WiFi connection problem since clean install

Question

Hi all,

I have an Inspiron 6400 XP SP3

Intel PROset/wireless Wi Fi

Belkin Wireless G Router (supplied by Dell with the laptop)

I had to do a clean install of the laptop. Until then good connection no problems BUT since the clean install I am experinecing intermitant problems Wifi connecting to the router. The wireless finds the router without fail but won't always connect. When is doesn't, a reboot makes no difference but power cycling the router always works. After hours of strong connectivity the connection drops out unpredicatbly.

Meanwhile another computer is connecting with the router reliably.

I have tried updateing the driver for the wifi NIC and the Proset software direct from intel which seems to make no diference.

Changed to static IP... made no difference.

ANy suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Dinsdale

volcano11 · Answer

Have you tried changing the Power Management Settings on the wireless adapter to always supply full power?   Steve

DFO1201 · Answer

What message do you see when you try to manually connect to your wireless profile?

Dinsdale Pirana · Answer

@volcano11 wrote:

Have you tried changing the Power Management Settings on the wireless adapter to always supply full power?

Steve

Thanks Steve

If you mean through> networks settings>properties>conifigure>advanced> power management> set to highest then yes and it madeno difference other thanI appear to be able to "see" more wifi netwroks in my neighbourhood

Dins

volcano11 · Answer

Also look in the Intel ProSet Utility for power management settings.   Steve

Larry R · Answer

Also, did you use the Dell Resource CD for the drivers, or the latest version from the Dell website?  The wireless drivers tend to get updated every month or three, so it is entirely possible a newer version is available that would work better if you used the CD.

DFO1201 · Answer

I should have been more explicit...When you have the problem, try right-clicking the Intel Wireless icon in the lower right.  Click 'connect to profile'  and click the profile that you usually use.  Does an error message appear?

Dinsdale Pirana · Answer

@DELL-Larry R wrote:
Also, did you use the Dell Resource CD for the drivers, or the latest version from the Dell website? The wireless drivers tend to get updated every month or three, so it is entirely possible a newer version is available that would work better if you used the CD.

The CD is AWOL so I went straight to the Dell Site and down loaded the driver and software for this model. When the problem started I went to the intel site and downloaded the most recent drver and the Pro software update... no luck.

See also my reply to DFO... below

Dins

Dinsdale Pirana · Answer

After a day of trouble free connecting, it all melted down today

This is what I found/experienced. Immediately after everything has finished booting, a pop-up says "Problem connecting to the network"

Double clicked on the PRO icon. It says something like "Connected but problem" plenty of green bars showing a strong signal

"Details" shows unexpected IP address way outside the LAN.

Tried repair, renew IP address... "Connection could not be repaired"

Troubleshooting tab indicate "Did not receive IP address."

Changed to fixed IP address. No change. Rebooted router...got connected!

This one time the OTHER WiFi-connected computer disconnected too (it has always had a fixed IP)but came back ofter rebooting the router.

Thanks for your help and interest so far.

Dins

Larry R · Answer

Hmmm ... that could mean a problem with the router then.  You might want to check to see if there is a firmware update for it.

Dinsdale Pirana · Answer

Thanks Larry,

I did find a firmware upgrade for the router and installed it. So far so good. The laptop connects every time... so far. Give me a week and I will be convinced :)

BUT I don't understand why a router, that worked perfectly well for a couple of years, SUDDENLY needs a firmware upgrade to work properly, when the thing that has changed (and only slightly ) is the laptop.

Can you educate me?

Thanks for the help so far.

Dins

Dinsdale Pirana · Answer

Hmmm thought it was too goo to last. After a couple of days of trouble-free connection, the old problem was back this morning: the laptop could "see" the router with a good wifi signal but couldn't connect. Rebooting the router got me up and running again.

It seems a big coincidence to me that the router should suddenly be at fault at EXACTLY the same time as my clean install on the laptop. On top of that, my other (DELL) computer ( a desktop with a wifi card) remains solidly connected to the router during these laptop "outages".

Any other suggestions, gratefully received.

Dins

Larry R · Answer

I've often seen where a driver update on the computer (for the network adapter) causes a problem that is fixed by a firmware update on the router. Usually this is due to changing standards (e.g., 802.11n, which isn't finalized yet as far as I know).

Since it only affects this one computer I'm pretty sure it isn't the router (or the firmware update fixed the router side of things). Try uninstalling the wireless card, then reinstalling the driver and rebooting. If you want to be really thorough about it: uninstall the software/driver, power down and remove the card, restart without the card to make sure the software is gone, power down and reinstall the card, then power up and reload the software. While I can't be sure it will fix the problem, it will ensure (as best we can) that no corrupted settings hang around.

The only other thing I can think of is to start playing with obscure wireless options (e.g., the IEEE 802.1 authentication used to cause intermittent connection problems, even when not used, because one checkbox was checked, but not the one "above" it that enabled the authentication), or trying a different control client (e.g., Windows Wireless Zero Config instead of the Dell Wireless/Intel ProSet Utility).

Dinsdale Pirana · Answer

Thanks Larry for your continued interest and advice.

I have completely uninstalled Dell Wireless/Intel ProSet Utility and am leaving Windows to manage the wireless, as you suggested.

So far, a couple of days of reliable service!

BUT I'll give it a week before I believe it is solved (I'll let you know.) In the mean time, if the connection reverts to its old habbits, I'll try the complete uninstall/reinstall you suggest... only one thing: I can't physically remove the wifi "card" as the wifi is built in.

Thanks again for the help so far!

Message Edited by Dinsdale Pirana on 09-18-2008 09:24 AM

Larry R · Answer

No, the internal wireless card is a mini-card (or mini-PCI card for older systems).  It sockets into the motherboard just like memory.  See the service manual from the support site for the specific instructions on removing and reseating the wireless card.

Dinsdale Pirana · Answer

Hi,

I think it is safe to say that the problem is SOLVED!. I did uninstalled reinstalled the wifi nic (though didn't go as far as physically uninstalling) and re installed the most recent driver from scratch. It's been solid and reliable ever since.

I haven't reinstalled Dell Wireless/Intel ProSet Utility as it all works fine without it, and don't want to complicate life...if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Anyway many thanks once again for all the advice.

Cheers

Dins

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

WiFi connection problem since clean install

Was this post helpful?