I have a Dell Inspiron laptop running Windows XP home
edition. When I first received it I could not get the
WIFI to connect to my DSL modem network at home. I
went through every step Microsoft had on the
knowledge base help, tried to configure with Windows
controlling it, with the card utility to control
it.. using WZC service, and nothing happens except the continual cannot
connect.
I have 3 other computers at home, various
manufacturers, and all others connect with no
problem. I am using a Westell DSL router.
I took the DELL computer to work, started it up and
it recognized the wireless connection at work and
connected without a single problem..so I know the
WIFI is working.
I have reset the modem, and restarted the
computer..still no luck. I have also reset router to
factory default settings via internet explorer and
created a network Key. The other computers had no
problem with it, and I was able to put my key and
they connected immediately.
I tried to uninstall the wireless card and reinstall
after re-boot, and same problem occurring.
Sometimes the message will come up that wireless
networks are dectected,but when I go through the
process of connecting windows suddenly says it isn't
available and refresh the network list.
RESULTING PROBLEM:
I read forum after forum on the net and the question
on windows firewall being on kept coming up. So I
turned off windows firewall in hopes that might be
the culprit and it was no help. Now I want to turn
the firewall back on and I am getting the following
message when I use the wireless adapter icon and
right click to hit windows firewall settings:
"Windows firewall settings cannot be displayed
because the associated service is not running. Do you
want to start the Windows Firewall/Internet
connection sharing (ICS) service?"
If I click no, it just closes. If I click yes, I get
a simple message that the windows firewall service
cannot be started.
I tried the Security center, and it said it couldn't
be done and referred me to the control panel. Control
panel windows firewall says the same thing. Windows
firewall cannot be started.
Can anybody tell me what's happening with this?
The wireless connection still will not connect, even
though all of the settings are correct, correct WEP
key, SSID etc. When I go to command prompt and type
in "ipconfig", it states the media is disconnected.
If I type in "Ipconfig /renew" I get the same type of
thing. No IP addresses or anything. I did at one
point get the Ethernet adapter to try to connect, and
it kind of stayed in "aquiring network address" mode
and wouldn't do anything else.
Sorry, this is so exasperating
that I can connect on other wireless networks...but not my own on the DELL
computer. Card manufacturer has been no help, and Dell support doesn't have any answers either.
Does the firewall error maybe have something to do
with this?
Some hardware info:
Dell Inspiron 1521
Windows XP home edition installed after removing
vista (I'm not happy about that either, but keep in
mind the wireless card does connect to other
networks so that doesn't seem to be the issue.)
Dell WLAN 1390 mini-card
LAN card is Broadcom 440x 10/100 integrated
controller
1394 net adapter (working fine)
DSL high speed internet via Verizon
Westell 327W modem 802.11b
WLAN card set for 802.11 b/g
Tina B.
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