Issues with network adapter on Dell N5040

Question

I've had this problem twice now in the past few months and have done everything in my power to try to get it fixed. Reinstalling Windows 8 worked for about 6 months and now I'm having the same problem.

When ever I try to connect to a network, it always connects with "limited" connectivity. I've tried repairing the connection, which also prompts me to restarting our Xfinity modem. It says it's not receiving an IP address. Every other device on our network connects just fine except my laptop.

I have a MediaLink USB drive that is currently giving me an Internet connection (this is also how I know it's a problem with one of my drivers or perhaps a software conflict...)

I've also tried disabling then re-enabling the network drivers. Afterwards I tried uninstalling then restarting (which reinstalls them from factory I assume?)

System Information Report:

General
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro
Central Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 380 @ 2.53GHz
User Name Andrew
Graphics
Video Adapter Intel(R) HD Graphics
Video Memory 1.21 GB
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768
Storage
Total Memory 2.87 GB
Free Memory 1.24 GB
Total Hard disk 283.34 GB
Free Hard disk 215.84 GB
I/O
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Keyboard Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Computer System
Computer Name BITMAP
User Name Windows User
Organization N/A
Operating System
OS Name Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro
OS Version 6.3.9600
(Product ID removed)
System Up Time 11/13/2013 1:46:58 AM
Internet Explorer Version 9.11.9600.16384
Microsoft DirectX Version 4.09.00.0904
OpenGL Version 6.3.9600.16384 (winblue_rtm.130821-1623)
Registry
Maximum Size 2048 MB
Current Size 72 MB
Status OK
Central Processor
CPU Name Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 380 @ 2.53GHz
Code Name N/A
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Current Clock Speed 931 Mhz
Max Clock Speed 2527 Mhz
Voltage 1.3V
External Clock 533 Mhz
Serial Number BFEBFBFF00020655
CPU ID Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 5
Socket Designation CPU 1
L1-Cache 64 KB
L2-Cache 512 KB
L3-Cache 3072 KB
Motherboard
Model 07FXP8
Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Serial Number .GD6NDR1.CN701661BE02NJ.
BIOS Name BIOS Date: 09/23/09 11:58:43 Ver: 08.00.10
BIOS Vendor Dell Inc.
SMBIOS Version A05
BIOS Date 5/30/2012
BIOS Features
MCA is supported Yes
PCI is supported Yes
BIOS is Upgradable (Flash) Yes
BIOS shadowing is allowed Yes
ESCD support is available Yes
Boot from CD is supported Yes
Selectable Boot is supported Yes
BIOS ROM is socketed Yes
EDD (Enhanced Disk Drive) Specification is supported Yes
Int 13h - 5.25 /1.2MB Floppy Services are supported Yes
Int 13h - 3.5 / 720 KB Floppy Services are supported Yes
Int 13h - 3.5 / 2.88 MB Floppy Services are supported Yes
Int 5h, Print Screen Service is supported Yes
Int 9h, 8042 Keyboard services are supported Yes
Int 14h, Serial Services are supported Yes
Int 17h, printer services are supported Yes
Int 10h, CGA/Mono Video Services are supported Yes
ACPI supported Yes
USB Legacy is supported Yes
ATAPI ZIP Drive boot is supported Yes
Memory Resource
Total Memory 2.87 GB
Used Memory 1.62 GB
Free Memory 1.25 GB
Memory Usage 56%
Physical Memory
Memory Bank DIMM_A
Description Physical Memory 0
Device Locator DIMM_A
Capacity 2.00 GB
Speed 1333 Mhz
Manufacturer 0B83
Data Width 64 bit
Memory Type Unknown
Form Factor DIMM
Physical Memory
Memory Bank DIMM_B
Description Physical Memory 1
Device Locator DIMM_B
Capacity 1.00 GB
Speed 1333 Mhz
Manufacturer AD80
Data Width 64 bit
Memory Type Unknown
Form Factor DIMM
Disk Drives
Name ST9320325AS
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Capability 298.09 GB
Interface Type IDE
Partitions 3
Total Cylinders 38913
Total Heads 255
Total Sectors 625137345
Total Tracks 9922815
Tracks Per Cylinder 255
Bytes Per Sector 512
Sectors Per Track 63
S.M.A.R.T Support Yes
Current Temperature 0C (32F)
CD-ROM Drive
Name PLDS DVD+-RW DS-8A8SH
Drive E:
Transfer Rate -1
Status OK
IDE Controller
Name Intel(R) 5 Series 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller
Manufacturer Intel Corporation
Status OK
Video Adapter
Name Intel(R) HD Graphics
Video Processor Intel(R) HD Graphics (Core i3)
Manufacturer Intel Corporation
Video Architecture VGA
DAC Type Internal
Memory Size 1.21 GB
Memory Type Unknown
Video Mode 1366 x 768 x 4294967296 colors
Current Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Driver Version 8.15.10.2900
Driver Date 11/26/2012
Monitor
Name Generic PnP Monitor
Screen Height NULL
Screen Width NULL
Status OK
Wi-Fi
Product Name RT73 USB Wireless LAN Card
Service Name netr7364
Manufacturer Ralink Technology Corp.
MAC Address 6C:FD:B9:27:B2:F8
Wi-Fi 2
Product Name Dell Wireless 1502 802.11b|g|n
Service Name athr
Manufacturer Qualcomm Atheros Communications Inc.
MAC Address 60:D8:19:5D:7A:54
Ethernet
Product Name Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller
Service Name RTL8168
Manufacturer Realtek
MAC Address 18:03:73:A5:01:08
Sound Device
Name High Definition Audio Device
Manufacturer Microsoft
Status OK
Mouse
Name HID-compliant mouse
Manufacturer Microsoft
Buttons 0
Status OK
Keyboard
Name Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Description Enhanced (101- or 102-key)
Function Keys 12
Status OK
USB Controller
Product Name Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B3C
Manufacturer Intel
Protocol Supported Universal Serial Bus
Status OK
USB Controller
Product Name Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 3B34
Manufacturer Intel
Protocol Supported Universal Serial Bus
Status OK

PudgyOne · Answer

CadetAndrew,

Try channel 11 in your wireless router?

Go to Drivers & Downloads enter your service tag number, then select your operating system. Under Network, download and install the latest drivers.

Try these tweaks....

Start, control panel, device manager. Click on Network and then right click on your network adapter, left click properties, power management. Uncheck the box, allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

Go to the power options, and changed the Wireless Adapter Setting, from Maximum Power Setting to Maximum Performance.

�

Rick

CadetAndrew · Answer

Tweaks have been applied with no success. Still gives me limited connection. When I switched from Wi-Fi 2 (which is my MediaLink wireless stick) to Wi-Fi (normal Dell wireless driver) it connected for about a minute before it noted I had a limited connection.

I have also changed the wireless channel on our Xfinity modem to channel 11.

I'm in the process of downloading all of the drivers under Network on the Dell & Drivers page.

Just to be sure of something... should I uninstall the network drivers in Device Manager first before installing or will it uninstall them automatically?

CadetAndrew · Answer

The issue is only semi-fixed as it hiccups between a limited connection and a full connection. Right now it's fine, it holds a connection for about 10 minutes before showing it is limited again.

I installed all the possible network drivers that I could. A few of them said they had compatibility issues with Windows 8.1 so could't be installed.

PudgyOne · Answer

CadetAndrew,

If you're under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support.

On Windows 8.1 systems, sometimes using the older drivers for the wireless adapter works better as they help to keep the connection.

Rick

CadetAndrew · Answer

Unfortunately, my warranty is well expired as I've had the computer for about 4 years now.  All of the drivers under Network have no previous versions available either.

gator957 · Answer

Go to network and connections click on connections , properties , connections, advanced  and look for  speed and duplex . Uncheck auto configure and choose 100 MB full duplex or another band with and see if that helps. If not try steps below . If this does not work let mw know because there is one other step that can be taken

CadetAndrew · Answer

I'm not finding those... I'm looking under Control Panel > Network and Internet. I tried navigating through there and couldn't find Connections anywhere.

I did some research and managed to find it. I've never really tweaked the drivers so I'm curious as to what this does. If you don't mind explaining?

(To get to it, it was Control Panel - Device Manager - Network - Realtek PCIe FE Family Control - Properties - Advanced)

gator957 · Answer

Control Panel > Network Internet >Network Sharing Center >Click on your connection " either Ethernet or wireless" >properties >configure > advanced> speed duplex> uncheck auto configure and select a lower speed maybe 100 MB Full duplex . If that does not work go to the next step

Try resetting TCP/IP.

Reset TCPIP and check if it works.

Follow the steps

a) Boot to the desktop view.

b) Open command prompt, right click in the left corner when the Start window appear and select command prompt (admin).

c) At the command prompt, copy and paste (or type) the following command and then press ENTER: netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt

CadetAndrew · Answer

It doesn't seem that adapter has that setting: I have reset the TCP/IP. Connection is still flaky.

gator957 · Answer

The fix I gave you was for a wired connection  , not sure what would be causing this on wireless connection unless the card is faulty . I have seen this happen many times on wired LAN connection but not on wireless . Have you tried turning off the wireless connection and going through a wired connection?  Also if the card is faulty you could buy a cheap USB wireless adapter , turn off the wireless adapter you have and log on through the USB adapter . If you can do that then you know its your card

CadetAndrew · Answer

I have a MediaLink USB adapter that is giving me my Internet connection now. I'm fine with using it but I don't like using my computer knowing something is faulty in it.  Any other ideas?

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Issues with network adapter on Dell N5040

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