Laptop Sees Home Network / Won't Connect

Removing the network from Manage Wireless Networks, then trying to connect didn't work.  When I tried to connect, I got a message box saying Windows was gathering router info (or something to that effect), then it asked for my password key which I correctly entered, and finally it said it couldn't connect and offered the diagnostics trouble-shooting tool which I have run many times previously.

Here is the log you requested:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Dave>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Kathy-PC
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Dell Wireless 1502 802.11b/g/n
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : E4-D5-3D-52-70-9C
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 18-03-73-A8-54-6B
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{F92C3FB8-3B48-47EF-B2D6-DE98CB0E8A78}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #4
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{35536584-F4E3-4B1C-934A-CBC6E551142B}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #5
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\Users\Dave>

Sorry, no luck with that either.  After entering the reset catalog command you provided, I received a message that the procedure was successful and to restart the computer, which I did.

The taskbar icon still indicates not connected but connections are available.  My network is shown in the list and it says the signal is excellent but when selecting CONNECT, I get the same message "collecting router info, then asking for password, then the "can't connect" message again offering the trouble-shooting tool.

Any other suggestions you can provide?  I appreciate your help.

capair45,

Download Dell Wireless WLAN 1502 Half Mini Card Driver and save to your desktop.

Make a system restore point.

Start, control panel, device manager, network adapters, right click on Dell Wireless WLAN 1502 Half Mini Card, left click uninstall. Tell it to remove the software and drivers.

Restart your computer. When you login, the new hardware wizard will try to install the adapter but fail. Install the drivers you saved to your desktop.

Try to connect. What happens?

Rick

Rick,

No success, sorry to say.  I downloaded the file from another computer to a flash drive and copied that file to the desktop on the troublesome laptop.  Then went to Device Manager and uninstalled the Dell Wireless LAN including software and drivers.  I restarted and installed from the saved file.  That appeared to complete successfully.

I restarted and found a red "X" in the task bar over the network connection icon.  Hovering the mouse over that icon shows "not connected-no connections are available".  Also, when I go to the Network & Sharing Center, the option to Manage Wireless Networks" has been removed.

Going back to Device Manager, it does not show the wireless adapter.

capair45,

Places to look to see if your Connection is enabled

If it won't find the adapter, use system restore and go back before you removed the adapter.

What virus program is installed? Did you recently install/reinstall the operating system?

Rick

I can't find any reference to the adapter.  I checked BIOS at startup, using the Fn+F2 key (no effect on red "X", and Windows Mobility Center shows no Wireless Network Module (it was present there is the past).  It just shows Radio Control Options (wifi is checked).  Again, the adapter does not show in Device Manager.

Have to leave for a bit.  I'll try the system restore when I get back and pick it up from there.

Thanks again.

Also, I have not reinstalled the operating system.  I have Norton Internet Security 2014 installed.

capair45,

Get your Norton product key using Belarc Advisor

Remove Norton using the Norton Removal Tool then restart your computer and see if you can connect.

Make and model of your wireless router and the type of security you're using? What channel?

Rick

Rick,

I accomplished the system restore and have returned the laptop to where we were before I tried installing the new driver.

A couple questions come to mind.  (1) Can I most likely discount the router as being the problem since other wireless devices in the house see my network and connect normally and (2) could the new desktop computer that I recently purchased be playing any part in this since it is connected with the modem and router?

Ready to try any other trouble-shooting ideas you may have.

Thanks for the help!

Dave...

capair45,

Try system restore back to when it worked. Not sure what changed, possible is Norton update.

Did you read...

***SPECIAL NOTE***

Uncheck a box in the Advanced Setup for wireless.

(uncheck) Enable 20/40 MHz Coexistence

Netgear explains:

Disabling this option allows your 2.4GHz wireless to stay in supporting the max speed. Enabling this option [coexistence] may reduce the max speed of your 2.4GHz wireless to the half when there is another wireless network detected in your environment; this is to avoid inteference between wireless networks and to get along with other wireless networks in the environment.

Rick

capair45,

I use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings I use channel 11. I would make a new SSID to make connecting easier.

I'm thinking that there is a setting in the router, mentioned in the Recommended Wireless settings.

Rick