WI-FI is not working on Satellite C50-A-179

Question

Hello everyone!
I own Toshiba Satellite C50-A-179 (PSCGAE) laptop with Windows 8 and recently I've tried installing Connectify on it.
However, Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter was missing on the laptop, and because of that Connectify couldn't work. I've tried to enable/install it somehow using tips found on the internet. One of the suggestion was to reinstall the Wireless Adapter driver.
I uninstalled the original driver, and reinstalled it again after downloading it from Toshiba website ( [here|http://www.toshiba.eu/innovation/download_driver_details.jsp?service=EU&selCategory =2&selFamily=2&selSeries=312&selProduct=7934&selSh ortMod=3969&language=13&selOS=40&selType=97&yearup load=&monthupload=&dayupload=&useDate=null&mode=al lMachines&search=&action=search&macId=&country=all &selectedLanguage=13&type=97&page=1&ID=86778&OSID= 40&driverLanguage=42] )
I'm sure I downloaded and installed the right driver for the right adapter which is "Qualcomm Atheros AR956x Wireless Network Adapter". I made sure before the installation to check all the information about the adapter and the driver.
However, after the reinstallation wifi has stopped working completely:
-the wireless network connection icon/adapter from "Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections" is there but it does not behave as it should, it just looks as a generic network connection icon and not a specific one-basically it doesn't represent the actual adapter and hasn't got the name of it in the note;
-wifi option in Windows 8 settings menu-Change PC settings-Network has disappeared altogether (bluetooth option is still there and so is airplane mode option);
-wifi can be turned on by pressing enable from the righ click menu of that generic network connection I've mentioned, but it won't pick up any signal and won't find any connections even though there definitely are some.
There are no yellow exclamation marks in Device Manager list and the wireless adapter is there as well, behaving and pretending as if everything was all right and working properly.
I've tried Troubleshooting, installing driver using Windows Update, installing and updating driver from its properties menu in Device Manager, and all kinds of things like that, but none of it has helped and wifi still does not work.
Basically, the laptop seems to be thinking that the adapter is working properly and everything is fine HW and SW wise, but in reality it isn't. I really don't know what else I should try, I don't want to reinstall the whole operating system because I'm afraid it (or I) would mess everything up even more (messing up even more drivers).
I'm running on a cable internet connection now, and I'm glad at least that is working (I really need the laptop for work and I can't afford to loose it for a day, let alone for longer)
Could anyone please help me?
Any ideas how to fix this and make wifi work again?
I'll be really thankful for any advice.
Thank you, Miko31.

Answer 1

Hi
In case the WLan card is recognized properly in device manager, the Wlan driver has been installed properly and I dont think that there could be a problem with WLan driver.
In my opinion you should check if the WLan card is enabled properly by using the FN key combination
Furthermore if Wlan has been enabled properly you should try to Add new WLan and should configure the Wifi once again.
This can be done in control panel-> Network & Sharing center -> Manage wireless networks (on the left) -> Add button
> However, Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter was missing on the laptop,
Regarding the Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
You could enable this in device manager. Here choose your "network adapters", then you should find the Virtual Wifi Adapter. Now do right click it and enable it.
It could be also possible that Virtual Wifi Adapter is hidden. In such case you should first unhide it from the device manger, then re-enable the adapter from the device manger tools.
After that, you have to start your cmd (console) with admin right and should type:
+netsh wlan start hostednetwork+