Dell 1501 not detecting Wireless-N network?

So im currently deployed, and the B/G networks here are complete garbage. Totally wish i had pulled the trigger on the 1103 i had my sights set on before i left.

But here's the issue, i've got a guy here saying i need to connect to the N-network (not sure if its 5ghz or 2.4, he doesnt know how to see if its 5 or 2.4 b/c he's running a mac)

But its not showing up in my wifi list. i get both the G and B networks (both showing radio type "802.11gn"?) but no N network.

i've used my N-network at home. dunno whats up? im redownloading the bios right now, going to try and re-install/reboot to see if that helps.

any help appreciated.

 

Well, that card's only good for the 2.4GHz frequencies anyway...or so says the Dell support page on the 1501 wifi card. You can check what the network's frequency is on the Mac. Just go to Applications folder in the dock, then Utilities, and their's an app named "Network Utility". Open it and it will show the INFO tab by default. you will need to select the Wifi adapter (or wireless adapter...whatever is may be labeled as) from the network interface dropdown list. Check the link speed. 2.4GHz will cap out at 130 Mbit/s, 5GHz will go up to 300 Mbit/s.
When you say redownloading BIOS, you mean the wifi drivers, yes? One last ditch effort you can try also is to go into device manager (in control panels), select your 1501 card under network adapters, and right click and select properties. You want to look for a tab that is labeled "advanced". Under the advanced tab, see if there is a setting for 802.11 mode, click on it and make sure the value is set to enabled. Then save, close. Other than those two things, I can't think of anything else at the moment.

 

yea, totally meant driver lol. posted that after a 16 hour shift.

I talked to the tech here, apparently they recently switched to the 5ghz. it was 2.4ghz before but we just got to this new location a couple weeks ago. which makes no sense here in this case but whatever(i've read that 5ghz doesnt as well). the internet rates here barely exceed .5 Mbps up/down... on a good day, with only 1 user on. now imagine that split between about 800 users you can imagine my frustration -- on top of only having 1 bar connectivity and even thats spotty at best.

oh and, my wifi advance settings doesnt have that transmit power option cant wait to get back to the states and order up the killer 1103. this dell card is pissin me off lol. i get better range on my phone (droid razr).

i'm gunna play around with a few of the other settings in the advance tab. some neat things in there that are disabled by default for some reason. just hope I can get back soon so i can get that killer 1103!

 

Deleted.. because apparently crap internet = double post lol.
and the frustration continues!

btw, according to the status of the wireless, im connected at between 10 and 20 mbps with only 1-2 bars more than enough for internet. its unfortunate that the US military cant afford more than DSL speeds for >800 users lol.

 

Ouch. Yeah, this is the Dell 1501 page that states the card is only 2.4 GHz. Documentation. They should have stuck with the 2.4 GHz. It speeds are lower but it's longer range. Where are you deployed at?