Wi-Fi Central

Due to the endless ways a wireless network can be configured it is impossible for us to connect your laptop to your individual wireless network. To insure that your wifi card is working properly we DO connect EVERY laptop (that we sell with a WIFI card) to our in-house wireless network before we ship it out to you. (PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IN MOST CASES YOU WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY CONNECT TO YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK)

If you have purchased a WIFI card from us or if your laptop came with an internal WIFI card already installed, AND you can not connect to the your wireless network we suggest the following .....

STEP 1: Insure that your WIFI card is installed, and installed correctly

• In Windows XP go to START >> CONTROL PANEL
• In the left column, select SWITCH TO CLASSIC VEIW
• Select SYSTEM >> HARDWARE >> DEVICE MANAGER
• Look down the list and CLICK the "plus" sign to the left of the NETWORK ADAPTERS icon
• This is where all of your Ethernet adapters are located both wired and wireless. there should be 2 listed
• If two (2) are liste, your wifi card is installed and is working properly (if only one is listed see below)

STEP 2: Trouble-Shooting connecting to your Network

• Make sure you have a "Wireless Acess Point (WAP), that it is connected to your Internet connection and it is turned on
• If you have never connected to your WAP with another WIFI connection, you might need to tell your WAP to send out the WIFI signal, Basically turn on the WIFI signal (Refer to your owner's manual)



• DOUBLE-CLICK this icon on the bottom right side of your screen. A diaglogue box will open that will allow you to scan your area for a signal and then connect to it.

IF ONLY ONE DEVICE IS LISTED
look down this same list for an icon titled OTHER DEVICES. If NETWORK ADAPTER is listed here your WIFI card is installed correctly but the driver is not. Please email us and we will help you install the correct driver for your WIFI card.

Dell Support Links How does a wireless network work? Wireless network types and standards What do I need to set up a wireless network? How do I set up a wireless network? How do I troubleshoot my wireless network? How do I connect to a wireless network using Microsoft Windows XP? How do I connect to a wireless network using Microsoft Windows Vista? How do I connect to a wireless network using the Dell Wireless Utility?