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samwillc

11 Posts

135901

December 31st, 2012 13:00

Which network drivers for Dell N5050 laptop?

Hi,

I bought a dell laptop from eBay and am trying to install the latest network drivers for windows 8.

I am quite confused as to which ones I actually need. The system spec is here:

1
N11N5518
1
INSPIRON N5050 - UK FCG050521B - I5-2430
1
PROCESSOR : INTEL CORE I5-2430M (2.4GHZ,
1
DISPLAY : 15.6IN HIGH DEFINITION (1366X7
1
LCD BACK COVER : OBSIDIAN BLACK
1
MEMORY : 4096MB (1X4096) 1333MHZ DDR3 DU
1
HARD DRIVE : 500GB SERIAL ATA (5400RPM)
1
OPTICAL DRIVE : 8X DVD+/-RW DRIVE
1
POWER CORD : 1M
1
POWER SUPPLY : 65W AC ADAPTER
1
BATTERY : PRIMARY 6-CELL 48W/HR LI-ION
1
GRAPHICS : INTEL HD GRAPHICS 3000
1
WIRELESS : EUROPE DELL WIRELESS 802.11G/
1
OPERATING SYSTEM : WINDOWS 7 SP1 HOME PR
1
SOFTWARE : MICROSOFT OFFICE STARTER: RED
1
ANTIVIRUS : MCAFEE SECURITY CENTRE 15 MO
1
STANDARD SERVICE - 1 YEAR COLLECT & RETU
1
NO WARRANTY UPGRADE
1
NO ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE PROTECTION
1
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP 2GB - 1 YEAR LICE
1
INSPIRON N5050 BTS ORDER
1
INSPIRON NB - SYSTEM ONLY
and the driver choices for network are here: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/inspiron-15-intel-n5050
There are a total of 4 network drivers listed for windows 8 64-bit and I'm very confused as to which ones of these I actually need. Usually this is pretty easy but the descriptions seem so cryptic for dell. One of them is actually bluetooth software when I installed it, where does it say that in the description?
For example, 'Dell Wireless 1701 802.11 b/g/n' & 'Dell Wireless 1702 802.11 b/g/n'. Are these for different cards? Is the number the card model? Do I need both these drivers, or none of them?
If anyone can help out I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks.
Sam.

samwillc

11 Posts

January 1st, 2013 03:00

Good news, windows update (optional) picked up the following:

Broadcom corporation driver update for Dell Wireless 1701 Bluetooth v3.0+HS

Problem solved :)

Thanks for the help!

Sam.

DELL-Chinmay S

1.8K Posts

December 31st, 2012 22:00

Hi Sam,

The other WLAN cards that are offered with the system are:

  • Dell Wireless WLAN 1502 Half Mini-Card
  • Dell Wireless WLAN 1503 Half Mini-Card 
  • Dell Wireless WLAN 1701 Half Mini-Card + BlueTooth 3.0
  • Dell Wireless WLAN 1702 Half Mini-Card + BlueTooth 3.0 

In order to install the correct driver for your wireless card, you can check the card installed on your computer from 'Device Manager' and then install the appropriate driver following the steps below:

  • Click on “Start” and right click on “Computer”.
  • Click on “Manage”.
  • Click on “Device Manager”.
  • Under “Network adapters'/'Other devices”, you will find the wireless driver listed.
  • Check and make a note of the driver installed on your system and re-install the driver from the below steps accordingly.
  • Click on the link: http://dell.to/OukFUO
  • Enter the Service Tag of your system and select the operating system.
  • You will find the Wireless driver under “Network”.
  • Click on the wireless driver depending on the wireless card your system has. (Install the same driver which you checked in “Device Manager”.
  • Click on “Download File”.
  • Select “For Single File Download via Browser”.
  • Click on “Download Now”.
  • Save the driver on your desktop.
  • Once the driver is saved on desktop, right click on it and select “Run as administrator”.
  • Install the driver by following the on screen instructions.
  • Restart your computer.

Please share the findings. 

samwillc

11 Posts

January 1st, 2013 02:00

Hi, thanks but I've tried that already.

Listed under network are:

Bluetooth device (PAN)

Bluetooth device (RFCOMM Protocol TDI)

Broadcom 802.11n Network Adaptor

Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller

There is no mention of any specific wireless card (model or number i.e. 1503, 1701), that's why I had the trouble finding which driver to use.

The ethernet controller was easy enough, just don't know which wireless. How can I find out exactly which card I have? I got the system spec in my first post from the dell website after putting in my service tag so that should list everything in the machine, in theory.

Sam.

DELL-Chinmay S

1.8K Posts

January 1st, 2013 02:00

Hi Sam,

In order to assist you in a better way, I would need the Service Tag of your computer. I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.

I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide system’s Service Tag and contact details so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message.

Please reply with the information. 


DELL-Chinmay S

1.8K Posts

January 1st, 2013 04:00

Hi Sam,

I am glad that the issue is resolved.

Please feel free to get in touch in case you have any further questions.

samwillc

11 Posts

January 1st, 2013 10:00

Thanks for the offer. I will if I get stuck again.

All going well so far, enjoying windows 8 on the laptop!

Sam.

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