wireless connectivity

Question

I just purchased a 1501 with Vista.  I set up a wireless connection with a D-link router.  I get sporadic connectivity when I power up.  It does not always connect to the network.  I have to reboot the router to get connectivity at times.   this happens both plugged in or on battery.   The router signal shows excellent.  I have a pc connected to the router through the ethernet connection.  I have no problem with that connection.  Please advise

Gina Q · Answer

Which wireless card do you have in your in your system?

keng23 · Answer

it's a Dell 1490 802.11 a/g mini card 54mbps

Gina Q · Answer

So here are some questions that will help us. I'm sorry there are so many but they will help. I've answered #1 - 3 for you since you've aready posted those.

System information

1) What O/S - Vista

2) Was the system upgraded? If so, from what to what? - Came Installed on system

3) What kind of a card is in the system - Dell Wireless 1490

4) What driver version is currently installed?

5) If in XP what wireless utility version is installed?

Router/AP info

1) What is the make of the router (Linksys, Netgear, Belkin)?

2) What model number?

3) Has the Firmware been updated? If so what is the firmware version?

Additional Info

1) If you upgraded your system did it work in XP?

2) Have you tried in another location?

3) Do you get any error messages?

4) Has any hardware been replaced?

5) Can it see any networks?

6) Security, if so what kind, is it WEP, WPA, WPA2, MAC Filtering, etc.?

7) Is the SSID broadcast or hidden?

8) Have you set up the profile manually and checked the following boxes:

a. Start this connection Manually

b. Connect even if the network is not broadcasting

9) What firewall are you running?

keng23 · Answer

Here are some answers: Its a D-Link router model number wbr-2310,  its brand new and I have not updated anything.  The firmware version is 1.02.  The hardware version is A1.   I have not tried this in another location.  I have unplugged my cordless phone in the area with no improvement.  I do not get an error message.    The security settings are WPA2 personal with AES   The ssid broadcast is not checked.  Using Norton firewall.  Disabeled windows firewall.   In the router network settins I noticed the DHCP settings had DHCP lease time of 180 mnutes.   I've tried both channel 6 and channel 11 with no difference   Thanks for trying to help.

Guhrasoh · Answer

I have the same Problem, I did buy an Inspiron 1501 with the Dell Wireless 1490 card and Vista Home Premium and can't connect to any wireless devices. The Dell Wireless Utility finds the wireless networks but Vista won't detect them most of the times. And if it detects them it can only connect for a few seconds, if at all, and then doesn't find them again. I have already tried it with 3 routers. A Draytek Vigor 2500WE with 802.11b and the latest firmware: There neighter Windows nor the Dell Utility detects any network. A Siemens SE505 V2 with 802.11g, both with the latest original firmware and OpenWRT RC6: The Utility detects the network always, but Vista doesn't find anything. A Asus WL500G Premium with 802.11g, the both with the latest original firmware and OpenWRT 0.9: The Utility detects the network always, Vista sometimes but the connection doesn't hold more than 2 or 3 seconds. I have tried all available channels, switched everything that might disturb the signal off, and are at most 2 Meters away from the Router. Other Wireless devices don't have a Problem connecting to any of these Routers. The system: 1) Vista Home Premium 32 bit 2) Preinstalled by Dell. 3) Dell Wireless 1490 4) Dell 4.102.15.56 built by: WinDDK Nov 13, 2006

Guhrasoh · Answer

@Anonymous wrote:

Grimson,

Since your system gets a wireless signal this shows the card is doing it's job, but there seems to be some type of configuration problem.

The Dell Utility sees the network, but Vista doesn't or doesn't manage to get a stable connection. To me this looks more like a problem with the driver.

I noticed that you state that the firmware of the router has been updated that's great. You did not mention what type of security you have on those routers. Is the router broadcasting the SSID? Do you have WEP, WPA, MAC filtering, etc. enabled? If so, disable all security while troubleshooting see if you can get online.

The SSID is beeing broadcastet. I tried without any security and with WEP (both 64 and 128 bit), no MAC filtering or any additional changes. I also tried all available channels.

Gina Q · Answer

Grimson,   Since your system gets a wireless signal this shows the card is doing it's job, but there seems to be some type of configuration problem.   I noticed that you state that the firmware of the router has been updated that's great. You did not mention what type of security you have on those routers. Is the router broadcasting the SSID? Do you have WEP, WPA, MAC filtering, etc. enabled? If so, disable all security while troubleshooting see if you can get online.

Gina Q · Answer

Keng23,   Please check with D-Link and see if there is a firmware upgrade. If there is please upgrade it.   I see that you currently have your SSID hidden. In Vista when an SSID is hidden you have to set up a profile for it to connect. Please see #8 in my previous post on how to do this. You must create a profile manually and make sure the following check boxes are checked off. They say 1) Start this connection Manually and 2) Connect even if the network is not broadcasting.   Let me know what happens after you do this.

keng23 · Answer

Gina, please walk me through the 'set up the profile manually' in Vista.  I don't want to screw up what connectivity  i do get now.  Its funny, I came home from work Friday PM, turned on the 1501 and had perfect connection.  Got up Saturday morning, turned it back on and had no connection.  H ad to reboot router.  After that no problem.

Guhrasoh · Answer

I got it working to some extend. I installed the new Catalyst 7.2 Software Suite and South Bridge Driver from http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/vista32/integrated-vista32.html, after that Vista found the networks.

With that I had to use channel 1 to get a stable connection, usually I have no problems with channels 6, 8 and 11, but that might be due to the internal antenna of the notebook.

Gina Q · Answer

Here are some instructions on how to set up a wireless network in Vista. You can also go to the Wireless Support site for additional help.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

wireless connectivity

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