Dell Inspiron 510m - wireless?

Katerina_sa

Hi all,

I got a second hand Dell Inspiron 510m and I'm not sure if it's wireless or not. In the "connections" it doesn't detect any wireless networks or say anything about wireless connections. (I've got a wireless network).

There is the little wireless icon on F2 which I tried to activate (fn F2) but nothing happened.

I read somewhere that some of the 510m came without a wireless card. Where do I look for the card?

Your help would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Katerina

jje_2

Inside the computer is where the wireless chip is . A card would be an add on in one of the slots at the side of the computer about half the size of the cd drive .

Model number and version plus specs should say if it has wireless via google .

What OS has it got XP ?

jje

albertross_2

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins510m/sm/upgrades.htm#999869

start, run, devmgmt.msc

does anything show up, or any yellow question marks?

Katerina_sa

jje wrote: »

Inside the computer is where the wireless chip is . A card would be an add on in one of the slots at the side of the computer about half the size of the cd drive .

Model number and version plus specs should say if it has wireless via google .

What OS has it got XP ?

jje

Card slot on the side empty...
It has XP

Thanks

Katerina_sa

albertross wrote: »

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins510m/sm/upgrades.htm#999869

start, run, devmgmt.msc

does anything show up, or any yellow question marks?

yellow question marks : Ethernet Controller and Network Controller.

Thank you

albertross_2

you need to go to the dell website and download drivers for them, until all the question marks are gone, and check the mini-pci slot for the wireless

Katerina_sa

It seems that there is something wrong with this laptop and I don't know what.

Since I cannot use it wireless I tried to connect to the internet by using the router's cable (netgear). The laptop doesn't even recognise the cable or the connection to the router.

I phoned Netgear and they said that i should contact dell as there is a problem with the laptop since it cannot detect netgear's ip address.

I'll try Dell support and fingers crossed

albertross_2

Katerina_sa wrote: »

yellow question marks : Ethernet Controller and Network Controller.

Thank you

That is your problem, you need the drivers. Download them on another PC, and transfer using CD/usb flash drive etc

motorguy

The Inspiron 510m is wireless by default. you couldnt get them without it.

It sounds like it hasnt got the right drivers installed (if any).

They are available from Dells website.

motorguy

Katerina_sa wrote: »

It seems that there is something wrong with this laptop and I don't know what.

Since I cannot use it wireless I tried to connect to the internet by using the router's cable (netgear). The laptop doesn't even recognise the cable or the connection to the router.

I phoned Netgear and they said that i should contact dell as there is a problem with the laptop since it cannot detect netgear's ip address.

I'll try Dell support and fingers crossed

Unless you got a really long warranty with it, it will have expired by now, and dell either wont want to know, or will charge you lots to help you.

It does sound like a driver problem though. Would anyone have perhaps reinstalled the o/s before you bought it?

Katerina_sa

:T

Thank you! I downloaded quite a few drivers and the miracle happened! I've got wireless connection now. :rotfl:

I still haven't managed to connect to my network as it seems that the security is high but i've tested it with the unsecured networks that are available.

Many thanks for your guidance guys.

Katerina
:beer: