Wireless access gone after hard drive replacement

Q:

Wireless connectivity, Dell OptiPlex GX260, Windows XP, Wireless PC cards, Wireless networking

I have a wireless card in a Dell GX260 running XP. It was working just fine. Then I replaced the harddrive and installed XP again. I have the CD with the driver to the card and installed it. Since that time, the computer "sees" the wireless router but does not connect. (Sees - in the software that came on the CD, the access point - Homexxxx, shows up) The IP address is okay (I checked with a direct connection and that worked). Any ideas for me?

ASKED: Feb 3 2009 5:44 AM GMT

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You will need a WPA or WEP key to connect unless the access point has open security. The key is a several character long string that is entered on the client to connect to the access point. If you don't have the original key and there are no other devices, then create a new key and reset the router with that key and enter it in your client. If there are other clients, you can still create a new key but they will need to have the new key entered to permit them to connect to the wireless router.

I am not sure if you have already solved this problem, however, sometimes it is overlooked that the router and computer must be shutdown, router rebooted first, and then the computer rebooted again. Are you still having trouble connecting to the router?

**********
To view the WEP or WPA connect directly to the router by this machine or another using your network cable. Then access the properties page of your router. You did not mention what router you are using. If it is a linksys go to 192.168.1.1 in your web browser. You will be prompted to log in. If you have not changed the defaults, on older LinkSys routers, the default username is blank and the default password is "admin." On newer Linksys routers, both the default username and the default password are set to "admin.". If you have changed these (and it is good security practice to do so obviously) type in the new ones. If you have forgotten them you have to reset the router to factory defaults. If this is not a linksys router then you will need to get the settings for the router you are using.
To check your wireless card drivers go into the device manager and see if there is a bang (exclamation point) or a question mark on the wireless device there. Install or update the driver if there is.
~ technochic

Last Answered: Feb 20 2009 2:42 PM GMT by Technochic

40210 pts.

Latest Contributors: R2JR

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A:

You will need a WPA or WEP key to connect unless the access point has open security. The key is a several character long string that is entered on the client to connect to the access point. If you don't have the original key and there are no other devices, then create a new key and reset the router with that key and enter it in your client. If there are other clients, you can still create a new key but they will need to have the new key entered to permit them to connect to the wireless router.

I am not sure if you have already solved this problem, however, sometimes it is overlooked that the router and computer must be shutdown, router rebooted first, and then the computer rebooted again. Are you still having trouble connecting to the router?

**********
To view the WEP or WPA connect directly to the router by this machine or another using your network cable. Then access the properties page of your router. You did not mention what router you are using. If it is a linksys go to 192.168.1.1 in your web browser. You will be prompted to log in. If you have not changed the defaults, on older LinkSys routers, the default username is blank and the default password is "admin." On newer Linksys routers, both the default username and the default password are set to "admin.". If you have changed these (and it is good security practice to do so obviously) type in the new ones. If you have forgotten them you have to reset the router to factory defaults. If this is not a linksys router then you will need to get the settings for the router you are using. 
To check your wireless card drivers go into the device manager and see if there is a bang (exclamation point)  or a question mark on the wireless device there. Install or update the driver if there is.
~ technochic

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Servo 25 pts. | Feb 3 2009 10:19PM GMT

Also make sure only one program is set for the wifi access. I know linksys for example has their own program and it will often interfear with and or disable straight wireless access from windows directly. I would recommend letting windows manage your wireless over the program from the manufacture. I would venture to gues Dell has some kind of program installed.
Thank you
Servo

KevinBeaver 7610 pts. | Feb 18 2009 4:47PM GMT

You may not actually need a WEP or WPA key. You might need to update your drivers - both for your wireless card (from Dell or whoever’s site) and Windows which can be found here.

Robert Stewart 1810 pts. | Feb 19 2009 9:38PM GMT

I agree it sounds like your missing the wireless nic driver. When you open up network connections, do you see the wireless connection icon?? If not go to dell website and download wireless driver for your computer.

PC32Mech 45 pts. | Feb 23 2009 10:49PM GMT

In the router settings page, there is an option to set the username and password. Normally: admin - Admin. If you change these characters, you should remember that.

On the settings page of your wireless card, you must enter this username and password.

This is the same if a person tries to enter your network.
Do not know the WEP encryption Key Setting or WPA encryption Key Setting.

Regards!

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