Inspiron 6000 Limited or No Connectivity when using WEP Encryption

Question

I have an Inspiron 6000, which has the Intel 2915ABG internal WiFi card. Like many others in this Forum, I'm having problems establishing a Wireless connection to both a Linksys (WRT54G) Router and a NetGear (CG814WG) one, when WEP (or WPA) encryption is enabled. It is able to connect to the network, but it is never able to Acquire the Network Address. After it gives up trying to acquire the address, then it says that there is 'Limited or no Connectivity'.

The WiFi card is able to detect the network. After it detects it, I use the Intel ProSet Client to configure the network, I enter the WEP key, and tell it to connect. It is able to connect to the network, but, it hangs on 'Acquiring Network Address'. After a while it gives up and says 'Limited or No Connectivity'. I have also tried using the Windows Client to configure the wireless connection, but to no avail.

When I turn off encryption on my router(s), then it connects fine, for some reason, it can't seem to handle DHCP very well when any encryption is being used.

I have noticed that this issue is well documented on the Dell Forums, but, I've never seen a solution posted.

I have also downloaded the latest Intel Proset 2915ABG driver from the Dell website, and installed it, but that didn't fix anything.

One thing to note, when I enter in the WEP key, I have entered it in Hex format, not the passphrase, since, the Router algorithm may not match this WiFi card's algorithm.

I called Dell technical support, and they told me that since I can establish a connection when there is no encryption, the hardware is working fine, so, it must be a software problem. Diagnosing that will involve me getting a subscription with the Dell HelpDesk, which isn't cheap.

Anyone out there have any ideas on whats going on here? I've seen various forms of this issue posted on the forums, but, no one seems to know how to fix this. Should I just buy an external WiFi adapter?

Thanks!

bacillus · Answer

If your router supports WPA encryption then I would try using that instead of WEP encryption.

enigma-2 · Answer

Try unchecking 'my key is automatically provided' and enter proper key index number (1,2,3 or 4). Number one is default but it could have been changed at the access point (router).

Venka10 · Answer

Thanks for the responses.

1) I can' t run WPA since I am in an environment where I can't control the router, it is shared with other people who are already setup to use WEP.

2) I manually entered all 4 keys! I've never used the automatically provided key checkbox. Anyways, entering the keys in manually didn't work.

enigma-2 · Answer

I agree, but we run WEP because were not certain everyone who connects has a Windows WP computer.   We do not broadcast the SSID however, so if they can't see us they won't even know were here.

enigma-2 · Answer

What I meant was, did you tell the system WHAT key number you are using? You enter the number of the key so that it is the same as the access point has registered.

(There are four keys created by the access point/router. You pick one by telling the router that you are going to use a specific key (#1, or #2 or #3 or #4) and that's the key that's active. Then you enter the key number in your system and also tell your system which key number it represents (#1, #2, #3 or #4). (Default is usually key #1. I use Key number 2 in the office here.)

(There's usually a small checkbox or drop-down box used to enter the nember of the active key.)

All wireless computers my have the proper key ID and the number of the key entered to make a connection.

Also make certain you have entered the correct channel. Default is #6 for most access points, but it's best to change it. The channel number on your laptop must match the channel number being broadcast by the router.

bweintraub · Answer

Why would they charge me $59 to fix the problem if I just bought it yesterday? The opposite would be me sending it back to them for full return. Kind of silly in this day and age to have to use a external card. Is there something I do not understand about Dell support? I have heard only negative things about it.

Venka10 · Answer

To 'solve' this problem, there are a couple of options, you can pay the Dell HelpDesk 59$ for a Single-Incident solution, or, spend the 59$ on a new WiFi adapter. I bought a NetGear USB2 WiFiG Adapter and it works fine so far. So to anyone thinking of buying an Inspiron 6000, don't get the built-in WiFi option!

Venka10 · Answer

Well, if you can prove its a hardware problem, then they will fix it.

WIth my issue, they said that it was a softare config. issue, since, I was able to connect if WEP was turned off. For Software issues, then you have to pay the Dell HelpDesk.

I was hoping that someone on the Forum would have figured it out by now, but, doesn't seem like thats the case.

bweintraub · Answer

I am having the same problem. Please help. Did everything the same as the user above.

enigma-2 · Answer

I am having the same problem. Please help. Did everything the same as the user above.   OK. Let's go over everything.   Log into your access point/router (usually http://192.168.1.1 or whatever it is for you).   Record the following information:   - Channel Number (6 is default, best to change as others around you may have left theirs on the default channel 6). - SSID: you entered this, could be anything - SSID Broadcast: Choices are usually 'broadcast' or 'disable'. If you allow it to broadcast, anyone can see your installation and try to wiggle into your network. Best is to set to 'disable' and manually enter the SSID into each computer that intends to log on wirelessly (laptops mainly). - Security: set to enable.   Now click on 'configure security' tab. Record the following (assume security mode is WEP): - all four key numbers. - Default transmit key (1,2,3 or 4)   Now armed with this info, open the connection in your notebook (assuming WinXP home/Pro): Start>Control Panel>Network Connections Right click on 'Wireless Network Connection', select 'properties', click on Internet Protocol, select 'properties', verify 'obtain an IP address automatically' and 'obtain DNS server address automatically' are both selected.   Click Ok if changes made or cancel if not.   Next click the 'wireless networks' tab (still under 'Wireless Network Connection')   There you will see all available wireless networks your laptop is receiving. If you disabled the SSID broadcast as recommended, you may not see your own network listed. (Either way doesn't matter, we are going to set it up manually.)   - Click 'Add..' - Manually enter the SSID recorded earlier. - Network Authentication: 'Open' - Data encryption: 'WEP'. - UNCHECK 'The key is provided for me automatically' - Manually enter the Key Value AND which Key number it represents (recorded from the router)   Click on 'Connection' tab and verify that 'Connect when this network is in range' is checked.   Check 'Ok' and you should be in business.   If you ever find that you are able to make the connection but unable to get to the internet, try right clicking the network icon in the tray and select 'repair connection'. if you still can't get out to the internet check your TCP/IP settings.

dru_jones · Answer

I have the same problem. My Inspiron 6000, WinXP SP2,was working perfectly for a couple of weeks, it was connected to a router using WEP encryption. Was able to go online without any problems.

Then one day, it suddenly gave me the dreaded 'limited or no connectivity' error message. So I tried assigning a static IP address which kind of worked because I was able to get an excellent connection from the router. I was also able to ping the router and the other computers connected to the router. But, I still am not able to go online. My Internet Gateway on the Network Connections page is always disabled no matter how many times I try to enable it.

Any ideas guys? I'm at the end of my wits over here? It is an OS problem? Did an update go wrong? Will buying an external card completely resolve this issue?

Thanks and more power to all of you!

enigma-2 · Answer

Sounds like your not connecting to the Internet through your DSL or modem.   1. Check all your cable connections, make certain elerything is plugged in tight. 2. Make certain your modem (and router) is powered up (lights on). 3. See if your getting a connection out to the Internet using a computer >directly< connected to the router (via cable). If not, try recycling all the equipment (everything off, turn on the modem, then router, then all cable-connected computers.). 4. If still nothing, try disconnecting the router and see if you can get a single, wired connection to work. 5. Throw everything in trash and buy new.

SuperRJMan · Answer

I know this thread is nearly a year old now, but I was having the same problems and found it whilst searching for solutions, so I figure maybe someday someone else will come looking.

I have the netgear CG814WG router and it was giving a limited or no connectivity error. I turned off the WEP encryption and it worked fine. I turned it back on set to 64 bit encryption, and it still worked, and then cycled back up to 128. Everything's working fine now. Go figure.

Venka10 · Answer

I found your 'solution' as well, but, in my case it wasn't one, basically, when you turn off the encryption and connect, it works fine because it is able to assign an IP address to your internal WiFi card, then, once you have the address, turning on encryption works since you already have an IP address.   the problem will be when the WiFi card tries to renew the address, then it won't be able to download the IP address from the router since you have encryption on.  this means that everytime your IP address expires, you'll have to a) turn off encryption and connect with your wifi card, b) then turn on encryption   that is something you can do at home, but, lets say you are at a CyberCafe or somewhere else where you dont' have access to the router... you still wont' be able to connect..

SuperRJMan · Answer

It's still no help at a cyber cafe, but I don't stay connected between changing the encryption scheme. I disconnect, change to unencrypted, connect to see that it works, disconnect again, change back to wep128, connect again, and it works. I can also disconnect, unencrypt, re-encrypt, and then re-connect.

Last night I began having a new and strange problem wherein I could connect to the router, and had strong signal, but couldn't get any webpages served over the wireless. I did the whole re-connect scheme above and it would work for a while and then stop. In the end I left it on WEP 64 instead of 128, and it seems to be working well now. I don't know what to think - maybe it's just time to get a new router.

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Inspiron 6000 Limited or No Connectivity when using WEP Encryption

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