Latitude D620 with Dell 1490 802.11 b problem

Question

We recently obtained 3 Latitude 620's with the Dell 1490 wireless card. All 3 fail to connect correctly to "b" routers. I have tested them with 3 different routers, 2 Linksys and 1 D-Link. I know the D-Link and one of the Linksys has the latest firmware. I was able to connect to the same routers with no problem with a Latitude 610 we purchased last year.

The 620's are very slow to connect. Once they finally connect, a continuous ping of the router results in 20-25% packet loss. Many of the packets that do make it back have an extreamely high latency.

Dell support claims there is no problem because the laptops connect fine with "g' networks. However I cannot control where my users connect once they leave the office.

Has anyone experianced similar problems?

BBraxton · Answer

If you have a setting for 'Fragmentation Threshold' then I would try reducing the value to 2047 (usually it is something near 2346). There is also a second 'Threshold' the name of which escapes me. If you want to change both then I give the second one a value of 2048.

ItsJustAGuess · Answer

What are the model numbers and frimware revisions of your routers?

BBraxton · Answer

WootenIT, Do the routers have WEP or any other type security? Do they broadcast SSID? Do you use Windows zero configuration? Proprietary software with the adapter? Is the router set to 'b' only (rather than Mixed mode)? Are you at a residence? carry-around phone(s)?

ItsJustAGuess · Answer

Did you try running the hardware diagnostics in the client utility?

Clarkie44 · Answer

I have the same problem with 3 Latitude D520s with Dell 1490 cards. I am connecting to a netgear 802.11b net. Everything works fine when the WAP is operated open and un-encrypted. When I use WEP, the 1490 will connect, but I experience 25-50% packet loss when I ping my DNS server. Web access is non-functional. I have another laptop (B130) that uses the 1470, and it works just fine. I have talked with the Dell folks on the phone, but they keep asking the newbie questions (proximity to cell phones, signal strength, ...). The netgear router is now broadcasting the SSID, using open authentication. I have tried using the Dell, Windows, and Broadcomm software with the same results. Drivers are up-to-date on all hardware.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Latitude D620 with Dell 1490 802.11 b problem

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