Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Torch

1 post

Wannabe Geek


#195981 14-May-2016 17:21
Send private message

Tablet: Dell Venue Pro
OS: Windows 8
Age: One year old BUT hardly ever used, device sits on shelf collecting dust

 

Symptom: Wi-fi button - unable to switch wi-fi button on - can't connect to the Internet - wi-fi button frozen in OFF position all the time.

 

Steps taken:

 

I formatted the OS not once but approximately 4 or 5 times in order to try and cure problem. Why 4 or 5 times? Because the wi-fi button is always frozen in the OFF position no matter how many times I format Windows 8.

 

In between each format I did not go on the Internet because the w-fi button never works. The OS comes with Windows Defender already installed, a Windows based anti-virus program.

 

I scanned the OS and nothing malicious comes up. Because the problem prevents me from going online, I am unable to update Windows Defender.

 

I went to the device manager to inspect the network card, and nothing looked unusual.

 

My opinion, as a layperson:

 

Because the tablet was formatted approximately 4-5 times in order to solve the problem,

 

because a tablet needs to be able to connect to the Internet wirelessly,

 

and because the wi-fi button is always frozen in the OFF position,

 

it would appear a hacker rendered the tablet's operating system completely useless,

 

would you agree?

 

The problem has not been solved, the symptom persists, if you have a cure please suggest one. The tablet will play a crucial part in my life when I relocate and move long distance, when I bed down in any one Airbnb and begin the hunt for a new place to live in an unknown land. As it stands now, because the wi-fi button is frozen, the virtually new tablet is of no use.


Create new topic
Dynamic
3867 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1552691 14-May-2016 17:25
Send private message

I'm not familiar with this model

 

Contact the manufacturer's support number and they will walk through some troubleshooting steps with you.

 

While it is possible a hacker is involved, I would consider it extremely unlikely.





“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

 

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management.  A great Kiwi company.




Brumfondl
1187 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1552692 14-May-2016 17:26
Send private message

Best guess would be to take it back to wherever you got it from to get it fixed under the warranty.






Yabanize
2350 posts

Uber Geek


  #1552695 14-May-2016 17:36
Send private message

Sounds like something wrong with the drivers




jnimmo
1097 posts

Uber Geek


  #1552747 14-May-2016 19:27
Send private message

I think this probably is not related to hacking etc.

 

Try resetting the BIOS to defaults

 

(Access the bios with these instructions) http://www.dell.com/support/Article/us/en/19/SLN143038/EN

 

In the BIOS there will be an option to reset settings to default.

 

 

 

Also, check carefully on the device for any switches.. some laptops have a physical Wi-Fi switch which disables Wi-Fi. This is probably more common on older laptops though rather than tablets

 

 


gbwelly
1243 posts

Uber Geek


  #1552783 14-May-2016 20:32
Send private message

The venue 8 with the drivers it shipped with is prone to this, though intermittent, unlike your experience. You could try getting a MS Surface usb Ethernet adaptor, and an OTG adaptor cable. Plug it in wired Ethernet and download and install the latest bios/firmware/WiFi drivers from dell.com support page. I have not seen this problem since installing the free windows 10 upgrade.








Batman
Mad Scientist
29769 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1552801 14-May-2016 21:24
Send private message

If you "reset" your OS and it still does it then it almost certainly isn't a hacker doing it.


loceff13
1065 posts

Uber Geek


  #1552828 14-May-2016 22:03
Send private message

gbwelly:

 

The venue 8 with the drivers it shipped with is prone to this, though intermittent, unlike your experience. You could try getting a MS Surface usb Ethernet adaptor, and an OTG adaptor cable. Plug it in wired Ethernet and download and install the latest bios/firmware/WiFi drivers from dell.com support page. I have not seen this problem since installing the free windows 10 upgrade.

 

 

 

 

or use bluetooth tethering from a mobile phone and pair the tablet to it which costs nothing.


 
 
 

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
freitasm
BDFL - Memuneh
79297 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator
ID Verified
Trusted
Geekzone
Lifetime subscriber

  #1552884 15-May-2016 08:10
Send private message

As above more a driver problem than anything.

If you can plug a USB to this device, copy new drivers from the Dell website using another PC, put on a USB and install after the OS refresh.




Please support Geekzone by subscribing, or using one of our referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies | Hatch | GoodSync 


Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.