Wireless Limited Connectivity Issues

[proaffliktion]

Before I begin, I'd like to note that I'm not incredibly experienced when it comes to computers, and the information I give you may not be thorough enough. If that is the case, please ask for any extra necessary information and how to get it, if you'd so please. Thanks.

I bought a Dell Inspiron 1545 December 19th of last year, with Windows 7 Home Premium. I didn't get an opportunity to use the internet on it until after Christmas, I connected wirelessly to a linksys router with no problems. After using it for a few hours, I was disconnected and the router would not appear on my search. I then hardwired my computer with an ethernet cable to get it to work, with no problems. I then stayed a week at a resort, in which I could select connections but I'd only get limited connectivity on every one. Once again, I was able to hardwire it.

I'm back at school and I'm still unable to get a connection without limited connectivity. I've tried several different places to try to connect, all giving me limited connectivity.

I'm not sure how I successfully used wireless for a few hours then for it to stop working altogether, but I'm in desperate need for it to be fixed.

Thanks for your time everyone and as I said, if you need more info, please ask.

 

[ickymay]

Before I begin, I'd like to note that I'm not incredibly experienced when it comes to computers, and the information I give you may not be thorough enough. If that is the case, please ask for any extra necessary information and how to get it, if you'd so please. Thanks.

I bought a Dell Inspiron 1545 December 19th of last year, with Windows 7 Home Premium. I didn't get an opportunity to use the internet on it until after Christmas, I connected wirelessly to a linksys router with no problems. After using it for a few hours, I was disconnected and the router would not appear on my search. I then hardwired my computer with an ethernet cable to get it to work, with no problems. I then stayed a week at a resort, in which I could select connections but I'd only get limited connectivity on every one. Once again, I was able to hardwire it.

I'm back at school and I'm still unable to get a connection without limited connectivity. I've tried several different places to try to connect, all giving me limited connectivity.

I'm not sure how I successfully used wireless for a few hours then for it to stop working altogether, but I'm in desperate need for it to be fixed.

Thanks for your time everyone and as I said, if you need more info, please ask.

I think it's significant that you have tried connecting wirelessly with many different access points and had the same error with all

what model and make is your network adapter and have you tried getting the latest drivers for it ?

goto my computer > right click\properties and in that window click device manager, your adapter will be listed under network adapters

you can find all the drivers here on the dell site, make sure you pick 32 or 64 bit to match your system

 

[proaffliktion]

Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card

I've searched and my driver is up to date. Hmmh...

 

[ickymay]

Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card

I've searched and my driver is up to date. Hmmh...

ok can you connect with your wireless then go to a cmd prompt and run as administrator then type in ipconfig /all (observe the space) then post a screenshot here

 

[computersplus]

you may want to uncheck IPv6 in the adapter properties and reboot and see if that helps

 

[computersplus]

what are you using for security software

 

[proaffliktion]

Sorry for the delay guys. I've had a hell of a past few days. Anyways.

Here's your screenshot ickymay:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb212/porkystoogood/cmd2-1.png

And computersplus:
I unchecked IPv6, rebooted, reconnect, no dice.

 

[brady]

disable IPV6 on your LAN connection. Disable your wireless adapter in Device Manager and turn off your "radio".

 

[chev65]

From what I read about this problem with the Dell 1545 is that it only wants to connect using WPA2 security, so if your router doesn't have that level of security it might not connect properly. Hopefully your router will support WPA2 security. There were many similar complaints all over the internet

One person fixed it after talking with Dell support in reference to the Dell inspiron 1545. I just talked to dell support, I changed my security to WPA2, now it's working, seems there are little problems still with the drivers and win7.

Others with your same model laptop said the same thing...
SET-UP:
The only issue I had with setting up this laptop was with my home network not being accepted because Windows 7 didn't like the security settings I had in place. I could get the 1545 to recognize my network, but it wouldn't connect until I changed the settings. I had my wireless settings on WEP and Windows 7 wanted WPA. Once I changed the settings, the laptop connected.


If you can't see the network at all try doing what this guy did.

I had a similar problem with a brand new Inspiron 1525; it just refused to recognise any wireless networks. The solution was to remove (Uninstall) the Dell WLAN Management software this removes the device as well. Then Reinstall the wireless card with the Drivers ONLY. (It seems the DELL software doesn't work properly with the DELL branded network card in a DELL Laptop; go figure)
When you download the driver it will unzip and try to install automatically; but this will only reinstall the offending software again, so you must cancel the installation after you unzip the file.
When I searched for new hardware again it found the device as a Broadcom wireless card but could not install the drivers. This allows you to click Update Drivers and point to the 'drivers' folder in the location that the files were unzipped to. Once the device driver alone is installed the wireless card works immediately and finds any available networks.

 

[ickymay]

Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card

I've searched and my driver is up to date. Hmmh...

this looks like a driver issue, your ipconfig shows your NIC can't find your default gateway and your DNS servers are using ipv6 ?

chev65 has posted some workarounds that look like they might work , and we could try some manual entries for the default gateway and DNS servers.

If your short on time and just want to get a connection maybe you can try and borrow a friends USB wifi dongle and see if you can get connected that way ?

N.B. what antivirus are your using ?

 

[aem]

I have a gut feeling the router hasn't fully learnt of this machine's adapter MAC details.

 

[proaffliktion]

How do I change my network security from whatever it is now to WPA2, or how do I found out what I am using currently?

 

[bmigette]

Hey, take a look at your picture, it says DHCP is not enabled. So, you get limited connectivity as when you connect your PC retrieve IP parameters, but as you got static ones, it won't. And if your static parameters are wrong, then nowhere you'll go.
Go to your adapter properties, and set auto to IP and DNS in the properties of TCP/IPv4, and TCP/IPv6.

 

[chev65]

How do I change my network security from whatever it is now to WPA2, or how do I found out what I am using currently?

You would go into your router control panel for that. I'm not sure what router you are using though. 192.168.x.x? depending on your router the last two numbers will be different. I spent quite awhile researching this and I'm pretty sure that is the problem.

Or you can click on your wireless connection then choose "Wireless properties" then the "Security" tab. You will also want to enable DHCP while your in the router control panel and in your network properties.

If your school's wireless security isn't WAP and you can't access the router you may not be able to change the security in which case you should purchase another USB wireless adaptor. There were so many complaints about your Dell 1545 laptop with wireless connection problems I lost count so your options may be limited.

 

[computersplus]

most OEM's install proprietary wireless connection software in order to manage wireless connections which is totally not needed one thing Windows has always been able to do well is manage wireless connections on it's own.

I would go through and remove any software from Dell associated with wireless connectivity completely and then uninstall the adapter from device manager.

then I would go to Dell drivers and support and download just the driver for your adapter those used Intel, Atheros, and Marvel adapters not sure which one you have but if you put in your service tag it will bring up the right one for you laptop do not download the wireless configuration software called "application" for wireless card.

here is the link to Dell support good luck!

Drivers & Downloads - Public Sector

 

[chev65]

I agree with the above which is why I already posted this...

If you can't see the network at all try doing what this guy did.

To remove the Dell wlan software and how to install the driver without it.

I had a similar problem with a brand new Inspiron 1525; it just refused to recognise any wireless networks. The solution was to remove (Uninstall) the Dell WLAN Management software this removes the device as well. Then Reinstall the wireless card with the Drivers ONLY. (It seems the DELL software doesn't work properly with the DELL branded network card in a DELL Laptop; go figure)
When you download the driver it will unzip and try to install automatically; but this will only reinstall the offending software again, so you must cancel the installation after you unzip the file.
When I searched for new hardware again it found the device as a Broadcom wireless card but could not install the drivers. This allows you to click Update Drivers and point to the 'drivers' folder in the location that the files were unzipped to. Once the device driver alone is installed the wireless card works immediately and finds any available networks.

 

[computersplus]

chev65 sorry about the double post I did not see that I am pretty under the weather today

 

[proaffliktion]

Hate to ask, but could someone post some step by step instructions, or link to me some, on uninstalling the adapter (that much I understand) but downloading only the drivers? I'm worried I'll do something I don't want to.

 

[chev65]

As far as I can tell these are step by step instuctions....

To remove the Dell wlan software and how to install the driver without it.

I had a similar problem with a brand new Inspiron 1525; it just refused to recognise any wireless networks. The solution was to remove (Uninstall) the Dell WLAN Management software this removes the device as well.

This software can be found in Add/Remove programs, you should be able to find it there and remove it. You can remove the drivers from there also or you can remove them in Device Manager under network adaptors obviously enough.

Then Reinstall the wireless card with the Drivers ONLY. (It seems the DELL software doesn't work properly with the DELL branded network card in a DELL Laptop; go figure)

When you download the driver it will unzip and try to install automatically; but this will only reinstall the offending software again, so you must cancel the installation after you unzip the file.

When I searched for new hardware again it found the device as a Broadcom wireless card but could not install the drivers. This allows you to click Update Drivers and point to the 'drivers' folder in the location that the files were unzipped to. Once the device driver alone is installed the wireless card works immediately and finds any available networks.