Owner's Manual

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Troubleshooting: Dell™ Wireless WLAN Card User's Guide
Troubleshooting Steps
Getting Help
Troubleshooting Steps
Problem or Symptom Possible Solutions
The Wireless Network Wizard
cannot find the non-
broadcasting network.
Either the non-broadcasting network is not within range, or you typed the network name
incorrectly. The network name is case-sensitive. If you are sure the access point (AP) is
within range, check the spelling of the network name and try again. If you are sure you typed
the network name correctly, move closer to the AP and try again.
My wireless client computer
cannot
associate with the
access point.
Verify that the radio is enabled. To enable the radio, right click the icon on the
system tray, and then click Enable. If your Dell Wireless WLAN Card is a Mini-PCI or
Mini Card type of wireless networking card, you can also switch on the radio by
pressing <Fn><F2> or slide the ON/OFF switch, depending on the type of computer.
The <Fn><F2> or slide switch functionality is not available for PC or ExpressCard type
cards.
Be sure that you follow all of the steps for connecting to a network (see Connecting to
a Basic Network Using Microsoft® Windows® WZC, Connecting to an Advanced
Network Using Microsoft® Windows® WZC), or Connecting to an Advanced Network on
Windows Vista®
Verify that your access point is functioning correctly and that the settings for your
network connection profile exactly match the settings on your access point.
Move your computer closer to the access point.
Check to see if the signal strength is low. If it is low, change the channel on the access
point to channel 1 and retest. If the problem persists, change the channel on the
access point to channel 11 and retest. If the problem persists, change the channel on
the access point to channel 6 and retest.
I am unable to find any
available
ad hoc networks to
connect to, and I am unable to
create an ad hoc network.
1. The Networks to access option may be set to Access point (infrastructure)
networks only. If so, change the setting to either Any available network (access point
preferred) or Computer-to-computer (ad hoc) networks only.
Occasionally, I am
disconnected from my wireless
network.
Ensure that you follow all of the steps for connecting to a network (see Connecting to a
Basic Network Using Microsoft® Windows® WZC, Connecting to an Advanced Network
Using Microsoft® Windows® WZC), or Connecting to an Advanced Network on
Windows Vista®
Verify that your access point is functioning correctly and that the settings for your
network connection profile exactly match the settings on your access point.
Move your computer closer to the access point.
Check to see if the signal strength is low. If that is low, change the channel on the
access point to channel 1 and retest. If the problem persists, change the channel on
the access point to channel 11 and retest. If the problem persists, change the channel
on the access point to channel 6 and retest.
My wireless connection is
slower than expected.
Ensure that you follow all of the steps for connecting to a network (see Connecting to a
Basic Network Using Microsoft® Windows® WZC, Connecting to an Advanced Network
Using Microsoft® Windows® WZC), or Connecting to an Advanced Network on
Windows Vista®
Verify that your access point is functioning correctly and that the settings for your
network connection profile exactly match the settings on your access point.
Move your computer closer to the access point.
Check to see if the signal strength is low. If it is low, change the channel on the access
point to channel 1 and retest. If the problem persists, change the channel on the
access point to channel 11 and retest. If the problem persists, change the channel on
the access point to channel 6 and retest.
The name of my wireless
network is not in the list of
Verify that your access point is functioning correctly.
Check the SSID (network name) of the wireless network and verify that the access