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scaredy cat

updated

22 years ago

0

7723

November 20th, 2004 11:00

error message 'wireless connection unavailable' - but it is!

Following help and suggestions from previous posts, I have successfully set up a wireless network.  I have DSL broadband, a D-link router connected to my modem and desktop, and a Latitude notebook connected wirelessly.  I am now trying to get a second Latitude to connect but it keeps telling me there is no wireless connection available.  It has a Truemobile 1150 PCI card which is located under 'network connections'.  there is a red cross on the icon.  when I right click it and select properties,  the 'wireless network connection' window open with only two tabs, general and authentication.  On the other Latitude there was a third tab.  Do I need to do something to the router or the desktop?
  • 386

    0

    Posted November 24th, 2004 09:00

    A happy ending to this tale.  Following many,many hours and days of trying everything I could think of, I contacted Dell Hardware e-support.  They in turn emailed me an extensive list of procedures to try.  My laptop found the wireless connected after I had unistalled all the network adapters.  I rebooted and was told that new hardware had been found.  I then followed the prompts and the sweetest of windows opened and told me that a wireless network connection was available.  So a huge THANKYOU to Dell and in particular Sucheta.
  • Mengson

    2 Posts

    386

    0

    Posted December 8th, 2004 23:00

    Could you please post the extensive list of procedures, so that I may also try them? I am having the same problem as you are. Thank you.
  • 386

    0

    Posted December 9th, 2004 09:00

    I have cut and pasted the 'extensive list' for you.  I hope it solves your problem!  I didn't need to do every procedure as the connection was found after I have uninstalled all the network adapters.  Good luck.


    I have reviewed the results provided by you and understand that
    there are no changes made to the system.

    After reviewing your information, I have come up with the following
    steps to find a resolution to this problem. Please do note that
    every step has significance in arriving at a satisfactory resolution,
    therefore please provide the result of every step.

    Check the wireless connection status. - Microsoft Windows XP
    To check the wireless connection status in Microsoft® Windows®
    XP, perform the following steps:
    1. Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel.
    The Control Panel window appears.
    2. Double-click Network Connections.
    The Network Connections window appears.
    3. Double-click the Wireless Network Connection.
    4. The Status should show Connected.


    Determine if the network adapter is visible in Microsoft® Windows®
    2000 or XP Device Manager.
    To check the Device Manager for the network adapter, perform
    the following steps:
    1. Right-click My Computer.
    2. Left-click Manage.
    The Computer Management window appears.
    3. Click Device Manager from the list in the left pane.
    The device tree appears.
    4. Click the Network Adapters category tree.
    The network adapter appears in the tree.
     
    NOTE: If the network adapter is not listed in the Network Adapters
    tree, click the Other Devices category tree. The network device
    may appear as PCI Ethernet Adapter, indicating that the driver
    is not loaded. A yellow exclamation mark (!) or a red (X) beside
    the network adapter entry indicates a problem with the device
    or the driver.



    Configure the wireless adapter to associate to the base station
    in Microsoft® Windows® XP.
    1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
    2. Double-click Network Connections.
    3. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection, and then left-
    click Properties.
    4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
    5. Highlight each item listed under Preferred Networks and click
    Remove.
    6. Click Add.
    7. In the Network name (SSID), type wireless.
     
    NOTE: The SSID is case sensitive and should be lowercase.
    8. Uncheck Data encryption (WEP enabled).
    9. Make sure This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network;
    wireless access points are not used is not checked.
    10. Make sure all other boxes are unchecked.
    11. Click OK.


    Place the wireless system next to the wireless base station.
    Move the wireless system very close to the wireless base station,
    router, access point, or residential gateway.



    Turn off or disable all devices that may be causing interference.
    Devices that you can turn off that may be causing interference
    include, but are not limited to the following:
    ? Long range cordless phones
    ? Wireless cameras
    ? Wireless baby monitors
    ? Microwave ovens
    ? Wireless speakers
    The following devices may also cause interfere but you will not
    likely be able to disable them:
    ? Most wireless medical monitoring systems
    ? Elevator motors
    ? Medical MRI imaging devices
    ? Air treatment static precipitators (filters)
    ? Welding equipment
    ? Power lines
    ? Electric railroad\tram tracks
    ? Power stations
    ? Fluorescent light ballasts



    Enable Long Preamble on the Wireless Router/Access Point/Base
    Station.
    Set the Preamble or Header Length on the Wireless Router/Access
    Point/Base Station to Long.
     
    NOTE: For detailed instructions on this procedure, please consult
    the Online Users Guide. 
    NOTE: If you do not have access to the Wireless Router/Access
    Point/Base Station, please contact your IT department or Network
    Administrator to obtain the proper settings.



    Uninstall Truemobile 1150 Client Manager.
    To uninstall the Client Manager follow these steps:
    1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click
    the Control Panel.
    2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
    3. Click the TrueMobile 1150 Client Manager.
    4. Click the Change/Remove button.
    5. Click the Remove button.
    6. Click Next.
    The Confirm File Deletion window will appear.
    7. Click OK.




    Uninstall all network devices from Safe Mode.
    To uninstall all network devices from Safe Mode, perform the
    following steps:
    1. Boot the system to Safe Mode.
     
    NOTE: For more information about booting to safe mode, refer
    to Dell Knowledge Base Article: "How do I start my computer in
    Safe Mode?". 2. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click
    Control Panel.
    The Control Panel window appears.
     
    NOTE: In Microsoft® Windows® XP, Settings may not be displayed
    in the Start Menu. Skip to step 3.
    3. Double-click the System icon.
    4. Click the Device Manager tab. The Device Manager appears.
     
    NOTE: In Microsoft® Windows® XP and 2000, click the Hardware
    tab and then click the Device Manager button.
    4. Locate the Network Adapters entry in Device Manager, and click
    the (+) sign.
    5. Right-click each item in Network Adapters and click Uninstall.
     
    NOTE: Some devices may fail to uninstall. This is normal for
    some drivers, so just remove each item that can be uninstalled
    without error.





    Download and install the latest wireless device driver.
    To download and install the latest wireless device driver, perform
    the following steps:
     
    NOTE: The following steps provide instructions to update device
    drivers for Dell provided wireless adapters. Refer to the manufacturers
    website or support services for Driver updates to third party
    wireless adapters.
    1. Browse to Support.Dell.Com.
    2. Click Select a System on the left-hand side of the screen.
    The Product Selection page appears.
    3. Under Service Tag, input your system service tag, and then
    click Go.
    4. Click the Downloads tab at the top of the page.
    5. Under Select Your Download Category, choose Network Drivers.
    6. Under Select an Operating System, choose your operating system.
    7. Under Select the Operating System Language, select the appropriate
    language from the drop down box, and then click Go.
    8. Select the driver for the correct Dell TrueMobile device on
    the list of network drivers.
    9. Select the same device driver again.
    10. Select the latest version from the list, choose Download
    Now Using HTTP, and then click I agree to continue.
    The File Download menu appears.
    11. Click Open. The Update Prompt appears.
    12. Click Continue.
    13. Click OK, and then click Yes at the Update Prompt.
    The file begins extracting.
    14. Click the OK button.
    15. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the driver installation.
     
    NOTE: If you are using a Dell TrueMobile 1150, repeat the steps
    above to download and install the Client Manager Utility. The
    Client Manager Utility link appears below the driver link, which
    is found on step 8.



    Configure the wireless adapter to associate to the base station
    in Microsoft® Windows® XP.
    1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
    2. Double-click Network Connections.
    3. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection, and then left-
    click Properties.
    4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
    5. Highlight each item listed under Preferred Networks and click
    Remove.
    6. Click Add.
    7. In the Network name (SSID), type wireless.
     
    NOTE: The SSID is case sensitive and should be lowercase.
    8. Uncheck Data encryption (WEP enabled).
    9. Make sure This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network;
    wireless access points are not used is not checked.
    10. Make sure all other boxes are unchecked.
    11. Click OK.



    Install the Microsoft® Windows® XP Wireless Update Rollup Package.
     
    NOTE: Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 may be downloaded
    and installed as it contains the Wireless Update Rollup Package.
    For more information on downloading Microsoft Windows Service
    Pack 2, refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base Article: 322389 - "How
    to obtain the latest Windows XP Service Pack." To install the
    Windows XP Wireless Update Rollup Package, perform the steps
    below:
    1. Click Start and then click Run.
    The Run window appears.
    2. Browse to Microsoft Knowledge Base article, 826942 - "Wireless
    Update Rollup Package for Windows XP is Available" at http:
    //support.microsoft.com.
    3. Click Download the WindowsXP-KB826942-x86-enu.exe package
    now.
    4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
     


    Reset the BIOS defaults on the Dell? portable system.
    To restore setup defaults, perform the following steps:
    1. Restart your computer.
    2. At the first text on the screen, or the Dell logo, press the
    key every three seconds until the message Entering Setup
    appears.
    3. When the System Setup screen appears, press the +
    keys simultaneously to load the factory defaults.
    There will be no real visual indication that the defaults were
    loaded, so you may want to press the key sequence a few times
    to be sure.
    4. Press the key to save changes.
    5. Proceed with the installation or troubleshooting that you
    were attempting.
     

    Reseat the mini-PCI card.
     
    CAUTION:  Before you perform any of the following steps, read
    the Precautionary Measures warning (located on the Resources
    tab) for your personal safety and to prevent damage to the computer
    system from electrostatic discharge.
    To reseat the mini-PCI card, perform the following steps:
    1. Locate the smaller of the two removable panels on the bottom
    of the computer.
    2. Use a small Phillips (#1) screwdriver to remove the screw.
    3. Lift off the cover.
    4. Push outward on the two retaining clips.
    Once the clips release, the card will pop up at an angle.
    5. Disconnect the wiring harness and carefully pull the card
    out of its socket.
    6. Reseat the card, following the above steps in reverse order.
     
    NOTE: For additional information regarding how to reseat the
    mini-PCI card, refer to the Online User Guide.





    Disable or remove all firewall applications on the computer in
    Microsoft® Windows® XP.
    Firewalls can hinder a computer from accessing the Internet,
    network, or a network share. For troubleshooting purposes, disable
    any firewall software installed on the system. If disabling the
    firewall does not work, uninstall it. This includes the firewall
    built into Windows XP. Disabling or removing firewall software
    will vary depending on which firewall application is running.
    Refer to the vendor website to get steps for disabling or removing
    the software.
    To remove firewall software, perform the following steps:
    1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
    The Control Panel window appears.
    2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
    3. Click each of the following items that may be present and
    click Remove.
    o McAfee Personal Firewall
    o ZoneAlarm
    o Norton Internet Security
    o Norton System Works
    o Norton Personal Firewall
    o Tiny Personal Firewall
    o Black Ice Defender
    o E-Safe Desktop
    o Sygate Personal Firewall
    o Zero Knowledge Systems Freedom Internet Security Suite
    o NeoWatch
    o Kazaa
    o WinMX
    o Morpheus
    o BonzaiBuddy
    Disable the Windows XP Firewall
    To disable the Windows XP built in firewall, perform the following
    steps:
    1. Click the Start button, and choose the Control Panel.
    The Control Panel window appears.
    2. Double-click Network and Internet Connections.
    The Network and Internet Connections window appears.
    3. Click on Network Connections.
    The Network Connections window appears.
    4. Right-click the network connection you wish to disable the
    firewall on, and click Properties.
    5. Click the Advanced tab.
    6. Remove the check from the box labeled Protect my computer
    and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer
    from the Internet and click OK






    Remove the network bridge. (XP)
    To remove the network bridge in Windows XP, follow the instructions
    for How do I remove network adapters from and delete a Network
    Bridge in the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system?





    Change the channel on the access point.
    To change the channel, perform the following steps:
    1. Follow the instructions in the users guide and change the
    channel the access point is operating on to channel 1.
    2. Note the signal strength, throughput, and stability of the
    connection.
    3. Follow the instructions in the users guide and change the
    channel the access point is operating on to channel 6.
    4. Note the signal strength, throughput, and stability of the
    connection.
    5. Follow the instructions in the users guide and change the
    channel the access point is operating on to channel 11.
    6. Note the signal strength, throughput, and stability of the
    connection.





    Reset the wireless base station/router.
    Reset the factory defaults on the wireless router, access point,
    or base station. Refer to the Users Guide or device documentation
    for detailed instructions on how to reset the factory defaults.





    Update base station/router to the latest firmware (not Dell-branded).
    Refer to the manufacturers website for the latest firmware revision
    for the base station/router. Instructions for the proper upgrade
    procedure should be on the website or in the device documentation.
     
    NOTE: Upgrading firmware for a third-party base station/router
    is not supported by Dell. Refer to the manufacturers support
    site for assistance, if needed.





    Try a known-good network adapter.
    Test a known-good network adapter in this system. For example,
    if you have a second computer with a network card, remove the
    network card from the second computer and install it in the computer
    that is experiencing network issues.
     
    NOTE: For more information on installing and removing hardware
    in your computer, refer to the Online User Guide.




    Attempt to swap with a known-good portable hard drive.
    Power the system down and insert a known-good working hard drive
    into the system, if available.
     
    NOTE: If the user is running Microsoft® Windows® XP, make sure
    that they are running the OEM version of the operating system
    in order to prevent reactivation.
     
    NOTE: For more information on how to reseat the hard drive,
    refer to the Online Users Guide.


    Click here < http://support.euro.dell.com> to access

    Status updates on service calls
    All Drivers & Files for your system
    Answers to Technical Queries

    For further email communication please use the 'Contact us' link
    on this site



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    Corporation nor its affiliates assume any responsibility for
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    be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential
    damages resulting from any defect or omission in this document,
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