Wireless card not connected?

yossarian084yossarian084 Norwich, VT, USA Member
edited June 2007 in Hardware
I'm overseas, in Germany, and my new work computer Network Wizard tells me that Windows is not configured to connect to a wireless network. The Device Manager tells me the card (a Dell) is enabled. How do I go in and get this thing to work?

Thanks.

Comments

  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited June 2007
    If you open up the wireless connection wizard can you look for wireless networks. It's also highly likely that your wireless radio is turned off, which is easy enough to turn back on if you look at the properties for the card.
  • yossarian084yossarian084 Norwich, VT, USA Member
    edited June 2007
    kryyst wrote:
    If you open up the wireless connection wizard can you look for wireless networks. It's also highly likely that your wireless radio is turned off, which is easy enough to turn back on if you look at the properties for the card.

    I've tried all that and the wireless connection displays not wireless networks. Instead I get a message saying that I need to check the Microsoft KNowledge page and read about Wireless Zero Connection. When I try to go through Network Wizard I get to a page that shows the wireless card and my LAN card and says neither are connected and I have to connect them before I can proceed (duh). The Device manager shows both as "enabled" though so I don't know what the problem is.
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited June 2007
    Oy...

    First, if you have the intel pro wireless device, or whatever it's called, run the Intel Pro Set Tool, or the Intel Wireless Setup tool. Both will allow you to turn on your radio. Also, it's a good idea to disable wireless battery efficiency since your strength will still vary to your laptop, you don't need some snarky power controller giving you hullabaloo about your batteries.

    If you don't have the Intel Pro wireless device, you need to make sure you tell windows to automatically configure this device, unless you have the driver suite installed, then use it. It's not hard to figure out. It's software, play with it.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited June 2007
    How to troubleshoot wireless network connections in Windows XP
    1. Check the HCL to determine if there is a Windows XP-compatible driver that is available for your wireless adapter.
    • If there is a compatible driver, install the updated driver before you perform any troubleshooting procedures.
    • If there is not a compatible driver, you may be able to use the network adapter but the configuration and functionality may be very limited.
    2. To determine if the driver that you are using recognizes the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration service, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, click Run, and then type control.exe in the Open box.
    2. Click Network and Internet Connections.
    3. Click Network Connections, right-click Wireless Connection, and then click Properties.
    3. View the available options.
    • If you do not see the Wireless Connection icon in the Network Connections folder or if you cannot view the properties, there is a problem with the driver for the wireless network adapter. To troubleshoot this problem, see the "Driver Installation Issues" section.
    • If you can view the properties for the Wireless Connection icon, but you do not see a Wireless Networks tab, see the "Drivers That Do Not Support the Wireless Zero Configuration Service" section.
    • If you can view the properties and if you can see and access the Wireless Networks tab, see the "Drivers That Support the Wireless Zero Configuration Service" section.
    • If the Authentication tab is missing in the Wireless Connection properties, make sure that the Wireless Zero Configuration service is running.

    Drivers that do not support the Wireless Zero Configuration service
    If you can view the properties of the Wireless Connection icon but you do not see the Wireless Networks tab, the network adapter driver does not fully support the Wireless Zero Configuration service.

    In this scenario, you may be able to configure Windows XP to use the connection but the configuration options may vary depending on the network adapter and the driver that are in use. To resolve this issue, try to create a working connection.

    Note If you cannot create a working connection, contact the device manufacturer for advice about how to configure the adapter for Windows XP.

    To create a working connection:
    1. In the Network Connections folder, right-click Wireless Connection, and then click Properties.
    2. Click Configure, and then on the Advanced tab, configure your wireless network by using the available configuration options. The available options and option names may vary depending on the driver manufacturer.

    The following list describes the basic configuration options:
    • Service Set Identifier (SSID): This setting will match the configuration of your wireless access point or router. If you do not have an access point, this value will be the same on all the computers that are in your wireless network.
    • Wireless Equivalent Protocol (WEP) or Encryption: Disable WEP on both the access point and in these properties for testing purposes.
    • Mode or Network Type: If you have an access point, set this option to Infrastructure. If you do not have an access point and you are connecting computer to computer, set this option to Ad-Hoc.
    • Data Rate: Set this option to Auto or to 11 Mbps.
    • Power Save: For troubleshooting, set Power Save to Off or to Disabled. After the connection works correctly, you can change this setting.
    3. After you configure these options, click OK to save your changes.
    4. Test your connection. If a red "X" appears over the connection icon in the Network Connections folder or if you cannot connect, continue troubleshooting.
    5. Click Start, click Run, and then type devmgmt.msc in the Open box.
    6. In Computer Management, double-click Services and Applications, and then click Services.
    7. In the details pane, right-click Wireless Zero Configuration, and then click Properties.
    8. In the Startup type box, click Disabled, and then click OK.
    9. Quit Computer Management, and then restart the computer.
    With this configuration, you can connect to the wireless network if the other network configuration is correct. If the Wireless Connection icon appears in the notification area as a working connection, the wireless connection will work.

    To resolve any remaining issues, use standard TCP/IP network troubleshooting techniques.

    Drivers that support the Wireless Zero Configuration service
    If the Wireless Networks tab in the Ppropertiesof the Wireless Connection is available, the driver knows about the Windows XP Zero Configuration support for wireless networks.

    To configure Windows XP for your wireless network:
    1. In the Network Connections folder, right-click Wireless Connection, and then click Properties.
    2. On the Wireless Networks tab, in the Available Networksbox, click your network, and then click Configure.
    3. In the Configuration window, provide the Service Set Identification (SSID) that your network is using, the WEP settings (encryption), and the authentication settings that you must have for your network. If you are not using a wireless access point or router, set the network mode to Ad-Hoc.
    4. If your network is not listed as an available network, click Add to manually configure settings for a network. When you save these settings, you can use them automatically when the network is available.
    5. After you save this configuration, repeat this process on the other computers on your network.
    6. After you configure the settings for the other computers, you will see the network SSID name in the Preferred Networks list. If you see a blue circle, the network has been located; if you see a red "X," there may be a problem with the radio signal between the stations on the network or the configuration may be incorrect. Confirm that the settings on your network are correct and then move the computer closer to either the access point or router or move it closer to the other computer on the wireless network.
    After you complete the configuration steps, the wireless connection will be correctly configured.

    If you experience issues when you try to connect to the network, double-click the Wireless Connection icon in the Network Connections folder to view the connection status. In the Connection status, there is a signal strength meter that you can use to verify the strength of the signal between computers.
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited June 2007
    Our hero clutches his chest and neck, collapsing to his knees, gasping for air. He gives one final bound forward, trying to free himself from the miasma that is kryyst's huge post, only to slump weakly to the ground, the life pouring from his very eyes. His last breath, calling out to a medic as he loses consciousness.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited June 2007
    :)

    Keep in mind most of my knowledge is easily duplicated with the correct use of

    Google + Copy + Paste
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited June 2007
    Delicious copypasta.
  • yossarian084yossarian084 Norwich, VT, USA Member
    edited June 2007
    Excellent advice but unfortunately it didnt help. A few screens into the Wireless Network Setup a window appears listing my different connections, i.e. wireless card and ethernet card, and says it cannot proceed because neither device is connected. I cant go any further til that is resolved....
  • Your-Amish-DaddyYour-Amish-Daddy The heart of Texas
    edited June 2007
    Can you get to an Ethernet cable? I could help you out with remote assistance if you really want to.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited June 2007
    Excellent advice but unfortunately it didnt help. A few screens into the Wireless Network Setup a window appears listing my different connections, i.e. wireless card and ethernet card, and says it cannot proceed because neither device is connected. I cant go any further til that is resolved....


    Soooo neither your wifi or your nic are showing as being connected? That's kinda messed up. Are these expansion cards or built into your computer?
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