Unable to Connect to Wireless AP with Dell Latitude D610

Question

I've just received my Dell Latitude D610 laptop, but it refuses to connect to my network, named Netgear5491. When I open the Dell Wireless Utility, it shows Netgear5491 with a "X" over the router symbol. I've ensured that the WEP keys are correct and retyped them in, but to no avail (I noticed that every time I reopen the box to verify my WEP keys, it only displays 8 hidden characters). I've made sure the radio icon is enabled as well. Also, I've unplugged my router and cable modem for a minute and replugged them, but no change. Lastly, I've updated my Dell and Broadcom drivers, but to no avail. Here's the stats from ipconfig /all:

Windows IP Configuration:

Host Name.................user-44c7f6b350

Primary DNS Suffix........

Node Type.................Broadcast

IP Routing Enabled........No

WINS Proxy Enabled........No

Ethernet adaption Local Area Connection:

Media State...............Media disconnected

Description...............Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller

Physical Address..........00-12-3F-25-05

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 3:

Media State...............Media disconnected

Description...............Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band WLAN Mini-PCI Card

Physical Address..........00-0B-7D-22-9F-AD

Another piece of info I think is relevant is that my router is a Netgear WGR614. And none of my other computers are experiencing any network connection problems. I appreciate the help guys, thanks.

volcano11 · Answer

If you temporarily disable WEP on the router, can you connect?  (This will provide a hint at what might be wrong)?  Is there a reason that you are using WEP encryption, which does not provide much security because a dedicated hacker can easily break it or can you use the much more secure WPA or WPA2 encryuption?  Do you have MAC Address Filtering enabled on the router? (I think Netgear calls this 'Access Control').   If so, you need to enter the MAC address of the new computer's wireless card in the table of allowed MAC Addresses.   Steve

fenix07 · Answer

Hi Steve/Volcano,

Thanks for your reply. I do not have MAC filtering enabled. I've already disabled WEP (I just use it just to make sure that no one gets a free internet connection at my expense, not for real hardcore security) but my laptop refuses to connect. When you left-click the Dell Wireless Utility icon, my network doesn't show up; in fact, it detects no networks, which I know is not true because there other private networks in my area that my other computers will detect. When you right-click it, it does show up, but with a huge "X" over it. Funny thing is that when I turned the laptop on for the very first time, I was able to find my network and connect to the internet. Afterwards though, I started experiencing the problems I'm describing.

One more piece of info that I'm not sure is relevant is that my laptop had Intel ProWireless software installed, but I uninstalled it since it seemed disabled, and that I lacked an Intel wireless card.

I wish I can post pics here so you'll better understand what I'm talking about.

volcano11 · Answer

Have you tried using the Fn F2 key combination which toggles the wireless radio on and off?    Steve

fenix07 · Answer

Yes, I have, but it still does not work. Also, I've tried connecting my laptop to school's network, but my laptop does not even detect the network, even though I know it is there. Could this be a hardware problem?

fenix07 · Answer

I'm using a Dell Wireless Utility, yes, but I don't know if it's specifically Dell Quickset Utility.

I opened Network connections and right clicked on "Wireless Network Connection" but it gives me the option of "Disable" instead of "Enable". Also, there's a huge red X over it as well.

fenix07 · Answer

I've also tried repairing the connection, but that failed, saying it could not connect my wireless network. I've got some more info about the Dell wireless utility in the "About" section:

Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility

Software Version: 4.100.15.8

Software Date: Oct 26 2006

Message Edited by fenix07 on 07-27-2007 04:57 PM

volcano11 · Answer

Do you have the Dell Quickset Utility installed and running?

If you open Network Connections and right click your wireless network connection, is there an option to Enable?

Steve

Message Edited by volcano11 on 07-27-2007 06:44 PM

volcano11 · Answer

Should I try installing the Dell Quickset Utility?  Yes. Steve

volcano11 · Answer

You said in an earlier post that you were trying to run the Intel ProSet utility.   Since this is not designed to work with the Dell wireless card, it may have messed something up.  Try downloading and installing the latest drivers for your wireless card.   Steve

fenix07 · Answer

Alright, I installed it. No change in my situation though.

fenix07 · Answer

Well, I checked under 'Properties' and the 'Advanced' tab, but the Radio Enabled function was already set to 'Enabled.' I also ran the Diagnostic tests in the Dell Utility, but it reported that everything was fine. Should I try installing the Dell Quickset Utility? I should also remind you that my laptop did connect to my wireless network the very first time I powered it up, but then subsequent sessions with my laptop showed failure to connect. Message Edited by fenix07 on 07-27-2007 05:19 PM

volcano11 · Answer

The Fn F2 key combination works only if Quickset is running.  Quickset is not the Dell Wireless Utility.  If your network adapter got turned off, which it sounds like it has, the only other way to turn it onoutside the Quickset Utility is go to Device Manager, expand the listing for network adapter, right click the wireless adapter, select Properties, then click on the Advanced tab, find Radio Enable/Disable, then set the value to Enabled.   Steve

fenix07 · Answer

Okay, I downloaded that driver, but it still reports no change.

About the Intel ProWireless utility, it was already disabled when I first powered it up saying that no Intel Wireless Adapter was detected,
and there is no Intel Wireless card or adapter on my system.

Could it be possible there are still Intel Wireless adapter registry values that are conflicting with the Dell card?

fenix07 · Answer

Okay, I'm currently downloading the driver that says that it applies to Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band WLAN Mini-PCI Card (even though it says download if you reside outside the US). Is there anything else I should download from here?

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ServiceTag=&SystemID=LAT_PNT_PM_D610&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

volcano11 · Answer

If you live the US, do not download the non-US driver!   The US driver is at:   Steve

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Unable to Connect to Wireless AP with Dell Latitude D610

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