Dell™ Wireless Utility - How to Connect

[WiFi.com]

This guide is provided by Dell. For more wireless troubleshooting from Dell, click here.

How do I connect to a wireless network using the Dell™ Wireless Utility?

1. Configure the Dell Wireless Utility to connect to the Access Point or Wireless Router.

To configure the Dell Wireless Utility version 4.10.x or later to connect to a Access Point or wireless router, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start.
2. Click All Programs or Programs.
3. Point to Dell Wireless then click Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility.

The Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility opens.(Figure 1)




Figure 1 - DellWireless WLANCard Utility window

1. Click to check the box next to Let this tool manage your wireless network.
2. Click to check the box next to Show utility icon.
3. Click to check the box next to Enable Radio.

NOTE: When the Enable Radio box is grayed out or non-checkable, disconnect any network cables (CAT 5 cable) attached to your system and plug the A/C adapter into the system. If you are still unable to check the Enable Radio box, press the FN+F2 keys or slide the ON/OFF switch to ON, depending on which portable type you have. Then, click Apply.

4. Click the down arrow ( ) next to Add.
The Add wireless profile option window appears.

5. Click Use Wizard (basic network).

The Wireless Network Connection Settings window opens. (Figure 2)



Figure 2 - Wireless Network Wizard window


NOTE: When the Network name (SSID) is not broadcasting or is not in the list of available networks, refer to Dell Knowledge Base Article: 314684 - "How do I connect to a non-broadcasting wireless network or manually configure a profile using the Dell™ Wireless utility?"


6. Click to highlight the wireless network name or SSID you are attempting to connect to and then click the Next button.

The You are now ready to connect to the network window appears. (Figure 3)

NOTE: When the This network requires a network key window appears, the wireless network you are attempting to access requires a security key or secret password. The key must match the wireless router's key located within router's configuration pages. For more information on how to connect to a secure wireless network, refer to the following Dell Knowledge Base Article: 295635 - "How do I connect to a secure wireless network using the Dell Wireless Utility version 4.10 or later?"

Figure 3 - You Are Ready to Connect to the Network

7. Click Connect.

You are connected to the wireless network.


To configure the Dell Wireless Utility version pre-4.10.x to connect to a Access Point or wireless router, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Dell Wireless, and then click Dell WLAN Card Utility.


The Wireless Networks page appears within the Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility. (Figure 1)



Figure 1 - Wireless Networks



2. Click the Advanced button.

The Advanced window appears. (Figure 2)



Figure 2 - Advanced Window


3. Click to check Access Point (infrastructure) networks only.
Click OK.

The main Wireless Networks window appears.

4. Click the Add button.


The Wireless Network Properties appears. (Figure 3)



Figure 3 - Wireless Network Properties


5. Input the Network Name or SSID next to Network Name (SSID):.

NOTE: When encryption is being used, choose the appropriate authentication type that the wireless network is using next to Network Authentication, and then choose the appropriate encryption scheme next to Data Encryption. For troubleshooting purposes, disable encryption on the Access Point and on the system attempting to connect to it.

NOTE: Disable Passphrase or any type of encryption key generator on the wireless router or Access Point. Dell wireless adapters do not connect to the wireless network with these settings because this is a vendor specific proprietary feature.

6. Click OK.
7. Click OK.