Home Networking

[#1]

Hi!

Well, I have almost completely lost my mind...

I bought a Dell c640 notebook equipped with a TrueMobile 1150 wireless card.

My base computer is a Dell d620 (that has basically become a desktop because I have added a large monitor, printer, etc) and has an Intel Proset wireless card.  BOTH computers are running XP.

The problem is:  I'm picking up signals ON BOTH computers, but I'm only able to connect wirelessly with the d620. The c640 recognizes the signal but won't connect.

I have tried the In-home Agent and just about every forum on the Internet.  I know for sure all my drivers are up to date...I've also probably changed every Internet setting on both computers, to no avail.

Anybody have any ideas?

Thanks!

[#2]

What is the brand and model of this router?

[#3]

Actiontec GT704WG-B

[#4]

Ok.

#1 Log-in to the router manaully.

#2 In the router go to Wireless Setup -> Wireless Status

What does it say for:

#3 SSID Broadcast ?

#4 MAC Authentication? Or if I spellled that wrong, the item where you see the term MAC..

#5 Wireless Mode ?

#6 Security Enabled ?

#7 If security is enabled, what is the level set to?

For example after looking on the manual / user guide at

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.actiontec.com/support/doc_files/GT704-WG-B_Vz_User_Man...

on page 41 out of 144 pages, it can support: wep 64 bit, wep 802.1n, and wpa.

--

For security reason(s), please do not post the "key"

[#5]

I have my firewall (if that is what you mean by 'security') set to MEDIUM

Current Wireless Status:
Wireless:	ON
ESSID:
WEP:	OFF
WEP KEY:
Channel:	11
SSID Broadcast:	Enabled
MAC Authentication:	Disabled
Wireless Mode:	Mixed - accepts 802.11b and 802.11g connections

[#6]

---

VOLinVA wrote:

Current Wireless Status:
Wireless:	ON
ESSID:
WEP:	OFF
WEP KEY:
Channel:	11
SSID Broadcast:	Enabled
MAC Authentication:	Disabled
Wireless Mode:	Mixed - accepts 802.11b and 802.11g connections

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So, let me get this straight..

You do not have wireless security enabled (example include: WEP and WPA) and one of your computers can not connect to the router?

#1 If that is the case: On the computer that can not connect to the router, check the network info.

For example of what I mean is..

If that computer is running Windows XP..

a) Go to Start -> Run.

b) Type in cmd and press enter.

c) In the new window, called the command prompt. type in ipconfig /all and press enter.

#2 Does the IP Address start with 169.254 ???  For example 169.254.0.5

--

If is the case that you have wireless security enabled and one of your computers can not connect to the router:

#1 Consider for testing switching to wide open.

#2 Then make sure that the computer(s) are not setup to use wireless security.

#3 If both computer can not connect and if you disabled wireless security for testing.

a) re-enable wireless security.

b) Then report back.

[#7]

The Dell TrueMobile 1150 card is an older PCMCIA (or mini-PCI, depending on what the laptop uses) Wireless B adapter. Make sure the ActionTec is allowing Wireless B devices to connect (it should be according to the status page) and if it applies, Wireless G protection from B Devices so the network isn't slowed when the adapter is connected. Since this is a Wireless B device, the best encryption it will be able to do will be WPA-TKIP. WPA2 is too new for Wireless B devices. If the card cannot use WPA-TKIP, see if you're using the latest Drivers from Dell. Failing that, see if WEP or even Unsecured mode will work. I don't know if the Wireless Status page displays the usage of WPA/WPA2 security, but I do see WEP is disabled which means either you're using stronger security OR you're running without security.

If the machine fails to connect, see if you can find a separate Wireless B access point to use with the laptop. I have a very old Linksys BEFW11S4v4 which only supports Wireless B laying around, so it could be a consideration. An old Access Point for sure should work with the wireless card. Short of that, try using a newer Wireless G card, which the laptop won't have a problem accepting.