Wireless Network Connection / Adapter gone!

Question

I use a Dell Latitude D620 with Windows XP Professional Version 2002 / SP2.   One day, the windows Wireless Network Connection tool just disappeared.  I can turn wireless off and on (evidenced by the blue light), but can not connect to any network because there is no way to scan for available networks or manage the wireless utility - it has totally disappeared.   In other forums, I've seen with other Dells something where if an adminsitrator logs in, it can cause some wierd conflict through WLANKEEPER service that basically fights wtih windows and flips its ability to manage the connection off.  Something like the manufacturer utility knows it is not managing the device, but it interferes and also won't let windows manage it.  The key is to turn off WLANKEEPER, but I can't find any such service.   One thing I did do - I was able to go into Services and stop and then start Wireless Zero Configuration and it worked!!  UNTIL the next reboot.  Once again, no Wireless Network Connection tool and my trick was a one-hit wonder with no success on the repeat attempts.   I can't find any WLANKEEPER or anything similar to turn off.  I can't find any Intel ProSet utiility.  Dell Wireless LAN Card Utility won't launch.  The Wireless Configuration Utility won't launch from the control panel.  I am totally out of ideas.  Please help!  Many, many, thanks!!

volcano11 · Answer

So which wireless network adapter do you have (Intel or Dell)? You might try updating the drivers, which also installes the latest utility (at least for the Dell adapter) and see if that fixes the problem.   Steve

waketim95 · Answer

Dell lists 66 drivers for my Service Tag.  Not sure which ones I need.   I'm sure it was the Dell wireless driver.  Intel ProSet was the one I use on another laptop.   Thanks for your help.

waketim95 · Answer

I'm sure its Dell.  I was just getting desperate and hoping I could find an Intel utility since the windows and dell ones were non-functional.   Windows XP Professional Version 2002 SP2

volcano11 · Answer

You need to know which one you have!!  Just because you have the Intel adapter on another computer, doesn't mean that you have that on the problem computer.  If you can tell which it is (Intel or Dell) and the version of Windows, I can easily point you to the correct drivers.  Without that information you have 66 to choose from.   Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Then try the following:   http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R151519&SystemID=LATITUDE%20D620&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=8041&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=3&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=202138   Steve

waketim95 · Answer

Thanks Steve, but no luck.  I am still dead in the water.

volcano11 · Answer

Well, since there is doubt about which network adapter you have, go to the following site, enter your service tag number, then click on the Original Cofiguration tab.  This will give you a difficult to decipher list of the components installed on your computer when it shipped.  Wireless cards are usually listed as 'Circuit Card'  followed by a number.  What do you find?   Steve

waketim95 · Answer

I didn't see a link in your response.

Here's what I found from Dell's support page. Hopefully I got what you are asking for:

1 RD530 CARD (CIRCUIT), WIRELESS, LEAD FREE, INTERNAL, BLUETOOTH, 350

1 PC559 CARD (CIRCUIT), WIRELESS, MINICARD, DW1390, BROADCOM CORPORATION

The system seems to be capable to use the Dell WLAN Utility or Microsoft to manage the device. The issue is that neither one will even launch. When I go into the Dell QuckSet utility, it shows that it can only control Bluetooth, not WiFi. Makes sense because I had selected to have Windows manage the device. But something is not allowing Windows to even show Wireless as a Connection to be managed.

volcano11 · Answer

You have the Dell 1390 card.  Sorry I didn't post the liink, but you apparently found it.  The drivers I linked in my post above should work.    Did you install those drivers (you need to run the downloaded file to install the drivers and the Dell Utility).  If you go to Start > Control Panel and  change to Classic View, is the Wireless Configuration Utility in the list?  If it is, click to open it and make sure the box is not checked next to 'Let this tool Manage your wireless networks'.  If you now go to Network Connections, does your wireless connection show up?  If not, go to Start > Run and type services.msc thne hit the Enter key.   Find the Wireless Zero Surface and double click it.  Make sure it is set to start automatically and is started.  Does that fix the problem?   Steve

waketim95 · Answer

Unfortunately, I've tried all those, which makes this so perplexing:    Install the driver - yes, I got confirmation of installation    The Dell Windows Configuration Utility is accessible through the Programs list, however, when I click it, nothing launches    The Dell QuickSet Utility allows you to select Wireless, but the portion that allows you to launch the WiFi utility is grayed out (you can only turn bluetooth on and off)    Wireless Connection is nowhere.  I can't launch Wireless Zero Configuration (Windows tool) - that's what I always used before, but now, there is no way to launch it, no link anywhere    I've turned WZC on and off through services.msc.  One time it worked.  Then the next time I rebooted, I got this same problem.  Toggling WZC on and off does nothing now.    I will try this tonight:    Uninstall the Dell Wireless Driver, reboot    Remove the Dell Wireless Utilty from the system, reboot    in services.msc, turn Wireless Zero off, reboot    in services.msc, turn Wireless Zero to automatic and turn on, reboot   I've tried some or all of the above at one point in time, but will do it tonight again to see if methodically removing everything and trying to start from scratch will help.  If not, maybe I'll just put the computer in the washing machine and buy a new one.   Thanks for your continued help, Tim

waketim95 · Answer

No luck.  I am dead in the water.

volcano11 · Answer

Unless you can use System Restore to go back to a point where it was working, it seems like you will have to back up your data and reinstall Windows because something is seriously messed up with Windows.   Steve

waketim95 · Answer

I agree.  Going to start from scratch when I have a few hours to burn.  Thanks for trying to help me avoid having to do that.  I appreciate your help.  Tim

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless Network Connection / Adapter gone!

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