Dell Inspiron N4110 Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) Cannot Detect WiFi

[YanAndrew]

Hi Guys,

I've recently performed a clean installation of my Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) OS on my old Dell Inspiron N4110 laptop and since then, it cannot detect the WiFi signal in my office. A few points to note:

1. It used to be able to detect the WiFi signal in this area of the office prior to the clean installation. (No changes have been made to the modem & router settings. Nor has their location changed.)
2. All other devices (iPhones & desktops) are able to detect the WiFi signal (Excellent) in the same area.
3. All device drivers have been updated and are current.
4. There are no updates pending on Windows Update.

I just do not know what the cause of the problem is. Does anyone have any idea / suggestion?

Appreciate your help.


Andrew

 

[fireberd]

Were all the Dell drivers installed, including the Wi-Fi?
Proper installation procedure is (1) Install Windows (2) install Dell Laptop Support Software (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install Device Drivers including Video, Sound, Wi-Fi, etc.

Here is the Dell drivers for your model, however the Network shows many different Wi-Fi drivers. Unless you know which one you have its best to access the drivers by the Service Tag number.

Support for Inspiron 14R N4110 | Drivers downloads | Dell US

 

[YanAndrew]

Hello FireBerd,

Yes, I've checked to ensure all device drivers are up-to-date & are in working order. One more thing I forgot to point out:

The modem & router are upstairs on level 1, and the laptop connects to the network wirelessly no problem when it's upstairs. However, when i boot up the laptop when downstairs on the ground floor, it fails to detect the wifi.

Then, I tried to uninstall the wireless adapter & reinstall the driver in device manager, it will detect the wifi network (the name of my wifi network appears in the list of networks available). Next, when I tried to connect to my network, it gives an error message that it cannot connect. Troubleshooting returns another error message saying

"Windows cannot connect to this network."

I am completely baffled as to what the issue Windows & is having with my laptop / wifi signal / network settings. I have searched online repeatedly and even tried doing the TCP/IP release & reset, etc. but I still end up in the same place; Windows cannot connect to this network when I'm on the ground floor.

Please note, though, the wifi signal on the ground floor is excellent, this is confirmed by my smartphones and other desktops and even this old Dell laptop after I reinstall the driver and the network appears. It just refuses to connect to the network & I just do not understand why.

Please help me.


Andrew

 

[torchwood]

Hi Andrew,

This is gonna sound silly

The error message cannot connect to this network
Implies that a stronger signal is being recieved, and its trying to connect to that
yours should show as an option in available networks, left click on signal bars

Is your network set to automically connect to "Andrewswifi" if not change it.


Roy

 

[YanAndrew]

Hi Torchwood,

It's not that at all. I've made sure of that.

It has suddenly occurred to me in the last few minutes that the problem could be due to the fact that after the OS installation, I may not have installed the drivers in the correct order. I just ran Windows Update & a drivers software to get them installed. I didn't pay attention to the order of installation, which could cause some of the devices to not work properly.

Looks like I will just have to redo the installation all over again & install the device drivers in the correct order now. (Dayum!!!!)

I'll come back and mark this thread once that's sorted out. Hopefully, I won't return with another issue(s).

Wish me luck, Guys!

Andrew

 

[fireberd]

See my original post on the correct install sequence. I used to work the Dell forums and the install sequence was a must for a successful install.

Also, there are several chipset drivers shown on the Dell downloads, make sure you install the Intel motherboard chipset drivers first and then the other chipset drivers. The Intel motherboard chipset drivers are another key to a successful install.

 

[YanAndrew]

Hi FireBerd,

Does it apply to all laptops or just Dell ones? I mean the order of installation of the drivers.

Andrew

 

[torchwood]

I posted that comment
BECAUSE

you said Upstairs WORKING downstairs NOT.

That implies the drivers have installed correctly,
did you do what i suggested.


Roy