Intermittent Connectivity issue on Dell Inspiron 3521 - 64 bit - Windows 8

odata,

What virus program and firewall do you have installed?

Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER and post the information back here.

Rick

Host Name:                 USAMAAHMAD

OS Name:                   Microsoft Windows 8 Pro with Media Center

OS Version:                6.2.9200 N/A Build 9200

OS Manufacturer:           Microsoft Corporation

OS Configuration:          Standalone Workstation

OS Build Type:             Multiprocessor Free

Registered Owner:          

Registered Organization:  

Product ID:                

Original Install Date:     1/21/2013, 3:46:54 AM

System Boot Time:          2/2/2013, 12:14:12 PM

System Manufacturer:       Dell Inc.

System Model:              Inspiron 3521

System Type:               x64-based PC

Processor(s):              1 Processor(s) Installed.

                          [01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 58 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~1400 Mhz

BIOS Version:              Dell Inc. A02, 9/26/2012

Windows Directory:         C:\Windows

System Directory:          C:\Windows\system32

Boot Device:               \Device\HarddiskVolume1

System Locale:             en-us;English (United States)

Input Locale:              en-us;English (United States)

Time Zone:                 (UTC+05:00) Islamabad, Karachi

Total Physical Memory:     8,067 MB

Available Physical Memory: 5,540 MB

Virtual Memory: Max Size:  16,259 MB

Virtual Memory: Available: 12,858 MB

Virtual Memory: In Use:    3,401 MB

Page File Location(s):     C:\pagefile.sys

Domain:                    WORKGROUP

Logon Server:              \\USAMAAHMAD

Hotfix(s):                 N/A

Network Card(s):           3 NIC(s) Installed.

                          [01]: Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller

                                Connection Name: Ethernet

                                Status:          Media disconnected

                          [02]: Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz)

                                Connection Name: Wi-Fi

                                DHCP Enabled:    Yes

                                DHCP Server:     192.168.1.1

                                IP address(es)

                                [01]: 192.168.1.4

                                [02]: fe80::d54:38c9:4466:b5eb

                          [03]: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

                                Connection Name: Bluetooth Network Connection

                                Status:          Media disconnected

Hyper-V Requirements:      VM Monitor Mode Extensions: Yes

                          Virtualization Enabled In Firmware: Yes

                          Second Level Address Translation: Yes

                          Data Execution Prevention Available: Yes

i had norton (removed it)m then tried AVG (removed it), same results, default win 8 firewall is enabled at the moment

i would also like to point out that i have very few options in my wireless card settingsi know for a fact that my limited connectivity problem ionly occurs on my mentioned dell as i have tested both an ipad and another windows 8 64bit dell in the afformentioned room

odata,

I see you have a valid ip address.

Did this system come with Windows 8?

Can you connect in the same room as the router? What happens when you go further away?

You can try these tweaks...

Go to Drivers & Downloads enter your service tag number, then select your operating system. Under Network, download and install the latest drivers.

Try these tweaks....

Start, control panel, device manager. Click on Network and then right click on your wireless adapter, left click properties, power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Go to the power options, and changed the Wireless Adapter Setting, from Maximum Power Setting to Maximum Performance.

Rick

i have already tried the above mentioned tweaks.

Yes the wifi works in the same room as the router, but if i move to the room next to it, the signal strength drops dramatically, the room i need it to work in (my bedroom) gives me varying results i.e 3 bars (limited connectivity) to not even detecting the network,

in any case i cant use the internet in my room, yet my ipad and old laptop work/ in the same room

, No, this system did not come with windows 8, it originally had LINUX  ubuntu 12.04 installed, i formatted the drive and installed windows 7, but the drivers i downloaded from dell did not work, wifi driver failed to install ,  graphics driver failed as well , but then i instaled windows 8 and everything worked smoothly for about 10 days, then this happened

Connection worked with both linux and windows 8 (initially), now i have to be fairly close to my router for it to work

odata,

Did your connection work with LINUX?

I was thinking that maybe the antenna wire(s) may have come loose. If you're under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support.

Rick

odata,

Sounds like the antenna wire(s) came loose. That is the reason you have to be close to the router.

Rick

Is that something that is easily repairable by a qualified professional ? because my warranty is local (Pakistan)

odata,

Read page 31 in the Dell Inspiron 3521 owners manual. I suggested that if you're under warranty to have Dell Tech Support handles this because of removing the leyboard and palm rest to access the wireless card.

Rick

Lets say (for arguments sake) that i have no warranty coverage, what would you suggest then ?

odata,

If you're handy with a screwdriver, then you can try it yourself, with the right tools or find a local technician to do it.

Rick

okay then, i will claim my warranty. hopefully its a simple fix. Now suppose it isn't just a simple wire problem. is a replacement possible ?

odata,

I am just a volunteer and I do NOT work for Dell. You have to see what Dell tech Supports suggests. In the United States, they'd probably send a technician to my home to repair.

Rick