Hi Ron,

I could be wrong (it's been known to happen), but I think what you're referring to is set when you initially create the network connection.  It's a question of allowing other computers on that network to locate / find that PC

Check out this link about Changing that location of a network from Private to Public, and vice versa.  Is this what you're referring to? 

Todd

Todd,

That's exactly what I meant.

I set up WiFi on both the Inspiron and Alienware at same time, with both sitting side-by-site on the desk. Alienware came out right but Inspiron not.

I already tried changing those settings and it doesn't affect how the WiFi network is listed on Network & Sharing screen. And yes, I rebooted after making that change, even told it to forget that network and then re-discover it.  Very odd!

Probably unrelated, but there's also WiFi driver issue on this Inspiron 5721 because it keeps saying "limited connection" when I log in to my SSID and it only gets ~150 Mbps. The Alienware has no problems seeing same SSID as private and getting full 300 Mbps connection. Again, both sitting together on the desk, less than 10 ft from the router.  So it shouldn't be an issue with WiFi signal strength.

I rolled back the wireless driver on the Inspiron and that didn't help, and then I found one on Intel site that's newer than the first one, but still no improvement in connection speed.

I can probably live with slower connection speed but I really want the Inspiron to see the SSID as private.

Thanks.

Hi Ron,

Quick question regarding the Inspiron.   Have you tried it on other networks and, if so, does it also connect at a lower speed and have the "limited connectivity" message?  Just wondering about that video card as I try to find out more about the Public/Private network issues.

Todd-

Appreciate your help...thank you.

I managed to fix the Public/Private issue. I looked at every setting side/side between the 2 PCs. The Inspiron was in a workgroup and the Alienware wasn't. When I removed the workgroup, I got the Inspiron to see the SSID as Private. Just don't ask me to explain that. :emotion-7:

I've traveled with Inspiron and haven't seen the "limited" message when connecting to WiFi in hotels etc.  But I updated Inspiron from Win7 to Win8 and then to 8.1.1, and not sure if my last trip was before/after the update.  Guess I can try at Starbucks etc over weekend.

Saw posts around the net saying if you get the "limited" message with Win 8.1 to roll the WiFI driver back to the prior version. Tried several versions available in Device Manager but didn't help.

Not sure what you meant about the video card.

Thanks again!

Video card...   wireless card....   same thing, right?    Oops.   Typo.  :)

I never would have thought about workgroups.  Guess that's just a Microsoft quirk I'll have to try to remember.  Glad you figured it out.  

Video card...   wireless card....   same thing, right?

R-i-g-h-t... :emotion-2: :emotion-2:

I took the Inspiron to Starbucks and got the same "limited connection" message so it's not just an issue with my new home WiFi router.

Have another absolutely identical Inspiron, except the other one is running Win 10 TP instead of Win 8.1. The Win 10 system connects to my WiFi network at same speed as Win 8.1 unit (~150 Mbps) but doesn't give the "limited" message.

The connection speed is consistent between the two, so maybe the Intel 2230 WLAN is limited to 150 Mbps..? I think it's 802.11n which should be 300 Mbps. (The Alienware running Win 8.1 gets 300 Mbps so the router does handle that speed.)

I also don't know if Win 10 TP wasn't programmed to give a "limited" connection notice so that doesn't help...

Give me a hammer! 

Thanks for you help.