Sorry to request assistance on this matter so soon after I join, but I'm afraid I won't be able to become a respected member of the community if I cannot access the forums. 

Recently, the notebook computer I've been using for a little over a year has stopped detecting the wireless internet within my household.  all other computers can still connect normally.  under normal circumstances, I can navigate to 'Network Connections' to see whether the wireless is connected; if it is disconnected, it says so under 'wireless connection'.  however, now there is no option for wireless connection on the list.  what could be the cause of this? 

Thanks in advance. 

-gjw1uk

I just restarted the computer, and the wireless internet is being detected now. A few hours from now it'll probably cut out again. Restarting the computer does not usually solve the problem. 

It is being detected now, but I'll have to check again whenenver it cuts out again. 

There is a button near the keyboard of my computer that controls the wireless, I've already checked that.  When the device isn't working, the light accompaning the button doesn't change color when pressed, as it normally should.  Furthermore, when I would press the button before, the WLAN would read "off" on my computer's start bar.  When the device isn't working, the WLAN icon doesn't appear at all. 

Thank you for the help so far, goat. 

I just noticed a factor that may be critical to solving this case: the device stops working whenever I view Matroska (.mkv) files.  as far as I am aware, this is the only time it becomes defective.  I've viewed .mkv files before this without anything bad happening. 

Thanks for all the help so far.  For further information, I'm using HP Wireless Assistant.  There is no 'allow this device... power' option.  I updated the drivers, as suggested.  I cannot find any way to switch to Windows Zero Configuration in the device properties. 

Thanks again, and good luck with your laptop Perpetual Moogle. 

Edit: recently happened without viewing a .mkv