wireless availability??

Question

I am trying to understand my friends inspiron 1150. According to her, she was once able to use this laptop wirelessly and without the aid of an external card... However, now she as well as I, am unable to make this happen. I have opened the device manager and it seems she is only equipped with the Broadcom 440x 10/100 integrated controller which to my understanding is the ethernet connection. other than that, there is no wireless network adapter. Could there have been one in the past and if so, where can it be retrieved? I looked online at the manufacturing specs and per http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/dell-inspiron-1150/4505-3121_7-30836485.html?tag=also para 3, states the 1150 has a 95 foot range on the wifi which is toggled on and off by pressing fn and f2 together. I have also done this and nothing happens. any information you can shed on this confusing matter of wireless connectivity would be greatly appreciated!

volcano11 · Answer

Look under the MiniPCI card door on the bottom of the computer to see if there is wireless network adapter installed there:   http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1150/sm/upgrades.htm#1105550   Steve

dagdowell · Answer

I should add that I have since gone into the device manager and selected PCI Modem under the other devices tab. from there I attempted to 'reinstall driver' with internet service through ethernet capabilities and the message comes back that 'The hardware was not installed because the wizard cannot find the necessary software'. Not sure if this information would help the IT genius' who may be perusing this thread?

dagdowell · Answer

I appreciate your interest in helping us solve this problem... I did as you recommended and removed the cover and there is a card in the holder and the two antenna wires are connected to it securely (one black, one white). Is this to mean that we should be able to use this computer wirelessly. I have to admit, when she told me she had been online in the past without ethernet hookup, i did not believe her. Anyway, if you or someone could guide me to the next step, it would be greatly appreciated!

volcano11 · Answer

The PCI Modem is NOT the wireless network adapter.  You need to first figure out which wireless network adapter is installed in the machine, then download and install the drivers for that particular wireless adapter.  All drivers for possible wireless adapters are at the following site under Network:   http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_1150&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=   Steve

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

wireless availability??

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