Laptop refuses to connect to wireless

[Gabis1207]

My acer laptop has recently been fighting with me when I try to connect to wireless networks. Irrespective of what network I attempt to connect to, Windows only gets as far as "Identifying... (Network name here) No internet access"

I know for a fact that the networks I am attempting to join work, as other devices are connecting without issue.
I have tried updating my Wifi card (Atheros AR5B125) drivers, to no avail.

Any suggestions?

 

[littleefoxx]

Gonna take a guess you're using Win7. I have an Acer Netbook with an Atheros card and it gives me some odd troubles now and then.

Usually, the best fix is to simply reinstall the drivers. You could also try Windows troubleshooting guides but I highly doubt that'll get you anywhere.

If all else fails, you may need to get inside your laptop to ensure that the card is inserted properly, with both wires connected to it securely.

 

[Gabis1207]

Gonna take a guess you're using Win7. I have an Acer Netbook with an Atheros card and it gives me some odd troubles now and then.

Usually, the best fix is to simply reinstall the drivers. You could also try Windows troubleshooting guides but I highly doubt that'll get you anywhere.

If all else fails, you may need to get inside your laptop to ensure that the card is inserted properly, with both wires connected to it securely.

Win7, yes. Must have forgotten to mention that.

Anyway, I have already re-installed the drivers for the network card. No dice. Windows Troubleshooting couldn't find a solution, and asked if I wanted to get help, ironically, from the internet.

I'd rather not crack open the shell if I don't absolutely have to, since the screws holding it together were given a generous application of thread-lock...

Any other ideas?

 

[carnageX]

Where did you get the drivers from?

i'd suggest getting them from here:
https://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=70&system=5

It's a legit Atheros driver distributor (even though it's a .CZ domain). Latest version is 10.0.0.303 from 2014-11-25. Scroll to the bottom of that section, and click the "Click for Download" button and then wait for the download to start (may take a bit).

 

[Gabis1207]

That's the site I used. Also got the latest version. Didn't work.
Edit: According to Windows, my card is sending and receiving data, but it's sending nearly 100x more than it's receiving,

 

[Gabis1207]

Update: It appears I have internet access when I boot into safe mode.

Does this mean it could be malware or something of the like?

 

[carnageX]

Wouldn't hurt to run scans with MBAM, AdwCleaner, and HiJackThis.

 

[Gabis1207]

Already have Mbam going.
Edit:
Here's the log.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.5
Scan saved at 12:35:42 AM, on 3/26/2015
Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v11.0 (11.00.9600.17689)

FIREFOX: 32.0.3 (x86 en-US)
Boot mode: Safe mode with network support

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Gabis\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://acer.msn.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://google.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = localhost:8080
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = 
R3 - URLSearchHook: McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar - {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - {9427041a-a8dc-4d06-9a68-93873486e957} - (no file)
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe,
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_25\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee SiteAdvisor BHO - {B164E929-A1B6-4A06-B104-2CD0E90A88FF} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: URLRedirectionBHO - {B4F3A835-0E21-4959-BA22-42B3008E02FF} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~4\Office14\URLREDIR.DLL
O2 - BHO: Aptana Debugger - {B8ADD4EA-ADE3-4DEB-A957-9BBD17D6D0C8} - C:\Users\Gabis\Desktop\Documents 2.0\Aptana\.metadata\.plugins\com.aptana.js.debug.core\.dll\AptanaDebugger.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_25\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee SiteAdvisor Toolbar - {0EBBBE48-BAD4-4B4C-8E5A-516ABECAE064} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Aptana Debugger - {F348E1B0-CBFE-47C3-81B4-9F44B3B5A618} - C:\Users\Gabis\Desktop\Documents 2.0\Aptana\.metadata\.plugins\com.aptana.js.debug.core\.dll\AptanaDebugger.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {9427041a-a8dc-4d06-9a68-93873486e957} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BackupManagerTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\NTI\Acer Backup Manager\BackupManagerTray.exe" -h -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SwitchBoard] C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdobeCS6ServiceManager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CS6ServiceManager\CS6ServiceManager.exe" -launchedbylogin
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirtualCloneDrive] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Elaborate Bytes\VirtualCloneDrive\VCDDaemon.exe" /s
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Gabis\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [GoogleChromeAutoLaunch_753175382236CAE856AC06C79AC40FBD] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --no-startup-window
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\..\RunOnce: [IsMyWinLockerReboot] msiexec.exe /qn /x{voidguid} (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-946740212-2120325141-1412060651-1000-{ED1FC765-E35E-4C3D-BF15-2C2B11260CE4}-0\..\Run: [AdobeBridge]  (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [IsMyWinLockerReboot] msiexec.exe /qn /x{voidguid} (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [IsMyWinLockerReboot] msiexec.exe /qn /x{voidguid} (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~4\Office14\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Se&nd to OneNote - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~4\Office14\ONBttnIE.dll/105
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1004 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1003 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Se&nd to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: OneNote Lin&ked Notes - {789FE86F-6FC4-46A1-9849-EDE0DB0C95CA} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIELinkedNotes.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: OneNote Lin&ked Notes - {789FE86F-6FC4-46A1-9849-EDE0DB0C95CA} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\ONBttnIELinkedNotes.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O18 - Protocol: dssrequest - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: wlpg - {E43EF6CD-A37A-4A9B-9E6F-83F89B8E6324} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\AlbumDownloadProtocolHandler.dll
O18 - Filter hijack: text/xml - {807573E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\MSOXMLMF.DLL
O23 - Service: Adobe Acrobat Update Service (AdobeARMservice) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\armsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Flash Player Update Service (AdobeFlashPlayerUpdateSvc) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apache2.2 - Apache Software Foundation - c:\xampplite\apache\bin\httpd.exe
O23 - Service: Dritek WMI Service (DsiWMIService) - Dritek System Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Launch Manager\dsiwmis.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Acer ePower Service (ePowerSvc) - Acer Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer ePower Management\ePowerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology (IAStorDataMgrSvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology\IAStorDataMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ieetwcollectorres.dll,-1000 (IEEtwCollectorService) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\IEEtwCollector.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Live Updater Service - Acer Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Acer\Acer Updater\UpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Management and Security Application Local Management Service (LMS) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\LMS\LMS.exe
O23 - Service: Mozilla Maintenance Service (MozillaMaintenance) - Mozilla Foundation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Maintenance Service\maintenanceservice.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: MySQL - MySQL AB - c:\xampplite\mysql\bin\mysqld.exe
O23 - Service: NTI IScheduleSvc - NTI Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NTI\Acer Backup Manager\IScheduleSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Opmantek Daemon (omkd) - Opmantek - c:\omk\script\opmantek_server.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe SwitchBoard (SwitchBoard) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
O23 - Service: TeamViewer 10 (TeamViewer) - TeamViewer GmbH - C:\Program Files (x86)\TeamViewer\TeamViewer_Service.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Management & Security Application User Notification Service (UNS) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\UNS\UNS.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 12535 bytes

Edit 2: Mbam came back clean.

 

[1etherer]

if it works in safe mode It could be your AV's firewall, which one are you using? it is possible that it is blocking the svnchost.exe from talking to the DNS, so check your firewall settings.

 

[Gabis1207]

I'm using the built-in firewall in Windows.