It depends. I didn't check the specs on your machine. If the NIC is integrated to the MOBO, I don't think you can replace it. If it is a laptop, that is the case. If it is a desktop, you can install a card if there is room and an available connection inside. The last time I checked the card and the dongle were similar in price. If you want one today, the dongle is the way to go. I saw one at Staples a few days ago. The price was in the $20-25 range.
ITS LAPTOP; so just fyi; i am in process of installing newer driver found at intell website. we will see.
...after the 93 updates are installed from windows update..
and i can just get this external and plug it into the laptop? do i have to disable the intenal?
thanks
Last edited by tooch420; 24 Dec 2012 at 13:50.
There will be an installation disk with the dongle. Just install, get to work. If you encounter problems, you may check the internal NIC, but I don't think that will happen.
One of the more advanced members would have to supply other options short of using the dongle. I believe Saurabh A offered a dongle as a possible step also.
I am happy to have as wireless dongle in my assortment of extra computer stuff for troubleshooting purposes or using for temporary internet connections on other computers. It makes life easier for me since my router is not in the same room that I use for a study/workshop.
Hi tooch420,
The steps that I shared in my original post were to calibrate the adapter settings, if a Dell Wireless Card were installed. Since your system has an Intel 5100 card, the settings did not match. Please try the following troubleshooting steps:
A. Optimize the Intel adapter settings:
- Right-click 'My Computer' icon on the desktop or from the 'Start menu' > Click 'Manage' > Click 'Device Manager' > Click the <+ sign> to expand the Network Adapters entry > Right-click the wireless adapter (5100) and click 'Properties' > Click the 'Advanced tab' to configure the advanced settings
1. 802.11n Channel Width (2.4 GHz): Set high throughput channel width to maximize performance. Set the channel width to '20MHz' as the default setting
2. 802.11n Mode: Set the 802.11n mode of the WiFi adapter as Enabled
3. Mixed Mode Protection: If 802.11n mode is disabled, try 'enabling' the 'Mixed Mode Protection'; it helps to avoid data collisions in a mixed 802.11b and 802.11g environment
4. Power Management: Use the highest setting for maximum performance
5. Wireless Mode: (Select 802.11b and 802.11g); Connect the WiFi adapter to 802.11b and 802.11g networks only
Save adapter settings and recheck the results; if the issue persists, try to 'Disable 802.11n mode' and check results. If you still experience the same issue, re-enable the 'Wireless 802.11n mode' in the adapter and save the changes.
B. If you still experience issues, reset TCP/IP, proxy and DNS:
- Click the 'Start icon', click 'All programs', and click 'Accessories'
- Right-click 'Command Prompt', and click 'Run as administrator'; provide confirmation if prompted
- Please enter the following commands, and tap enter after typing each command
NETSH INT IP RESET
NETSH WINHTTP RESET PROXY
IPCONFIG /FLUSHDNS
C. If the issue persists, try different DNS server settings:
- Go the 'Control Panel' > Click 'Network and Internet' , then 'Network and Sharing Center' , then 'Manage network connections' > Right-click 'Wireless Network Connection', and click 'Properties' > Select the 'Networking tab'; click 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' > click 'Properties' > Click 'Advanced' and select the 'DNS tab'.
- If there are any IP addresses listed in the Preferred DNS server or Alternate DNS server , write them down for future reference > Replace those addresses with the IP addresses of the Google DNS servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 > Save settings and recheck results (Note: This work around has shown some positive results in some cases in similar situations)
D. If you still experience issues, you may want to temporarily disable the 'security' in the router to see if that works; else change the 'channel settings' in the router 'from Auto to either 6 or 11', and check results. Trying an external USB adapter may also be a good idea to isolate the root cause behind the issue. You may want to refer to the 'user manual' for your router for more support: http://tinyurl.com/cw55rd5
Hope this helps. Do reply if you have any further questions. I would be glad to assist.
I thank you for trying... but nothing has worked, most of what you suggest at the end i have done numerous times. Most of the setting for the wireless NIC were already set to what you said to do.Hi tooch420,
The steps that I shared in my original post were to calibrate the adapter settings, if a Dell Wireless Card were installed. Since your system has an Intel 5100 card, the settings did not match. Please try the following troubleshooting steps:
A. Optimize the Intel adapter settings:
- Right-click 'My Computer' icon on the desktop or from the 'Start menu' > Click 'Manage' > Click 'Device Manager' > Click the <+ sign> to expand the Network Adapters entry > Right-click the wireless adapter (5100) and click 'Properties' > Click the 'Advanced tab' to configure the advanced settings
1. 802.11n Channel Width (2.4 GHz): Set high throughput channel width to maximize performance. Set the channel width to '20MHz' as the default setting
2. 802.11n Mode: Set the 802.11n mode of the WiFi adapter as Enabled
3. Mixed Mode Protection: If 802.11n mode is disabled, try 'enabling' the 'Mixed Mode Protection'; it helps to avoid data collisions in a mixed 802.11b and 802.11g environment
4. Power Management: Use the highest setting for maximum performance
5. Wireless Mode: (Select 802.11b and 802.11g); Connect the WiFi adapter to 802.11b and 802.11g networks only
Save adapter settings and recheck the results; if the issue persists, try to 'Disable 802.11n mode' and check results. If you still experience the same issue, re-enable the 'Wireless 802.11n mode' in the adapter and save the changes.
B. If you still experience issues, reset TCP/IP, proxy and DNS:
- Click the 'Start icon', click 'All programs', and click 'Accessories'
- Right-click 'Command Prompt', and click 'Run as administrator'; provide confirmation if prompted
- Please enter the following commands, and tap enter after typing each command
NETSH INT IP RESET
NETSH WINHTTP RESET PROXY
IPCONFIG /FLUSHDNS
C. If the issue persists, try different DNS server settings:
- Go the 'Control Panel' > Click 'Network and Internet' , then 'Network and Sharing Center' , then 'Manage network connections' > Right-click 'Wireless Network Connection', and click 'Properties' > Select the 'Networking tab'; click 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' > click 'Properties' > Click 'Advanced' and select the 'DNS tab'.
- If there are any IP addresses listed in the Preferred DNS server or Alternate DNS server , write them down for future reference > Replace those addresses with the IP addresses of the Google DNS servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 > Save settings and recheck results (Note: This work around has shown some positive results in some cases in similar situations)
D. If you still experience issues, you may want to temporarily disable the 'security' in the router to see if that works; else change the 'channel settings' in the router 'from Auto to either 6 or 11', and check results. Trying an external USB adapter may also be a good idea to isolate the root cause behind the issue. You may want to refer to the 'user manual' for your router for more support: http://tinyurl.com/cw55rd5
Hope this helps. Do reply if you have any further questions. I would be glad to assist.
you know whats weird is that it asks for my passphrase after only few seconds, which means it is seeing the router rather quickly.. But I can enter my key or anything else and it always gives me same result..Unable to connect to ...
[/QUOTE]
you know whats weird is that it asks for my passphrase after only few seconds, which means it is seeing the router rather quickly.. But I can enter my key or anything else and it always gives me same result..Unable to connect to ...[/QUOTE]
Hi tooch420,
Thank you for the reply; such an issue can be frustrating.
Would like to know if you tried to disable the 'security' to see if that makes any difference. Please use the 'router configuration page' to temporarily disable the 'security'; this would help us eliminate the possibility of 'security key / setting' as the root cause of this issue. I have experienced similar issues in the past; and in some cases, removing/changing the 'key/passphrase' has worked. If 'disabling the security' works in your case, you may re-build the protection later on.
Another thing that you may try is to 'disable' the 802.11n mode of the WiFi adapter (NIC).
Hope this helps. Do reply with the results. Glad to assist.
no sorry, did that many times... you know i never had a problem with the router settings and everything was working for long time. The laptop has fresh install and should connect to the existing settings. the security was set to NONE and when i started having a problem i realized there was no security so i added it...
it might just be a bad wireless card but i never have heard of this on such new system
and i did try disabling the 802.11n mode
Hi tooch420,
Thank you for the reply.
If none of the troubleshooting steps have worked for you, I recommend you run a 'diagnostics test' on the 'Wireless Card'; please use the following link: Dell PC Diagnostics | Dell US
- Select 'Component' > Highlight 'Network Card' > Click 'Run Diagnostics'
Also check the 'warranty' of the system using the following link: Dell Contact Technical Support
(Warranty Status link is at the left side of the page)
If the system is in warranty, please share the following details only through a private message; so I may help you further:
- System Service Tag
- Account Holder's name (Person who purchased the system from Dell)
- Contact number and 'Best Time to reach' (with time zone)
Do reply if you have any further questions.
Quote
