Wireless code 10 issue

Question

Hi, I own a Dell Latitude D600 that I purchased off of Ebay a few months ago. For the past month I have been having an issue with my wireless card and it's driving me crazy. My problem started when I turned on my computer and booted up and when my desktop loaded, no wireless icon or signal strength showed on the bottom right hand corner where are the other icons are. I went to Device Manager and in the Network adapter section was an exclamation point next to the Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band WLan mini pci card which showed that there is a code 10 error. I have tried uninstalling it but then I would always get the BSOD with the BCMWL5.sys error. I have tried updating the driver as well but it would tell me that it already is up to date. I have also tried reinstalling my OS but my code 10 error always returns. When I opened up my laptop to see if the card is the cables are loose (which they weren't), I noticed that my wireless card is the Broadcom 4309.

I would also like to ask exactly what order am I suppose to have all of my drivers installed? I am almost positive that I am not installing them correctly. I have seen websites that say to install the Intel Chipset and O2 Smart Card first and then the NSS and so on. It is very confusing when everyone says something different.

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi Linzwithaz,

As you have performed almost all the troubleshooting steps including operating system reinstall and reseating the card, in my opinion it seems that the issue is with the wireless card and you may consider replacing it.

For the correct order to install drivers, you may refer to the link: http://dell.to/ZoD26H.

You can check the warranty details of your computer by visiting the link: http://dell.to/10GaKAc, enter the service tag of your computer and click on Warranty tab.

If the system is not covered under warranty and you are residing in the US, you can contact dell spares at 1-800-372-3355 or you can get it from a local store.

Please feel free to reply for any further question. I will be glad to assist you.

Linzwithaz · Answer

I would like to add that with my code 10 issue, if I reboot the computer a few times, the wireless does come back to normal. Is this still a card issue and if so, is there a specific wireless card I should look to purchase or do I need the exact same one?

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi Linzwithaz,

You may try to manually install the wireless driver. Please follow the steps below:

Download and save the wireless driver from the link: http://dell.to/16M99Bv
Go to ‘Device Manager’-> ‘Network Adapters’
Click > sign next to ‘Network Adapters’
Right click wireless card and click ‘Update Driver’
Choose ‘Manually update the driver’.
Click ‘Browse’ and navigate to C:\dell\Drivers\ R151519.
Install the driver and check if wireless is working properly.

If not then the issue is with the wireless card. The wireless card slot on the system supports Mini PCI wireless card. You may purchase the wireless card accordingly.

Keep me posted with the results. I will be glad to assist further.

Linzwithaz · Answer

I haven't tried manually installing that driver yet but I would like to add that a few days ago  I bought a brand new wireless card and I tried installing everything in what i thought was the correct order but I still got the code 10 error. Also, is there a specific way you need to install a new wireless card? I turned my laptop off, unplugged it, took out the battery, removed old card, put in new card and then plugged everything back in and turned my laptop on and installed the dell wireless driver and the dell mobile broadband driver.

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi Linzwithaz,

Please share the model of the Dell wireless card that you have installed. You may update the latest BIOS. Please refer to the link: http://dell.to/15rl5Vq.

Note: Before Note updating BIOS please ensure that:
*Battery is 10%> or >10% charged
*Battery charger should be connected
*No external devices (flash drives, printers, external hard drives) should be connected.
*All other programs should be closed and documents saved

Keep me posted with the findings. I will be glad to assist further.

Linzwithaz · Answer

I have already updated to the lastest BIOS. The wireless card model that my dell uses is the Broadcom BCM94306MPSG

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi Linzwithaz,

Please share the ‘Device ID’ of the wireless card. You may follow the steps below:

In ‘Device Manager’, right click ‘Network Controller’.
Click ‘Properties’.
Click ‘Details’.
Search for ‘Device Instance ID’.
Provide the numbers after VEN and DEV.

Keep me posted with the information. I will be glad to assist further.

Linzwithaz · Answer

I went to Device Manager and I didn't see Network Controller, I only see Network Adapters and I right clicked on the Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band WLAN Mini-pci card and went to Properties, Details and Device Instance ID...the numbers after VEN are 14E4 and the numbers after DEV are 4324

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi Linzwithaz,

Please share the operating system. The wireless drivers are compatible with Windows XP. Drivers for any other operating system are not available for this card. If your computer is already running on Windows XP, you may try reinstalling Windows XP.

* Note: This step leads to complete data loss including pictures, music files, videos, documents and applications. Please disconnect any external peripherals as well.

You may backup the data on your external HDD before reinstalling operating system.

If the above steps don’t work then the issue seems to be with the wireless card port and you may need to replace the motherboard.

Keep me posted with the results. I will be glad to assist you.

Linzwithaz · Answer

I have Windows XP and I have a reinstallation disk that I've used to see if I start from scratch, if my issue would subside but it hasn't so I guess that leaves me with a motherboard issue?

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi Linzwithaz,

It seems that the issue is with the wireless card slot on the motherboard. You may try replacing the motherboard, it should help. For Owner’s Manual, you may refer to the link: http://bit.ly/Vh1D8E.

If you are residing in US, you may contact Dell Spares at: at 1-800-372-3355 or you can get it from a local store.

Keep me posted with the results. I will be glad to assist further.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless code 10 issue

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