Try downloading and installing the latest drivers for that card from the Intel Web site.   Also make sure that you have the latest firmware installed on your router.  There are lots of problems reported recently between the newer wireless network cards and older routers and a frimware upgrade to the router might help with such incompatibilities.

 

Steve

Once you have the latest intel drivers.

 

I would also check the following settings on your router, many times these are locked down to prevent folks from sharing your router (though it is usually not secured out of the box):

1. If using a WEP key, make sure you input the wep key into you intel settings

2. If using a mac address filter, make sure you specifiy your new network card MAC.  (you can get this by launching a dos prompt and typing ipconfig /all)

 

3. I had this problem with an old linksys wireless B router after I upgraded to windows Xp SP2, only fix was a newer router.  Never did get a real resolution. Two other folks I work with had the same problem after the PS2 upgrade. But all used old Linksys routers...

 

 

Yes, I'm using the Intel ProSet and not Windows zreo point config. I've tried a manual IP address and BINGO, I'm connected to the network / router. Unfortunately when I click on IE, I'm unable to connect. Seeing as my Inspiron 9400 notebook is only 1 week (plus 4 days delivery) old, should I really need a driver upgrade?

Big assumption on my part.  Are you using Intel ProSet 10.5.1 to connect wirelessly or Windows Zero Point Config?

 

Please use Intel ProSet.

Forgot to mention that my router has the most up to date firmware installed.

1. Please check that DHCP Server is turned "on" in your router config.

2. To keep using the static address instead;

 Open a command or dos prompt (click start button then run button and type " cmd") and type " ping 192.168.1.1" if you get responses back that means you can communicate with the router.  The reason IE doesn;t go anywhere is because your dns server is set to 192.168.1.1 normnally this would be a different IP depending on your ISP.  Your router should have a status screen that shows what dns server your router is using.

I have now downloaded / installed the latest Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG driver from intel's website. I can't believe the original driver was dated December 2005, particularly as I only bought the notebook from Dell less than 2 weeks ago. Anyhow, I've tried both 'obtaining IP address automatically' and 'manual IP address' and I connect for a few seconds and then the connection drops off. Again, I am unable to connect via IE.

 

Does this help ????

 

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\David>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

       Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Laptop
       Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
       Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
       IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
       WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

       Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
       Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Cont
roller
       Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-15-C5-4B-5D-93
       Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
       Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
       IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.30
       Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
       Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
       DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
       DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
       Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 18 October 2006 21:56:04
       Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 19 October 2006 21:56:04

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

       Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
       Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Networ
k Connection
       Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-18-DE-6A-2E-EB

C:\Documents and Settings\David>ipconfig/all

 

Thanks in advance.

Nemesis

I'm not too keen on opening myself up to other wireless users in my locality. When I'm asked to choose which network to connect to, I'm given a few options, therefore if I can see them, then they can see (access / connect to) me. Plus I'm not familier with Broadcast SSID.

 

 

TadN

DHCP server is 'on' according to my router config

I receive a reply when I 'ping' as you suggested.

Unfortunately my router does not have a screen which tells me what DNS server my router is using. However, under the heading ADSL it gives a primary DNS server address : 195.92.195.94 and a secondary DNS server address : 195.92.195.95. I've used these in the 'obtain DNS server address' with no success.

 

One final thing, my router comes with a USB wireless adapter which I have installed and can access the internet. Which is kind of fine at home, but not on my travels.

hmm, if ping works you should be able to communicate with the router and if If your usb adapter worked then lets take a closer look at the card config settings:

 I see you don't want ot open the mac filtering so I suggest the following:

run ipconfig /all from the start -> run command and make sure the mac address returned is in your router MAC list. Next, if you're using WEP encryption make sure that you specify this password in your connection settings.

 

Finally, since the ping test works to your router lets test ping  www.dell.com and ping 143.166.83.38.  If the first fails but the second one works then hurray, you can access the outside, but your ISP needs to give you the proper DNS servers.  If not we're still facing a hardware or config issue.

 

Thanks for the patience!

This is frustrating !!!!!!!

Momentarily it says I'm connected to Wanadoo-E538, then seconds later the connection is lost.

Now I can't 'ping'. When I type 'ipconfig/all' it only brings up it brings up very few details.

 

I've tried connecting with no security on the router, but I'm still unable to connect.

Completely understandable, when you get something new its great if it can be plugged in and going.  Gets frustrating when it doesn't work; especially after lots of debugging...

When ipconfig /all shows little this can mean your wireless is turing off.  Make sure the proset wireless is in "on" position by right clicking on the proset icon in the bottom right of the screen.  the wireless portion should go "green" as it connects (or tries to connect).

 

I reread the post to make sure I'm restating anything.

 

Since you're able to connect to this router via the wire but not wirelessly it is most likely one of the following problems:

1. DHCP server is turned off on the wannado router - from your settings below, this is NOT the problem

2. WEP encryption, Wireless Channel, or MAC filtering is preventing your card from seeing the router - for this you'll need to check your router manual.  I was not able to find the wannado router you specified on google...

3. WEP encryption key needs to be in you proset wireless profile and match what is on the router

We talked about 2 and 3 earlier.

4. Wireless card is bad - unlikely but possible, look at link 4.2 below, if your card is on but not able to connect proset should appear yellow like it shows in that document.

 

Here is a good site to get you on the way to networking wirelessly:

4.1 http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/product_support/en/wireless_solutions

There's a great section on using proSet:

4.2 http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=DD1828F35FE111DBB8D4A3385A61B6DB&docid=294827

To make sure we're using the same version of proSet:

4.3 http://downloadcenter.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Detail_Desc.aspx?&DwnldID=11852&ProductID=2259

 

With that read lets take a closer look at your posted ipconfig info:

 

According to the router, DHCP is enabled, however as you'll see below there is a contradiction. Do the DNS servers look correct? I found these in the router config details.

 

 

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Laptop
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller  
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-15-C5-4B-5D-93

 

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3954ABG Networ Connection
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-18-DE-6A-2E-EB
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.91
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 81.79.242.219

                                                       62.25.204.168

 

Would you recommend reinstalling windows? I saw it recommended to a similar problem in another post. I have both the windows and diver & utilities cd's.

 

Finally, many thanks too, for your patience and time.