Chicagownage

Q: No WiFi when in Bootcamp with Windows 7

I have a MBP running Yosemite with Bootcamp running Windows 7 installed. My problem is that no matter how many wifi drivers I try in Windows I cannot get the wireless card to pull up any networks. It works fine in OS X - sees all networks and connects with a strong signal.

 

But when I switch to Windows here's what happens:

I can see the wifi bars down in the system tray but when I highlight and click it nothing pops up... When I hover the cursor over the bars it highlights and when I click it, the symbol depresses like its being pressed but no network list pops up at all... Anyone know what I'm doing wrong here? I'm thinking it might be a compatibility issue between Yosemite and Bootcamp/Windows 7? I have downloaded and installed the latest bootcamp wifi drivers and still no go... Any help is greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro, Bootcamp

Posted on Feb 24, 2015 6:12 PM

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Q: No WiFi when in Bootcamp with Windows 7

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  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 24, 2015 7:06 PM in response to Chicagownage
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    Feb 24, 2015 7:06 PM in response to Chicagownage

    1. Yosemite and BC/Windows have no interaction with each other. They both directly interact with the hardware. Virtual Machines are different.

    2. Trying drivers causes more problems than it solves. Please see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems - Apple Support and pick the BC Driver set that is specific to your Mac model/year. Download them to a USB2 flash drive and install/repair - Boot Camp: Install or repair Boot Camp drivers. Create a System Restore point before you try other drivers, so you can roll back to a stable set of drivers.

    3. Does your ethernet connection work correctly?

    4. If you have a conflict between two different connection managers/drivers, neither will let the other work properly.

    5. Is this a fresh new install of Windows, which can be removed? If yes, then the worst case scenario is to remove/reinstall and use the BC drivers, before anything else is tried.

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 25, 2015 1:25 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2015 1:25 PM in response to Loner T

    Thanks for the detailed response. The ethernet connection does function properly. No issues there. I will try your steps 2 & 3 and report back with the results. This is not a fresh install of Windows and does contain lots of data and programs that would be a pain to reinstall. Completely starting fresh would be my last resort but if its what I gotta do to fix it then so be it...

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 25, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Chicagownage
    Level 7 (24,855 points)
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    Feb 25, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Chicagownage

    Can you post a screen shot of the Windows Device Manager, especially an 'Other Devices'? You can use http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/snipping-tool-faq#1TC=windows-7 to capture and post them. Specific devices like Wireless can be addressed, if necessary.

     

    If you have significant work on Windows, let us see if it can be repaired without a re-installation.

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 25, 2015 3:04 PM in response to Loner T
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    Feb 25, 2015 3:04 PM in response to Loner T

    Ok, here is the screenshot of what you requested. I tried your steps 2 & 3 from above and it went through the steps of essentially doing a system repair and re-installed all of the drivers for Bootcamp. But after that the same problem exists... Really stumped on this one...

     

    wifi device manager screenshot.PNG

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 25, 2015 3:15 PM in response to Chicagownage
    Level 7 (24,855 points)
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    Feb 25, 2015 3:15 PM in response to Chicagownage

    1. I do not recognize 'Evolve Virtual Ethernet Adapter'. Is this a IPSec/VPN device?

    2. Can you click on Driver tab for the 802.11n adapter and post the screen shot of the manufacturer/version? The following is on my 2012 13" MBP.

     

    Broadcom-WiFi-Ethernet-Drivers.PNG

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 25, 2015 4:18 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2015 4:18 PM in response to Loner T

    Can't remember why the 'Evolve Virtual Ethernet Adapter' was installed but for the purposes of troubleshooting this issue I have uninstalled it. Here is the new screenshot you have requested:

    wifi device manager screenshot 2.JPG

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 25, 2015 4:20 PM in response to Chicagownage
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    Feb 25, 2015 4:20 PM in response to Chicagownage

    Just FYI- this MBP 6,2 is a 15" - Early 2011.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 25, 2015 5:26 PM in response to Chicagownage
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    Feb 25, 2015 5:26 PM in response to Chicagownage

    Based on Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems - Apple Support the drivers for your MBP are Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5621. Using the Bootcamp.xml file in the package, the version number is 5.106.199.1, but your screen shot shows 6.30.223.215.

     

    <Name>Broadcom 802.11 SDIO Network Adapter Driver

      <InfName>bcmwl6.inf</InfName>

      <Class> Net</Class>

      <ClassGUID> {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}</ClassGUID>

      <CatalogFile>BCM43XX64.CAT</CatalogFile>

      <Provider>Broadcom</Provider>

      <DriverVer>12/13/2013, 6.30.223.215</DriverVer>

      <ServiceBinary>bcmwlhighsd5.sys</ServiceBinary>

      <HardwareID></HardwareID>

      <isX64>Both</isX64>

      </Name>

      <Name>Broadcom 802.11 SDIO Network Adapter Driver

      <InfName>bcmwl63.inf</InfName>

      <Class> Net</Class>

      <ClassGUID> {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}</ClassGUID>

      <CatalogFile>BCM43XX64.CAT</CatalogFile>

      <Provider>Broadcom</Provider>

      <DriverVer>12/13/2013, 6.30.223.215</DriverVer>

      <ServiceBinary>bcmwlhighsd5.sys</ServiceBinary>

      <HardwareID></HardwareID>

      <isX64>Both</isX64>

      </Name>

      <Name>Broadcom 802.11 Network Adapter Driver

      <InfName>bcmwl6.inf</InfName>

      <Class>Net</Class>

      <ClassGUID> {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}</ClassGUID>

      <CatalogFile>BCM43XX64.CAT</CatalogFile>

      <Provider>Broadcom</Provider>

      <DriverVer>11/13/2012, 5.106.199.1</DriverVer>

      <ServiceBinary>bcmwl5.sys</ServiceBinary>

      <HardwareID></HardwareID>

      <isX64>Both</isX64>

      </Name>

     

    One option you can try is to uninstall the current driver and reboot and ensure that the WiFi adapter shows up in 'Other Devices' (without any drivers). Install this version and test and post back your results.

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 26, 2015 5:12 PM in response to Loner T
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    Feb 26, 2015 5:12 PM in response to Loner T

    OK. Tried what you suggested and reverted to the other driver. Still no go on the wifi... Screenshot with the 5.106.199.1 Broadcom Driver installed and "working properly" is attached. Argh...wifi screenshot 3.JPG

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 26, 2015 6:10 PM in response to Chicagownage
    Level 7 (24,855 points)
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    Feb 26, 2015 6:10 PM in response to Chicagownage

    Can you check Event Viewer for messages which are within five minutes of each time you click on the WiFi adapter?

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 27, 2015 2:52 PM in response to Loner T
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    Feb 27, 2015 2:52 PM in response to Loner T

    Absolutely. Is there anything specific you want me to look for / take screen shots of?

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 27, 2015 2:55 PM in response to Chicagownage
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    Feb 27, 2015 2:55 PM in response to Chicagownage

    Also, by "click on the WiFi adapter" I assume you mean click on the symbol for the WiFi down in the bottom right system tray on the desktop?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 27, 2015 4:00 PM in response to Chicagownage
    Level 7 (24,855 points)
    Safari
    Feb 27, 2015 4:00 PM in response to Chicagownage

    You should look for any driver loading errors. If the driver reports inconsistencies in Registry settings. Is there any software that performs firewall functions. There may be Kernel error messages about devices not powering up correctly. Windows troubleshooter also has the ability to reset the card and reload drivers, which should be tested. I have access to a W7 BC, that i want to try, but replicating your WiFi environment is the difficult part.

     

    Can you turn off Bluetooth and test WiFi?

     

    The driver version I have for a 802.11ac is 6.30.223.170 dated 7 Sep 2013.

  • by Chicagownage,

    Chicagownage Chicagownage Feb 27, 2015 5:00 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 27, 2015 5:00 PM in response to Loner T

    Have Avast AntiVirus installed that has a firewall. Turned that off along with the Bluetooth. WiFi problem still exists. I'm really not sure exactly what to look for in the system logs to give you the info you are looking for. Anyway you can be a little more specific as to exactly which logs you are looking for?

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