Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A Mini PCI Adapter Not Connecting

Question

Hey all I hope someone here might have an Idea what's going on with my wireless connection.   I have a Inspiron 8600 with a Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A Mini PCI Adapter (came intergrated with the laptop) . I'm connecting to a D-Link 514 Wireless router. I have had this router for awhile now and it was working good with this laptop lastnight. I turned off the laptop for the night, woke up this morning and now I don't have a connection (It was encrypted with WEP). I'm writing this post from the laptop hooked to a hardline through the router just fine and on a scan it picks up a near by Linksys router, but not my D-Link set up.   First thing I checked was to make sure Wndows Xp Pro was not set to manage the wireless connection. I can confirm that Windows Xp is NOT set to manage the connection. I checked it by right clicking on 'My Network Places' on the desktop and selecting properties. I right clicked on the wireless network icon and selected properties. The i clicked the wireless networks tab. I made sure there was NOT a check in the 'Use windows to configure my wireless network settings' check box. What I use is the Intel software that came with the laptop called Intel Pro Set.   I checked the routers settings and after awhile of getting no where I reset the router back to factory settings. I then deleted my profiles in Pro Set. I tried to scan for a network and only the Linksys shows up, not mine. I checked the channels were the same on the router and Pro Set and they are. I checked if the SSID was the same and it is. I don't have WEP on right now because I just want to connect then work on that later. I made a new account with no WEP and set the SSID to 'default' and it still won't connect. I have the latest firmware installed on the router and my laptop is fully up to date with updates.   This makes no sense to me beause the SSID is the same with no WEP on the router or the laptop and the channel is set to the default 11 on both the router and the laptop. The only thing I can see that's maybe blocking me out is the linksys connection someone else in the area has, but that can't be either because it has a different SSID and settings then mine.   Anyone have any idea what else could be wrong? I came home for Xmas and brought this router with me. It worked good where i live and worked good here lastnight, but today I can't connect to my own routers settings, but i can get a limited connection to the linksys, but it's not mine and only has 1 bar for singal strength.   Thanks all and Merry Christmas. :) Message Edited by Mookers on 12-24-2004 11:14 AM

volcano11 · Answer

If you have SP2, you should try letting Windows manage the wireless connection. The new version that comes with SP2 is pretty good at this. Since you can see other wireless networks in your area, you might want to right click on the wireless network icon in the System Tray and select "View Available Wireless Networks". If your wireless network shows up there along with the other wireless network, click on "Change the order of preferred networks", then move your network to the top and remove the other network.

Steve

Mookers · Answer

ok thx man i'll give that a try. Only thing is that my network is not in the list when the Microsoft Wireless network manager looks for networks in my area. It only shows the other Linksys network. :(

volcano11 · Answer

Is the router set to hide SSID? Steve

Mookers · Answer

This is kinda funny man. Your gonna laugh at this, I know I did. I fixed it and im on the wireless right now posting this. Here is what happened. I went home for the holidays and I packed up all the wires for my Xbox, External hard Drive, Digital Camera, and Wireless router. It was a long drive home in a bad snow storm so when i got home it was about 8 hours laster. I hooked everything up once I got home and I accidently hooked up the router with the power adapter for the external hard drive. :smileysurprised: What amazed me was that the Router takes a 2.5v adapter and the external adapter puts out 12v!!! THe router was find, smelt a little like electronice burning, but is still functional, lol. After this abuse i'm totaly sold on D-Link products. The router should have fried on me no questions asked, but it didnt, it still works, lol.   The first part of the lesson here is that you should get sleep before you hook up your gear, lol. The second part of the lesson is that we should buy D-Link because it's tough as nails, lol.   What really makes me laugh is that im a Tech. I'm fresh out of school , but still a Tech and shoulod know better not to do what I did, hahahahahaah. Lesson learnt I guess.   Thank's for taking the time to try and help me troubleshoot this issue :smileyvery-happy:   Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)

atla5 · Answer

Dude, I'm having wireless problems with this adapter too. I'm at the point where I have to go thru set-up everytime I power -up in order to be wireless. Hardwired thru router I have a connection (always on).I did see a setting in the dell user guides that shows how to install a one time connect preference that connects wireless upon power on/startup and comming out of stby/hibernation. I am looking for it now.
later, atla5

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Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A Mini PCI Adapter Not Connecting

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