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Problems with new Laptop Wireless Connection

post #1 of 13
8/19/05 at 2:03am
Thread Starter 
First off, I have zero wireless network experience so my questions may seem lame.

I recently purchased a Dell laptop and finally got it in my hands yesterday. As I want to surf the Net wirelessly with it, I purchased a Linksys WRT54G router. I installed the router and thought I was good to go. However, the laptop wouldn't connect to the Internet automatically.

I called Linksys support, and they walked me through setting up the Secure network. Everythink setup fine (I thought) and I d/l some Windows updates and surfed wirelessly for awhile. Today, however, when I booted up the laptop, it wouldn't connect to the Internet again. Damn.

So, I call Linksys again and they trouble shoot the problem with me. While on the line with them, we establish a wireless connection, but we quickly lose it. After some more checking, they determine that the network card may be the problem and advised me to go to a location with a WI-FI connection and test the card. Before doing that, I thought I would ask you guys for help (as I don't even know where to go for a "hot spot" - besides Starbucks, which I don't frequent).

Having said all that, would you recommend something else at this point? Does it sound like the Intel Pro/Wireless 2915 (802.11 a/b/g 54mbs) is hosed or does it sound like a Router problem? (By the way, the Router is working fine with my desktop, which is hard-wired to the Internet through the Router.) Any advice would be appreciated.

The laptop is a new Dell Inspiron 6000, so I'm half tempted to call Dell to tell them to swap out the network card. Also, I know the laptop wasn't dropped or jarred after connecting successfully last night, so that is not an issue.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 13
8/19/05 at 6:57pm
its the router.

just because the router (to the desktop) wired is working, doesnt mean the wireless should work.

two different interfaces. i had a similar problem with a linksys. sent it back, got a new one. problem go bye bye.


ps i have a 6000.
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post #3 of 13
9/1/05 at 9:06am
I have the same problem but I am going to call support too this afternoon. I cant get them to connect....let me know wsr what you did and did it fix the problem....thanks
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post #4 of 13
9/2/05 at 1:29am
Yeah a Lot of people just point the blame to the wireless card. I have very eradic connections with my Dlink router wirelessly which i can accept considering my environment and the fact that the router is nearly 2 years old. Best to try out Linksys's theory and test the card at some other wireless location and if theres no luck there or your getting similar problems then you can call up linksys and tell them you get no issues with other locations which will then have them tell you that your router might be defective which will them have a process of you sending it in.
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post #5 of 13
9/2/05 at 8:45am
update drivers for wireless card and enter encription key,then mine worked
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post #6 of 13
9/2/05 at 5:23pm
Let Windows handle the wireless connection and uninstall the proset software. This fixed my connection problems.

Also, disable the XP firewall if you haven't already done so. You don't need it with a router.
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post #7 of 13
9/2/05 at 10:55pm
i find Microsoft wireless software to be utter crap....
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post #8 of 13
9/4/05 at 3:56am
Quote:
WSR: Everythink setup fine (I thought) and I d/l some Windows updates and surfed wirelessly for awhile. Today, however, when I booted up the laptop, it wouldn't connect to the Internet again. Damn.

Odious: Let Windows handle the wireless connection and uninstall the proset software. This fixed my connection problems.
Also, disable the XP firewall if you haven't already done so. You don't need it with a router.
I concur, I had a the same problem connecting to my belkin54g and the next mornin I could'nt connect so I did just what Odious said and presto not a problem since. by the way the BElkin router is rock solid and got it for only $39 at Circuit City I can even pick it up on the 3rd floor of my apartment w/4bars and my Apt is on the 1st floor
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post #9 of 13
9/8/05 at 12:57am

WPA or WEP?

I have the Intel 2915 card too, and I also have a D-Link router. I have been wrestling with disconnects and problems left and right. I updated my firmware for BOTH the card AND the router to their latest, tweaked a million things, and it STILL didn't work. I decided to do ONE MORE THING, and so far, so good. Although I really hate to do it, I stopped using WPA2, and tried just WPA, which also didn't work right, so I downgraded once again to WEP. Sadly, it works now. It looks like I have to settle with WEP instead of the MUCH more secure WPA/WPA2. I hate this Intel card... -JB
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post #10 of 13
9/8/05 at 12:33pm
Since you have the WRT54G router you may want to look at firmware updates for that one from linksys and/or upload a 3rd party open-source firmware (will have to find a link to what I used). Updated my father's with an open-source firmware and it was much more stable and gave a few extra features in the menus.
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post #11 of 13
9/9/05 at 11:19pm
I bought a Dell router that did the same. No wireless connection , just hardwire connection. Sent it back for another one and the problem went away.
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post #12 of 13
9/10/05 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pyros
I bought a Dell router that did the same. No wireless connection , just hardwire connection. Sent it back for another one and the problem went away.
Typical of Dell.... throw hardware at the problem.
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post #13 of 13
9/29/05 at 2:17am
well I have to say I was lucky for my xps gen2 I got a Netgear rangemax 824 to work with my comcast internet service , had to call tech but found out later that i had to set an option in router to spoof the computer ip address ,then everything worked great !

mikron
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