Laptop Problem - No Modem Access...

Ok well, the other day a friends mom asked me to fix her Vaio. She said she just couldn't get online. She uses a Motorola WN825G wireless modem (worked for about two weeks until this problem) which I discovered isn't that great of a modem from the reviews I read online. The problem I'm experiencing is the modem will not power on along with the computer not even recognizing that the card is even in either of the slots. What I'm thinking it is that either the card is bad or the slots in the laptop are bad. I can't tell which one cause I don't have the hardware to diagnose such things. I've tried everything I know how (drivers, power settings, irq fenagling, etc.) and I'm still sitting here with a bunk modem. Please help me as soon as possible because she has stuff on it that she needs within the next few weeks for online classes.

 

what connection is the modem using? Also can you see the device listed at all in the 'Device Manager'? If not make sure the related port settings are not disbaled in the BIOS (USB ports.....disabled), etc. You mentioned that the system could not even recognize the modem but I wanted to make sure.... elaborate on these details if possible. That is it for now...

 

All bios settings are fine. It doesn't show up on the computer in any format. No device manager or anything else. When I insert the card in the slot, the power should come on, but it doesn't. The Vaio doesn't even know it's there. Is there a way to check to see if power in coming through the card slot (like using a voltmeter) cause I have a nagging suspicion that the slot's bad. They brought the laptop in to some other people and they tried another modem and it didn't work either. It's gotta be a power problem, what else could it be?

 

You mentioned that the laptop worked for couple of weeks and then experienced this issue, how old is the laptop, from what you have stated so far the problem is with the port and if i am not mistaken would require a new mobo or at least professional technical servicing...if still under warranty check with Sony, if not a local PC shop...or if you have BestBuy/CompUSA, I am sure they could check to confirm...