Problems Connecting to Wifi on Laptop

williacg

Good morning all,

I'm hoping that someone might be able to assist me with some problems I've been experiencing trying to connect a recently purchased refurbished Dell E6400 (Vista) laptop, and spent the last few days being bounced between different Virgin Media technicians. I'm not the brightest spark in the box when it comes to IT issues, and so I will give you all the details, but apologies if I miss out any vital info you might need to assist - the details are as follows:-

Having spent considerable time trying to connect to Wifi using the Virgin Media Superhub details on the unit, I contacted Virgin, and spent ages going through different instructions which all failed, I was told to call back again, as they would carry out further tests and reset the password details. However, since doing this, neither of the settings that were originally listed are displayed, and when I look in the Control Panel it says that I am not connected and that the radio is off.

Sorry if I appear to be babbling, I have no idea what these settings mean, and am just simply parroting the messages displayed, and was hoping to get some sort of verification before I return to Virgin for the 5th time when it could be something simple that I have failed to do.

Thanks in advance for any help.

wongataa

williacg wrote: »

and when I look in the Control Panel it says that I am not connected and that the radio is off.

Have you verified that the Wi-Fi on the laptop is turned on? This suggests it is not. Look at the documentation to see where the Wi-Fi switch is.

williacg

wongataa wrote: »

Have you verified that the Wi-Fi on the laptop is turned on? This suggests it is not. Look at the documentation to see where the Wi-Fi switch is.

Hi Wongataa,

Thank you for replying to my message.

I can confirm that I have found the switch located at the right of my laptop next to the CD drive, and it is switched on, there is also another small button with the Wifi symbol on, but I can't work out what its function is or if its on or off, can you help?

Also, the last Virgin Media technician I spoke with said that I needed to connect the ethernet cable to my laptop, should I disconnect this when attempting to set up Wifi?

Thanks again for your reply.

[Deleted User]

williacg wrote: »

Hi Wongataa,

Thank you for replying to my message.

I can confirm that I have found the switch located at the right of my laptop next to the CD drive, and it is switched on, there is also another small button with the Wifi symbol on, but I can't work out what its function is or if its on or off, can you help?

Also, the last Virgin Media technician I spoke with said that I needed to connect the ethernet cable to my laptop, should I disconnect this when attempting to set up Wifi?

Thanks again for your reply.

The small button may be a WPS button, there'll be a matching one on your router (normally, I'm no expert on Virgin hubs). You press them both (can't remember the order) and they should automatically join up without faffing about with passwords and the like. You have to remove the internet cable to do this as it'll default to the best connection (the hardwired one).

williacg

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

The small button may be a WPS button, there'll be a matching one on your router (normally, I'm no expert on Virgin hubs). You press them both (can't remember the order) and they should automatically join up without faffing about with passwords and the like. You have to remove the internet cable to do this as it'll default to the best connection (the hardwired one).

Hi Colin,

I've checked every inch of the hub, however, can't find the same symbol, however, when I do press the button located on the laptop, and hold it for a while, a message box appears stating that the radio is off. As suggested, I have disconnected the ethernet cable from my laptop, but when I do so there is no Internet access whatsoever. Do I need to unplug the (yellow) ethernet cable from the Hub also?

[Deleted User]

williacg wrote: »

Hi Colin,

I've checked every inch of the hub, however, can't find the same symbol, however, when I do press the button located on the laptop, and hold it for a while, a message box appears stating that the radio is off. As suggested, I have disconnected the ethernet cable from my laptop, but when I do so there is no Internet access whatsoever. Do I need to unplug the (yellow) ethernet cable from the Hub also?

As long as the laptop isn't plugged in you're fine.

Have you tried holding in the second button when not plugged into the router? If it's still saying that the radio is turned off despite the switch being on then it sounds like you've got a faulty WiFi module on the laptop. It looks easy enough to replace (if you can source one): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHJ2Y6O3mM0

It may even just need pulling out and re-seating, check the antenna cable while you're there.

The other option would be a separate USB WiFi dongle.

emptybox

I'm presuming you have verified that the wifi from the Virgin hub is working, by successfully connecting to the internet on other devices (smart phones etc)?

Also open up Control Panel on your Dell laptop and find Network Adaptors, and see if the wifi adaptor is disabled. Try Enabling it.

ETA: Also open up Device Manager, and see what it says for network adaptors. Are there any yellow triangles? Does it say the device is working properly and driver up to date?

williacg

emptybox wrote: »

I'm presuming you have verified that the wifi from the Virgin hub is working, by successfully connecting to the internet on other devices (smart phones etc)?

Also open up Control Panel on your Dell laptop and find Network Adaptors, and see if the wifi adaptor is disabled. Try Enabling it.

ETA: Also open up Device Manager, and see what it says for network adaptors. Are there any yellow triangles? Does it say the device is working properly and driver up to date?

Hi Emptybox, thank you for responding.

Firstly, I do not have a smart phone, and therefore cannot confirm successful verification, as I have only used the Internet so far. I'm rushing in and out at the moment, but when I return I will go through all of the steps you detailed above without rushing, (and take notes) and get back to you with my progress. Thank you once again for your assistance and patience!

that

williacg wrote: »

Hi Colin,

I've checked every inch of the hub, however, can't find the same symbol, however, when I do press the button located on the laptop, and hold it for a while, a message box appears stating that the radio is off. As suggested, I have disconnected the ethernet cable from my laptop, but when I do so there is no Internet access whatsoever. Do I need to unplug the (yellow) ethernet cable from the Hub also?

On the right edge of the laptop, just behind the dvd player and above the headphone socket there is a switch.

look here about 3min 10 sec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxhai-9816c
EDIT: 11 mins 45 sec.... nice clear view

Not running it on Mint are you?

williacg

emptybox wrote: »

I'm presuming you have verified that the wifi from the Virgin hub is working, by successfully connecting to the internet on other devices (smart phones etc)?

Also open up Control Panel on your Dell laptop and find Network Adaptors, and see if the wifi adaptor is disabled. Try Enabling it.

ETA: Also open up Device Manager, and see what it says for network adaptors. Are there any yellow triangles? Does it say the device is working properly and driver up to date?

Hi there,

I've followed your instructions and gone into the Device Manager and network adaptors and it lists the following:-

- Intel(R) Wifi Link 5100 AGN

It says that the device is running properly and that the drivers are up to date. I think I'm going to have another chat with the seller.

Thanks for all of your help.

williacg

that wrote: »

On the right edge of the laptop, just behind the dvd player and above the headphone socket there is a switch.

look here about 3min 10 sec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxhai-9816c
EDIT: 11 mins 45 sec.... nice clear view

Not running it on Mint are you?

Hi there,

I don't know what Mint is, but thanks so much for the video, I found the switch and it's on and seems to be working fine.

Thanks again for your help.