The file they say to change isn't there on my computer.

"If this key is present, it will override the DhcpNodeType key. If neither key is present, the system defaults to b-node if there are no WINS servers configured for the client. "


this is my problem. it's defaulted to b-node.

How do i configure a WINS server? I've never had to do this before!?!?

my computer worked fine, then i formatted, reinstalled the wireless drivers. now this happens. before the format, wireless worked fine, the computer was in hybrid mode. After the format, my laptop is unable to find my home wireless network, which is working fine for other computers.

what do I have to do with this WINS server thing?

Message Edited by Government Official on 05-17-2005 04:52 PM

Change the registry:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;160177

i've been tinkering around for a week or so and can't figure out why my wireless network can't be found by this computer...the wired connection works fine, the other computers with wireless in the house (including two other dells) find the network fine. Why would my laptop wireless be messed up like this? I can't find a plausible explanation. I even reseated the wireless card in desperation and reformatted a second time to try and fix the problem. The problem remains.

So far as setting a NodeType, choose Edit|New|DWORD Value. The only problem you should have is with a value of 2 (p-node) and then only if there is not a WINS server available. Some time in the past my laptop picked up a DHCPNodeType of 2, which prevented me from connecting in a peer to peer network. Set a NodeType of 8 to solve the problem. (Some network administrators apparently set a DHCPNodeType of 2 to force use of their WINS server. A DHCPNodeType of 8 would work as well without the problems).

So far as your connection problem, I'd try removing the device, rebooting, then reinstalling the drivers (not from the copy windows now has).

Before you do that though, when you reformatted and reinstalled the OS, did you install the chipset drivers. Don't know what system you are using, but with this Inspiron 8200, that is necessary.

ya, i used the included drivers CD that Dell sent with the computer. I just installed every driver that I had a piece of hardware to match. I KNOW i installed the dell truemobile 1300 b/g driver...the driver is 3.20.23.0, date 6/13/2003. Is there some device driver I missed?

what should I name that registry value?

Message Edited by Government Official on 05-17-2005 08:35 PM

Don't know. What is your system?

inspiron 9100
2.8ghz HT
512mb RAM Dual Channel
windows XP pro
40gb hd
dell truemobile 1300 b/g miniPCI card

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@Government Official wrote:
ya, i used the included drivers CD that Dell sent with the computer. I just installed every driver that I had a piece of hardware to match. I KNOW i installed the dell truemobile 1300 b/g driver...the driver is 3.20.23.0, date 6/13/2003. Is there some device driver I missed?

what should I name that registry value?

Message Edited by Government Official on 05-17-2005 08:35 PM

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Name the registry value NodeType.

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@Government Official wrote:
inspiron 9100
2.8ghz HT
512mb RAM Dual Channel
windows XP pro
40gb hd
dell truemobile 1300 b/g miniPCI card

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Don't really know what might be the problem. When you formatted and reinstalled the system, the chipset drivers are supposed to be installed first after the OS is loaded. Those drivers allow the OS to recognize and control other devices. If they were not loaded or were not loaded in the proper order, that may be the problem.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_9100&category=0&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=1134&devlib=27

i figured out the problem. windows was auto-installing basic wireless drivers in the background whenever I tried to reinstall the dell drivers. I restarted in diagnostics mode and installed the new driver, it works now. Thanks for all of the help!

Good. Sometimes it is difficult to make windows allow you to do what you are trying to do when it has a different idea.