Wireless internet help

I just reinstalled windows xp on my computer and now my wireless internet doesn't work. It worked before I reinstalled windows. I do not need to create a new network. I simply need to connect to the network at my house that already exist. If anybody has a suggestion let me know. I can't figure out how to connect to the internet at all with it.

 

???1-800-GEEKSQUAD???

My router took a dump and I jacked up all my settings on my computer before I figured it out

 

Call your internet service provider and they will walk you through the steps. Same thing happened to me.

 

you might need to reinstall the router software. there should have been a disc that came with your router

 

more than likely you just need to install the driver for your network card.

 

That would be the first thing I'd look at.

Can you see the network and just not connect to it or does it not even show up as an available network?

 

If you want to get charged like crazy, go for it.

Firstly, is the computer your trying to hook up directly plugged into the router?

Also, is it not finding your WIFI, not getting an internet signal, or refusing to connect?

 

x2. If you reinstalled windows and you don't have the right software driver installed for the network card then Windows won't know what to do with it. If that's the case you'll need to find out what kind of network card it is download the drivers from the manufacturer website. Once you install the drivers you should see the wireless connection in the taskbar (bottom right corner by the clock). If you have security set on your router you'll need to supply the key to connect.

 

Are you seeing any network icons in the system tray? XP has built in network device drivers but for wireless you may need to reinstall them. What kind of NIC is it? Try plugging directly into the router via Ethernet and see what you get. If you can connect wired then your internet settings are fine, the wireless card just isn't picking up the network. Installing the drivers should fix that. Once you can see the network just make sure to enter the security key if it's encrypted. If that doesn't work then your ISP doesn't use dynamic IP addresses and you need to call them and have them walk you through the configuration step for static IP.

 

Did you put your WEP code and password back into the computer after you reloaded XP?

 

I cant see any network period. The main computer in our house has internet. It is what the router is connected to.

Not getting a signal I dont think.

Not sure what the system tray is. Not sure about what a NIC is either. I unplugged the internet cord that is currently working on our main computer into my laptop and still couldnt get internet.

I dont think so. Not sure what a WEP code is.



Im trying to answer best as I can, but I'm really bad with computers.

 

Where can I find the Device Manager?

 

For the record, the computer is a Dell Inspiron E1705 laptop

 

This is one thing that happened to me is that when I had a windows update my wirless was shut off. I have a DELL Studio and I have a button that has picture of a tower on it. I hit this button and it turns my wireless off and on. Try that.

 

Right click on my computer and click manage. Then click on device manager. You'll probably see some exclamation points. Those items do not have proper drivers installed. Windows knows they're there, but doesn't know how to use them without the drivers.
You need to go to Dell's support site http://support.dell.com/support/dow...ID=INS_PNT_P4_9400&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid= and download and install the drivers for the Wireless Network card. That link is for your model laptop. If it doesn't work go to dell.com and click support on the top right screen, then home user support. Select by model and find your model. It will take you to the same page.
You'll then need to download the drivers that you are missing and save them to CD or flash drive or something that you can attach and save the driver software to. Then just install it on the Inspiron laptop and after the driver is installed you should be able to get onto your wireless network.

 

need the drivers. I had to do the same thing with my parents comp

 

Looking through the drivers there are several possibilities for which one is installed on your laptop. I would guess either the Dell wireless 1500 mini card or the Dell 1490 mini card.

 

Fixing to try downloading that now.


The only exclamation point was under Performance Logs and Alerts >Alerts

 

when i try to click those drivers to start downloading them to an SD card it tries to automatically install them on the computer im using right now?

 

I did it! Feel like I really accomplished something lol.