Wireless issues

Question

Hi Guys,   Last week my Inspiron 9100 laptop was rendered usless as Windows XP pro died.  After many attempts to get it to boot again I decided to start from scratch so I inserted the recover CD that came with the laptop which reinstalled windows xp pro for me.  When asked I selected the full format.   Once installed I noticed that the screen res was wrong (this is a wide screen lap top and the display was set to a normal format with black borders either side).  The restore cd did not install correct drivers.  So I got on to the dell website and downloaded the correct drivers.  Now everything seems ok except for the wireless networking.  I have spoken with Dell tech support and they assure me that I have the correct driver installed but here is the problem:   When I boot up it picks up the network and then drops it again.  Five mins later it picks it back up and then drops again and so on.  If I then reboot the laptop the connection becomes stable.   I have uninstalled the driver and let windows reionstall it again but the problem still exists.  I know the network is working fine as I have other computers that can connect and they are stable.    Up untill last week the connection had been stable with no problems.  The main difference between the reconfigured system and the old configuration is that this now runs xp sp2 where as previously it was sp 1.   It almost seems as if the drivers are not being loaded correctly the first time but on a reboot they are.   Other software that is installed is Norton Internet Security 2005   Any advice welcomed.   Kind regards   Paul

Jerry Park · Answer

You didn't mention what wireless device you have or the driver version you are using. You could try removing the device and then re-installing it. If there is a driver problem, this may correct it.

paulchatwin · Answer

Thanks for replying Jerry.   I am using the built in Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band WLAN Mini-PCI Card driver version 3.100.35.0   Thanks   Paul

haze20 · Answer

That can be caused by the IEEE 802 1X authentication not being properly configured.  Can’t remember how it should be set, check the box if it’s unchecked or vice versa.

paulchatwin · Answer

Thanks for getting back to me.   Sorry, but where is that option?   Paul

haze20 · Answer

It may not apply if you are using WAP security but I think it does for WEP. Right click on the wireless icon in the tray. Select view available wireless networks. Select change advanced settings. Hit Wireless Networks tab. Hit properties button. Then Authentication tab. If it can be changed you can check the box, if not the text will look faded.

You might also make sure you have the latest software updates for your wireless router that are made for SP2.

paulchatwin · Answer

one other question, I can either let Windows configure my wireless network or let the Dell Wireless lan utility configure it.

I maybe talking outof my backside but if I right click on the signal graph and do open utility it opens the dell utility, If I right click on Wireless connections icon in the systray it displays a windows (non dell) screen listing connections. Mean anything?

paulchatwin · Answer

Hi Haze20,   This is a real pain to test new things as once it get working (after a reboot or three) it stays working until the machine is left off for a while.  This morning before I left for work (a non wireless environment) I checked the IEEE setting and it wasn't ticked even though I have WEP enabled.  So I ticked it.  This evening when I came back no difference :(   Just for more info, being a Dell 9100 it has a built in wireless card which I think is combined with bluetooth.    When I rebuilt my machine I downloaded the drivers from the dell website so I presume that they are SP2 compat.   in desperation, I have disabled the bluetooth driver.   I must admit, tonight is seems really bad (has already disconnected me several times).  Currently the little bar chart in the systray says full strength and the wireless network icon says not connected although Ican still access the internet - Strange!   Any more ideas?   Paul

haze20 · Answer

I got out my router manual and it says to uncheck the IEEE 802 box if you get disconnects, so that isn’t the problem. Go back and uncheck it.

I was talking about updating the router firmware, not the wireless card drivers in the computer. There is probably a menu item in your router management software that will check for updates. I have a Microsoft router and it is working better since I updated the firmware.

Mine does the same thing when I right click on the signal graph. Don’t think it means anything.

I use Windows to configure my wireless, when I unchecked the use Windows box, it stopped working.

You might try disabling your security settings and see if it works, if new router firmware doesn’t help.

VBdotNet · Answer

@paulchatwin wrote:

one other question, I can either let Windows configure my wireless network or let the Dell Wireless lan utility configure it.

I maybe talking outof my backside but if I right click on the signal graph and do open utility it opens the dell utility, If I right click on Wireless connections icon in the systray it displays a windows (non dell) screen listing connections. Mean anything?

1) I like seeing my network icons on the system tray - especially when there is a problem (Network Connections, right-click on the connection, select properties, then check the "Show icon in notification area when connected")

2) check the bottom of this page for info on the SSID. It may apply to you.

paulchatwin · Answer

Hi vbdotnet,

Thanks for that. I use a d-link dsl 604+ which always broadcasts it SSID (you can't disable it) -there are two other networks in the area however.

I have now set the Dell utility to manage my connections and the problem stiull persists. Is there any way of removing the windows utility?

A bit more info though, it seems that once you reboot a couple of times and once it has managed to keep a connection for more than five mins it keeps the connection fine. Does this shed any light on the matter?

Paul

Hamza642005 · Answer

Hello,   I purchased a Dell Inspiron 9100 last summer and i formatted it couple weeks ago.  Everything works fine but my wireless card wont connect to any network around.  I know my router is working fine because my brothers can connect thru their laptops, it just me who cant connect.  Also, i see no other networks on my list, when i used to see 4 or 5 other connections.  I have a 1350 Dell Truemobile Network Card.   I have tried to reinstall the drivers and also download the drivers on the Dell Website, but nothing will work.   So far i think the problem is my network memory.  I did teh wireless Diagnostics Test and it failed the mircocode memory test, and says that the wireless internal memory is not working properly.  I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions before i try to format my computer over again or call for dell support.      THANK YOU BOB

VBdotNet · Answer

For whatever reason, your 1350 card may very well have cooked itself. Don't reinstall the OS. It won't help one bit. If you are still under warranty, call Dell and tell them the card just stopped working. Don't tell them about the reformat or anything else - they don't need to know and they'll use that info to blame you for your problem. You can tell them that it failed the diagnostics test. They'll have you redo all the diagnostics - again. Don't fight it - just do it. Have them send you a replacement card and start over.

haze20 · Answer

Another good Wireless Zero link   http://www.overclockers.com/tips1164/

haze20 · Answer

For the original problem by paulchatwin.  This article about Wireless Zero Configuration may help. http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,63705,00.html

Hamza642005 · Answer

Thank you for ur response.  I will call Dell rite away!!   THANK YOU again

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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