Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini-PC Card

Question

I've got a Dell Inspiron 2200 laptop w/ Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini-PC Card.  We use a DLink wireless router.  It usually works fine, but for the past several days we've been unable to get any internet connectivity via the browser (keep getting 'cannot find server' or 'IE could not open the search page').  in the past the router goes down every now and then, and I unplug/replug it and it works fine.  And, the cable modem connection seems to be fine since my desktop has a good internet connection via its plug in cable from the router.   Back to the laptop....the 'bars' on the bottom right corner seem good and it indicates an excellent signal, 'associated' status and an IP address.      The diagnostic tests in Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility accessed via the Control Panel all 'pass,'  but it seems to drop my IP address during the process...but usually assigns one again.    On the other hand, when i try to 'repair' the connection via the Wireless Network Connection Status box from the Control Panel (i.e., Network Connections) it gives me a report that it's 'Renewing your IP address' and, then, reports 'Windows could not finish repairing the problem because the following action cannot be completed: Renewing your IP Address.'  In that case, although I still show an excellent signal, the Wireless Network Connection Status box shows the status as 'Limited or no connectivity.'  At the same time, the breen bars are showing an IP address.   Anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks.

volcano11 · Answer

You say that you have a computer connected to the cable modem and a router connected to a cable modem?  Is this the same cable modem?  I don't see how that will work, because normally a cable modem can only assign a single IP address (unless you pay for more than one).  You should have only the router connected to the cable modem.   All computers should be connected to the router either by a wired ethernet connection to one of the LAN ports on the router or through wireless.   Furthermore whenever you change the device connected to the modem, you need to do a complete reset of the network - turning everything off, waiting about 5 minutes, turning on the modem first, and waiting a few minutes again, then turning on the device connected directly to the modem.   As for the wireless connection, you say the icon with the green bars is reporting an IP address.  Is it an IP address in the range 192.168.xxx.xxx or is it in the range 169.254.xxx.xxx?  If it is the latter, then that is an autoconfiguration IP address that Windows assigns when it cannot get a proper IP address from the router.  An autoconfiguration IP address will not allow connection to the internet.    If the wireless connection is not getting an IP address in the range 192.168.xxx.xxx, then it could be because security features are enabled on the router.  Try temporarily disabling all security features and see if you can get a connection.  If you can, then you now know where the problem lies.   Security features are such things MAC Address Filtering (also called Access Control on some routers), and WEP or WPA encryption.   Steve

volcano11 · Answer

My question: how/where do i disable security features on the router?   You need to get out your router manual and read it (sorry I don't have a D-Link router so I can't read it).  Normally you open a web browser and log into the configuration pages of your router by typing the IP address of the router into the address bar of the web browser.   I suppose I could look up the manual and download it if you tell us which model D-Link router you have.   Steve

Romanram · Answer

Thanks Steve.  Let me respond to your questions...hopefully, i'm getting this right.   1. Your Question:  You say that you have a computer connected to the cable modem and a router connected to a cable modem?  Is this the same cable modem?    Answer: The cable is plugged into the DLink router...then, in back of it we have a wireless antenna and an 'out' plug where I connect the back of the router to the desktop computer.   2. Your comment:  Furthermore whenever you change the device connected to the modem, you need to do a complete reset of the network - turning everything off, waiting about 5 minutes, turning on the modem first, and waiting a few minutes again, then turning on the device connected directly to the modem.   Answer:  I'll try shutting everything down and powering it back up like this.   3. Your Question:  Is it an IP address in the range 192.168.xxx.xxx or is it in the range 169.254.xxx.xxx?    Answer:  the IP address is 169.254.215.233.   4.  Your comment:  Try temporarily disabling all security features and see if you can get a connection.  If you can, then you now know where the problem lies.   Security features are such things MAC Address Filtering (also called Access Control on some routers), and WEP or WPA encryption.   My question: how/where do i disable security features on the router?    Thanks for whatever you have time to answer.   Phil

Romanram · Answer

Don't worry about it. I'll dig around some more.  You've been a great help already.  Appreciate it very much.  Take care and Happy New Year.  Phil

geno1106 · Answer

I had the same problem and I ended up calling wireless support.  I wish I could remember all the steps but you don't have time to write all down the steps.

sabret00the · Answer

okay this looks like a classic case where the network is secured and you are connecting either with a wrong network key or no key at all.Everything is gonna show excellant and you will get a 169.254.x.x ip adress.Hardwire the computer to the router and then do a ipconfig in command prompt.Get the default gateway for the LAN connection and then type it on the address bar of IE.After u enter the router page look for the wireless security key.Try to connect again with correct pass key.Its got to work.All the best.   Click here for help Message Edited by sabret00the on 01-04-200712:44 PM

Luc92 · Answer

I have been having the same issue with my laptop.  If I find out that it is the security measures on the router, what can I do then?  I don't want to leave the router open to hackers or anyone that happens to log onto my network.

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Dell Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini-PC Card

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