My new wireless network connector
Apr 27th, 2006, 11:25 AM
#1
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My new wireless network connector
OK, after much discussion here about turning my laptop into wireless, I followed the advice of a couple computer experts. I purchased an Intel Pro/Wireless 2200bg network connector on Ebay. It came and I installed it -- that was easy as pie as there are no wires and it clearly snaps into place.
OK, so now the laptop recognizes the new hardware and tells me to insert the CD for hardware. Huh? I didn't get any CD. So I spend a few hours on the internet trying to find downloads from Intel.
Rule #1 to self: Never try to do the short cut when you don't know what you're doing.
I download what I think is the right thing -- although it says 2100 software and then below it says valid for 2200. I install. Now when I click on, all I get is a message that "driver cannot be found".
Gateway tells me I need the CD software from Intel. There is online pay help available from Intel at something like $5 a minute I suppose -- and if the usual happens that could take an hour if I could reach someone.
So should I chuck the whole thing and go out and buy a new one with CD? The ebay seller hasn't responded to my question yet. I see others listed with CD software, but I need to do this soon, not wait for more days of bids and days of shipping.
See. I said when I started I was a computer dummy.
OK, so now the laptop recognizes the new hardware and tells me to insert the CD for hardware. Huh? I didn't get any CD. So I spend a few hours on the internet trying to find downloads from Intel.
Rule #1 to self: Never try to do the short cut when you don't know what you're doing.
I download what I think is the right thing -- although it says 2100 software and then below it says valid for 2200. I install. Now when I click on, all I get is a message that "driver cannot be found".
Gateway tells me I need the CD software from Intel. There is online pay help available from Intel at something like $5 a minute I suppose -- and if the usual happens that could take an hour if I could reach someone.
So should I chuck the whole thing and go out and buy a new one with CD? The ebay seller hasn't responded to my question yet. I see others listed with CD software, but I need to do this soon, not wait for more days of bids and days of shipping.
See. I said when I started I was a computer dummy.
Apr 27th, 2006, 11:38 AM
#2
I am sure more IT savvy people will answer this better than I, but it seems to me you are most of the way there. A few things to check: The card is presumably being recognised as being a wireless adaptor, rather than just "unknown device" ?
You are using a Windows 200 or XP system ? (The Intel site gives these as the supported operating systems.
I would go to control panel, device manager and see how the card is described, then I would try the "reinstall driver" button from the properties menu.
If it still fails to find a driver, I would try a site like www.driverguide.com which often has alternative drivers for pieces of hardware.
You are using a Windows 200 or XP system ? (The Intel site gives these as the supported operating systems.
I would go to control panel, device manager and see how the card is described, then I would try the "reinstall driver" button from the properties menu.
If it still fails to find a driver, I would try a site like www.driverguide.com which often has alternative drivers for pieces of hardware.
Apr 27th, 2006, 12:21 PM
#3
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I was wondering how a "working pull" was going to work out for you, and now I know.
First, I would delete it from the Device Manager or run "Uninstall" from Add Hardware in the Control Panel, and unplug the device.
Then install the driver for the <u>slot</u>. This is probably either on your hard drive or the Restore CD.
Once that's in, plug the adapter back in, cross your fingers, and let 'er Plug'n'Play.
First, I would delete it from the Device Manager or run "Uninstall" from Add Hardware in the Control Panel, and unplug the device.
Then install the driver for the <u>slot</u>. This is probably either on your hard drive or the Restore CD.
Once that's in, plug the adapter back in, cross your fingers, and let 'er Plug'n'Play.
Apr 27th, 2006, 12:29 PM
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Apr 27th, 2006, 12:33 PM
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Actually I think I may have figured it out. I get the impression that although I downloaded, I didn't actually install it. Now I think I have and device manager/drivers says "working properly".
Now all I have to do is go somewhere I can test it as I don't have a router here.
Now all I have to do is go somewhere I can test it as I don't have a router here.
Apr 27th, 2006, 12:41 PM
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That's the correct driver. Did you attach the antenna to "main" on the intel network connector? It's a small plug, you just have to press.
The rest is easy. Start setup and follow the instructions. The card will be detected automatically on XP. Don't listen to those "not found" messages in Windows, install the driver and reboot.
The rest is easy. Start setup and follow the instructions. The card will be detected automatically on XP. Don't listen to those "not found" messages in Windows, install the driver and reboot.
Apr 27th, 2006, 12:45 PM
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The connector has no wire. It is just like the memory card I recently installed. It pushes in -- theres a whole row of "teeth". And then two spring clips at the sides snap into two litle notches on the sides to show it is in place and to hold it there.
Off to the library to start it up and see what I get. No doubt you'll hear from me later. LOL
Off to the library to start it up and see what I get. No doubt you'll hear from me later. LOL
Apr 27th, 2006, 12:54 PM
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The wire isn't on the connector, but there's a cable inside the bay that isn't connected. This has to be attached to the "main" socket on the card. Yes, this tiny thing at the upper right side on the card is actually an antenna socket. I'll be going to bed now, can't answer today. I'm sure you'll figure it out 
Apr 27th, 2006, 02:27 PM
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Oh, logos, I guess you're in bed now, but I can assure you there is NOTHING inside that bay that can be connected. It is clean as a whistle except for the "slot" where I insert the row of connectors, and the two tiny springs on the sides that snap into place. I can't connect a wire that simply isn't there.
Meanwhile, I'm back from playing at the library. Nothing happened. I do get a message under device manager which tells me "Intel Pro/100VE Network" is working properly. I opened pages of stuff that tells me things I must do, like go to "network connections" and click the "wireless icon". Huh? There is no wireless icon under network connections, just the assortmant of broadband and dial up ones. If I click "add a new connection" there is nothing that relates to wireless. Yet everything tells me everything is installed properly. There must be a whole lot of steps to do before it will work, and if it has to be connected to a wire that I don't have, then it never will work.
Robespierre, with all due respect, I have no idea what you are saying because I don't understand these terms:
"working pull"
"install the driver for the slo"
I did uninstall the driver, remove the card from the back, reinstall the driver, and then reinstalled the card. Once again it tells me it was successfully installed and is working properly. I surprised myself in being able to find the download to install.
There are some things people like me shouldn't try to do on their own.
Meanwhile, I'm back from playing at the library. Nothing happened. I do get a message under device manager which tells me "Intel Pro/100VE Network" is working properly. I opened pages of stuff that tells me things I must do, like go to "network connections" and click the "wireless icon". Huh? There is no wireless icon under network connections, just the assortmant of broadband and dial up ones. If I click "add a new connection" there is nothing that relates to wireless. Yet everything tells me everything is installed properly. There must be a whole lot of steps to do before it will work, and if it has to be connected to a wire that I don't have, then it never will work.
Robespierre, with all due respect, I have no idea what you are saying because I don't understand these terms:
"working pull"
"install the driver for the slo"
I did uninstall the driver, remove the card from the back, reinstall the driver, and then reinstalled the card. Once again it tells me it was successfully installed and is working properly. I surprised myself in being able to find the download to install.
There are some things people like me shouldn't try to do on their own.
Apr 27th, 2006, 03:46 PM
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A "working pull" is a piece of gear that was pulled out of a device in working condition.
The PCcard slots on a computer have software drivers that run them in much the same way that a USB driver works. You can see them under "PCMCIA adapters" in Device Manager.
Since the system can see the card, it sounds as though yours is working. So your problem lies elsewhere.
When you're within range of a WAP, try running the Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel. Tell it you want to "Add a new computer or devices to the 'xxxxx' network." That should configure your software to talk to the network you're near.
Once your laptop is on the air, you should get an icon in the System Tray that looks like a little computer with waves coming from it. Double-click that, and Wireless Network Connection Status will appear.
Click Properties, and you should see "Connect using: Intel bla bla card." Below that box should be Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Click that, and Properties. Make sure that both sections are set to "automatically."
Hit OK, OK, and Close. If Windows asks to reboot, say OK. Should work.
The PCcard slots on a computer have software drivers that run them in much the same way that a USB driver works. You can see them under "PCMCIA adapters" in Device Manager.
Since the system can see the card, it sounds as though yours is working. So your problem lies elsewhere.
When you're within range of a WAP, try running the Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel. Tell it you want to "Add a new computer or devices to the 'xxxxx' network." That should configure your software to talk to the network you're near.
Once your laptop is on the air, you should get an icon in the System Tray that looks like a little computer with waves coming from it. Double-click that, and Wireless Network Connection Status will appear.
Click Properties, and you should see "Connect using: Intel bla bla card." Below that box should be Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Click that, and Properties. Make sure that both sections are set to "automatically."
Hit OK, OK, and Close. If Windows asks to reboot, say OK. Should work.
Apr 27th, 2006, 05:46 PM
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OK. When I was at the library, I did click on "Add a new computer or devices to the wireless network." I got a choice of "use a USB flash drive" which dead ends because that's not where my device is plugged or I can click "setup a network manually" which I did click. Then I get "print settings and manually enter them into each device". Huh? I can go forward and get a bunch of gobbledegook that at the bottom says, "consult the directions from your internet provider". That's where I got dead ended again. And never got any indication that my computer was receiving any signal. I have no idea what I'm to do with that "print settings and enter them manually."
Thanks for all the help, I'm just not getting anywhere with this.
Oh, and I did get an email from the guy I bought the adapter from. He said I could take it to a computer shop and they'd help me, that I've already done all the "hard work". Huh?
Thanks for all the help, I'm just not getting anywhere with this.
Oh, and I did get an email from the guy I bought the adapter from. He said I could take it to a computer shop and they'd help me, that I've already done all the "hard work". Huh?
Apr 27th, 2006, 08:24 PM
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If there isn't an antenna, it's no big deal. It's really just a piece of wire whith a value of a few cents ending nowhere. It can be attached at any computer shop. You problem seems to be elsewhere.
Apr 28th, 2006, 05:56 AM
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When I set up my network (and I'm a computer illiterate too) I had trouble with the Windows firewall but not Norton. Sec Pac 2 changes the default setting for the firewall from "off" to "on." However, none of this posed a problem until I tried to add a password.
Did you ask for help at the library? Very often they have someone who can help you configure your settings.
One thing I definitely recommend -- for your next laptop, buy a Mac. My desktop PC -- last PC I'll ever own -- literally took hours (and two long phonecalls to India) to set up for the network. My Mac took seconds.
Did you ask for help at the library? Very often they have someone who can help you configure your settings.
One thing I definitely recommend -- for your next laptop, buy a Mac. My desktop PC -- last PC I'll ever own -- literally took hours (and two long phonecalls to India) to set up for the network. My Mac took seconds.
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