Problems Connecting my new DELL Laptop to my Wireless Network

Hello,

I recently purchased a new DELL laptop, and I am having problems
connecting it to my wireless network. I was wondering if someone had
a similar issue and can provide me with some guidance.

My old laptop was an HP Pavilion zv5000 with Microsoft Windows XP
Professional. This computer has no problems connecting to my wireless
network. I just:

1) Click on the wireless icon at the bottom-right of the screen.
2) Click on "View Available Wireless Networks".
3) Click on my wireless network (ie: MyNetwork).
4) I am prompted: The network "MyNetwork" requires a network key
(also called a WEP key or WPA key). A network key helps prevent
unknown intruders from connecting to this network.
5) I type in the key: Network key: ********
6) Click connect.

And I am able to surf the web wirelessly.

On my new DELL Inspirion 1525 Laptop, which has Microsoft Windows
Vista Home Premium Edition, English

1) Open a Web Browser.
2) I get the error, Internet Explorer cannot display the web page.
Diagnose connection problems.
3) View available wireless networks.
4) I click on "MyNetwork" (so at least it sees that it exists), and
click on Connect.
5) I get the error "Windows cannot connect to MyNetwork". It goes on
to say: "Wireless association to this network failed. Windows did
not receive any response from the wireless router or access point."

I have a Linksys Broadband Router with 2 phone ports - Model Number:
RTP300

When I connect the yellow cable into this router, and the other end
into my new DELL laptop, I am able to connect to the internet no
problem.

Does anyone know what the problem is, or what I need to do to resolve
it?

Thanks so much...
Sam.

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:07:31 -0700 (PDT), (E-Mail Removed)
wrote:

>My old laptop was an HP Pavilion zv5000 with Microsoft Windows XP
>Professional. This computer has no problems connecting to my wireless
>network.

>On my new DELL Inspirion 1525 Laptop, which has Microsoft Windows
>Vista Home Premium Edition, English

>I have a Linksys Broadband Router with 2 phone ports - Model Number:
>RTP300

>When I connect the yellow cable into this router, and the other end
>into my new DELL laptop, I am able to connect to the internet no
>problem.

1. Did you install Vista SP1 ? If not, you should. Make sure you
also install the "optional" Vista updates. These are NOT installed
automagically.
2. There are "issues" with Vista DHCP. See if any of the following
help:
<http://groups.google.com/group/alt.internet.wireless/msg/cd8d480583867ee3>
3. There are some rather dense, but useful Vista wireless diagnostics
included. See:
<http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/3ed3d027-5ae8-4cb0-ade5-0a7c446cd4f71033.mspx?mfr=true>
If you enable logging, you might be able to see at what point it's
failing. Search the above document for "wireless trace logs".
4. Verify that your RTP300 VoIP router has the latest firmware
installed.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Hello again,

I just found out that the actual router I have is a Netgear model #
WGT624 v2

I called up DELL, and my new PC is working properly, but said that the
problem looks like I am using WEP, and Vista does not support this.
He said I might need new firmware for this router.

Well, when I tried out with a friend's computer, which is also a DELL
but running Windows NT, it would not connect wirelessly to my router
either. So it appears this is not just a Vista issue.

I wonder if there is a problem with the Dell Wireless1395 WLAN Mini-
Card (my friend's is Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-Card) connecting to
this router?

Thanks




firmware upgrade

1-888-638-4327

cannot upgrade to vista laptop.

WEP key - DELL said this would not work with VIsta.


https://my.netgear.com/myNETGEAR/support.asp
username: (E-Mail Removed)
pw: netgear
model # WGT624 v2

Online Support Submissions

Click here to log a new online technical submission request.

Reference Number: #7054521

The reference number is 7054555, a representative will reply to you
shortly.

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
> Hello again,
>
> I just found out that the actual router I have is a Netgear model #
> WGT624 v2
>
> I called up DELL, and my new PC is working properly, but said that the
> problem looks like I am using WEP, and Vista does not support this.
> He said I might need new firmware for this router.
>
> Well, when I tried out with a friend's computer, which is also a DELL
> but running Windows NT, it would not connect wirelessly to my router
> either. So it appears this is not just a Vista issue.
>
> I wonder if there is a problem with the Dell Wireless1395 WLAN Mini-
> Card (my friend's is Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-Card) connecting to
> this router?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
>
> firmware upgrade
>
> 1-888-638-4327
>
> cannot upgrade to vista laptop.
>
> WEP key - DELL said this would not work with VIsta.
>
>
> https://my.netgear.com/myNETGEAR/support.asp
> username: (E-Mail Removed)
> pw: netgear
> model # WGT624 v2
>
> Online Support Submissions
>
> Click here to log a new online technical submission request.
>
> Reference Number: #7054521
>
> The reference number is 7054555, a representative will reply to you
> shortly.

Are you supplying the WEP secret via passphrase or as a hexadecimal key. If
the former, be aware that there is more than one way to convert a passphrase
to a key. If the AP and the client are using different ways, then no connection.

I'm sure you already know this, but WEP encryption can be broken in just a
few minutes. If you can, switch to WPA.

Larry

On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:01:19 -0700 (PDT), (E-Mail Removed)
wrote:

>I just found out that the actual router I have is a Netgear model #
>WGT624 v2

Check the firmware version. It should be 4.2.11. See:
<http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/wgt624v2.asp>

>I called up DELL, and my new PC is working properly, but said that the
>problem looks like I am using WEP, and Vista does not support this.

Baloney. Vista supports WEP. For example:
<http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1424/vista_change_wep_key_settings>
However, there are problems using WEP. There are problems converting
from the ASCII WEP key to the Hex equivalent. Different clients do it
differently. To be sure that WEP works, always use the Hex key.

Another WEP problem is that it can be cracked quite easily and
rapidly. It offers little added security. Use WPA or WPA2.

>He said I might need new firmware for this router.

Might? Dig out the firmware version. If it's not 4.2.11, download
and install the updated firmware.

Also, check your settings:
<http://www.vistax64.com/vista-networking-sharing/7015-wifi-wep.html>


>Well, when I tried out with a friend's computer, which is also a DELL
>but running Windows NT, it would not connect wirelessly to my router
>either. So it appears this is not just a Vista issue.

If you're using WEP, and he also used the ASCII key, there's a good
chance that it also won't work.

>I wonder if there is a problem with the Dell Wireless1395 WLAN Mini-
>Card (my friend's is Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-Card) connecting to
>this router?

Actually, there are updates to most of the drivers for the various
Dell wireless devices. Go to the Dell support page for your new
laptop and check for the latest downloads for your hardware.

>WEP key - DELL said this would not work with VIsta.

Dell is wrong, or you misunderstood the answer. Go unto Google and
inscribe "Vista WEP" and see the rather large number of postings.



--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558