WiFi connection problems:not really sure this is SP3 issue?

[Ed from AZ]

I've got a Dell D600 laptop with XP Pro SP3. I noticed a few issues
with SP3 - mainly my screen rotation capability went away, but that's
a known ATI issue and why I waited so long to update.

But I've also been having problems connecting to WiFi at my usual hot
spots. My ZoneAlarm icon shows traffic flowing, and I can see
networks listed, but I can never connect in certain places any more.
Other places are still good, though, so it is working - a bit slower
and not as strong as I'd like, but free WiFi is worth what I'm
paying! Then again, it might be WPA2, which doesn't show up in my
network connections options.

I thought maybe I needed a new driver, so I went to Dell's support
site and put in my service tag. The only thing under Network, though,
is Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller - which is my wired
ethernet, right? (Which I'm not using!) Where's my wireless
controller? What am I looking for to see if I need a new driver for
my wireless?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ed

 

[BarleyHound78]

I've got a Dell D600 laptop with XP Pro SP3. I noticed a few issues
with SP3 - mainly my screen rotation capability went away, but that's
a known ATI issue and why I waited so long to update.

But I've also been having problems connecting to WiFi at my usual hot
spots. My ZoneAlarm icon shows traffic flowing, and I can see
networks listed, but I can never connect in certain places any more.
Other places are still good, though, so it is working - a bit slower
and not as strong as I'd like, but free WiFi is worth what I'm
paying! Then again, it might be WPA2, which doesn't show up in my
network connections options.

I thought maybe I needed a new driver, so I went to Dell's support
site and put in my service tag. The only thing under Network, though,
is Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller - which is my wired
ethernet, right? (Which I'm not using!) Where's my wireless
controller? What am I looking for to see if I need a new driver for
my wireless?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ed

Try looking for an intel wireless driver instead. I had an HP laptop
that came with HP drivers for wireless, but didn't work worth crap. I
googled for intel wireless drivers and they worked perfectly.

 

[Lem]

I've got a Dell D600 laptop with XP Pro SP3. I noticed a few issues
with SP3 - mainly my screen rotation capability went away, but that's
a known ATI issue and why I waited so long to update.

But I've also been having problems connecting to WiFi at my usual hot
spots. My ZoneAlarm icon shows traffic flowing, and I can see
networks listed, but I can never connect in certain places any more.
Other places are still good, though, so it is working - a bit slower
and not as strong as I'd like, but free WiFi is worth what I'm
paying! Then again, it might be WPA2, which doesn't show up in my
network connections options.

I thought maybe I needed a new driver, so I went to Dell's support
site and put in my service tag. The only thing under Network, though,
is Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller - which is my wired
ethernet, right? (Which I'm not using!) Where's my wireless
controller? What am I looking for to see if I need a new driver for
my wireless?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ed

Because I don't know your service tag, I just entered Latitude D600 on
the Dell site and found a wireless adapter driver for the Intel 2100 and
a firmware update for the Dell TM 1170 here:

http://tinyurl.com/25z7s26 or
http://search.dell.com/results.aspx...rt=K&~srd=False&ipsys=False&advsrch=False&p=1

Take a look in Device Manager and determine if you have the Intel
PRO/Wireless 2100 or the Dell TrueMobile 1170. Both of those devices are
quite old, and I'm pretty sure that neither supports WPA2.

If you have the Intel 2100, the Intel driver is here:
http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/highlights/wireless/pro2100
The latest Intel driver is from 2006 (when Intel stopped supporting this
product) and seems to support WPA with AES, which was a sort of interim
WPA2.

I'm not convinced, however, that your issues are caused by the driver.
There is a brief troubleshooting FAQ at the Intel page linked above. See
if anything there helps.

 

[SC Tom]

I've got a Dell D600 laptop with XP Pro SP3. I noticed a few issues
with SP3 - mainly my screen rotation capability went away, but that's
a known ATI issue and why I waited so long to update.

But I've also been having problems connecting to WiFi at my usual hot
spots. My ZoneAlarm icon shows traffic flowing, and I can see
networks listed, but I can never connect in certain places any more.
Other places are still good, though, so it is working - a bit slower
and not as strong as I'd like, but free WiFi is worth what I'm
paying! Then again, it might be WPA2, which doesn't show up in my
network connections options.

I thought maybe I needed a new driver, so I went to Dell's support
site and put in my service tag. The only thing under Network, though,
is Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller - which is my wired
ethernet, right? (Which I'm not using!) Where's my wireless
controller? What am I looking for to see if I need a new driver for
my wireless?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ed

Try here

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...abIndex=&scanSupported=True&scanConsent=False

and see if your wireless is listed. I don't know for sure, but you probably
have the Intel wireless. Those drivers are near the bottom of the page.

 

[Ed from AZ]

Because I don't know your service tag, 5CY3Q21

Take a look in Device Manager and determine if you have the Intel
PRO/Wireless 2100 or the Dell TrueMobile 1170.

I don't have the machine in front of me right now,
so I'll check tonight.

Both of those devices are
quite old, and I'm pretty sure that neither supports WPA2.

That's what I'm afraid of!
Might be time to actually upgrade!! 8>O

I'm not convinced, however, that your issues are caused by the driver.
There is a brief troubleshooting FAQ at the Intel page linked above. See
if anything there helps.

Thanks Lem. I'll take a look.

Ed

 

[Ed from AZ]

Didn`t have oppotunity to read the FAQ but I did find that I have the
TrueMobile 1400 - Broadcom driver BCMWL5.SYS v 4.10.40.11.

Now I can go look for an update.
Ed