LAN & WinXP/2 connection issues

[bgunn]

Hello all (again)....

Several weeks back, I was on here with a pickle about a new Dell Dimension and not being able to get the intragrated NIC card working on the company's LAN or internet. Never did get that one figured out expect for tossing in a PCI Netcard and BINGO!!! it works. I was at odds with Dell Techs as to whether it was a hardware problem or software problem -- something that THEY never could tell me or admit to, but were glad to hear that I got it working.

Well, the Boss' wife brought a new Dell Laptop for me to "finalize" the setup and again I was not able to figure how to get the on-board NIC card to fire on the LAN.

One fellow co-worker says that it is because its a Dell. I'm wondering if there is something that I am missing with the WinXP (home or pro) SR2 update that is causing the problems of not being able to "aquire network connection".

So... anyone else have this occuring?
Are on-board NIC cards (on Dell systems) not working well with the WinXP update?
Is there something in the firewall settings that I keep missing?

At this point, I am merely looking for some discussion and enlightenment. If a "final" solution comes from it -- great. If not, oh well. I am planning on steering clear of Dells for awhile.

Thanks for the venting...

[cat5e]

Wireless Connections can be established easily with free open Unsecured WLAN.

Most WLAN are secured you have to know what are the security parameters of the WALN that you are trying to connect to, and your Wireless Computer has to configured to match them.

Link to: Wireless - Basic Configuration.

Link to: Wireless Security.

[bgunn]

Cat5e:
I do appreciate your reply to my posting. Have had several reads but only posting thus far. Again, while I do appreciate your assist -- I do wonder why you tossed in the "wireless" component.

What I have been having issues with is all cable-connect LAN not wireless. And I know that I have not given all the computer specs that many of you seek, but this question is posted as a general based issue.

This has happen to me on at least (3) different systems -- all Dell -- and I have one more Dell system that I have to upgrade to Service Pack 2. This last one is rather worriesome as I am currently using the on-board NIC port and have NO free PCI slots available for PCI netcard should I, again, hit the same wall as before with the connection or lack of.

Thank you.

[goldfish]

Interesting problem.

Have you tried running a BIOS update? And have you made sure you've got the right drivers for the NIC? Very strange - personally I've had no problems with Dell and Wired or wireless NICs under Windows XP SP2.

It's leading me to believe it might be somthing a little strange about your business LAN. Can you give any info on how you're running the LAN?