HP Pavilion tx1220us Disappearing Wireless Network Card Fix
See updates below.
Broadcom 4321AG 802.11a/b/g/draft-n Wi-Fi Adapter
Hardware Model: BCM94321MCP1 P3
My HP Tablet PC (tx1220us) had the problem of not recognizing the wireless adapter hardware for a couple of weeks so I've been unable to connect to the Internet wirelessly. The Device Manager didn't show any wireless network card hardware at all, and the problem comes and goes with each shutdown. I think the problem was introduced in one of the later BIOS updates (F.1X). I was about to send my tablet back to HP for repair, and I'm glad I waited a while. I just updated to the latest version (F.20), and it seems to have fixed the issue. You might also be interested in the other software updates.
NOTE: This BIOS update seems to be specific to the tx1220us. Check before you update your tablet.
UPDATE 1: The BIOS update did not fix the problem after all. I found a forum thread about the same issue with other HP models here. I'm about to try a solution suggested by one of the users.
UPDATE 2: None of the suggested fixes worked. I will need to send my notebook back for repair.
UPDATE 3 (June 17, 2008): As a last-ditch effort, I tried turning it off and removing components (battery and DVD-drive), and after removing the DVD-drive and putting it back in, the wireless network adapter is back. It has survived several shutdowns so far. I would like to hear from anyone who tried this method specifically. Please leave a comment if it works (or not).
UPDATE 4 (June 22, 2008): It didn’t last very long, unfortunately. I’m back to wired Internet access for now, and I’ll have to make arrangements to get it repaired by HP.
UPDATE 5 (July 23, 2008): I downgraded the BIOS (F.1C) to see if it works, but it didn’t result in anything fruitful. The wireless adapter still disappears.
Tags: 802.11n, BCM94321MCP1 P3, BIOS, Broadcom, Firmware, Hardware, HP, Issues, Networking, Tablet, tx1000, tx1220us, Vista, Wi-Fi, Windows, Wireless
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Comments
Actually, that's one of the things I tried. It worked for a few days, but the problem came back after that.
Well you are not alone. I am also one the unlucky tx1000 users. I submitted my notebook 3 times to HP for this problem & everytime it worked fine for me after the repairs but just for few days only.They have changed the motherboard 3 times for this & luckily it all happened in my warranty period but today my tablets warranty is getting over & im now worried about it if it happens in future.
The guys at HP said this has become a large issue now worldwide & our engineers are working on it and will soon release anew bios version. But no idea when that "soon" will come. He also recommended degrading the BIOS but 4 now its working for me so i am not in a mood of BIOS degrade, also playing with BIOS is not a good hobby so I am just waiting for a new BIOS version.
@AnkitThat's just terrible. 3 times? My machine is still under warranty, but I haven't sent it in because I really need a computer for job applications. I really hope it can be fixed with a new BIOS update.
Well yes 3 times. HA! They will just change your motherboard for no cause. Its not the problem of mother-board but its the **** BIOS!
If this time it crashes I will do the degradation of BIOS myself!
Well I found that every time I comment on your site my browser (Opera 9.5) crashes and please put any socializing icons (orkut, facebook or any messenger or just mail address) of yourself on your site. I just cant find any here.
Another keep this post updated. PLEASE! I will also keep on updating at my blog http://dt.yogtec.com/
I'm keeping this post updated :). I'm just waiting for a new BIOS from HP. Downgrading the firmware might be worth the try.
setAI
Jul 19, 2008 4:17 PM
Jul 19, 2008 4:17 PM
hello all! this morning I awoke to find my HP tx1320us broadcom wi-fi adapter had dissapeared from the divice manager just like above- I am in the club (>__<)-
I can get it to work by taking out the network card and putting it back in- but it still disappears on restart- so far- called HP and they are sending me a box- but it sounds like that this is a new problem and needs to be properly addressed before somebody rips my motherboard out or something-
I am going to wait and see - I hope it is a simple BIOS fix-
siddharth
Jul 23, 2008 12:14 PM
Jul 23, 2008 12:14 PM
hello all disappointed tx users.. my wireless adapter started disappearing too..im in the club too.. for temp fixes..
when windows loads.. keep switching the wireless button on and off continuously.. like once every 5secs, n in 2-3restarts u have it on..
i havent switched off my laptop since........
Hi, I'm the latest member of the disappearing Broadcom club. yay! When I switch wireless off and on, I see an ATAPI driver flicker in my devices for a slight moment. Here's hoping for a real BIOS fix!
Albert
Jul 24, 2008 10:01 PM
Jul 24, 2008 10:01 PM
Try uninstalling the nvidia drivers, then reinstalling them and see if your wireless card appears. It worked for me. but now i'm stumped on which nvidia video driver to put back on.
It is the motherboard that is causing the problem. This is a known issue no mater what lies HP tells you. Eventually your computer will die.
Here are some steps to get your wireless working, however keep in mind that it is only temporary fix, as eventually your motherboard will completely fry, and you could end up crashing your hard drive.
Here is the instructions that is most likely to get results:
Reinstall the wireless drivers, turn off the computer, remove power cord, remove battery, press and hold power button for several seconds, replace battery, replace power cord, turn power on, press repeatedly quickly f8 to go into safe mode with networking, go fully into safe mode with networking, wait 5 minutes, restart computer.
Often just doing the safe mode method will work, if that does not work, I do the battery, power, then safe mode part. But when those simpler methods don't work, the above set of steps are most likely to work.
Shawn
Aug 4, 2008 8:35 AM
Aug 4, 2008 8:35 AM
hate to join this club, but here we go- hp tx1340eahave tried EVERYTHING and it seems completely random as to what will work and what will not
let's keep this post fresh so we know when if it truly software related or if hp needs to replace the motherboard
Note: this issue is primarily or completely affecting the AMD motherboards, rather than the Intell motherboards.
Don't buy any HP Laptop, but if you insist, then at least only buy one with an Intell motherboard.
Now more bad news:
It seems that the "new improved" motherboards that they have replaced the bad motherboards with, are having the same problem but with a new twist. Instead of causing the wireless to go out, the symptoms first start with the quick-launch buttons, then the mouse pad scroll, then the keyboards.
I sent my laptop in to be "fixed", and they replaced the motherboard with one of the "new improved" motherboards, and I have been having the above problems. Today I turned on the computer, and to my not-surprise the mouse pad failed to work at all. I plugged in a USB mouse, and it worked fine. So I put the computer back into hibernation, and then turned the computer back on, and the mouse pad is now working. I figure it is only a mater of time before this motherboard also fails to even start the computer.
My last motherboard also crashed my hard drive. I sure don't want that to happen again.
The question is, how willing is HP to admit at this time that the "new improved" motherboards also need to be replaced free of charge.
Wayne Sallee
Wayne@WayneSallee.com
it MAY be the motherboard- but if you have been reading this and the longer thread posted above- you will see that countless people had HP replace the mainboard [after a huge ran-around- mind you] multiple times and while the problem goes away for weeks or months- it usually comes back-there is a deep hardware/software issue here- like many said on the other thread with the DV owners with the same problem http://forums12.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?admit=109447627+1217879098077+28353475&threadId=1104931 - this is more likely a hardware problem because there are too many software fixes that temporarily work- one person even swapped components between 3 different notebooks and found the error followed the HARD DRIVE-
clearly we are looking at a design flaw in HP notebooks and/or Broadcom adapters that has not really been explained or fixed in over a year- with TONS of affected users like you and me-
right now I can get my system to see the WLAN after 2-5 boot-ups [no extra fiddling] and I have set it to never sleep- so I only have to deal with it once or twice a week-
looking at all these forums and threads about this one issue and so many people having HP customer service nightmares [they STILL don't really even KNOW about it! there should have been a recall!] I am going to get a USB wireless adapter dongle and try to get by until there is a real software/firmware solution- a full recall- or until the thing dies- obviously everything that has been so far done including changing the mainboard only fixes the problem temporarily- we are in this for the long haul folks (>__<)
jav
Aug 7, 2008 1:20 PM
Aug 7, 2008 1:20 PM
ahhh, crap. I believe I am now the newest member of this party. for about a week now my wireless has had the same problem. I fixed it one time by doing a system restore before the last update and it worked. of course when i got back on it just did the update again and again after rebooting it didnt work so i thought it was the update. just yesterday i dualbooted xp on here (super fast i might add) and it worked when i installed the driver. then i logged onto vista and it worked there too. i went back to xp just to make sure and it was still up!i then rebooted cause i had to install the updates and some drivers and, you guessed it, it was gone. im still wondering if mine is somehow involved in that update...
Jay
Aug 10, 2008 9:32 AM
Aug 10, 2008 9:32 AM
I am also a new member in this club. When I called HP support, the guy seemed well aware of this issue. He told that this is an issue found with tx series and asked me to take it to service center. Planning to do it this week. I am sure this is a pure h/w issue. So don't waste your time fixing it your own by drivers/reboot/bios et al.
I'm beginning to wonder if this problem persists in the newer tx2000 and tx2500 models.I wish I could send it in for a replacement.
nurse_mich
Aug 11, 2008 5:55 AM
Aug 11, 2008 5:55 AM
I'm experiencing the same problems with you guys with my tx1119us and too bad mine is out of warranty now and I am here in the Philippines. I can send it to them for repair but the problem is how can i get it back, they told me they can't send it back to a non-US Address... I was able to fix it before by doing system restore few times, it didn't worked at first but after a few days i was surprised to see the wireless LAN turned blue when i open it i tried to connect and its working again...then after a month it stop working again....it says disabled and i tried to enabled it but its not working until its gone again on the device manager...
Einstein
Aug 12, 2008 9:17 PM
Aug 12, 2008 9:17 PM
I've the same problem and already out of warranty. I stay in Hongkong and it seems that Hongkong repair office not aware of this issue! What can I do?
@ Carlo
Yes it is also affecting the tx models.
And nobody has gotten the motherboard replaced, and had that replacement motherboard last any decent length of time without it too going bad.
HP is still producing bad motherboards.
What a lot of people are doing, is getting their free repair, and then selling it before it goes bad again, and buying themselves another laptop that is not made by HP.
Wayne Sallee
Wayne@WayneSallee.com
MCupino
Aug 17, 2008 4:16 PM
Aug 17, 2008 4:16 PM
I have a HP TX1420US, and recently caught on the same problem. I started noticing this 08/14/08. I thought it was beacuse of Vista updates that were published on 08/12/08. I formatted my HDD and reinstalled Vista and it worked!...for 6 hrs. Then, the device manager just refused to show my wireless adapter. I did reinstalled Vista again, and no success.
Want to leave a comment?
Jun 28, 2008 9:04 AM
first i turned the pc off, then i disconnected the battery and the AC adapter
then i help the power switch for 30 seconds
i then reconnected the battery and ac adapter and booted up into the BIOS and then reset it by pressing F9 then i exit and saved changes and everything worked perfectly.
=]