Studio XPS 16 Network Issue

Hey everyone, hopefully someone can help me out here. It's not a major issue but enough to bug me on a regular basis.

I purchased my studio XPS 16 in the beginning of July and am loving it. Having a few minor issues though, one of which is network related. More specifically the WiFi. I have the upgraded Intel WiFi/WiMax 5150 Network card and my issue is with the WiFi. Well, honestly I couldn't tell you if the WiMax works as I have never actually been able to find any networks with it. IDK if it helps, but I'm running Vista Ultimate 64-bit with SP1.

Anyway, I can connect to networks just fine. It just is very intermittent. Occationally it does have an issue connecting, but by simply resetting the adapter it works like normal again. Usually what it likes to do is connect to the network, and get stuck identifying itself (again, I can reset the adapter and it works again), or it connects just fine, identifies with the network, and i can even check email, sign on skype but NOT be able to browse the internet. Sometimes it says its connected, but wont pull up email, skype or the internet.

Now normally I wouldn't mind it so much, but the fact that it does this on a regular basis and I find myself resetting the adapter four or five times a day in hopes that it works again is getting old, and fast considering I spend over $2k on this machine.

And it varies completely, I can be standing next to the router will a full signal and have it not work, I can be in the next room, with a full signal, and have it not work. I can go downstairs and have a medium strength signal and have it not work, as well as being outside with a low strength signal and have it not work. I can be at school, and have the same conditions. I can be at my parents house. I've tried updating the drivers, resetting the adapter multiple times, reboot the computer, and sometimes I just have to wait it out. It's beginning to really get on my nerves as I do a lot of schoolwork and what not online.

If I directly connect it to the router via ethernet cable, everything works perfectly.

I've tried searching forums, google, etc for similar problems but so far have had no luck. Hopefully someone on hear can help me out!

Thanks,

Ryan

 

So not one person on this entire forum has any clue as to what could possibly be wrong. Not even anywhere to start troubleshooting the problem? I may seem like I don't know what I'm doing (and very well may not) but personally I'd rather not have to go to Dell about this issue right away. I'm willing to try and follow some instructions. Anyone?

 

For starters, only 63 people as of this reply being written has seen your post. Have you tried contacting Dell and seeing if the wireless card is faulty? The laptop is still under warranty. Give them a call and see what they suggest.

- Garrett

 

I am fully aware of how many people have seen this. The only reason I brought it back up instead of patiently waiting for a response is that it had fallen back to almost the 6th page. I have tried to contact them. Waiting for a response as of right now.

 

Please let us know what the solution is to your problem.

- Garrett

 

I am having some of the same problems as the OP. It seemed to manifest itself the day I installed and setup LoJack after formatting and installing Windows 7. So, I am guessing it is a driver issue in my regard. However, it is starting to happen a lot more frequently.

I too have reinstalled drivers and etc. I did not uninstall LoJack yet because I am hoping to resolve the issue without doing that.

I am going to try installing all the new Windows 7 drivers and see if that helps.

 

Hi,

It may be a driver issue but it sounds to me more like a wireless interference problem. It may help if you change the wifi channel on the router. Do you have other wireless devices in the house and are they working fine?

If your router is a 802.11g it would have rather poor penetration inside the house. It would be worthwhile to get even an el-cheapo 802.11n router for about USD$50 to replace the g router.

if you still want to explore the drivers, google dell wireless 1510 windows 7 driver and look up a link in mydellmini.com. There is a new driver for 1505 and 1510 dated august. That's the driver I am using and it is working great. I get over 6MB a second on file transfer. My laptop is a Studio XPS 13 with 1510 wifi

I am typing this on a smartphone so can't attach the URL here easily. Good luck!

 

i have the Wimax 5150 there is a driver for it on the intel site its a compatiblity issue with vista from what i knew the windows error reporting service told me about it http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Wireless+Networking&ProductLine=Intel%C2%AE+WiMAX+Adapters&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+WiMAX/WiFi+Link+5350+and+Intel%C2%AE+WiMAX/WiFi+Link+5150+products&ProdId=2957&LineId=2968&FamilyId=1783

just choose your operating system