Solved WiFi - No Connections

[stormygale]

Hi...

A brief description what I was doing to get into this situation.

I've a Dell Studio 1555 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, it's installed with a Dell Wireless mini card 1397 which I've been trying to change to an Intel 533AN_HMW ( type N ) which I was unable to get it to work.
Swopping between the 2 cards wasn't a problem until I removed all the wireless applications, Dell & Broadcom, whilst trying to get the new card working, thinking it shouldn't be a problem because I had all the original drivers.
Now after changing back to the original Dell card I now cannot get that to work, win7 has identified the card & installed 'Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN mini-card' driver, but there are no wireless connections visible.

• I can connect via wifi to my router with my smartphone so I know that is working.
• I'm not sure if the WLAN is switched on, normally done using the 'F2' function key.
• I've tried downloading new drivers from Dell with no change in the state.
• Tried a system restore but this fails suggesting problems with the AV - turning this off doesn't have any effect.
• IPCONFIG /all doesn't show the adaptor.

Any further help greatly appreciated. Thanks Mick

 

[andrewcarroll]

You need to go to dell website and download driver for your adapter and possibly broadcom.
The dell site lets you enter your system details to search for drivers.

Download drivers from other computer if you can and transfer to the dell.

Hope this works,

 

[stormygale]

Thanks for the suggestion but I've already tried several different drivers Broadcom & Dell none seem the change the symptoms...

The only other thing I can think of trying is reload Win7 but wanted to explore all other options first.

 

[Roderunner]

This PDF may look at first to be unrelated to your problem but it might help. View attachment Network Unblock.pdf

 

[chev65]

Hi...

A brief description what I was doing to get into this situation.

I've a Dell Studio 1555 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, it's installed with a Dell Wireless mini card 1397 which I've been trying to change to an Intel 533AN_HMW ( type N ) which I was unable to get it to work.
Swopping between the 2 cards wasn't a problem until I removed all the wireless applications, Dell & Broadcom, whilst trying to get the new card working, thinking it shouldn't be a problem because I had all the original drivers.
Now after changing back to the original Dell card I now cannot get that to work, win7 has identified the card & installed 'Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN mini-card' driver, but there are no wireless connections visible.

• I can connect via wifi to my router with my smartphone so I know that is working.
• I'm not sure if the WLAN is switched on, normally done using the 'F2' function key.
• I've tried downloading new drivers from Dell with no change in the state.
• Tried a system restore but this fails suggesting problems with the AV - turning this off doesn't have any effect.
• IPCONFIG /all doesn't show the adaptor.

Any further help greatly appreciated. Thanks Mick

This Dell article seems to relate to your problem. It might be worth while to try the suggestions there.

studio 1555 wifi driver problem - Networking, Internet, Wireless Forum - Networking, Internet, Wireless - Dell Community

 

[stormygale]

Thanks Chev & Roderunner

I'll take a look at your suggestions tomorrow & let you know the outcome.. I'm not at home at present.

 

[stormygale]

Hi...

None of the above guides have helped I'm still unable to enable the wireless connection even though device manager is showing the adapter as enabled... I've attached screen shot to show what i mean.

 

[stormygale]

Further update - I've just installed a Belkin usb wifi adapter - this has installed OK & the wireless connection shows as 'enabled'.
The indicator on the adapter is flashing so seems to be working but there are no wireless connections available.

Just for clarification I can connected to my router via the smart-phone & can see my neighbors routers.

Is there something in windows stopping the connections ?

 

[Roderunner]

Check your 'Advanced adapter settings' as in my pdf. View attachment File sharing.pdf

 

[stormygale]

Thanks for the further input, I've already tried the settings but made no difference. Looks as though 's a re-install of win7.

 

[Roderunner]

What firewall do you use?

 

[stormygale]

I use Zone Alarm Extreme Security, tried turning it off & re-booting did'nt make any difference.

 

[Roderunner]

My Packard Bell Laptop has a wireless switch, does yours & is it ON?

 

[stormygale]

Yes, on my Dell it's < fn +F2 > I've tried turning it on but doesn't seem to have any effect. My initial diags was it's not working but don't know how to prove.

Strange thing I get the same result when I installed a Belkin USB adapter - no wireless conns. So it doesn't look like a driver or hardware problem with my original Dell card.

 

[Roderunner]

fn + F2 does nothing on mine. Are you sure their is not a dedicated switch ?

 

[stormygale]

I think fn+F2 is a Dell action, there isn't any other external switches. I'll check my user guide to see if there is any other way to activate the WLAN... Post the outcome.

 

[stormygale]

No further WLAN switches found on my Dell.

In my device manager before removing my original driver the was an entry for 'Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter' which isn't there now could this be why there is not connections found ?

How can I re-install this driver.

 

[Roderunner]

When you open 'Network and sharing center' does it look like this?

 

[stormygale]

This is my network & sharing centre front screen when connected via ethernet.

 

[Roderunner]

Ignore the first part re double networks and try the rest of it. View attachment Network Connections.pdf