Donate SIGN UP

Laptop won't connect to wireless networks

Avatar Image
Whickerman | 18:31 Fri 07th Mar 2008 | Technology
17 Answers
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?
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 17 of 17rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by Whickerman. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
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.
Perfect*
Question Author
No, but even if I was the computer can't even get that far - something in the settings.
Question Author
First day trying btw
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.
Question Author
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?
Question Author
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.
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
Question Author
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
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.
Question Author
Nope - only two tabs. One is General, one is Advanced
mmm click start -connect to - show all connections
is your wireless connection listed?
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?
Question Author
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.
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...
Question Author
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

1 to 17 of 17rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Laptop won't connect to wireless networks

Answer Question >>

Related Questions