HELp - Cannot get wireless network to set up on Inspiron 5150

Question

I have a brand new Dimension 4600 running with a Netgear WGT624 Wireless Router hard wired to the Dimension desktop. I bought an Brand New Inspiron 5150 that has a firewire and built in NIC. I need it to run wireless so I also bought the matching Netgear WG511T PC Card. I installed the card and the software and it finds the router and I can access the internet (cable modem) over the network basically just by plugging it all in. BUT I have not "network" set up and when i run the network wizard to set up a home network the Wireless NIC is NOT an option to select - only the LAN 10-100 card. It is not plugged in hard wired so I cannot set up a network. Both computers running XP Home.

A few times I would get all three network devices showing up - select wireless as the "internet" connection device and then the next screen asked me to pick the networking device and the wireless would not be a choice. I lost the internet connection several times but was always able to get it back - just cannot get a network to set up.

I am setting it up by selecting "other" on the internet connection and selecting that the computer connects directly or through a hub. I tried disabling the 10-100 LAN. No help - and I would like to have it set up so I CAN just either plug in tot he wired if I am in that room or go wireless. My laptop at work is autosensing and will just pick the available and fastest connection (Windows 2000) cannot do anything with this Inspiron at home.

I am not sure what else you need to help. Maybe I need to be able to go into the Registry and delete all network settings and start over ? Why would I not have a choice of a wireless to make a network when it is sitting there connected and surfing the net

I do have the router set up with MAC address filtering and 64Bit WEP. MAC is in and WEP is working (I can access the router and the internet).

schmieg · Answer

If you can access the router and the net through the wireless card, it sounds like the network setup is your problem. Have you created the shares on your desktop and laptop? Do your desktop and laptop have the same workgroup name selected? Have you tried mapping network drives? Have you gone to Network places and asked to see other computers near you?

Try running the network wizard on the desktop and saving the network settings to a floppy, then run the floppy on the laptop and see if that helps.

schmieg · Answer

Double click on Network Connections from the Control Panel and Wireless Network from there.

Alex250658 · Answer

Hi, I have seen your post with regard to the wireless networking for the Inspiron 5150.

I have just received my 5150, and an trying to activate the wirelless network with the following specification and problems:-

Desktop and 5150 run windows xp prof

Belkin Router 4 Wire connections and wireless.

I have enabled the wireless connection in the bios of the 5150, but if i read the manuakl correctly it tells me to double click on the "Wireless" Network connection from the control panel and this does not show??

Any ideas would be helpfull, what have I forgotten to do??

Alex

Alex250658 · Answer

Sorry to sound thick, but ! have a 1394 Net Adapter that has installed as I am not familiar with this??   Alex

schmieg · Answer

Don't worry about the 1394. That is the small connector on the side of the unit which is primarily used for cameras and such. Your conflict will be between the ethernet card and the wireless card.

schmieg · Answer

Don't disable the wireless card. Uninstall it and then reboot. If you disable it, Windows won't try to install the drivers.

Alex250658 · Answer

Hi Mike Yes been there only show: - Broadband Connection Dial Up Connection and LAN Connections ???? Alex

Alex250658 · Answer

I have disabled all the cards and re-booted, but nothing different.

Should I try to delete the files in Devise Manager and then add new hardware?

There is no ref to a wireless connection at all in windows, and I have enabled the wireless network within the bios?

p.s. I told you I was thick as I have cameras that connect via the firewire and totally forgot / did not realise that was the connection.

Cheers

Alex

schmieg · Answer

Try disabling the ethernet card and then uninstalling the wireless card in Device Manager and then rebooting to see if it reinstalls it. Make sure you have the most current drivers available

Alex250658 · Answer

Thanks Mike, but its not a card its built in standard to the Inspiron 5150 i.e. no card?? I have enabled the wireless via the bios Im also at a loss now   Cheers   Alex

schmieg · Answer

It may be included, but I'm almost positive that it's a card. I just logged onto the Dell configuration site and looked at configuring the 5150 and it offers a choice of the TrueMobile 1350 or the TrueMobile 1450 miniPCI cards. This should be accessible through a port, probably on the bottom of the machine. My 8200 has a TrueMobile 1300 card installed that way and I just ordered an 8600 with the 1450 card.

Alex250658 · Answer

But there is NO Ref to a wireless card what so ever??

All that is shown in device manager Network Adaptors is :-

1394 Net Adapter

Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controler

PA090 USB Ethernet 10/100

??????

Alex

schmieg · Answer

Check to see that the card is seated properly. If there is nothing in Device Manager, then Windows cannot see it and cannot control it. It's possible that it is not making a full connection, but is connecting just enough to work to sense your router. If that isn't the case, there is something seriously wrong in the setup and you may need to reinstall Windoze. Also, make sure that the card is enabled in the BIOS. I wouldn't think that it would work without Windows if it wasn't, but I'm at a total loss now.

jwatt · Answer

It's a card...see this illustration.Jim

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

HELp - Cannot get wireless network to set up on Inspiron 5150

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