Since the journal number refers only to the steps you are taking through Dell's troubleshooting tree, it is useless to us, as only you can see it. For example, we have no idea what step #4 item #6 is. You will have to describe the steps you took to get to the screen where there is supposed to be a tab for "Wireless Networks".
Otherwise, are you absolutely 100%, without any doubt whatsoever sure that all firewalls have been disabled.
On my Networks Connections I have two three items. One is lableled Internet Gateway, and its status is "connected." Fine.
Second is labeled Local Area Connection and its status is "Network cable unplugged." Fine.
Third is the wireless connection and its status is "Connected." I'm able to right click that "wireless connection" and select Properties, but when I do I don't get a tab marked Wireless Networks. If I could get there, I'd checkmark the box "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings." That is the next step in this Dell "Journal" article. Any other solutions would be welcomed!
I'll bet that what is happening is that the utility that comes with the wireless network adapter is managing the wireless connection, so that the tab you are looking for doesn't show up. The solution to that problem is to open the utility and check the box in the utility to allow Windows to manage your wireless network. Which wireless network card do you have? If it is an Intel card, open the Intel Proset utility and check the box to let Windows manage. If it is the Dell wireless card, open the Dell Wireless utility and do the same thing.
Still, I don't know where you are going with this. Since you said in your first message that you can connect to the internet through wireless, it seems to me that the steps you are going though will just lead you get an internet connection. You say that your problem is that you can't access computers on the local network. That is a different problem than getting the wireless network to work. Something is blocking local network access. Have you enabled File and Printer Sharing on the computers? Have you designated drives and/or folders as shared resources? Most new Dell Computers come with Security software that is not configured for local network access. You say you have disabled the MS filewall and Zone Alarm. Are you sure that McAfee is not still running?
@monfried wrote:
Would appreciate help networking my computers - all Dell - on my wireless network. I'm able to connect to the Internet on all computers. MS Firewall is disabled, as is Zone Alarm Pro.
Router is a Linksys WRT54G.
Currently trying to connect just two computers, a Dell 4400 (desktop) and 600m (laptop).
I'm stuck on step #4 of Dell's article, "How Do I Set Up a Computer Woreless Network in Windows XP Home Edition?" (Journal 06193YNPSQ).
Step #4, item #6, says I'm supposed to see a tab marked "Wireless Networks." It doesn't appear on my version of XP Home SP2.
When I try the "Set up wireless network for a home or small office" routine, I get an error message referring me to MS KB article 87122, which is of no apparent help.
There has to be an easy answer to this. Can someone please help me?
Thanks.
Dave
Steve,
Many thanks - we made some progress. You were correct..it was the utility that came with the Linksys wireless netwrok adapter that was managing the connection. I was able to change it on both computers, so that Windows is now managing the connection, as per the step-by-step Dell set-up instructions.
Steve,
No problem with the Internet connection. Both computers connect fine wirelessly to the Internet.
But I'm still unable to share files or have the computers "see" other. I've enabled file and print sharing, turned off both the MS and Zone Lab Pro firewalls. No McAfee on either computer remains.
Just FYI, print and file sharing used to work on the computers when they were connected via a wired network. But we just moved and this house is not wired for networking. Hence the attempt to go wireless.
I'll keep working on the problem. And I would certainly appreciate any other ideas you might have. Thanks again, Steve.
monfried
20 Posts
0
July 13th, 2006 03:00
Here's the process that doesn't work for me:
Start>Control Panel>Network and Internet Connections>Network Connections. (all ok thru this step)
Next step is problem: I'm told to right click on "Wireless Network Connection" (don't see it) to get to the "Wireless Networks" tab (can't get there).
Can you help?
Thanks.
Dave
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
July 13th, 2006 03:00
Since the journal number refers only to the steps you are taking through Dell's troubleshooting tree, it is useless to us, as only you can see it. For example, we have no idea what step #4 item #6 is. You will have to describe the steps you took to get to the screen where there is supposed to be a tab for "Wireless Networks".
Otherwise, are you absolutely 100%, without any doubt whatsoever sure that all firewalls have been disabled.
Steve
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
July 13th, 2006 03:00
Dave,
Are you saying that the wireless connection does not show up at all in Network Connections?
Steve
monfried
20 Posts
0
July 13th, 2006 11:00
Maybe I'm missing something here...but here goes:
On my Networks Connections I have two three items. One is lableled Internet Gateway, and its status is "connected." Fine.
Second is labeled Local Area Connection and its status is "Network cable unplugged." Fine.
Third is the wireless connection and its status is "Connected." I'm able to right click that "wireless connection" and select Properties, but when I do I don't get a tab marked Wireless Networks. If I could get there, I'd checkmark the box "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings." That is the next step in this Dell "Journal" article. Any other solutions would be welcomed!
Thanks.
Dave
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
July 13th, 2006 13:00
I'll bet that what is happening is that the utility that comes with the wireless network adapter is managing the wireless connection, so that the tab you are looking for doesn't show up. The solution to that problem is to open the utility and check the box in the utility to allow Windows to manage your wireless network. Which wireless network card do you have? If it is an Intel card, open the Intel Proset utility and check the box to let Windows manage. If it is the Dell wireless card, open the Dell Wireless utility and do the same thing.
Still, I don't know where you are going with this. Since you said in your first message that you can connect to the internet through wireless, it seems to me that the steps you are going though will just lead you get an internet connection. You say that your problem is that you can't access computers on the local network. That is a different problem than getting the wireless network to work. Something is blocking local network access. Have you enabled File and Printer Sharing on the computers? Have you designated drives and/or folders as shared resources? Most new Dell Computers come with Security software that is not configured for local network access. You say you have disabled the MS filewall and Zone Alarm. Are you sure that McAfee is not still running?
Steve
monfried
20 Posts
0
July 14th, 2006 12:00
Steve,
Many thanks - we made some progress. You were correct..it was the utility that came with the Linksys wireless netwrok adapter that was managing the connection. I was able to change it on both computers, so that Windows is now managing the connection, as per the step-by-step Dell set-up instructions.
Steve,
No problem with the Internet connection. Both computers connect fine wirelessly to the Internet.
But I'm still unable to share files or have the computers "see" other. I've enabled file and print sharing, turned off both the MS and Zone Lab Pro firewalls. No McAfee on either computer remains.
Just FYI, print and file sharing used to work on the computers when they were connected via a wired network. But we just moved and this house is not wired for networking. Hence the attempt to go wireless.
I'll keep working on the problem. And I would certainly appreciate any other ideas you might have. Thanks again, Steve.
Dave