Inspiron 1300/Wireless Connection Problem

There are a couple of things you can do here. First check to see if your laptop is set to obtain an ip address automatically. Do this but clicking on "Network connections" in your control panel then go to porperties of your wireless network connection, then go to the properties of TCP/IP. Also I would check to see if your dlink is set up for DHCP.

 

Let me know if this helps

 

Michael

Also without getting to complicated with the setup, just right clicking on the wireless connection and clicking "repair" works as well if you already have the wireless network setup properly in your laptop.

 

let me know if this helps

 

Michael

Thanks for your efforts. I've found my way to the TCP/IP Properties & it's set to 'Obtain an IP address automatically'. Also set to 'Obtain DNS server address automatically'. I'll go check on the other suggestion.

I guess the next option, though it shouldn't be necessary, would be to assign a static address using your router as the default gateway and DNS server

I've had enough & put the router back in it's box. I was getting close to throwing it against the wall! How do I find the network address of the router is? Yes, I can get online fine direct from PC to modem. After fiddling with the router I have to unplug the modem, disable the broadband connection, enable it, then repair it, but after that it's fine. Yep, as long as I have idiot-guide steps/instructions I'm fine. As I said, I'm no idiot, plus knowing Macs quite well I can suss quite a bit out on here. Having a cold doesn't help tho, my noggin is fried enough without the router testing my patience! I found some very helpful-looking info on the forum for wireless installation, but I think maybe I should get my printer s/w installed on here so I can print it off, then I can have another bash (not literally!) I'm just REALLY intrigued why I can't get the router to light up properly after I've reset it. I connect the cable from router to PC but no corresponding light shows on the router.

I'm beginning to wonder if something is wrong with the router. I started from scratch, reset the router, plugged it into the mains, connected an ethernet lead from router to PC but no corresponding light lit up on the router. I tried this more than once trying the lead in a different port in the router but still no corresponding light on router. Think the router might be iffy? The cable is OK as I used it as a broadband connection & it was fine.

Goggledgook??? Too funny. Well, your router might be iffy and before you assign a static address you should make sure you can get onto the internet from your directly connected pc. If you can,  first find out what your network address of the router is, then go to the control panel > network connections > right click on the wireless connection and go to properties. Then scroll down to Internet Protocol, then go to properties again. Then click on the use the foloowing address radio buton and put in an address that is exactly like your router except for the last number. Like if your router is the defualt 192.168.1.100, make yours 192.168.1.150, with a 255.255.255.0 sunetmaask and your DEFAULT GATEWAY should be the routers address of 192.168.1.100. Does this make better sense or still gobbledgook?

Maybe you need a crossover cable? Or are you sure your using the cable that came with the router??? Just a thought, sorry to hear your having such problems

I donot think you are thick, I just want to help. The lights I believe are connection lights therefore if they are not lit, then there is no communication with the device and the device it is connected too which is why I suspect the cable. Also you might want to start all over, I know this frustrating but if there is a "reset" button it might help in case you missed anything?

Please don't think I'm thick - what's a crossover cable? yes, I was using the cable that came with the router, & fortunately it's long enough to strange the router. A tempting thought. Why do you think the lights on the router won't work any more, even after resetting it?

Geez, I didn't mean that - I was implying I was thick as I'm asking what you no doubt think is easy peasy stuff.

The cable I got with the router must be fine as I used it from my PC to modem as standard broadband connection as an experiment. Am I right in guessing it would be exactly the same as the one I usually use?

I've reset the router several times already, a few times today too. As I've done that more than once & now getting no joy with the lights I'm wondering if it could be iffy. I have 4 ports I can use. Whichever I plug the lead into, the corresponding light on the front should light up. That doesn't happen now.

Any ideas if the brand of router I have can be iffy/has a bad reputation? The other option was a Netgear.

Tomorrow I'll print off the intstructions from here:   http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&docid=1B9B83E4F85856D2E0401E0A551702B6&journalid=BC50966C27EA11DB96E995E8363E7F84

Then I'll try again. These instructions seem more explicit. Fingers crossed please.

You seem to have the right idea and my fingers are crossed. Let me know if I can be of more help.

 

Michael

Off work today with a cold so am gonna try again. I have a Dell Wireless 1370 LAN Mini-PCI Card. Also mentions Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller.

I'm puzzed as to why first time round the lights on the router came on fine, but after I went back to square one they refused.

Anyway, I've got my printer down, will install the driver s/w on here, will print off those explicit instructions from Dell, then have another bash.

Watch this space......

The "broadcom" is your wired ethernet controller. Good luck with the instructions and hope you feel better. I read the instructions and they seem to cover a step by step installation adequately. Some screen shots might help if you get stuck again. Keep me posted