Wireless Problems

Question

Hi,

I have been experiencing some problems trying to connect to my existing wireless network with my new Inspiron 8600. The new laptop has a Dell True Mobile1300 WLAN Mini-PCI Card. My router is a Lynksis Wireless-G (WRT54G). The router is connected to a cable modem and the router is connected to a PC. When I turn on the laptop it seems that the wireless card is picking up my network. I look at the wireless network connection and I am connected at 54 mpbs and the signal strength is "excellent." However, when I browse the internet there is no juice. I've tried almost everything:

I've looked for firewalls and bridges, I've enabled and disabled WEP's, I've changed network keys, I've even tried to use my Lynksis Wireless Card that I have successfully used to connect to this wireless network in the past, but nothing has worked. I do see that "packets" are being sent but they are not being received and I really think that it has something to do with that. I'm pretty confused. Please help.

Thanks.

the99er · Answer

I don't think so? I have a LAN IP Address and Subset Mask? How can I tell? Thanks.

jwatt · Answer

If you'd done it (put in a MAC address based restriction list), you'd know it. That has to be added to the router configuration. But I fussed around for about an hour before I realized that's why the latest wireless card wouldn't work!

I don't think the card even got an IP address, but this happened long enough ago that I may have forgotten the details. I think it would act like this: If a restriction list were in place, wireless cards in the list would receive an IP address, but wireless cards not in the list would not. Any directly connected wired Ethernet card would get an address. Does yours get an IP address that's appropriate for the LAN it's on, or was it autoassigned (beginning with 169.254)?

(edit) The "MAC filter" setup is described on Page 23 of the WRT54G manual, which is Page 31 of the PDF file. Note that the list can be used either to include or exclude MAC addresses.

Jim

Message Edited by jimw on 01-31-2004 10:57 AM

jwatt · Answer

This is a long shot, but I did it to myself once, so I know it's a possibility...Did you set up a MAC address restriction list in the WRT54G, and forget to add the new wireless adapter to the list?

Jim

jwatt · Answer

Yep, that would stop everything in its tracks, as you discovered!

We have a WRT54G. It's in an apartment in a family student housing unit at a university, and we set up a MAC restriction list on the router, changed the SSID and passwords.

You'll find postings in the Dell Forums from people who've discovered quite by accident that their wireless card had successfully connected with someone else's wireless access point or router! Taking even a few minimal steps, like MAC restriction, will reduce the chances of that happening to you.

Read through Appendix B of the WRT54G manual. It's a pretty good introduction to the security risks associated with wireless networks.

Jim

the99er · Answer

I got it!  I have juice.  I think it was because I was mapped to the wrong IP address.  I was mapped to the router address instead of letting the router finding the PCI Card address. Thanks!!

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless Problems

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