How Do I Install an Atheros Wireless Driver on a Toshiba Laptop?

Install wireless networking drivers to connect to Wi-Fi at home and abroad.

Some Toshiba laptops with wireless networking cards require the Atheros Wireless LAN driver to connect to wireless networks. If you have to reinstall your operating system, the installation process may not install this driver by default. You may also need to reinstall the driver if you have problems with your wireless networking card. Visit Toshiba's website to download and install an Atheros wireless driver.

Instructions

1. Open a Web browser and navigate to the Toshiba Support page (see Resources). Select "Laptops" under "Choose Category," then select your laptop's family name under "Choose Family." Select your laptop's model number under "Choose Model," then click "Go." Select "Wi-Fi" from the second drop-down list next to "Refine Search By," then locate and click the Atheros Wireless LAN driver in the results list.

2. Click the "Download Now" button on the driver's page to download the installation file. Double-click the downloaded driver file after it finishes downloading and click "Run" on the "Open File - Security Warning" prompt.

3. Click the "Start" button on the driver's extractor to extract and install all the needed driver files. Click "Yes" on the User Account Control prompt if it appears, then restart your computer to complete the installation process. Windows detects your wireless card and its new drivers after the reboot.

Tips & Warnings

• If Windows does not detect the new drivers for some reason, click "Start," type "Device Manager" in the search box and press "Enter." Click the "Scan for Hardware Changes" icon below the window's toolbar. Windows now attempts to locate the wireless card and its drivers.

References

• Toshiba: Atheros Wireless LAN Driver for Windows Vista / 7 (32Bit/64Bit)

Resources

• Toshiba Support: Homepage