Macbook pro, boot camp, can't enable wifi adapter

Question

installed Windows 8 on my macbook pro (Item No : 8899069, Mftr Part No : MD313LL/A) via boot camp. I installed the boot camp support tools. The wifi adapter says that it is working correctly. However, when I go into the control panel, the wifi adapter is not enabled. When I try to enable it, it says "enabling...", but then goes away. It's not enabled afterwards.

I tried to uninstall the driver, and then repair the support tools. No luck.

I followed these directions, with no luck. I also tried to run setup.exe from these drivers, with no luck. Last, I tried to run setup.exe in compatibility mode, with no luck.

Has anyone been able to get the macbook wifi enabled in Windows 8? It reminds me of a time when I couldn't get my wifi card to work, and then I realized I didn't press the 'enable wifi' button on my pc.

I don't even see an error in the event viewer :(

Has anyone been able to get wifi to work in windows 8?

EDIT: The network card is a Broadcom 802.11n network adapter (as per the device manager)

EDIT2: I gave up and bought a network card (Edimax EW-7811U), and have the same issue....

Solution

I bought an Edimax wireless card to see if it resolved the problem, but I had similar issues.

As per Edimax support:

1. Please uninstall ZoneAlarm
2. Reboot your computer
3. Then you can enable the wireless network connection
4. After the wireless is working properly, you can re-install ZoneAlarm back.

I've tested steps 1-3, and now both the built in wifi and the edimax card work.

Comments

[and31415]

Is Windows 32-bit or 64-bit? What are the the network card hardware IDs? What's the driver version you're currently using?

[Hoppe]

It is Win 8.1 64 bit. The new card is a USB\VID_7392&PID_7811&REV_0200 . The built in wifi cards hardware ID is PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_4331&SUBSYS_00D6106B&REV_02 and PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_4331&CC_028000

[and31415]

What about the drivers? Are they certified for Windows 8.1? Which versions are installed?

[Hoppe]

Same issue @PJJ. I didn't have the yellow exclamation point, so I uninstalled the existing driver. Then I followed your steps above. Same issue. Everything looks fine, but I can't enable the device. So then I can't connect to wifi

[Hoppe]

In the device manager, it says "broadcom 802.11n network adapter". Device status: "this device is working properly". No yellow exclamation point. But when I go to control panel > network and internet > network and sharing center > change adapter settings, the wifi connection is disabled. I can't enable it. There's no icon on the taskbar because it's not enabled :(

[PJJ]

Tried to cycle the network adapter? Second mouse click on the "Broadcom 802.11n network adapter" in network and sharing center, choose disable and then do it again and choose enable.

[PJJ]

Let's make it the other way around: What is the exact model of your MBP? is it this one (early 2011): support.apple.com/kb/sp619 or this one (late 2011): support.apple.com/kb/sp645 According to your manufacture part string it's late 2011.

[PJJ]

This driver is confirmed working for late 2011 mbp pro under windows 8: photoboothowners.com/15d9 – make sure you force ths version's installation!

[Hoppe]

That driver is the same one that I posted in the question. It didn't work for me unfortunately. I followed the steps

[Hoppe]

Is there a way I can figure out what specific model wireless card I have?

[PJJ]

i identify hardware through linux/ubuntu. to get an list of hardware make yourself an ubuntu bootable usb stick and boot it, check dmesg use sudo lspci – sudo lshw or sudo lshal, you can also check the boot time kernel output with sudo dmesg - there should be some output about drivers modules loaded and hardware identified

[PJJ]

if you can boot ubuntu and your wifi is identified and works as broadcom bcm4322 then you will be pretty sure that there is something wrong with windows drivers at least.