E1505 with new card, same problems...

Question

I had previously posted that I was having troubles with my 1500 802.11 Draft n wireless card.  I was having difficulty connecting to my wireless network at home.  Specifically, it would say connect and then it would be 'acquiring network address' for a long time until timed out.  When it did connect, the connection was tenuous at best.  If connected, it would work great for, usually, a short time, then while saying 'connected' and 'good'/'very good'/'excellent' signal strength, it wouldn't load web pages and basically freeze prompting a repair.  Repairing the connection was never a guarantee that it would reconnect, usually 'acquire network address' until timed out.   After spending some time on the phone with Dell wireless support, power cycling, driver downloads, properties manipulation, checking this and unchecking that at their suggestion, Dell sent me a replacement card (1490 Dual band).  I installed it per online manual.  Still having same problems.  Unable to acquire network address, if connected it freezes.   I have downloaded driver from dell website, uninstalled card/installed card, disabled dell wireless utility, power cycled router/cable modem, unchecked power management...   I am at my wits end and this is driving me crazy.   I have a Linksys WRK54G router at home.   There are three other computers at my house, and all of their respective wireless connections work fine.   What is Broadcom Control Suite 2? Do I need it? Could it be causing problems?   I am also running Windows XP Home.  Could that be problem?   Any other suggestions

volcano11 · Answer

It sounds like a problem with the router. Have you tried upgrading the firmware on the router? Have you considered posting on the Linksys forums.

The Broadcom software is for your ethernet controller so that is not causing the problem and XP Home should work as well as any other verison of Windows.

Steve

wtherrell · Answer

I have same problem with my new Inspiron 1505.  Windows XP Media center edition. Computer connects ok thru wired connection but not with wireless Dell Model 1500 wireless adapter.  I use Belkin Pre --N router (The one that is top rated by PC Mag and others) I have updated it's firmware to the latest available.  Two Tivo units both access the router wirelessly both with older D-link 'b' adapters and with  two newer 'g' adapters.  In addition, my Axim X-5 with linksys CF 12 card also accesses thru this router.  After 16 hours on tech support they finally sent me a replacement card and it doesn't work either.  I tried the D-link 'b' adapters in usb port of the 1505 and downloaded latest driver.  Set up new connection with it. Still would not work.  WLAN utiility shows strong signal from the router in both 'b' and 'g' modes and tracks the signal but the laptop simply won't connect.  I have tried all the Wireless Zero Configuration and the Dell Utility tricks but nothing will work. The router is set to provide auto DHCP and I have disabled security.  Diagnostics from the Dell Utility show nothing wrong with the card. Device manager says it is working normally. Nothing helps.  Two friend's laptops, one an  HP,  the other an Acer both work wirelessly --'g' with this router.  I think something is wrong in the 1505 computer.  Could it be transmitting to the router repeatledly so fast the router thinks it's a Denial of Service attack?  I disabled router firewall but apparently DoS does not disable along with the firewall.  No way to disable  DoS protection.  I also tried entering the MAC address of the Dell 1500 card into the allowed addresses of the router settings.  Still won't connect.  I paid for Dell on Call and On-site warranty but can't get the problem resolved. I am ready to return this computer for a full refund because of Dell's lousy products and support.   If I ever buy Dell again-somebody please shoot me!

cadobo · Answer

I did return mine and am waiting for the refund to see if they charge me the 15%, which they should not. I spent 3 hours on the phone with tech support and they could not fix it. They sent me a abg card after the n card and that did not work either. I love Dell, I own three others and have had no problems I hope to order another but am waiting to see how they handle the 15% restocking fee if they don't give me a full refund I will buy Sony if they do I will reorder a Dell. good luck getting connected. Dell does give you the most for your money.

wtherrell · Answer

Spent two more hours today with Tech Support.  They are going to send the bg card to me after finally finding out the 1500 draft N card is incompatible. Here is how they work the returns. They send you a new part and there is an airbill and shipping label in the box.  You send the old part back to them . They initially invoice you for the new part but cancel it about 10 days later after receiving the old part back from you. So it seems like initially you are getting charged but it ends up that you are not.  They did not charge me a restocking fee at all.  Seems fair enough, but what a delay from August 16 to  about September 7 when I should receive the compatible card.  I am going to wait until the N technology is firmly established and certified backward compatible before I do any upgrading.  Probably in 2008.  Seems to me they should have known their card was incompatible with much of the established base of routers out there and not advertised it as being backward compatible.  Good luck to you too.

scammyflams · Answer

Hi All -

My girlfriend just got a new E1505 and was having the same problem - unable to connect MOST of the time to known good wireless networks. I think I got it working after changing two simple settings. I believe the problem is related to a badly implemented power save feature in the integrated wireless card. Here is what I did to get it working:

1) Go to Start --> Control Panel --> Network Connections

2) Right click on the Wireless Network Connection icon and select Properties

3) Under the General tab, at the top you will see the Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-Card. Click on the "Configure..." button next to the right of it.

4) Select the Advanced tab in the Mini-Card Properties box.

5) Change the following properties:

Minimum Power Consumption --> Change to "Disabled"

Power Save Mode --> Change to "Disabled"

6) Click ok to save the settings and close all of the properties boxes.

7) Allow a minute for your wireless card to spring to life - I didn't have to restart but you may want to do so.

8) Connect to an available wireless network as you would normally.

I don't know if this will work for everyone, but it worked for us! Good luck...

ItsJustAGuess · Answer

The Belkin Pre-N routers are not complaint with the 802.11n Draft specification so, I’m not surprised about compatibility issues between these routers and some of the Draft 11n products, but I’m guessing these things will be worked out in future software release either from Belkin or Dell.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?