In addition to what Roshan asked, Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER, if using XP, run an ipconfig /all log and post it back here.
Thanks so much for your responses and helping out!
Roshan, Yes, it identifies wireless networks. I do sometimes get an error "Windows was unable to connect to " with the options of 'troubleshoot problems' and 'Tell me more about Internet connection problems'. When I click on troubleshoot, the Windows Network Diagnostics resets the network adapter and then provides a number of suggestions to reset the device and check to see if the laptop can reconnect to the wireless. I did these and it is not able to connect to the network. The type of wireless card is DW 1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card.
Rick, Here is the results from running "Finding System Information". Is it possible that the network card has just become disconnected within the machine?
Host Name:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
OS Version: 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Multiprocessor Free
Registered Owner:
Registered Organization: Microsoft
Product ID:
Original Install Date: 2/27/2010, 4:53:01 PM
System Boot Time: 11/6/2012, 8:29:10 PM
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Studio 1557
System Type: x64-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 30 Stepping 5 GenuineIntel ~928 Mhz
BIOS Version: Dell Inc. A08, 8/23/2010
Windows Directory: C:\Windows
System Directory: C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume2
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Total Physical Memory: 8,181 MB
Available Physical Memory: 5,557 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 16,359 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 13,232 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 3,127 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: EMPIRE
Logon Server: \\ROSEBUD
Hotfix(s): 152 Hotfix(s) Installed.
Network Card(s): 6 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
Connection Name: Local Area Connection
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
IP address(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.103
[02]: fe80::bc68:d957:ad3e:6fab
[02]: DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card
Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection
Status: Media disconnected
[03]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 2
Status: Media disconnected
[04]: VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet1
Connection Name: VMware Network Adapter VMnet1
Status: Hardware not present
[05]: VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet8
Connection Name: VMware Network Adapter VMnet8
Status: Hardware not present
[06]: Cisco Systems VPN Adapter for 64-bit Windows
Try connecting to the wireless network in Safemode with networking (tap F8 on start up,Dell logo).
How is the signal strength for the wireless? If the wireless signal strength is good and if you've McAfee antivirus software installed on your system try uninstalling it and than check if system is able to connect to the wireless network.
Roshan, I tried to start the machine in Safemode with networking, but had no luck. Even searched online for an alternate way to start up in that mode, but did not find any. Wifi signal strength is 'Excellent', but I am unable to connect. I have AVG antivirus installed. I disabled it, but still no success. Should I try to uninstall that?
To force system to go to Advanced boot options (for safe mode) you can shut down the system using the power button and than restart the system.If you're using the free version(or if its paid version and you have a link or disk to reinstall) you can uninstall it try connecting to wireless network.
Roshan, I forced the system to shut down and then booted it up in safe mode, but was still unable to get the wireless to connect to my wireless network. Uninstalling AVG also did not work. Since other devices are connecting to my wireless network, I'm thinking I'm going to order a new network card for my laptop to see if that will help.
Go to Drivers & Downloads enter your your service tag, then select your operating system. the drivers will be under network. Download them and save them to your desktop.
Make a system restore point.
Start, control panel, device manager, network adapters, right click on DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card, left click uninstall. Tell it to remove the drivers and software.
Restart your computer.
When you log back in your unrestricted user account, the wireless adapter will try to load but fail. Install the drivers that you save dto the desktop.
DELL-Roshan L
4 Operator
•
4.4K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 01:00
Hi Steve,
Welcome to the Community,
Does your system detect wireless networks? Do you get any errors while trying to connect to wireless network?
May I know the type of wireless card installed on the system.To check access Device Manager and expand Network adapters.
Thank You
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 02:00
Steve,
In addition to what Roshan asked, Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER, if using XP, run an ipconfig /all log and post it back here.
Rick
swurster10
4 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 19:00
Thanks so much for your responses and helping out!
Roshan, Yes, it identifies wireless networks. I do sometimes get an error "Windows was unable to connect to " with the options of 'troubleshoot problems' and 'Tell me more about Internet connection problems'. When I click on troubleshoot, the Windows Network Diagnostics resets the network adapter and then provides a number of suggestions to reset the device and check to see if the laptop can reconnect to the wireless. I did these and it is not able to connect to the network. The type of wireless card is DW 1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card.
Rick, Here is the results from running "Finding System Information". Is it possible that the network card has just become disconnected within the machine?
Host Name:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
OS Version: 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type: Multiprocessor Free
Registered Owner:
Registered Organization: Microsoft
Product ID:
Original Install Date: 2/27/2010, 4:53:01 PM
System Boot Time: 11/6/2012, 8:29:10 PM
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Studio 1557
System Type: x64-based PC
Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.
[01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 30 Stepping 5 GenuineIntel ~928 Mhz
BIOS Version: Dell Inc. A08, 8/23/2010
Windows Directory: C:\Windows
System Directory: C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume2
System Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale: en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone: (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Total Physical Memory: 8,181 MB
Available Physical Memory: 5,557 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size: 16,359 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 13,232 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use: 3,127 MB
Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: EMPIRE
Logon Server: \\ROSEBUD
Hotfix(s): 152 Hotfix(s) Installed.
Network Card(s): 6 NIC(s) Installed.
[01]: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
Connection Name: Local Area Connection
DHCP Enabled: Yes
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
IP address(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.103
[02]: fe80::bc68:d957:ad3e:6fab
[02]: DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card
Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection
Status: Media disconnected
[03]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 2
Status: Media disconnected
[04]: VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet1
Connection Name: VMware Network Adapter VMnet1
Status: Hardware not present
[05]: VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet8
Connection Name: VMware Network Adapter VMnet8
Status: Hardware not present
[06]: Cisco Systems VPN Adapter for 64-bit Windows
Connection Name: Local Area Connection 2
Status: Hardware not present
DELL-Roshan L
4 Operator
•
4.4K Posts
0
November 7th, 2012 05:00
Hi Steve,
Try connecting to the wireless network in Safemode with networking (tap F8 on start up,Dell logo).
How is the signal strength for the wireless? If the wireless signal strength is good and if you've McAfee antivirus software installed on your system try uninstalling it and than check if system is able to connect to the wireless network.
swurster10
4 Posts
0
November 7th, 2012 20:00
Roshan, I tried to start the machine in Safemode with networking, but had no luck. Even searched online for an alternate way to start up in that mode, but did not find any. Wifi signal strength is 'Excellent', but I am unable to connect. I have AVG antivirus installed. I disabled it, but still no success. Should I try to uninstall that?
DELL-Roshan L
4 Operator
•
4.4K Posts
0
November 8th, 2012 01:00
Hi Steve,
To force system to go to Advanced boot options (for safe mode) you can shut down the system using the power button and than restart the system.If you're using the free version(or if its paid version and you have a link or disk to reinstall) you can uninstall it try connecting to wireless network.
Let me know how it goes.
swurster10
4 Posts
0
November 15th, 2012 05:00
Roshan, I forced the system to shut down and then booted it up in safe mode, but was still unable to get the wireless to connect to my wireless network. Uninstalling AVG also did not work. Since other devices are connecting to my wireless network, I'm thinking I'm going to order a new network card for my laptop to see if that will help.
DELL-Roshan L
4 Operator
•
4.4K Posts
0
November 15th, 2012 05:00
Hi Steve,
Before you decide on ordering a replacement wireless card try removing and reseating the wireless card.
For steps to remove and reseat the wireless card refer to "Removing the Mini-Card" in this link below :
support.dell.com/.../minicard.htm
Below is an image of WLAN (wireless card) on your system:
Let me know how it goes.
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
November 15th, 2012 08:00
swurster10,
The DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card is showing in the Finding System Information, it's just disconnected.
Places to look to see if your Connection is enabled
You can also try...
Go to Drivers & Downloads enter your your service tag, then select your operating system. the drivers will be under network. Download them and save them to your desktop.
Make a system restore point.
Start, control panel, device manager, network adapters, right click on DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card, left click uninstall. Tell it to remove the drivers and software.
Restart your computer.
When you log back in your unrestricted user account, the wireless adapter will try to load but fail. Install the drivers that you save dto the desktop.
The run an ipconfig /all log and post it back here.
If that doesn't work, then maybe Roshan has something else to try.
Rick