inspiron 5150 wirless card is missing

Question

I bought an Inspiron 5150 about a year ago, and i seem to recall shutting down the wireless card at that time.  Now i've got a wireless router and i'm trying to 'turn on' the wireless options, but i dont how to do that.  When i go to the Network Connections area, there is no wireless connection listed, just the 'Local Connection' and the Fire Wire connection and thats it.  Shouldn't the Wireless Network  be listed here as well?

volcano11 · Answer

Does the wireless network adapter show up in Device Manager when you click on the + sign next to network adapters? Steve

gidds · Answer

no it does not only shown are.. 1394 net adapter & Broadcom 440x 10/100 integrated controller that is it

NemesisDB · Answer

a couple of ideas:

1) ensure that the card is properly seated in its slot (you'll need to open the mPCI cover on the bottom of your case). If the card is there and properly seated then:

2) check your bios settings. the mPCI slot can be turned off -- this would prevent windows from seeing the card at all.

3) finally, try Fn + F2 ... although I think that only enables/disables the card ... not sure though as I don't use the mPCI option

gidds · Answer

on the other side of the modem, there is nothing but the two wires, going nowhere

so it does NOT have an intergrated wireless card? and i need to buy one?

any sugestions to what kind / type? i guess i can put in an internal or usb or is there one that can go in the slot on the side of the laptop that i never use?

gidds · Answer

well, there was access to the memory and to the modem, so I removed and then reinstalled the broadcom modem.  I don't know if the wireless card is part of the modem or if its part of the motherboard or what, but I tried anyway, no help there   the wireless card is enabled in the bios, I checked and it seems Fn+F2 does this same thing, enables and disable just like I could from the bios so no luck there   I'm not losing my mind, this thing has a built in wireless card, right?   any other suggestions anyone???

volcano11 · Answer

You can buy just about any mini PCI wireless card and the antenna wires will attach to that card in the mini PCI slot. Alternatively, you could by just about an PC card which would insert into the PC card slot on the side of the laptop.

Steve

gidds · Answer

well, I'm a little disappointed I could have sworn it had an integrated card, but I guess not   thanks for you help all !!

volcano11 · Answer

The 5150 will only have a wireless network card (mini PCI card) if you ordered it with one. It is an optional add-in card and is not integrated on every system. Open the mini PCI slot cover and see if it is there. It is a larger card than the modem card and 2 wires (one black and one white) that attach to the mini PC card. If it is not present, then you didn't order one with your system.

Steve

Message Edited by volcano11 on 10-06-2004 02:22 PM

johnallg · Answer

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Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

inspiron 5150 wirless card is missing

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