I have bought a Dell 1721 a week ago, Windows Vista Home Premium, Norton Internet Security.
There are two problems with my wireless networking:
1. The light near the wireless switch (On|Off|Catcher) is never shine. In all positions, when I'm connected or not -- it is just black. When it must shine?
2. Sometimes, Windows Vista cannot find any wireless networks, but Dell Wireless WLAN Card utility finds them, reception is good, router is OK. It can happen just after Windows has started or when it already started and connected. I tried this on at least three different places with networks. I press Refresh button in Connect or Disconnect message dialog, but there still no networks. Sometimes, these networks appears again after 10-20 minutes. The main thing here that Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility still can find networks and shows that reception is good enough to connect. But Windows cannot, and I'm unable to access Internet.
My system information is in my forum details (OrderNo, ServiceTag)
I just contacted DELL through chat and the problem seems to be solved.
1. The WiFi catcher LED does not illuminate during Windows operation.
When used with the system off, the LED will flash momentarily, then go off.
You can test to see if the switch is functional by moving it toward the front of the system and holding for 3 seconds while in Windows, this will cause the WiFi catcher screen to appear
2. We need to turn off Bluetooth Collaboration. Below are the steps to do it.
Cick Start.
Click Control Panel on the column on the right.
The Control Panel window appears.
Double-click the System icon.
Click Device Manager
Note: For Microsoft® Windows Vista®, the User Account Control window may appear. If so, click Continue.
5. Click the plus (+) sign to the left of Network Adapters.
6. Double-click the Dell wireless network adapter listed.
7. Click the Advanced tab.
8. In the Property: box highlight Bluetooth Collaboration.
9. Select Disable in the drop-down menu to the right under Value:.
10. Click OK.
11. Click the red X in the upper right area of the Device Manager window.
I have the same exact problem with my Vostro 1700 running Windows Vista Business. I turned off Bluetooth Collaboration, which did not solve the problem. The Wi-Fi catcher locates all the available networks but the Windows utility finds none. The network Windows Wireless Manager connection utility connects to my home network that was manually configured but it can't always find it when at home. Any other suggestions for a fix?
I have had this issue on my XPS M1530 with a 1395 nin-WLAN card.
The wifi catcher sees every network in the area, but when I go to the Wireless Manager, Windows Cannot Detect Any Networks, and the drop down box next to "Show" is blank; I click it and there are no options. I click refresh in the box, and still nothing appears. If I manually connect to the network name I see in the catcher (by going to the Network and Sharing Center and adding it manually) and I restart my computer it'll work.
This has been going on for a couple years now, all the while trying to browse the Internet trying to find someone who's resolved this issue. I'm finding this highly ridiculous. I shouldn't have to do this every time I want to connect to the internet in a new location, and the Wireless Manager should be able to see the wireless options in my area.
Please; Dell, Microsoft, SOMEONE tell me why this isn't working?
Dell Wireless LAN is using Dell_multi-device_A17_R174292.exe drivers. Is there a more up to date driver? Because I haven't found one.
Dzmitry Lazerka
2 Posts
469
0
Posted July 18th, 2007 19:00
1. The WiFi catcher LED does not illuminate during Windows operation.
When used with the system off, the LED will flash momentarily, then go off.
You can test to see if the switch is functional by moving it toward the front of the system and holding for 3 seconds while in Windows, this will cause the WiFi catcher screen to appear
2. We need to turn off Bluetooth Collaboration. Below are the steps to do it.
Cick Start.
Click Control Panel on the column on the right.
The Control Panel window appears.
Double-click the System icon.
Click Device Manager
Note: For Microsoft® Windows Vista®, the User Account Control window may appear. If so, click Continue.
5. Click the plus (+) sign to the left of Network Adapters.
6. Double-click the Dell wireless network adapter listed.
7. Click the Advanced tab.
8. In the Property: box highlight Bluetooth Collaboration.
9. Select Disable in the drop-down menu to the right under Value:.
10. Click OK.
11. Click the red X in the upper right area of the Device Manager window.