Wireless network detected but no packets received

Is the firmware on the TM1300 current? What about the firmware on the router?

Jim

Where do I get the latest firmware for the TM1300?

The driver for the TM1300 is dated 6/13/2003, I believe thats the latest one.

I don't believe I have to upgrade the firmware for the router because it works flawlessly for the other wireless networked computers, and my 8500 refuses to connect in other wifi hot spots. The icon says "wireless network detected, signal strength excellent" and packets are being sent but zero packets get recieved. After a few minutes it disconnects and the icon says "wireless connection unavaible"

The latest TM1300 driver for XP is v.3.20.23.0, A08, dated 8/20/2003. I agree that the router's likely OK, especially given that the 1300 won't connect anywhere. So I'd make sure the TM1300 is current.

Does the machine ever get an IP address? Is 802.11x authentication off? Has the TM1300 ever worked correctly? It's possible that it's defective.

Jim

yeah, thats the latest driver I have for the TM1300, its dated 6/13/2003 released 8/20/2003 version 3.20.23.0 A08

The machine never gets an IP address, it seems to try to get one so its constantly sending a packet but never gets a packet back. It seems to be a problem at the network level. 802.11x authentification is off.

The TM1300 has worked in rare occasions, particularly when I just got my 8500 and even then very erratically, but for the last months it refuses to connect.

It almost sounds like there's something wrong with the TM1300. One possibility is the antenna leads. With the power completely off (including the batteries out!), check to be sure the leads are firmly connected, and that the card's properly seated. That's illustrated here.

It may be time to contact Dell support and see about getting a replacement. You've carried out most of the troubleshooting steps they'd suggest, so it may be possible to get a replacement card shipped out.

Jim

Message Edited by jimw on 12-09-2003 10:18 AM

I checked the antenna leads and even removed the card and reinstalled it again, to no avail.

I am thinking of ordering a replacement of the TM 1300, but maybe its something wrong with the way the antenna is installed in my Inspiron 8500? Is there a way to check for this?

Checking the connection monitor it very sporadically receives a packet, but obviously not enough to get an IP assigned.

Right now it doesn't even detect the wireless network in my home.

I am thinking of ordering a replacement of the TM 1300, but maybe its something wrong with the way the antenna is installed in my Inspiron 8500? Is there a way to check for this?

Not that I know of...but that doesn't mean it's not possible! :-)

Certainly if a replacement card has the same problems, the antenna would be a prime suspect.

I'd suggest working on getting a replacement as the next step. Do you by any chance have access to another Dell laptop that has a TM1300 in it? The best evidence of a failed card would be to try another one and see if it works.

Jim

I don't believe its the wireless router problem. I received my Inspiron 8600 over the weekend and has been trying to connect to the SMC2408WBR wireless router. I struggled for 2 days to get it connected with WEP enabled. But I ran into the same problem, no IP address was being assigned thus render the connection useless. However, if you disabled the WEP, IP address will be assigned and IE is able to connect to the internet !! I believe its really some driver compatibility issue happening here. Unfortunately, neither Dell or SMC seem able to help. At least I got a response from SMC but none from Dell. Its even worse when I tried to talk to Dell's technical support where they know very little about wireless connection.
By the way, I use the same router for other Dell notebook equipped with a PCMCIA wireless adapter from PCI. Its working perfectly.

Unfortunately the WEP factor is not the problem. I disabled it on the router and I still get the same problem.

I took several screenshots to help you see the problem:

Here you can see that packets are being sent but not received:
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip1.jpg

Here you can see that physically there aren't any problems, the conection is "excellent"
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip2.jpg

The diagnostics do not show any problems:
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip3.jpg

A summary of the driver version and other info:
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip3.jpg

Oops, after a few minutes:
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip5.jpg

Wireless connection properties shows the "linkgatos" network beaming but it will not connect
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip6.jpg

WEP is disabled:
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip7.jpg

And also at the router:
http://mrfantastico.com/tm1300/Clip8.jpg

I am truly mistified because I don't think its a problem of the antenna or else it would not get the signal strength as "excelent", yet I don't think its the card either because it connects physically too, but then it ceases to connect entirely. The router is already discarded. Maybe its an antenna problem that is affected by the heat of the computer?

JL8 said...

I struggled for 2 days to get it connected with WEP enabled. But I ran into the same problem, no IP address was being assigned thus render the connection useless. However, if you disabled the WEP, IP address will be assigned and IE is able to connect to the internet !!

Interesting! Energy99, is WEP a possible factor with your problem?

Jim

I have periodic flaky problems with my truemobile 1400.  Occasionaly on boot the Wireless network will be recognized but an IP address is never assigned.  I also have WEP enabled.  If I disable the wireless adapter, wait a moment and then reenable it, it will usually connect properly.  I also see a big problems with dropped packets even when I'm only 15' from the wireless access point.  If I rotate the machine 45 degrees or so the problem will go away.   I'm going to check out my antenna connection now based off the information in this post.  Hopefully it's as simple a solution as that.  Otherwise, I'm a little fed up with this wireless adapter.

Hi Energy99,
I'm not sure if I can help your problem. I just confirmed my wireless connection works perfectly when I disable the WEP, that's I can get the IP address assigned automatically from the wireless router. I've been connected for > 2 hrs now. I'm actually using it now to search Microsoft website for a solution. Once I get the WEP enabled, I get never get the IP address assigned. I strongly believe its either Win XP or SMC's software issues.

JL8

Thanks for the screen shots! They led to one more thought - what happens if you take the router out of "G-Only" mode?

Jim

The problem is not WEP. I disabled at the router and the settings of my wireless and it still has the same problem.

Good question. It was originally "Mixed" and it still had the same problem.