Wireless connection icon missing

Hi sbc3510 and welcome to the Dell forums

I note you say you reinstalled windows. Open device manager and look at the status of your system hardware. Note any devices that have a ! or X next to them.

My guess is that since you did reinstall you may not have reloaded your system software and drivers in the proper sequence.  the proper sequence for reloading is:

1. Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling the operating system or updating all the computer’s drivers, it is imperative that this software be installed first. Currently, the DSS and NSS are not required for systems with Windows Vista installed. This is located under the System and Configuration Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

2. Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

3. Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Adapter Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

4. Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

5. Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

6. Modem - Allows dialup capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

7. Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

8. Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Mouse & Keyboards Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

9. Other Devices 

   • Bluetooth® Module
     This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
   • Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards
     This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
   • PCMCIA/Smartcard controller
     This is located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

You can download the latest drivers for the list above from the Dell Drivers and Downloads page.  It is recommended that you print this driver order list before starting the download process on the Dell Drivers and Downloads page.

THIS LINK will get you to the Drivers and Software for your system.

Note this is a generic listing you may not have all the devices that are listed. The two most important are the Desktop System software and the Chipset drivers.

Do this and report back.

Hi Davet50,

thanks for the prompt reply.

I have looked at the devices in System Manager and there is nothing marked ! or X.

I followed the step by step process for reloading in your reply and , now complete, there is no improvement.

Not sure if this makes a difference, but when I said that I had re-installed Windows I used the Dell Restore function (Ctrl+F11) to re-set the desktop. I have since downloaded all Windows updates, the only thing missing is the Wireless connection icon.

In the device manager what do you have for listings under the network adapter heading?

You should have at least two one for the eithernet and another if you have a wireless.

Also what flavor of wireless adapter do you have in your system.

There is only one listed connection, the one used now via ethernet.

I am not sure what you mean by flavor of adaptor used. I am using a Thomson Speedtouch 802.11 USB adaptor.

Yea thats what i ment the type of adapter you have. Since there is no listing for the usb adapter you might need to go through the installation procedure that you used the first time you hooked it up. It is not being recognized for some reason. You more than likely got some installation disk with it.

I would say try reinstalling the adapter. shut the system down and then unplug it and then reboot. Normally with USB adapters you install the software first then plug in the adapter.

ok, some progress!

I have managed to install drivers via the net for the speedtouch adaptor but still cannot make it work.

I have tried using another wireless adaptor (netgear) and it worked fine, so there may be a tech. problem with the speedtouch adaptor.

I may resort to replacing the speedtouch (I have spent enough time on this already!).

Davet50, many thanks for your time & effort in replying to my problem

regards DH