Inconsistent wireless connection - Inspiron E1505 with 1390 mini

Question

I have an Inspiron E1505 with 1390 mini, Linksys WRT54G V4 and Westell A90-210030-04 DSL Modem.   We have had this computer for several months and my wife has said she has always had problems with it - just never made a big deal about it since she was not on it a lot.  Now, she needs to use it more and it's performance is unacceptable.   I have been troublshooting my wireless problems for a while but finally spent most of the last 2 days working on it and still can't get this connection to work consistently.  It looks fine for a while at 54mbps and then drops to as low as 1mbps for long periods of time.  All the while my Thinkpad from work stays connected with no problems.  I have updated drivers including the Linksys wireless router, Westell DSL modem and new wireless card driver from Dell.  I totally reset the modem and router and changed to WEP security from WPA in hopes that this would help - but it did not.      I see now that this wireless card has more than its share of reported problems.  I would like to know if there is anything else I can do.  I am prepared to replace the wireless card if that is the only solution...where can I get info on compatability and how to do this if it is my last resort?   Any help appreciated!   EJ Message Edited by ejwebb on 11-19-200607:27 PM

volcano11 · Answer

When you say you updated the drivers for the Linksys router, exactly what do you mean?   Did you upgrade the firmware on the router.  Nearly all cases of incompatibility with this card can be solved with the latest firmware on the router.  Of course if the router is so old that there is not a recent firmware upgrade available, then you may have trouble.   As a troubleshooting step, have you temporarily disabled all encryption to see if that is where the problem is?    Steve

ejwebb · Answer

Yes, I meant to say I upgraded the firmware on the router.  I have not tried disabling encryption.  Let me try that and let you know...thanks for the suggestion.   EJ

ejwebb · Answer

Well, that was fast.  I disabled the encrption and logged onto the now unsecured network and the signal prompltly changed from 24mbps t0 18 to 11 - back up to 54 to 24 and 18 over the course of a few minutes.  All the wile never loading the first web page I tried to go to.  In this time, I woke my Thinkpad from sleep, reset the wireless connection and loaded the webpage in a few seconds on a consisten 54mbps connection right next to the Dell.  I just don't know where to go from here...   EJ

ejwebb · Answer

Anyone else have thoughts on this?  If I need to get a new wireless card, any suggestions on which one and how to do it?  Would I have to replace the existing card or use the PCcard slot?    Thanks.   EJ

johnlyonsjr · Answer

I am having the same issues. I am using a e1505 and a 1390 dell wireless card.   I am abl to connect through the wired network card no problem. I have updated the drivers from dell. Nada.   I have spent several hours on the phone with them and gotten nowhere. Please let me know if there are any brilliant ideas ot there.   I have already taken the steps suggested.   Thanks.   JL

ejwebb · Answer

Well, my next step was going to be calling Dell.  I am just afraid the results will be exactly what you have experienced.  Can anyone help me understand how to just change out the card myself?  If it is internal can I even do it - or add a pc card?

helpyourself · Answer

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6400/en/sm/index.htm

ejwebb · Answer

Thanks!!  I'll check it out...

ejwebb · Answer

I just wanted to update this thread with my positive experience with Dell Support.  I tried the chat option and got the generic responses that basically covered all the things I already tried.  However, the chat rep suggested I call Dell and talk to a wireless expert which I did, expecting a similar result.   To my surprise based on all of the negative press on customer support, the Dell wireless phone rep was very knowledgeable and helpful.  She took control of my laptop through a wired connection and proceeded to change the channel on my router and  some other setting adjustments.  She said to try it out and she would call back in a few hours and see how it was working - which she did!    I used the machine for several hours afterwards and my wife was on it for several hours last night and neither of us experienced a single dropped connection or degradation in the quality if the connection.  I am not sure what the problem was but it does now seem to be fixed.  If only they could make this whole wireless setup process less complicated and eliminate some of the incomprehensible (to the non-computer expert) decisions that must be made.   Thanks, Dell, for a job well done...

johnlyonsjr · Answer

Oddly enough, I came the the same conclusion, that is changing the channel. I think there may have been some interference between a phone system and the computer. I am glad you got it fixed, at least for the moment as well.

alwang · Answer

I have spent countless hours with this issue. After a total of 45 minutes and 97 minutes on the phone with tech support, the issue is still unresolved and I have lost faith in Dell's customer service.

Here's the bottom line:
The Dell 1390 Wireless Card (made by Broadcom) is probably defective (broken). It is only compatible with certain wireless routers (unfortunately in my case, only about 1/3 of the routers I use are compatible with this card despite all the driver updates). If you are lucky enough to have it work with your router and you never leave home, it will work fine. Some routers may need patches to force it to work with this card, but many routers aren't able to connect.

If you need to use your 1390 card with many different routers (hotspots), YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CARD. Dell tech support knows of this issue and according to their protocol, they will suggest you use the Intel Pro 3945 if spend enough time with them troubleshooting your problem. The problem is, they will force you to pay for the Intel Pro 3945 because they won't admit design flaw with this card that causes the limited connectivity.

volcano11 · Answer

Strange,  I have the 1390 card and have had no trouble ever.  I have traveled all over the U.S. and have never had the problem you are having.  The only known issue is with Verizon supplied Westell 327 routers, and a firmware upgrade to that router makes it work.   Sorry you are having problems, but if it works for me, it should work for you.  You might want to try removing the drivers using Add/Remove Programs and then reinsalling the latest drivers.  You might also want to see if you have messed up the configuration in the Advanced options of Device Manager.   Steve

alwang · Answer

Hi Steve,

The problem is, even if it is only that particular Westell model from Verizon that requires a firmware update, I can't force all of these private companies with hotspots (coffee shops, hotels, etc.) to update their routers. Unfortunately, Verizon is very big on the West Coast, so I have this problem.

Another thing, you may want to compare side by side with another laptop user who has an Intel Pro wifi card. You will notice that the Intel Pro consistently shows more broadcasting routers, connects to them faster, has a longer range, and is able to keep the connection more reliably.

When this card works with a COMPATIBLE wifi router, it works fine. It's just that many routers I try to use aren't compatible. Maybe I just happen to live in Verizon's Westell 327 test market.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Inconsistent wireless connection - Inspiron E1505 with 1390 mini

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