Laptop help

[Beantown]

I have a Dell Latitude D620, 'cause Providence likes Dells or HPs and my family likes Dells more than HPs...but that's not the point.

Just got it and I'm trying to finish setting it up and installing everything...but to do that I need to get an internet connection. Here's the problem.

I can't. We already have a network set up in my house, and the laptop can register that network, but for some reason it wont connect to it. I click connect through one Wireless Network Connection wizard thing, and it just says "waiting for network" for like 2 minutes before just not doing anything.

I go through the other Wireless Network connection thing the laptop has and it doesn't even say it's waiting for the network or anything...just click connect and nothing happens.

Anyone know what I'm missing? If I have to turn anything on? turn something off? install something? Do something to the router on the other computer?

Any help/suggestions would be greatly welcomed. Thanks.

[Altimus]

Re: Laptop help

When you click on view networks, what does it say. Is your network security enabled? Do you have a network key? If it is security enabled and you didn't put in the key then it won't connect.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Laptop help

While you are at it, send back the battery, they have been recalled.

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop help

Newtwork Settings:

Network Name: blah blah blah
Authentication: Open
Data Encryption: None

I'm 99% sure we didn't set up a network key, but I'll go up and check the router/network to see if anything is preventing me from connection.

And EG, yeah, I saw that. lol. Gonna have to pray this one doesn't start a fire. And...checked, my battery's safe. Not one of the one's that they had to call back.

[Altimus]

Re: Laptop help

On your other PC, go to 192.168.1.1, as the URL. Your IP address to access your router information. From there you can see what your wireless controls are set at?

By the way, what kind of router do you have?

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop help

Westell 327W

[shugknight]

Re: Laptop help

goto Run
then type in CMD
in the ms-dos prompt type IPCONFIG

tell me what it says

I hate to tell you, but my bro's gf got a dell recently and couldnt connect to the internet. I went to go check it out, and it says MEDIA DISCONNECTED for both her local and wireless cards. So she had to return it so they can install a new wireless card. But check this out and tell me what it says first.

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop help

Says..."Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection: Media State.......: Media Disconnected"

[shugknight]

Re: Laptop help

Sorry to tell you, but you have a bad card. I suggest you call Dell ASAP and tell them your problem.

But before you call them, Right-click your My Computer. Click on properties. Go to Hardware, then Device Manager.

Do you see any Yellow Exclamation Marks? Expand your Network adapters, if it looks normal, then yes, call Dell. They jacked up your wireless card.. Either that or you never ordered one for your laptop.

[TIm]

Re: Laptop help

Longhorn,
I don't know much about these things but router for a few minutes. Unplug your modem for a few minutes. Make sure your settings are right. There is a spot on internet options or something like that that says AUTO DETECT NETWORK. Make sure that is correct. Shut off your laptop. Wait 5 minutes. Then Plug in your Router let it cycle, THen plug in your modem, and finally after that's all on, Turn on your computer. Ok. To check auto detection Go to internet options. Then click the connections tab. On the lan settings click that. Then check the auto detection box. That is how you select auto detection

[TIm]

Re: Laptop help

I don't know much about these things but router for a few minutes. Unplug your modem for a few minutes. Make sure your settings are right. There is a spot on internet options or something like that that says AUTO DETECT NETWORK. Make sure that is correct. Shut off your laptop. Wait 5 minutes. Then Plug in your Router let it cycle, THen plug in your modem, and finally after that's all on, Turn on your computer. Ok. To check auto detection Go to internet options. Then click the connections tab. On the lan settings click that. Then check the auto detection box. That is how you select auto detection

[shugknight]

Re: Laptop help

I don't know much about these things but router for a few minutes. Unplug your modem for a few minutes. Make sure your settings are right. There is a spot on internet options or something like that that says AUTO DETECT NETWORK. Make sure that is correct. Shut off your laptop. Wait 5 minutes. Then Plug in your Router let it cycle, THen plug in your modem, and finally after that's all on, Turn on your computer. Ok. To check auto detection Go to internet options. Then click the connections tab. On the lan settings click that. Then check the auto detection box. That is how you select auto detection

Its not his router, or internet settings. Its his wireless card. They gave him a defective one, hence the reason its saying: Wireless:Media Disconnnected.

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop help

Yeah...pretty sure I'll be calling Dell on monday to have them send out a new wireless card.

[shugknight]

Re: Laptop help

Good luck. I suggest you return the laptop to them and have them do it. As much as you might know how to install a wireless card, opening your laptop and somehow messing something up inside will probably void your warranty and screw you over.

They're pretty good about returning your laptop though. They'll send you a return box within 2-3 days, and most likely will have your laptop back to you before the weeks over. By next Friday/Saturday, you'll have your laptop back to you.

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop help

Good to know...I'll give them a call Monday...hopefully I can get it back by Sunday as I'm going on vacation the following week, but if not no big deal.

Thanks for the help, Shug. Never would've know that on my own.