Intel PROset can't detect my network

I really hope someone can help me with this, it's driving me bananas!

I just bought a laptop secondhand - dell inspiron 9300. It's centrino and has (I think) a PROset 2200 wireless adapter built in. In my house we have a wireless router and an unsecured/open internet connection through it. My problem is this - when I use either the intel utility or the built in windows one, I can detct between 3 and 6 other networks in my neighbourhood. Some are B, some G, all have different names and signal strengths but the one thing they all have in common is that they are all secured (I think with WEP - bear with me, I'm kinda new at this wireless game!)

My unsecured/open home network which both my housemates use without any problems on their laptops does not appear in the 'available wireless networks' window on my laptop. One of my housemates is running XP, the other Win 2000 but both are using an after market wirelesss card whereas my adapter is internal. At the moment I assume that my adapter is somehow setup not to show unsecured networks as available - is this possible and if so can anyone suggest how I might change the setting?

If I'm barking up the wrong tree then please let me know. I don't mind being shown up as a complete moron if the problem is very obvious - I just want my interent to work!

 

Welcome to NBR!

If I understand the problem you cannot even detect your network. Well something you can do is try to pull the plug of your wireless lan router. Hopefully this will restart the router, if that doesnt work search for a button that restarts the thing manually.

Then again search for your network via Windows or Intel driver. If you cannot find anything try to download your driver. First be sure which wireless lan you have. Here is a list of Dell: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...en&s=dhs&SystemID=INSPIRON 9300&os=WW1&osl=EN

If that doesnt work check if you still have warranty and let Dell take a look at it.

I hope I helped you.

Charlie

 

is your SSID set to broadcast?

 

Thanks for the quick responses! I'd be a little worried about restarting the router - will all the network settings need to be reconfigured or should it stay the same as before; I'd hate to nix my housemates' connections as well as my own!

In reply to Drumfu I'm afraid I don't know about the SSID - I assume you mean is the router sending out the signal, or is it a possible setting on my computer?

Thanks again guys!

 

maybe you should talk to your housemates because it sounds like an area you're not that comfortable with.

can you talk to the one who set the router up?

they will probably be better able to help you

 

Under your port properties for your wireless card (yours is bult-in). There is tab for "wireless networks". There you will find a button called "Advanced". Check the box connect to "non-prefered networks" Or add your wireless into the "wireless networks" List.

 

I've tried both of those things with no luck! I actually detected an unsecured network in my neighbourhood earlier, so I'm not sure that's it. I tried restarting the router as well - no luck! It's not that I can't connect to my network - rather that I cannot see the network in the 'available wireless networks' window. Any idea why that could be?

 

Plug your laptop into your router, then access your router's control panel with your browser. For Linksys routers, the address is 192.168.1.1. You'll need the password. Once in, check to see if your router is broadcasting your SSID.

 

I thnik the firmware on my router doesn't allow turning off SSID broadcasting, so I assume that it's automatically on (D link DI-614+ router) Should I try to update the firmware and turn SSID broadcasting?

Additionally I checked my housemates' connections - they can see the same neighbourhood networks as me, and I also saw an unsecured network flash up earlier today. I assume therefore that the problem is not B/G band or secured/unsecured and I don't believe that my wireless card is defective, leaving the assumption that there is some problem between the router and my card. Any further ideas?

 

All sorted - I updated the Router's firmware and re-inputted all the internet connection settings and we're cooking with gas Thanks for all your help guys!