Laptop won't connect to wireless networks

[Whickerman]

My dell vostro (xp sp2) won't connect to wireless networks. I get a message that windows cannot configure the connection, and to turn on WZC. (Wireless Zero Configuration). Have done this. Same message still there.
followed this: http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html


Can anyone help?

[ChocolatChip]

Are you with BT?
I had problems getting my Dell laptop on a wireless connection.
In the end I phoned BT and they did it for me. Some code setting was wrong and only they knew how to change it. It's been prefect ever since.

[ChocolatChip]

Perfect*

[Whickerman]

No, but even if I was the computer can't even get that far - something in the settings.

[Whickerman]

First day trying btw

[ChocolatChip]

I would phone your broadband/internet provider. And tell them the problem, they should give you a step by step guide of what to do. Or there is special software where they maybe able to do it for you.

[ACtheTROLL]

follow these instead

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/871122

XP
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirel esssetup.mspx

Vista
http://www.glos.ac.uk/departments/lis/ictservi ces/networking/wireless/wireless-vista-setup.c fm

shout if you need more help

[Whickerman]

Hi AC - many thanks - well on the way here.

The first link mentions:
In Network Connections, click to select your wireless connection, and then click Change settings of this connection.

This is not available on my laptop , so I can't go any further. Any ideas?

[Whickerman]

I've also found out the wir3eless card is a Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN mini card, if that helps.

When i follow the user manual and go to Start, connect to, and wireless network connection - it's then that the "Windows Cannot Configure this Wireless Connection" appears.

[Chickadee]

I had this problem and it was solved this way:-

Control Panel
Network & Internet Connections
Right click on your wireless network connection
Choose properties
Wireless networks
Click on allow windows to choose network

Hope this helps

[Whickerman]

I'd love it to be that simple chickadee, but it seems that this isn't an option. For some reason I can only get as far as Propertires - there's no 'Allow Windows' option

[Chickadee]

When you click on properties do you get three tabs come up? The choose windows option is on second tab.

Sorry if this doesn't work Whickerman and I can't help anymore, this worked for me and it is the only suggestion I have.

Hopefully someone with more computer knowledge will assist.

Hope you solve the problem soon.

[Whickerman]

Nope - only two tabs. One is General, one is Advanced

[matt1e]

mmm click start -connect to - show all connections
is your wireless connection listed?

[matt1e]

if not, right click my computer - properties - hardware - device manager look under network connections (press the + box is it listed there? if so does it have an explanation mark or a cross on it?

[Whickerman]

Yip - the hardware's there and apparently working ok. no wireless connections listed as that's the screen that opens with the message on.

I think the key is that i need to disable any dell software that may be over-riding the windows option, but I can't figure out how.

[Jugglering]

Have you *turned on* the wireless on your laptop ? It's usually the Fn key + F2 at the same time .... or it may be a physical switch for the radio...

[Whickerman]

juggerling - just tried that, thanks. A little 'wi-fi' symbol popped up with a red line through it.

i think I'll just dump it - fed up now