Hi, I have a Dell Latitude D620 with a Dell Wireless WLAN. I connect to my wireless connection at home fine, but any time I take my computer to a wifi hotpsot, it cannot connect. I SEE that there is a network there, I click "connect" to that network, and my computer doesn't do anything. My Wireless is set to obtain IP addresses automatically, so that is not the problem. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I might try to fix this??
Also make sure that the "channel" for your wifi card is set to "Auto". Sometimes the Dell cards become hard-coded to a specific channel, and will only connect to hotspots that use the same channel number.
Thanks JohnWill and Gurutech! I'll check out both of those things tonight (my computer is at home so can't do it now...). How would I check the channel of the wireless card and turn that to auto??
Go to the General tab (as shown in JohnWill's picture), and you will see a button next to or just underneath the wireless adapter.
Click this button (labeled "Configure"), and then go to the Advanced tab. On the left side, look for something called "Channel" or it may be "IBSS Wireless Channel". Highlight this, and then on the right side, it will list the channel you are currently using. If it already says "Auto", then try changing it to something else, save the settings, then go back and change it back to "Auto".
If "Auto" (or something similar) isn't listed as an option, then you may need to go to the Dell website (http://support.dell.com) to download the latest drivers.
Well, I tried both things, but unfortunately, my screen didn't look the same as your screenshots, so I just had to do my best. As for the channel, I found something that said "802.11 only" and the other option was "802.11/auto." I changed it to the latter, but it still isn't connecting. I've tried posting at Dell, but no one there seems to know either. Looks like I might have to pay to have someone come take a look...
At the risk of staing the obvious ... you've encryption into account?
Are you configured to use encryption and the public hotpsots are not using encryption and you've getting a mis-match?
OK, at the risk of sounding like an idiot... huh? I'm assuming you're asking whether at home I need some kind of security code and everywhere else I don't, but I have my computer set up to ask for a security code? If that is what you mean, then the answer is no. My wireless at home is not encrypted, nor are the hotspots I'm going to.... Thanks for the suggestion! (and if that's not what you meant, could you explain, please?)
My warped mind says there are two situations that could fit your symptoms. You've eliminated my first guess (static IP) by saying you are using 'obtain IP auto.' The other thing is a firewall (Internet Security). You have Norton or McAfee or something that is configured to allow your home LAN (e.g., maybe 192.168.1.x) access but not other IP addresses.
Are you using DELL connection software or XP connection? If you use XP it will prompt you that it has detected another wi-fi access you then have to choose that connection. This should appear down near your system tray clock. If it doesn't then you don't have the show icon feature for your wireless connection turned on. Small features like this well aid you. So if you can connect at home okay then going on a business trip using the hotel wi-fi or airport hotspot you should be able to connect.
Apparently, on the Dell D620, when you use your battery the system turns off the Internal Network card to conserve power. It was simply a metter of making sure the Internal Network Card was selected to "Always activate on battery." Who knew? Figures it was so simple. Than you all for your help.
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