[TerryNet]

"... one of the things that makes a laptop a "Centrino" is that it has a built-in wi-fi adapter."

Both AMD and Intel (and others) may take exception to your definition. Usually "Centrino" means that it contains Intel's mobile chipset that they call "Centrino." My Dell laptop has "Centrino" and integrated Wi-Fi but lots and lots of "Centrino" laptops do not have integrated Wi-Fi adapters. And my HP laptop with AMD's Turion64X2 mobile chipset and integrated Wi-Fi is not a "Centrino."

[jackdw]

Centrino is the make of Intel processor, in the same way that Core 2 Duo is the name of the processor. It's called a 'Centrino Laptop' because of it's CPU, not because of any add-on features...

[meirionwyllt]

OK OK, I stand corrected on the Centrino issue, but this doesn't really help my problem. The case remains, my problem has nothing to do with my laptop's inbuilt wifi adapter.

Anyone got any ideas?

[TerryNet]

Since you didn't appreciate my idea in post #7 try the card in another computer to get a second opinion.

[AcaCandy]

Ok, I can't stand it anymore Have we asked the make/model of the laptop yet?

[TerryNet]

"Have we asked the make/model of the laptop yet?"

I think not, but the Computer Specifications say "Acer Aspire 1693WLMi."

[AcaCandy]

Have we tried a system restore point back to before the bad drivers were installed?

[meirionwyllt]

AcaCandy - Good idea, but unfortunately the system restore points only stretch back four days.

TerryNet - As for your suggestion in #7 I agree that this is the best option, but I'm just trying to avoid having to send it back to china and posibly getting lost in the post or the seller losing the package after getting it back etc. I'll try your other idea first. I won't get to try it on a friend's laptop for a few days though, but will report back when I do. thanks.

Back to the Device Manager issue, what do the items in the Device Manager refer to, a branch of the registry? Does anyone know where? It's insane that I can't get rid of this damn driver from there.

[JohnWill]

Actually, there are probably a number of places where you'd have to modify in the registry. You might try searching on some part of the adapter name and see how many instances show up.

[AcaCandy]

Have you tried removing everything under ethernet adapters in the device manager in safe mode? Sometimes you are asked if you want to delete the associated files.

Also, have you tried to install this thing in safe mode?

Another idea, take it out, leave it out for awhile, use the built in adapter after removing stuff, then disable it, and try to install the new one again.

I'm not even sure I understand why the built in isn't working to your liking

[kjjb0204]

Originally Posted by jackdw

Centrino is the make of Intel processor, in the same way that Core 2 Duo is the name of the processor. It's called a 'Centrino Laptop' because of it's CPU, not because of any add-on features...

Sorry, I can't let this go - you're completely wrong. Centrino is not the make of processor, it's the type of processor technologies and for a notebook to be a Centrino labeled notebook, it must have three major technologies integrated - 1. Intel mobile processor such as the Core 2 Duo, 2. Appropriate Intel chipset such as the GM965 or PM965 Express chipset, 3. Integrated wireless NIC.

Find me one example of a Centrino labeled notebook for sale today that doesn't have all three of those technologies and I'll eat my shorts.

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by kjjb0204

Centrino is not the make of processor, it's the type of processor technologies and for a notebook to be a Centrino labeled notebook, it must have three major technologies integrated - 1. Intel mobile processor such as the Core 2 Duo, 2. Appropriate Intel chipset such as the GM965 or PM965 Express chipset, 3. Integrated wireless NIC.

Find me one example of a Centrino labeled notebook for sale today that doesn't have all three of those technologies and I'll eat my shorts.

But not necessarily an Intel chipset wireless NIC.

[kjjb0204]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

But not necessarily an Intel chipset wireless NIC.

Intel specifies that the integrated wireless be either an Intel next-gen N or 3945ABG. Don't all Intel wireless nics have the intel chipset? Could they be an Atheros chipset on an Intel nic?

[JohnWill]

So they do say it has to be an Intel wireless chipset? I guess the Centrino laptops I've seen with non-Intel wireless are a lie?

What is Centrino?

Because of Intel's history, it's easy enough to assume that Centrino is a single chip, like the Pentium. It's not. It's a three-part package, consisting of the Pentium M processor, an Intel 855 chipset, and an Intel-certified 802.11b wireless transceiver.

My question would be, what is an Intel-certified 802.11b wireless transceiver? They don't say Intel brand here...

I think later it morphed into specifying their own brand chips: http://www.intel.com/products/centrino/index.htm

[kjjb0204]

You are quite possibly correct - I think when Centrino was first introduced it didn't specify Intel wireless, but now they do state Intel NIC.....