Wireless
Participate in insightful discussions regarding issues related to Intel® Wireless Adapters and technologies
7368 Discussions

Windows 10 drivers for Centrino Advanced-N 6230 ?

PSmit10
Beginner
20,864 Views

OS: Windows 10, 64-bit

Computer: HP dv6-7250ca

Original NIC: Centrino 2230

Replacement NIC: Centrino 6230

The HP Maintenance and Service manual for my computer does list the Centrino 6230 as a possible NIC, but the computer came with Windows 8, later updated to 8.1 and then to Windows 10.

The notebook is working well with Windows 10, but I need a dual-band NIC. HP does not specifically support Windows 10 (just Windows 8.1) on this notebook, so I am trying to ascertain which Intel driver would be suitable for this new NIC.

Any assistance would be appreciated - thank you.

0 Kudos
9 Replies
AlHill
Super User
16,125 Views

Sorry, this adapter is not supported on Windows 10:

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000005602.html Supported Operating Systems for Intel® Wireless Products

Also, there are no drivers available from Microsoft as well:

http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=Intel%206230 Microsoft Update Catalog

My suggestion is, if you want to keep using this laptop on Windows 10:

  • Contact HP to see if there is another adapter you can use that does support Windows 10
  • or purchase a USB wifi adapter
  • or roll back to Windows 8.1

Doc

PSmit10
Beginner
16,125 Views

Thanks Doc, although that is not what I was hoping to hear.

The HP service manual lists the following NICs, two of which are Intel. Strangely, you will notice, it does not list the actual NIC that they installed in the notebook when manufactured, the Centrino 2230.

As you can see, the other Intel NIC is the Centrino 6235 - but only for use in Japan, and I am located in Canada. This computer is an Intel-based machine (i7-3630QM), and I would prefer to stick with Intel-based devices.

WLAN module

Description Spare part number

For use with all computer models:

Atheros 9485GN 802.11b/g/n 1×1 WiFi and 3012 Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Adapter 655795-001

Atheros WB225 802.11b/g/n 1×1 Bluetooth Combo Adapter 675794-001

Broadcom 4313GN 802.11b/g/n 1×1 WiFi and 20702 Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Adapter 657325-001

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 WLAN module 670691-001

Ralink RT5390R 802.11b/g/n 1×1 WiFi Adapter 691415-001

Ralink RT3290LE 802.11b/g/n 1×1 WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Adapter 690020-001

Atheros AR9565 802.11b/g/n 1×1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.0 Combo Adapter 690019-001

for use only on computer models equipped with an Intel processor

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 WLAN module for use only on computer models 670290-001

equipped with an Intel processor in Japan

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
16,126 Views

Hello Samurai-73,

 

 

We understand you have upgraded your operating system to Windows® 10, but would like to upgrade to a dual band wireless adapter.

 

 

I see that your laptop originally came with the Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230, which is a 2x2 single band adapter. This adapter may work on Windows® 10 using the latest Windows* 8.1, or the Windows® 10 inbox drivers (although it's not 100% compatible).

 

 

In the pre-approved spare parts list you have two options for dual band adapters, but only the Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235 may work on Windows® 10. However, this adapter has the same issue as the 2230, it is not fully compatible with this OS version. Just like your current adapter, it may work using the latest 8.1 drivers, or the inbox drivers provided by Microsoft*.

 

 

I checked in the HP* support page for your laptop, and it seems that your OEM no longer provides updated drivers nor does it test new hardware parts for your model. This is probably why the spare parts list for your laptop does not include any newer wireless adapters (most are 1x1, none are newer than 802.11n).

 

 

In short, you may upgrade to the Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235, preferably purchased through your OEM, but it will be a bit of a gamble, as we cannot guarantee this adapter will work as expected in Windows® 10.

 

 

Product Specification pages:

 

- http://ark.intel.com/products/66889/Intel-Centrino-Wireless-N-2230-Single-Band Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 2230.

 

- http://ark.intel.com/products/59472/Intel-Centrino-Advanced-N-6230-Dual-Band Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6230.

 

- http://ark.intel.com/products/66890/Intel-Centrino-Advanced-N-6235-Dual-Band Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6235.

 

 

Recommended driver for these adapters to be used in Windows® 10:

 

- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26466 Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for Windows* 8.1.

 

 

HP* ENVY* dv6-7250ca Support pages:

 

- http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-dv6-7200-notebook-pc-series/5296055/model/5318923# Z7_3054ICK0K8UDA0AQC11TA930O2 Software and Driver downloads.

 

- http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-envy-dv6-7200-notebook-pc-series/5296055/model/5318923/document/c05195282 HP* products tested with Windows® 10.

 

 

NOTE: Any links provided for third party tools or sites are offered for your convenience and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Intel® of the content, products, or services offered there. We do not offer support for any third party tool mentioned here.

 

 

We hope this information helps.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Carlos A.
0 Kudos
PSmit10
Beginner
16,126 Views

Thanks Carlos A.

This is to advise that I recently received the Centrino 6230 NIC that I had ordered around the start of this thread. I installed it and decided to first try it without any driver change or update to see what would happen.

The short answer is"it works"! I am using the driver that was used with the original NIC (Centrino 2230), version 15.11.0.7.

I have not tried all of the features (e.g., no Wi-Di testing, et al), but I am now able to see and access the network on both bands, 2.4 and 5GHz.

FYI, the network speed on 2.4GHz is between 115 and 120Mbps, and on 5GHz it is typically over 240Mbps.

I hope this information may be of benefit to others who are looking to replace their single-band NIC with a dual-band NIC.

So far, so good, but would there be any advantage in updating to the newer drivers that you mentioned?

Regards...

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
16,126 Views

Hello Samurai-73,

 

 

Thank you for the update. I'm sure future users visiting this thread will find it helpful.

 

 

If your current driver works, there may be no need to install the newer driver, as the Intel® PROSet Wireless Software is a package that includes drivers for multiple adapters. We only recommend using the 8.1 drivers if you're experiencing issues.

 

 

Aside from this, you may want to apply our http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000005544.html recommended wireless settings.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Carlos A.
0 Kudos
PSmit10
Beginner
16,126 Views

Hello Carlos A.,

As mentioned previously, the old driver 15.11.0.7 'appears' to be working. I can connect to my home network on either band and the reported network connection speeds under the adapter properties are essentially what one would expect.

However, I do find that too frequently (perhaps 3 times a week), I lose my internet connection or there is a drastic reduction in connection speed, For example, when I notice browser web pages suddenly loading extremely slowly and I check the properties under Control Panel...Device Manager...Network Adapter, I find my network connection speed has dropped from over 100 or 200 Mbps (depending upon connection band, 2.4 or 5GHz) down to 1 or 6 Mbps, respectively.

I am not knowledgeable enough to know if this could be NIC-driver-related, or if it is an issue with my router (Linksys EA7500, AC1900), but I thought I would try the newer driver you suggested. I downloaded and double-clicked to install Wireless_19.20.3_PROSet64_Win8.1.exe, and the installation process proceeded normally, creating a restore point and later requiring a reboot.

Following the reboot, I noted that the NIC adapter driver was unchanged, but I found a program in my start menu called Intel Control Panel. Thinking perhaps that was part of what was installed with the driver, I opened it only to see a message that no applications had been registered and just offering an uninstall button.

I then thought perhaps I have to manually update to the new NIC driver but, if so, I have no idea where it was located during the installation that was done. So, I am basically at a standstill regarding this newer driver and I am left with those network quirks whose cause is unknown at this time.

Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
16,126 Views

Hello Samurai-73,

 

 

While its not expected for legacy adapters to perform flawlessly in Windows® 10, we do have a couple more things that we can suggest to try and make sure you have as little issues as possible.

 

 

Instead of trying to update your driver, we can try a clean installation instead. And since Windows® 10 is more strict when it comes to third-party applications managing wireless connections, we'll make it a "driver only" clean installation.

 

 

This is what you'll need to do:

 

 

1. Download the latest Intel® "IT Admin" Wireless Driver package for Windows* 8.1: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26527 Wireless_19.30.0_Driver64_Win8.1.zip

 

2. Extract this file to a known location, but don't install it just yet.

 

3. Open the Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall the "Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software." When prompted, choose the option to "Discard Settings."

 

4. Now back to the Control Panel > Device Manager > Network Adapters > Right click on your Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6230 and Uninstall it. Make sure to mark the option to "Delete the driver software for this device."

 

5. Press the Windows* Key + R to open the Run box > Type "Cleanmgr.exe" and press OK. Select the main drive, usually "C:\" then check Temporary Files and uncheck everything else. Press OK.

 

6. Reboot your PC.

 

7. Open the Control Panel > Programs and Features > Locate your Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6230 > Right click and "Update Driver Software" > Browse my computer for driver software > Select the folder where you extracted the PROSet in step 2 and continue the installation. Reboot if prompted.

 

 

After this, your driver version should display as http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000005559.html 15.17.0.1.

 

 

Additional/Optional Steps:

 

 

1. Control Panel > Power Options > Set plan to "High Performance" or change plan settings for your current power plan > Change advanced power settings > Wireless Adapter Settings > Power Saving Mode > Set "On Battery" and "Plugged in" to Maximum Performance.

 

2. Apply our http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000005544.html Recommended Settings for 802.11n Connectivity.

 

 

We hope this makes a difference.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Carlos A.
0 Kudos
PSmit10
Beginner
16,126 Views

Hello Carlos A.,

Thanks for the follow-up.

I apologize in that I see I forgot to mention a perhaps important item - namely, that Intel PROSet software does show up under Control Panel...Programs and Features as having been installed but does not show up in my Start menu or even in File Explorer under Programs Files or Program Files (x86) - strange! Nevertheless, per your latest suggestion I have taken the first 3 steps and uninstalled it .

However, I tend to err on the cautious side and I am reluctant to proceed with step 4, which appears to delete my existing driver before I know if the newer driver will work at least as well (and hopefully better ). In the off-chance that I need to return to the older (my existing) driver, is there a way I can find and save it somewhere or is there a way for me to download it from somewhere?

Thank you. Your assistance is much appreciated.

0 Kudos
idata
Employee
16,126 Views

Samurai-73,

 

 

It's an understandable thing to be cautious of. While a newer driver should be better, there's always a bit of trial and error involved when pairing these adapters with Windows® 10.

 

 

We did a bit of research and it seems that PROSet version 18.40 does carry the 15.11.0.7 driver for your adapter. You could download and save this package in case that you would like to return to it.

 

- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26095 Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers ver 18.40.4

 

- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26093 Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for IT Admins 18.40.4

 

 

As for your first question, Windows® 10 doesn't allow for third-party applications to be used to manage network connections. Because of this the Intel® PROSet will only install the driver packages and a tool to import/export wireless profiles (found in the Network and Sharing Center). You won't really get much as far as user accessible tools go.

 

 

If you have any further questions, keep them coming, we're always glad to help.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Carlos A.
0 Kudos
Reply