Weird Connectivity Issues With New Inspiron 660s

1. I've yet to see any other wireless networks detected.

2. I've used an old Dimension desktop at this same location using an inexpensive Belkin wireless adapter and it worked fine. I currently have an Inspiron Mini in the same room and the speed is excellent. Suppose I move everything so it's right next to the router and it works. Is that the solution, to just leave it there? Because that is not an acceptable solution, not when I've had other machines in the same place that worked great with no issues.

3. I will try this when I get home this evening.

4. Just so we're clear, this is a desktop PC.

Honestly, now that I have it wired, I'm more interested in diagnosing that connection issue than the wireless.

Hi,

I suggest you try the steps below to fix the issue before uninstalling the wireless card:

1. Check if the system can detect any other wireless networks other than the one you are using.
2. Try relocating the system closer to the router / access point if possible.
3. Delete the network profile in Windows and re-configure the wireless network in the following way:

• Click the wireless icon.
• Click your respective network name.
• Click Connect.
• Enter the Security Key and click OK.

4. Change the Power Management to maximum performance even when on battery. Please refer to the picture below for the Power Management screen.

Please try the steps and do let us know the results.

Thanks and Regards
Priyanka S
#iworkfordell

zen5729,

Make and model of your wireless router and the type of security you're using? What channel?

What virus program and firewall are you using?

Rick

Rick,

The router is a Motorola, I don't recall what model. I'll have more info when I get home. Security is WEP, and I believe it's on Channel 1 now, though I've changed this a few times trying to remedy the problem. I'm pretty sure it was originally on Channel 8. No matter what channels I've tried, my Inspiron Mini netbook flies like the wind. No such lick with the new desktop. The virus/firewall is the McAfee that came with the machine, and yes, I've run the update that fixes the connectivity issues associated with that per the instructions in the stickied forum thread. I'll run that system info when I get home and post.

But still, I'm not just concerned with the wireless connection; now that I have the computer connected with Ethernet cable, I could do without establishing a good wireless connection. The connection speed with the wired (100 Mbps) is faster than the speed I'm getting with the netbook on wireless (54 Mbps) and much faster than the wireless I get with the new 660s (usually 1 Mbps). I fail to understand how both machines have uninterrupted connections with the wireless (the new machine is just a lot slower), but the wired connection cuts out for about 2 seconds once every five minutes or so. This is the issue I really want to address. It's also of interest to note that my roommate has had no problems connecting via wireless or Ethernet, but both are a problem for me, so it doesn't appear to be an issue with the ISP or the router.

zen5729,

I use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings I use channel 11. WPA-AES is faster, if you bon't have any wireless devices, lke cell phones, wireless rpitners, etc.., that are not compatible. To use WPA Security, if you have any XP systems, you need to have XP SP2 or higher.

Once you post the other informtion, I can then see which adapter you have.

Rick

The router is a Motorola SBG900. After creating the log you requested, I took a look at your Recommended Settings. On Channel 11, the status showed connected, but the yellow exclamation point icon was there, indicating "no internet access." I switched back to Channel 1 for now. Anyway, here is the System information log:

Host Name:                 JEREMY-PC
OS Name:                   Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 
OS Version:                6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
OS Manufacturer:           Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration:          Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type:             Multiprocessor Free
Registered Owner:          Jeremy
Registered Organization:   Microsoft
Original Install Date:     8/29/2012, 6:01:14 PM
System Boot Time:          9/6/2012, 9:21:16 PM
System Manufacturer:       Dell Inc.
System Model:              Inspiron 660s
System Type:               x64-based PC
Processor(s):              1 Processor(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 42 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2700 Mhz
BIOS Version:              Dell Inc. A03, 3/22/2012
Windows Directory:         C:\Windows
System Directory:          C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device:               \Device\HarddiskVolume2
System Locale:             en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale:              en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone:                 (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Total Physical Memory:     3,974 MB
Available Physical Memory: 2,651 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size:  7,947 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 5,434 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use:    2,513 MB
Page File Location(s):     C:\pagefile.sys
Domain:                    WORKGROUP
Logon Server:              \\JEREMY-PC
Hotfix(s):                 104 Hotfix(s) Installed.
                           [01]: 982861
                           [02]: KB971033
                           [03]: KB2393802
                           [04]: KB2397190
                           [05]: KB2425227
                           [06]: KB2459268
                           [07]: KB2475792
                           [08]: KB2478662
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Network Card(s):           3 NIC(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection
                                 DHCP Enabled:    Yes
                                 DHCP Server:     192.168.0.1
                                 IP address(es)
                                 [01]: 192.168.0.12
                           [02]: Dell Wireless 1506 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz)
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection
                                 DHCP Enabled:    Yes
                                 DHCP Server:     192.168.0.1
                                 IP address(es)
                                 [01]: 192.168.0.11
                                 [02]: fe80::99b5:db4f:c6ef:a731
                           [03]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 2
                                 Status:          Media disconnected

zen5729,

Start, control panel, device manager, network adapter, double click on Dell Wireless 1506 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz), advanced. Look for antenna diversity. (I'm not sure if this adapter has antenna diversity. If it does, can you please let me know) If this adapter has antenna diversity, change it from Auto to Aux.

Click on power management. Uncheck the box, allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Rick

I don't see any antenna diversity option. Anyway, I just went out and picked up a new adapter and it connected fine immediately, with the same 54 Mbps speed my Mini gets. No idea why I couldn't get above 2.0 Mpbs with the onboard wireless adapter, but it doesn't matter. The cost of the new adapter was well worth not having to continuously screw with settings and not get anywhere.