So I’m still slogging my Microsoft Surface Pro around seeing how it works (or doesn’t) for my lifestyle.
I just encountered my first Surface Pro 2 wi-fi connectivity problem.
I’m at Starbucks and was trying to connect to Wi-fi when it gave me a message indicating that it was unable to connect to any networks. This was really weird because I had used it at home just fine.
On closer inspection, it seemed that my network drivers had mysteriously failed.
Surface Marvell AVASTAR Wireless drivers
Anyway, after a little bit of cursing and rummaging around, you have to go to Device Manager (Go to Start and start typing “Device Manager”)
Once you have that open, update the drivers for network devices.
Device Manager
It should allow you to install the files from your computer and you should select the Microsoft drivers. When that’s done, it should look like this..
This should restore wi-fi access back to your device and allow you to look for and connect to a wireless hotspot.
Has anybody else dealt with this?
All Comments
Ok, so you fixed your wifi driver problem. But what did you do next? Did you connect to the access point at Starbucks? How does that work out? Do you use a VPN? If not, why not? And if you do, how do you turn on the VPN? I find that it is necessary to connect before turning on the VPN. This leaves a brief time interval during which Mail and other apps, aware of the connection, will try to contact their servers on the web, sending data without encryption I presume. Any idea how to avoid that unprotected interval?
I did connect to the access point at Starbucks.
I wasnt using a VPN.
You might have received a computer which was not fully prepared. Perhaps they rushed them out at the last minute.
Its weird though because it was working perfectly at home. Probably needs a Windows update.
1st rule in owning a computer or tablet. You ALWAYS have it check to see if there is an update BEFORE you use it. I don’t care if its a Mac or a PC ALWAYS check for an update before you use it. Seems this time it wasn’t Microsoft’s fault as you were using it as there are always new updates for drivers or patches or something.
Oh Im sure it was a Windows update I hadn’t gotten to yet or something. No ones fault. I just shared it in case people were going through the same thing.
Not everyone’s that tech savvy.
Has nothing to do with being tech savvy, when you install Windows it automatically checks for any updates, Mac does as well. If the pads and such dont, then it is up to the new owner to do so.
I was experiencing a lot of wifi issues when upgrading to 8.1 preview on both my surface pro and my desktop….
Someone at MS needs to get to grips with these because it is yet something else to dislike Windows 8 about.
Flaky wifi is not good at all.
You might find this thread useful…
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1_pr-networking/windows-81-wifi-issues/88688620-3100-4ef1-a915-3c9ec85ea988?page=3
I was experiencing a lot of wifi issues when upgrading to 8.1 preview on both my surface pro and my desktop….
Someone at MS needs to get to grips with these because it is yet something else to dislike Windows 8 about.
Flaky wifi is not good at all.
You might find this thread useful…
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1_pr-networking/windows-81-wifi-issues/88688620-3100-4ef1-a915-3c9ec85ea988?page=3
The same reasons you didn’t like it, are the same reasons I didn’t buy it. Too heavy, can’t use on lap (that was the haystack on the camel’s back), and the straw that broke the camel’s back – the price. Sent from my T100. ***Disclaimer: I own MSFT stock 😉