Dell Inspiron 6400 Intel Pro 3945 Connection Problems

Question

Ive been looking around the web for a fix but nothing is working. Sites that have the same problem: http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t57635-wireless-problem-dell-notebook.html http://www.network-builders.com/t61513-intel-pro-wireless-3945-abg-no-probs-connecting-but-dead-line.html I have installed Windows XP MCE twice now as I throught it was the bulkware doing something. Done a clean installation, installed the latest drivers from the website. Disabled Bluetooth, and I still cannot connect to my router.... Yeah, I bet your thinking noob... well my other home network has over 4 pcs connected and another Dell laptop working wirelessly. I have used the exact same settings for the wireless for my Dell Inspiron 4000 and thats been working for months. I can see the available wifi networks, but when I click to connect to mine it asks for a password (WEP) I give it what I set it as and it comes up with 'Cannot connect to '. Have checked the router, and its fine. Have changed the router to have no protection and it still cannot connect. Ethernet works a treat however I need wireless. Anyone know anything how to fix this? Been trying for over 5 hours now and getting tired.

volcano11 · Answer

Are you absolutely sure that you are entering the correct WEP key. Note that if your router and network card are not from the same manufacturer, you cannot use the passphrase. You must use the hex key.

Steve

john_doe1925 · Answer

What you can do is update the driver of the wireless card if this still wont work,have it replaced with a different card model. I think there  is a known issue with the 3945 card

spooksie · Answer

Tried all of them, even tried no security and it doesnt work. Just uninstalling it for the 4th time and restarting.

If its not going to work, Ill have to send it back and get my money back. Now interested in another non-dell product. Why 'o' why would you send dodgy wifi cards out to clients.

spooksie · Answer

No firewall, I checked that 1st. Just gone to the official Intel site and downloaded the driver. Its a whopping 130mb. Ill let you know how I get on.

jec4312 · Answer

hi, you didn't mention firewall - do you have one, if so have you checked that it is configured to let this computer through?

Imagertek · Answer

Had similar problem with Inspiron 9400 and Intel Pro using AOL. Managed to resolve in a few steps:

Upgraded firmware of router
Set router to WPA security (WEP would not work?)
Right clicked on Intel Pro tray icon and chose to let Windows manage
Entered connection details - SSID (network name), set to WPA and entered password

This worked OK. Recently updated the Intel Pro driver and lost connectivity - could not locate a wireless network, switched to allow Windows to manage and it immediately connected. Haven't since bothered to setup Intel Pro, too lazy I guess.

Hope this helps or provides other ideas.

spooksie · Answer

I got mixed up regarding the security, as always I use WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) not WEP.

spooksie · Answer

Just checked, am running the latest firmware on my router.

spooksie · Answer

Fixed it! Dunno how either: The update wored from intel Totally removing Dells drivers (which is a pain) Rebooting alot Thanks for your help, now I can get this baby working.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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