Is the router broadcasting the SSID of the wireless network?

I have a Latitude D410 with the TrueMobile 1370 and it cannot see a Cisco 1811W access point as well. The SSID is broadcasting, and this access point works well with other Dell D410's we have that have the Intel Wireless card.

Only our TrueMobile machines (some D410, some D400, some D610s) don't work. It seems to be related to the Broadcom chipset or the Dell drivers, but I can't find any answers.

And yes, these TrueMobiles work with another Linksys WRT54G access point.

And yes, I've moved the laptop within 2 feet of the Cisco access point without success.

We have 5 of these laptops that are failing.

Tarun,

I'd go to Cisco's site and see if those wireless NICs are on their Hardware Compatability List for that router. Also, you might want to see if others have reported similar problems with those routers as they're fairly common.

Lastly, I'd try a different wireless NIC to determine if its the machine orthe NIC.

HTH

Jane,

The fact that your other machine sees the wireless network doesn't necessarily mean that it is broadcasting the SSID. The best way to confirm this is to log into the router itself and view the settings there.

If it is not broadcasting the SSID, you will need to manually enter the wireless network information (SSID, security, etc) onto the laptop prior to it connecting to the wireless network.

The only reference I can find close to a HCL is this
http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/pr46/pr147/partners_pgm_partners_0900aecd800c1a1e.html

It would appear that the cards are specifically supported.

I'm pretty sure it is the NIC cards as an identically spec'd machine except with the Intel card, finds the access point successfully.

Also if I type the SSID in, the network shows up but doesn't connect correctly.

I guess I'll try different connection settings, like WPA or even no encryption first.

The problem is it only happens on all (5) of our laptops with TrueMobile cards. All (15 laptops) with the Intel cards work perfectly.

BTW, Dell support and Cisco support keep pointing fingers at each other.