PC connection problem- WiMAX???

[JackK]

OK, WTH is WiMAX? I bought a cheap Dell for my mom... Attempting to set it up, and couldn't connect to my wireless out of the box (surprise surprise). Looked up the wireless card (Intel Centrino WiMAX 6250 Advanced-N + Wireless Network Card) and found new drivers for it. Installed the new drivers, but I still can't connect...

Now, when I bought the machine, I had no idea that WiMax is a separate entity from WiFi (had never heard of it). Am I SOL with trying to connect to a normal wireless network? My machine shows at least 10 networks in range... Nothing on the Dell. Suggestions??

Might just have to return this POS.

[iamskippy]

Please list the following and we will see what we can do to assist.

Make
model
service #
serial#

Do the best you can to get that info. But im going to touch a few basic questions.

1- is the wirless card on, under the monitor there is usually a antenna icon, you may need to use the function key to activate it

2- some have buttons on the front panel between you and the lappy.


A lot of times conflics can happen between 3rd party software and os ware.

Jack i will be around all day tomorrow as i am really not suppose to drive so i am confident i can offer some assitance, as some times and alot of time router compatability is a possible culprit
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[JackK]

Dell Inspiron 14R N4010
Win7 64
RFW2R-8PY9P-XXXXX-YC7MB-P3HFX
11BYXP1

There is a wireless icon on the F2 key, hitting it does nothing, as well as CTRL+, Fn+, etc. The other keys work fine. No hard switch that I can find, at least.

The computer came with none of the wireless drivers installed. I downloaded the most up to date ones from intel-

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sear...%2b+WiMAX+6250

That got the WiMAX working (well, at least searching for networks, couldn't find any).

There were two downloads for the Intel Proset wireless software- drivers only and the software package with drivers. I installed the total package, and I get an error saying that the driver is not installed. The Intel MyWiFi software says that no adapter is found. Attempting to install just the drivers does nothing- it asks if I want to run the program, a wireless icon with a few flashing dots pops up, then disappears and nothing's happened. Rebooting hasn't solved the issue.

The description of the card states that it can handle both WiMAX and WiFi. I'm wondering if it's just a faulty card. It's a refurbished laptop so I only have until tomorrow to initiate a return (sickness combined with apartment internet being out means I couldn't really set it up until tonight). My main concern is ease of use- I'll be shipping this down to my mom in PA, and she's not tech savvy at all, so I'm hoping I can get this fixed and easy for her... otherwise I'll just have to return it and find something else. PIA!!!

Thanks for any help. I will be offshore tomorrow in the morning, but should be back by mid-afternoon at the latest.

[JackK]

One thing I might try tomorrow is a clean install of all drivers- run a utility like DriverSweeper to get rid of everything, then try once more from scratch. Might work...

[JohnR]

Kevin - just to clarify a few things

You are saying WiMAX - WiMAX is for wireless Internet networks similar to cable or fiber for large areas and not wirless inside your house hooked up to your cable modem. Your network card supports both internal wireless networks and pay for wireless like WiMAX.

To confirm - you hit the blue function key AND F2 at the same time?

If you go to Control Panel, there may be an icon for Dell's network adpater / connection manager besides the windows one. If you go to Control Panel > Network Connections > Adapters, right click on the wireless and see if it is disabled.

2 - Dell occasionally has issues with the Dell Control Point software screwing up wireless where I have had to remove it a few times and use the built in wireless control from M$ ...

3 - I believe this is the driver you want : Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

[JackK]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Kevin - just to clarify a few things

You are saying WiMAX - WiMAX is for wireless Internet networks similar to cable or fiber for large areas and not wirless inside your house hooked up to your cable modem. Your network card supports both internal wireless networks and pay for wireless like WiMAX.

To confirm - you hit the blue function key AND F2 at the same time?

If you go to Control Panel, there may be an icon for Dell's network adpater / connection manager besides the windows one. If you go to Control Panel > Network Connections > Adapters, right click on the wireless and see if it is disabled.

2 - Dell occasionally has issues with the Dell Control Point software screwing up wireless where I have had to remove it a few times and use the built in wireless control from M$ ...

3 - I believe this is the driver you want : Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Yep... Ctrl + F2 at the same time. Didn't do anything, even before I started messing with new drivers.

No Dell software on the machine at all, other than Webcam Central. Dell Control Point isn't on it- at least, it's not listed in add/remove programs or the start menu. Didn't come with a utility disk either, just an OS reinstall. I thought it peculiar that it didn't come loaded with bloatware.

That driver wouldn't install, as I already had a more recent version installed. I uninstalled the more recent one, and that driver gave an error message saying it couldn't be installed ("This software package cannot be installed on your system. The setup application will exit").

Even stranger, after installing the Intel WiFi software it still says no adapter can be found. If I install the WiMAX drivers it shows up fine in network connections- but WiMAX, not WiFi.

Where do I find the Win7 wireless program? Can't find it anywhere in the search feature.

[iamskippy]

The other major issue with dell and programs like this is that they fight each other. Windows has its wireless program and the you add in a 3rd party which tries to take over.
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[JackK]

Thanks for the tips- will update this afternoon
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