1450 Wireless Card "hardware not found"

Did you install the chipset drivers as the first drivers installed after reinstallation of Windows?  Without the chipset drivers, Windows will not be able to recognize or install drivers for many devices.

Steve

Where do I find the chip set drivers? Can I get them on line? I loaded everything on the Dell Resource disc already. I've been using this computer [Inspiron 8200] for a month now and everything is good but I'm going to have wireless access soon and want to get this wireless card up and running. GLM

All drivers for your system can be downloaded from:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/devices.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_8200&os=WW1&osl=EN#

Steve

I thought I had downloaded the latest drivers when I reloaded my OS. Just to make sure I downloaded again and sure enough the lateset chipset driver were already installed. So, the problem with the hardware not being recognized lies elsewhere. Any ideas??

GLM

Only problem devices are under "other" and it's the network device which has to be the wireless card. I pulled the wireless card and the problem went away. Put it back in and got the "?" in device manager and a 'new hardware found' message. But when I try to load the driver which I got from Dell's website for the 1450 it says "hardware not found" tried different drivers with the same result. It's a mystery. The device manager and "new hardware found" says it needs the software to clear the problem device and yet the software says it can't find the hardware. Why don't they see each other? GLM

Were the chipset drivers the first drivers installed after reinstallation of Windows?  If not, then all kinds of problems can result.  The solution is to sometimes uninstall devices and reinstall with the chipset drivers already installed.   Other times the solution is to reinstall Windows and make sure the chipset drivers are installed first.  Open Device Manager.  Are there any devices listed as problem devices? 

Steve

Has the wireless adapter ever worked on this computer?  Are you sure that the card is firmly seated in the Mini PCI slot and that all connectors are securely connected?  It's starting to sound like a faulty wireless card.

Steve

Yes, the wireless card worked well. I only had it about 9 months.I did have to modify the software to get it working at first though. I got the software mod from this forum. Yes, I tried installing the software both with and without the mod this time but keep getting the same "hardware not found". It's a mystery. The system knows it has a new network device because I get a "new hardware found" message and device manager lists it as a network device. BUT, when I try to install the software it says it doesn't find any hardware. There's something keeping the two from communicating.

It's a mystery.

GLM

You might want to try clearing NVRAM to see if that fixes the problem.  Instructions can be found at:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=07C8FAE90A14489A8AF40D4DD9017E32&journalid=7BB61C3DF2F211D98AE1BD11474B7A37&l=en&s=dhs#enus

Steve

Link didn't work so I did a quick clear NVRAM search and got the instructions for a Dimension which said in set up light up the caps lock, num lock and scroll lock. Then press the alt+E.

Well, in set up I can't light up anything with my 8200 and after it loads I can only light the caps lock and number lock but not the scroll lock. Never used the scroll lock so maybe I'm missing something.

GLM

Clearing NVRAM on a Dimension is not done in anywhere near the same way as on a laptop.  Dell's knowledge base is completely messed up when trying to post it as a link (sorry).  Here is a quote from the document I was trying to link:

1. Clear NVRAM on the Dell notebook.
Disconnect the AC adapter from the computer.

1. Remove the battery from the computer.
2. Open the computer to access the power button.
3. Press and hold down the power button for 1 minute.
4. After this has been completed, insert the battery and re-attach the AC adapter.
5. Power on the computer.

That was simple enough, thanks ! After restarting I tried to load the drivers and still got the no compatible hardware found. Now this system is seeing a new hardware which it identifies as an "unidentified network controller" why can't it put two and two together? GLM

out of curiosity and after we get the current issue resolved I'm going to find out how NVRAM is cleared with no power available from any source. But that's for later.........now I'll take it on faith.

It would be cheaper to replace the wireless card or, if your system is still under warranty, keep trying Dell Tech Support as they are the only ones that can authorize replacement of the card.  Sorry I can't be of more help.

Steve

I've spent two days, off and on,  going thru Dell's troubleshooting procedure and I'm still right where I started. I've contacted Dell support thru email and received a reply indicating that I must contact "wireless support". However, wireless support is busy every time I try to contact. In the mean time, anyone have any ideas? I'm about to the point of considering buying another laptop just so I can have wireless. GLM

No need to apologize. You've been more help than anyone thus far and thanks to you I can now say I now what the problem isn't. You helped eliminate some things that'll save a lot of time IF I ever get with tech support.

Many thanks,

GLM