Cannot see networks, but can connect

Question

After two years everything working OK, yesterday all of a sudden I lost the possibility to "see" the available wireless networks around me.

I am using a Latitude E4200 with Windows Vista.

I can actually connect to the wireless networks that my laptop recognizes and that is told to connect automatically when it sees them.

Nevertheless, when it comes to "new" networks, I cannot connect to them because I cannot see them.

The dialog box "connect to a network" (http://www.home-network-help.com/images/connect-to-wireless-network.jpg) will be empty.

Even worse, the combo box ("Show") where you can choose what kind of networks do you want to have listed ("All", "Wireless", etc.) will neither feature all these options.

Any ideas?

Thank you very much,

ismael.

PudgyOne · Answer

Ismael,   If you try this...   How to start Wireless Zero Configuration using Vista/Windows 7   Can you connect?   Try running an ipconfig /all log and post back here.     Rick

ictlogist · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion, but - I have always been able to connect. The problem is that I cannot list the available networks - Wireless Zero seems to be already working well   :(

PudgyOne · Answer

Ismael,

Try start, control panel, device manager, network, your adapter, advanced

Look there and see if your adapter has antenna diversity. Some adapters have this and some don't. If you have it, try changing it from Auto to Aux.

Does your computer have the WiFi Catcher?

Did you try installing Dell QuickSet from Drivers & Downloads?

Rick

ictlogist · Answer

Hi Rick,

First of all, thank you very much for the time you're taking with me :)

Yesterday, after trying several things, I decided that the time to migrate to Windows 7 had come and, thus, I'm starting from scratch somewhen this week.

I hope this will solve my issue and, besides, improve the performance of the whole laptop.

Kind of drastic, but sometimes there are signals you have to know how to read ;)))

Thanks again for your time.

i.

PudgyOne · Answer

ictlogist,

Let me give you some advice for installing the operating system. This should make your installation go easier.

How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft® Windows® on a Dell™ Computer

When you installed Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) did you install the desktop/notebook utility and the chipset drivers first? If not the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order If you cannot find Windows 7 drivers, then try using the Vista (or XP) 32-bit drivers, for Windows 7 32-bit of the Vista (or XP) 64-bit drivers for Windows 7 64-bit and install the drivers in the Compatibility mode

Run into any problems, feel free to ask.

Rick

ictlogist · Answer

Successful upgrade to Windows 7.   Thanks for all your advice! :)   i.

PudgyOne · Answer

ictlogist,   Glad you got it working! :emotion-21: Thanks for posting back.   Take care,     Rick

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Cannot see networks, but can connect

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