Using WinXP client, Intel drivers (9.0something), no Intel management software installed on the system.
No problems after I disabled power managment on the card and set the preamble to 'long'. Prior to those changes, my speed was slower and I had occasional disconnects. Also experience problems with disconnects/lockups when I upgrade the router's firmware to 1.5, but this is a known problem with the router and reverting back to 1.3 solved the issues.
I do notice that at times the 'acquiring network address' status will stay up for a while - which is really strange since I'm using static IP's. Doesn't prevent me from connecting to the router/internet/intranet, though. Also, very rarely, the computer will not reconnect coming out of standby/hibernation. Running the 'repair' option for the connection corrects the issue.
I received the replacement WLAN card today. I uninstalled the 1300TM and the related software; I had it in so I could actually accomplish something on the internet. Shut the system down, installed the Intel card and booted Windows. Ran the setup utility. Afterwards, did a repair removing the Intel PRO/Set software and then rebooted. Wireless card worked for all of 10 minutes until it lost its connection to the WLAN.
So, while everything points to the problem being the Intel WLAN Card, it is hard to argue with two cards exhibiting the same behavior. So, having tried everything I can think of, can any one else think of anything? I am off to download the A00 release of the drivers which contain an 8.x version of the drivers. We'll see.
For any one who cares, I figured out how to install JUST the drivers from the 9.x version of the Dell drivers. It takes a very simple modification of the INI file.
- I would recommend extracting the EXE file you download using WinZip or another Zipping program.
- In whatever folder you extract the file to, a folder called
Apps should be created.
- Find the file
ProInst.ini and open it.
- You should find a section near the top labeled: "Default over-rides"
- You need to change two fields:
Autorun --> FALSE &
InstallMode --> FULL - Run the Setup.exe file in the main directory
- Unselect each option except the WLAN Driver
These two changes should prevent the installation from starting automatically while also allowing you to select what items you want to install and what items you don't want to install. I was testing the 8.x driver version with my card and haven't had any problems. I used this method for installing the 9.x drivers and as of this post been connected for: 16 minutes. We'll see how it goes from here.
If in fact this method works, it begs the questions as to what in the PRO/Set SOftware is being installed (and later NOT being UNINSTALLED) which is causing me and perhaps other people problems.
I have had the same problems and I'm personally sick of it. I have ordered a new antenna for the WAP but I really think that this is driver/hardware problems with my device, and no extra coverage is going to solve that.
Info
Model: Inspiron 700m
Latest (only) BIOS
Driver: 9.0.0.61 from Dell's site
OS: WinXP Pro Sp2 from Dell
WLAN
AP: Netgear WG602v1 with latest firmware (1.7)
Channel: 3
Security: WEP 64-bit Shared Key
MAC Filtering: No
Other Devices Connected:
Netgear 802.11g PCI Card
XBox Wireless G Adapter
(no problems with either)
Symptoms: Wireless connection is very slow, especially to local network devices (SMB shares, etc). Watching the meter, the wireless card will start out at Excellent/54Mbps with 5 bars and slowly dwindle down through the differnt speeds down to 1Mbps and will all but make my wireless connection useless. Often, if I am connected to AIM or ICQ, I will sign in and out of the service often, and messages will not get through.
Unsucsessful attempts at fixing problem:
Upgrading drivers to latest drivers from website. Did nothing.
Changing Channels on my WAP.
Changing Power Settings on the adapter card
Messing with Preamble Types (long, short, nothing doing)
Disabled Wireless Zero
Enabled Wireless Zero and using the XP to manage the connection (XP just lies about my connection speed I think)
I tried going back to the old drivers, but I am not sure it helped any at all. I am changing too many things in my desperation and losing track of what works.
Cademetz, were there any problems with the Truemobile mPCI card that would make you want to not use it over using the 2200BG? It seems like the card is thr culprit.
Keep this thread going, maybe someone will notice.
I had no problems what so ever with the Truemobile 1300 card. I just had some extra money on a gift card from christmas, the 2200BG was on sale for $26.10, couldn't find anything else I wanted, so I figured, 'hey, I can have a fully centrino laptop... cool.' If I can't come to a good solution with the 2200BG it may find its way onto eBay. I personally am either leaning towards a bad batch of 2200BGs or a serious flaw in the 9.x drivers that is causing problems.
I really wish I knew if a abnormally high number of people are having problems with the 2200BG card. As I said in an earlier post, I get the impression from seeing so many post related to similar problems with the 2200BG that there is, but no way to confirm it.
Well, since the drivers don't seem to work for this card and there is another internal wireless option for our system, perhaps it would be viable to replace the card with the Dell version of the wireless card. And maybe someone should own up and say that there is something wrong with this card and offer and exchange for free.
The 9.x drivers (installed over the 8.x) worked for about an hour and then disconnected from the WLAN. Within the next few minutes, the card had three reconnects and subsequent disconnects. I had Trillian Pro 3.0 connected and randomly browsed the internet (mostly these forums) while it was connected. Currently the card has been connected for 37 minutes. It just seems so odd that these disconnects come in waves. If I had not seen how reliable my WLAN was when using the TM1300, I would suspect I was getting interference from something. However, like we both have said, we have other devices (both have XBoxes) that do not lose their connection to the WLAN. Also, we have no 2.4GHz phones in this house, so that should not be an issue. My wireless card not the router doing a survey can find any other wireless networks in range (there is really only two houses that could possibly even have a WLAN).
In short... at this point, the disconnects and speed degradation seems to be completely random. Being on my second card already, I lean toward driver issues.
I have an Inspiron 700m and I can't see my access point. I know it's there because my housemate has an Inspiron 9100 and he can see it with his store bought pci wireless card. Am I going to have to resort to purchasing what should have come built in to my laptop in the first place?
Trivial - You are going to have to be a bit more specific for me. Are you able to even connect to the WLAN? Are you getting an IP? Or, is the problem that you cannot even connect to the WLAN?
I know I already mentioned that I had gone from the 9.x to the 8.x drivers. Yet, I have done it again. So, here is a timeline:
- Format & Installed Windows
- Use 8.x Drivers, no problems with disconnects
- Install ONLY 9.x drivers; problems within about an hour
- Subsequent disconnects
- Re-install 8.x drivers over 9.x driver; no dropped connections for over 4 hours now
Again, with 8.x drivers, I personally have NOT had ONE instance of a dropped connection.
I had tried the 8.x drivers, but I still had the same disconnect/slowness problems. What version of the 8.x drivers are you using, the ones from the Intel site? Also, I had only removed the driver and software before installing the 8.x drivers, not formatted. You think there might be some remanant of an installation that is screwing with all my drivers?
I am running the A00 release from Dell; which is 8.0.0.162 (specifically, the device driver is 8.0.0.12000). The only releases Dell has availible are A00, A06 and A08. A00 is the only 8.x based release. As I said in my timeline, I have installed the 8.x drivers over the 9.x drivers and problems seemed to have gone away. Currently, I have been connected to the WLAN for just under 5 hours. This latest format... I don't think I ever installed the PRO/Set software, but know I can't remember.... lol
I downloaded the generic 9.x drivers from Intel. Intel actually has the drivers unpackaged so they can be installed without having to install the PRO/Set software. However, within 15 minutes of installed the Intel drivers, I was disconnected from the WLAN. I also noticed my speed varying, getting as low as 11Mbps. So, I am back to the 8.x drivers for now.
Well I've only just gotten my laptop. I already had wireless set up. When I first fired her up I could see the access point but that was about it. Never been able to even connect to the WLAN and now I can't even see it. Also when I did see it and try to connect it disconnected my housemate. The router is gigaway brand and connected to an ADSL modem. The rest of my housemates connect via wired ports. The one guy who can connect wirelessly has a gigaway brand card.
Do you think a re-install and 8.x drivers is in order or won't that work for me because I can't even connect to the WLAN?
TechniKal
76 Posts
0
January 6th, 2005 16:00
cademetz
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
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January 7th, 2005 01:00
I received the replacement WLAN card today. I uninstalled the 1300TM and the related software; I had it in so I could actually accomplish something on the internet. Shut the system down, installed the Intel card and booted Windows. Ran the setup utility. Afterwards, did a repair removing the Intel PRO/Set software and then rebooted. Wireless card worked for all of 10 minutes until it lost its connection to the WLAN.
So, while everything points to the problem being the Intel WLAN Card, it is hard to argue with two cards exhibiting the same behavior. So, having tried everything I can think of, can any one else think of anything? I am off to download the A00 release of the drivers which contain an 8.x version of the drivers. We'll see.
Message Edited by cademetz on 01-06-2005 09:12 PM
cademetz
2 Intern
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1.3K Posts
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January 8th, 2005 01:00
I am running the 8.x version of the drivers and so far... I haven't had any disconnects. It isn't everyday older drivers solve the problem.
cademetz
2 Intern
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1.3K Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 03:00
- I would recommend extracting the EXE file you download using WinZip or another Zipping program.
- In whatever folder you extract the file to, a folder called Apps should be created.
- Find the file ProInst.ini and open it.
- You should find a section near the top labeled: "Default over-rides"
- You need to change two fields: Autorun --> FALSE & InstallMode --> FULL
- Run the Setup.exe file in the main directory
- Unselect each option except the WLAN Driver
These two changes should prevent the installation from starting automatically while also allowing you to select what items you want to install and what items you don't want to install. I was testing the 8.x driver version with my card and haven't had any problems. I used this method for installing the 9.x drivers and as of this post been connected for: 16 minutes. We'll see how it goes from here.
If in fact this method works, it begs the questions as to what in the PRO/Set SOftware is being installed (and later NOT being UNINSTALLED) which is causing me and perhaps other people problems.
Message Edited by cademetz on 01-07-2005 11:58 PM
rojwilco
20 Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 04:00
Info
Model: Inspiron 700m
Latest (only) BIOS
Driver: 9.0.0.61 from Dell's site
OS: WinXP Pro Sp2 from Dell
WLAN
AP: Netgear WG602v1 with latest firmware (1.7)
Channel: 3
Security: WEP 64-bit Shared Key
MAC Filtering: No
Other Devices Connected:
Netgear 802.11g PCI Card
XBox Wireless G Adapter
(no problems with either)
Symptoms: Wireless connection is very slow, especially to local network devices (SMB shares, etc). Watching the meter, the wireless card will start out at Excellent/54Mbps with 5 bars and slowly dwindle down through the differnt speeds down to 1Mbps and will all but make my wireless connection useless. Often, if I am connected to AIM or ICQ, I will sign in and out of the service often, and messages will not get through.
Unsucsessful attempts at fixing problem:
Upgrading drivers to latest drivers from website. Did nothing.
Changing Channels on my WAP.
Changing Power Settings on the adapter card
Messing with Preamble Types (long, short, nothing doing)
Disabled Wireless Zero
Enabled Wireless Zero and using the XP to manage the connection (XP just lies about my connection speed I think)
I tried going back to the old drivers, but I am not sure it helped any at all. I am changing too many things in my desperation and losing track of what works.
Cademetz, were there any problems with the Truemobile mPCI card that would make you want to not use it over using the 2200BG? It seems like the card is thr culprit.
Keep this thread going, maybe someone will notice.
cademetz
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 05:00
I really wish I knew if a abnormally high number of people are having problems with the 2200BG card. As I said in an earlier post, I get the impression from seeing so many post related to similar problems with the 2200BG that there is, but no way to confirm it.
rojwilco
20 Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 05:00
cademetz
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 05:00
The 9.x drivers (installed over the 8.x) worked for about an hour and then disconnected from the WLAN. Within the next few minutes, the card had three reconnects and subsequent disconnects. I had Trillian Pro 3.0 connected and randomly browsed the internet (mostly these forums) while it was connected. Currently the card has been connected for 37 minutes. It just seems so odd that these disconnects come in waves. If I had not seen how reliable my WLAN was when using the TM1300, I would suspect I was getting interference from something. However, like we both have said, we have other devices (both have XBoxes) that do not lose their connection to the WLAN. Also, we have no 2.4GHz phones in this house, so that should not be an issue. My wireless card not the router doing a survey can find any other wireless networks in range (there is really only two houses that could possibly even have a WLAN).
In short... at this point, the disconnects and speed degradation seems to be completely random. Being on my second card already, I lean toward driver issues.
Trivial
4 Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 11:00
cademetz
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 21:00
cademetz
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 21:00
I know I already mentioned that I had gone from the 9.x to the 8.x drivers. Yet, I have done it again. So, here is a timeline:
- Format & Installed Windows
- Use 8.x Drivers, no problems with disconnects
- Install ONLY 9.x drivers; problems within about an hour
- Subsequent disconnects
- Re-install 8.x drivers over 9.x driver; no dropped connections for over 4 hours now
Again, with 8.x drivers, I personally have NOT had ONE instance of a dropped connection.
rojwilco
20 Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 22:00
cademetz
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
January 8th, 2005 22:00
cademetz
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
January 9th, 2005 00:00
I downloaded the generic 9.x drivers from Intel. Intel actually has the drivers unpackaged so they can be installed without having to install the PRO/Set software. However, within 15 minutes of installed the Intel drivers, I was disconnected from the WLAN. I also noticed my speed varying, getting as low as 11Mbps. So, I am back to the 8.x drivers for now.
Trivial
4 Posts
0
January 9th, 2005 00:00
Well I've only just gotten my laptop. I already had wireless set up. When I first fired her up I could see the access point but that was about it. Never been able to even connect to the WLAN and now I can't even see it. Also when I did see it and try to connect it disconnected my housemate. The router is gigaway brand and connected to an ADSL modem. The rest of my housemates connect via wired ports. The one guy who can connect wirelessly has a gigaway brand card.
Do you think a re-install and 8.x drivers is in order or won't that work for me because I can't even connect to the WLAN?