Resolved Netgear Wireless PCI Adapter WG311 v3 not working

Hello,
My husband's Windows XP crashed and I had to reformat his computer. All is running well except for the wireless connection.

Unfortunately, he is in a nursing home suffering from Parkinson's but does enjoy getting on the internet and looking up things so I hope that once again we can get him connected.

I followed the instructions that came with the Adapter by taking out the card from the computer, putting in the CD to run the software, turning the computer back on and finish setting it up. Since it didn't work the first time, I uninstalled everything and redid it.

Now, if my memory is correct, he does have a connection but it says something to the effect that it is a very poor connection and probably won't get on the internet.

On the bottom right in the toolbar, I see the Netgear connection trying to hook up but then it drops off. It said, when I was installing it, to use the Smart Wizard to set up the wireless PCI adapter which I did.

Also in the bottom right toolbar is another icon that I think is a Windows symbol that has an exclamation mark in it.

I am not very experienced at setting up this Network so any help you can provide will be appreciated.

I will take my little laptop with me to the nursing home (I'm able to connect to the internet there) and see if you do respond I'll be able to look at his computer for more information.

Thank you for your help.

Jean

 

Click on the Windows symbol. Probably updates for the PC.
I used a Linksys card like you have and it isn't as powerful as the built in ones are for some reason. I could get a pretty good signal on a regular built in adapter and not on the PCI card one if the signal was weak.

 

I'm not sure what you mean when you said, "Click on the Windows symbol. Probably updates for the PC." I have updated all the Windows Programs already.
This Netgear adapter was working wonderful until I reformatted the computer.

This computer did not come with a wireless card but when my husband went into the nursding home, my son installed it in the computer and it worked great.

I must have some setting wrong and I can't figure it out.

Jean
.

 

There are updates for the PC at least once a month. Did you click on the Windows symbol to see what it was?

 

Hi Jean;
Today is Microsoft patch Tuesday so you’ll get some updates – soon as you get an internet connection.

Since you've been through the usual updates since reformatting
Try placing cursor over that symbol – it’ll probably say: Limited or No Internet connectivity. One of those really helpful messages.

To go through possible problems. I’m thinking it’s either a driver for the pci card, network setting or computer not receiving a strong enough signal.

For signal. Is it in same place as before when working? Can your laptop connect there?

Drivers: check device manager.
Press Start – Control Panel – System – Hardware Tab – Device Manager.
Under Network adapters – is the card listed and with no yellow question marks?

Settings: Press Start – Control Panel – Network Connections – rt click Wireless Network Connection and select properties.
Wireless Network tab.
check: Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings. (windows should do a better job than included Netgear utility).

Press ok and balloon should pop up by clock in taskbar asking if want to see available networks – click and select the proper one.

If it’s not an ‘open’ network will need a password from the home.

Since just reformatted would expect these to be ok – but check anyway.
Network connections – properties -
Scroll down to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and dbl click on it or select properties.

Make sure following is checked:
Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.

 

Hi, I'll post a reply tomorrow as I won't be going back to the Nursing home today.

But to answer some of your questions now, I will try to do my best.

Yes it does say: Limited or No Internet connectivity.

Yes the signal is in the exact place as before.
Yes my laptop can connect with no problem.

I will run the tests tomorow as you instructed and get back to you with the results.

Thanks for your help.

Jean

 

Hi,
I know I do have the Service Pack 3. I installed it after I reformatted the computer.
I'll try to bring my laptop with me tomorrow and post a message from there to let you know ho I am making out.

Thanks again.

Jean

 

Ok, I am here at the nursing home with my laptop. I have tried the suggestions that ephemarial suggested. No luck.
In the bottom of the taskbar There is a symbol looking like a little computer. Sometimes it has an exclamation point and other times it has a little symol that keeps moving back and forth on top of ther icon. The netgear symbol is showing red. I hover over it and it says that it is scanning. If I double click it the smart wizard for the netgear comes up. It seems like I have it setup okay with the password It keeps saying Scanning, shows different Channels but just returns as in a loop.

In the device manager earlier there was a red x in the Netgear but now all the adapters are green:
1394 Net Adapter
Intel (R) Pro/100 VE Network Connection
Netgear WG311V3 802.11g wireless PCI Adapter

The information in device manager looks good but down on the toolbar the Netgear Icon is RED.

In the Wireless Network Connection 2 it says:
Not Connected,m Firewalled
Netgear ........ Wireless

I see in the Internet Protocol that the bullet is in both the Obtain and IP address auto. and Obtain DNS server auto.

Should I just give up and try to hook something else up to this computer.

Is there any device that I can use that I don't have to open the tower and I'm not good with doing things inside the tower.

OK, thank you again for your help

Jean

I did go to device manager

 

Hover your mouse over the thing that looks like a computer with something going around it.
What does it say?

Next rt click on it.
One of the options should be repair.
Select it and let it do it’s thing.
What’s the result?

If no good lets check that windows – not the Netgear utility – is trying to connect your computer.
Rt click on same icon but now select – View Available Wireless Networks.

If blurb comes up – windows cannot configure the wireless connection – then the netgear utility is still trying to.

See my previous post about changing it.


(and yes - you can buy an adapter that plugs into a USB port for $12-20)

 

Hello,
I have just about given up on this problem. I keep doing the same things over and over and nothing works.

I did do the repair as suggested but it says, "Windows could not finish repairing the problem because the following action cannot be completed:
Connecting to the wireless network. For assistance, contact the person who manages your network. "

I also made sure that Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.

I turly think that I need to use the Netgear software but have no idea how to shut down the Windows software.

I am afraid that if I purchase a USB adapter, I'll have the same problems, maybe more, then I'll have three things trying to hook up to the internet.

I'll play around with it a little more but I'm about to give up and take it to a computer repair store.

Is this a better idea?

Jean

 

I finally gave up on this Network Problem. I took the computer home and uninstalled the software and took out the card from the case. Reinstalled the software, put the card back in and finished reinstalling the software from the CD. It worked GREAT on my home Network.

I took it back to the facility this morning and I get the same message "Limited Connectivity.

I decided to just forget the internet connection for now until I find someone who can come in and help hook it up.

Thanks for all your help.

Jean

 

Surely they don't have a password at the facility or else you would have problems with you laptop. But that almost sounds like the problem.
Next time you go, walk up and down the hallways and see if it changes.