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New D620 - D-Link Wireless Network Problem

post #1 of 9
6/13/06 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Hi guys. I'm visiting from the Acer (Ferrari) forum.

Just bought a D620 from FSU computer store for my daughter to go to college. I am not a Dell lover particularly because the DEL key is in the wrong spot!! But it's not a problem for her and the D620 seems to be the preferred laptop at FSU. Dual 1.83, 1.5gb ram, 100gb, DVD burner, 256 video card, 4 year warranty, ADL, and McAfee subscription. Tough life, huh?

But I received today and for the life of me I cannot get it to connect to my wireless network in the house. A long running D-Link g network that runs with multiple other laptops that have come and gone w/o problem. Set up with a profile of default/default.

Upon powering up, the Dell immediately found the D-Link with a strong signal but it won't pull an IP address. I have rebooted the modem, router, and laptop. Remember, the wireless in D620 is managed by Intel software rather then by XP (which I am familiar with). In the tray there is an Intel software icon that shows the connection and runs you through a wizard. It shows the g network and a strong signal but no "connection" is shown. I ran an ipconfig in DOS and got nothing back.

Any ideas? It's driving me crazy and the computer store had no quick answer. They added memory before shipping it. I wonder if the card was disturbed but if that was the case would I get a "strong signal."

Chuck
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Ferrari 4005
Sony F Series
Dell D600 (soon to be returned to former employer)
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post #2 of 9
6/14/06 at 3:44pm
have you tried ipconfig /release and then ipconfig /renew in DOS? That forces the computer to renew it's IP lease with the DHCP server. Which wireless card does she have in the system? The Intel or the Dell wireless? download the driver from Dell and try reinstalling it (uninstall the existing driver first to make sure it goes in clean). If you have the Intel card get the driver FROM INTEL not Dell. Dell's driver for the Intel cards is a version or two behind what Intel has on their site.
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post #3 of 9
6/15/06 at 10:05pm
Thread Starter 
Evil -

Thanks for your reply, however, it was not the answer. Both commands came back with errors re: media not being installed. Actually, it was like a multiple choice question with two answers

1. First, Dell had me go into the Intel control panel, Advanced, Let Window control wireless (not verbatim). Immediately, the wireless connection was established.

2. During restarts I ran into other related problems. First, the windows wireless tray icon would show it was looking for the network but not finding it. However, if you click on the browser it was actually connected. The minute you open up Control Panel, Networks, the tray icon would correct itself to show the connection was made. This was duplicated on multiple occassions.

3. Then on restart the Windows tray icon would not show it was looking for the network; it would come up immediately with an "x". However, it was actually connected and as soon as I opened Networks under the Control Pannel the icon would correct itself.

4. I then downloaded the Intel driver, uninstalled and reinstalled it. Immediately on restart Intel connected, IP address and all. So now I am leaving it on Intel and not XP.

One thing I think is unusual is that on reboot XP still looks for the network with an "x" going through the icon but gives up control immediately when the Intel wireless software loads. Dell says that is normal. We looked and made sure that the option for Windows to take control was not checked. In fact the option is automatically gone in that Intel is in control.

So far, so good. But it's only been a few minutes.

Again, thanks for the response. I'm surprised that no one else took a shot at it.
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post #4 of 9
6/16/06 at 2:47am
Glad the latest Intel Software fixed the problem. Seems like the Intel cards are the most contrary. The Dell Wireless card in my D820 hasn't given me any fuss.
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post #5 of 9
7/10/06 at 10:50pm

D620 IP Address Acquisition

Hi,
I had the exact same problem and struggled with this for several days. I have the following configuration:

D620 WLAN Card - Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG
Router - Linksys WRT54G (G-only mode)
Security - WPA-PSK + TKIP
Network Key - 10 digit hex code (1-9 + A-F)

For me, the problem was that I was typing the key into the D620 wireless config window in LOWER CASE! Once I switched to ALL UPPER CASE (I had letters A-F in my network key), the D620 connected IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Try it if your network is encrypted and you can see your Access Point just fine, but can't acquire an IP address. This is very likely not router specific, and instead is a password restriction in the driver for the D620 WLAN card.

BpInNc
.
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post #6 of 9
7/14/06 at 4:39am
Hi I have a question for MrEvil (or anybody who knows about this)
Since you know a lot about laptops, I want to ask you (I'm sorry about changing the subject):
I have the option to get: 1) Dell 620 2)the T60 3)the Toshiba M100

I've ordered the M100 (fully loaded) but I can still return it, so the questions are:
1)Is Toshiba's quality very bad and I should return it?
2)Is it really worth it to spend more for the T60 or the 620 is fine? (I want good quality)
3)Is the D820 better than the D620 or the T60?

Thank you for shearing your knoledge with others!!
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post #7 of 9
7/14/06 at 12:54pm
The T60 is definetly a great choice if money is no object but over the years the latitude series has gotten better in quality over the years so the 620 may not be a bad choice if your tight on cash. I reccomend against toshiba if youw ant to knwo why feel free to ask and i'll compile a list by tommorow.
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post #8 of 9
7/14/06 at 4:04pm
Thanks Dell
Please tell me why you don't recomend toshiba.
Thank you verry much for your help
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post #9 of 9
7/15/06 at 5:49pm
There generally known to be overheating and fragile machines. Ive owned 2 personally and both died the exact same way which was overheating parts which lead to just dead notebooks. There support is terrible or practically nonexistant. In new york toshiba authorized local stores to do repair work and although its comforting to know where my notebook is the local stores take nearly 2 weeks to do a 1 day job.
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