 2:46 PM
Hey Everyone. im in desperate need of help. My Dad bought a Vaio NS and had it about 6 months now, however, he never used the Wireless connection. When i took it to try connecting to a network, it says that the Wireless LAN switch is off, eventhough it is on. the light next to the switch when it is in the on position is not lighting. The Laptop did not fall or anything like that. is it a physical problem? or a software problem? or am i doing something wrong? Can anybody help me out?

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Justin Fuller on 10/3/2008 6:33 PM
I figured out how to solve this problem on mine, I was having the exact same issue - read how I fixed it in my blog - and if it helps you please digg it for me

My Blog

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by nanci on 10/3/2008 7:00 PM
Justin Fuller's answer in the comments fixed mine immediately! Thanks.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by David on 10/12/2008 6:11 PM
Amazing! it worked! Ive been doing my nut for the past 3 days with the same problem. Could only use wireless if restarted computer.....could never get it to work when I came out of sleep/hibernate.

read through this brilliant blog and tried the easy version for starters. The one which says, shut down, remove battery pack, press on button for 30 seconds and then put back in and restart......AND GUESS WHAT!!!!!! It worked

So thanks to everyone that posted the solution...

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Kirk Neumann on 10/17/2008 7:46 PM
I have model VGNNR110E and removing the battery pack process worked! I tried several of the other methods discussed with no luck. I thought I was going crazy! Thanks everyone!

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Rao on 10/20/2008 10:48 PM
Thank you so much Justin Fuller. It worked quickly..thank you

# re: Sony Vaio/PCG-384L/Vista Update
Posted by DIWAKAR on 10/26/2008 3:15 AM
webcam not functioning after reinstallation of windows vista home premium

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by JC on 10/29/2008 10:38 AM
Hi if you're Sony Vaio laptop wireless switch is on and the windows network diagnosis says the switch is off and the WLAN is off. Then switch the wireless back to off then instead of moving it all the way to on just go halfway. I found this worked while fixing my cousin's Sony Vaio VGN-CR510D.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by sodahead on 10/31/2008 8:29 AM
Experienced all the above issues. Then simply uninstalled Sony "Smart Network" (oh, the irony) and no problems since.

# re: Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update
Posted by Jeremy on 11/22/2008 5:54 AM
I have had bad luck with Sony Vaio on a number of occasions in the past. Other Sony products I love and have good luck with. Maybe I just have had bad luck with vaio's. Next time I am looking for a laptop I will probably consider another brand, or spend a more time researching and testing first.

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Sony Vaio Wireless Vista Update

posted @ Saturday, February 02, 2008 7:09 AM |

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