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    Dell XPS 1330 Wireless terrible range!

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by itsmeagain5789, Aug 16, 2008.

  1. itsmeagain5789

    itsmeagain5789 Newbie

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    My Dell XPS 1330 is crap when it comes to wireless. My friends macbook can pick up our neighbors wireless from 3 houses down. I can't even get the wireless at their front door. I have to be in their house to get it. Is there something I can do besides trash my computer. Its very frustrating. I have the intel wireless card that you can buy with it. It also won't connect to a network if it has less than 2 bars. Anyone have any advice? Im really thinkin about gettin the Macbook now. :mad:
     
    itsmeagain5789, Aug 16, 2008
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  2. somms

    somms Notebook Evangelist

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    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsM1330/en/sm/minicard.htm#wp1180236

    [​IMG]

    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...,44907~0~598274&~ck=anav&navla=44907~0~598274

    Nothing is stopping you from swapping the WLAN for a diff/better type...
     
    somms, Aug 16, 2008
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  3. itsmeagain5789

    itsmeagain5789 Newbie

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    right, but I believe I already have the best card. its the intel wireless wifi link 4965AGN. Is there one that is better?
     
    itsmeagain5789, Aug 16, 2008
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  4. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    intel wireless-N is the best...

    have u checked ur settings?
    eg power settings in vista, disable putting this device to sleep
     
    paper_wastage, Aug 16, 2008
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  5. sonoritygenius

    sonoritygenius Goddess of Laptops

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    ya silly, the Intel 5100/5300 avail on Centrino 2 chipset tho.. :(
     
    sonoritygenius, Aug 16, 2008
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  6. itsmeagain5789

    itsmeagain5789 Newbie

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    I have the power setting on the power saver plan. Does having it on a lower power setting affect the range? Are their settings to adjust somewhere else?
     
    itsmeagain5789, Aug 16, 2008
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  7. somms

    somms Notebook Evangelist

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    Actually, have had better throughput/range results using the Broadcom-based Dell Wireless cards in my notebooks (1510 all the way down to 1490)since the Pre-N Linksys routers I have at home are all equiped w/Broadcom chipsets...although your personal mileage may vary. ;)
     
    somms, Aug 16, 2008
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  8. Jay236

    Jay236 Newbie

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    My wireless G can get a strong signal in my backyard, throughout my 3000sqft. home and on my front door porch.

    Interference perhaps?
     
    Jay236, Aug 16, 2008
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  9. johnny13oi

    johnny13oi Notebook Evangelist

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    Mine covers the whole block, but that's with modified antenna's.
     
    johnny13oi, Aug 16, 2008
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  10. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Hey there! No it doesn't!!! The *power management* has to do with your battery only ~ and doesn't affect your wireless range. ;)

    I usually have mine set on *balanced*, and I sit *outdoors alot* with my lappy (1530)...I have even taken it next door to my neighbors ~ and no troubles. ;)

    Hope that helps!

    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Aug 16, 2008
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  11. Polarix

    Polarix Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry Cin, but it's not just battery. It also has to do with Wireless Strength, too.

    Left click the power icon in the bottom right > More Power Options > Change Plan Settings (any of them) > Change Advanced Power Settings > Wireless Adapter Settings.

    You can change settings for how much power the Wireless card will use. Above that big list you can also edit it for each power plan, too.
     
    Polarix, Aug 16, 2008
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  12. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Thanks! and dargh..my bad ~ was thinking of it differently. :eek: ;) :D

    It's cool..you pointed out something, I learned something newe(r) today! ;) :cool:
     
    Cin', Aug 16, 2008
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  13. ifti

    ifti Undiscovered

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    I have mine on maximum, and it picks up wireless easily. I have a single wireless router in my house, and get a good connection throughout the house and the garden.
    I also see several other wireless points in my list, many of which will be neighbours etc.

    Now the main question to the OP is - why oh why are you trying to connect to your 3-houses-down-neighbours wireless anyway - because thats the only one that isnt secure and you want to jump on his connection? ;)
     
    ifti, Aug 16, 2008
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  14. yasdaz

    yasdaz Notebook Evangelist

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    It does sound like something is wrong somewhere because you should get a wider range. Perhaps the card is defective in some way? I would not give up but call Dell and see what help they can offer (I assume you are within warranty). Unfortunately I am not a network specialist so I can't give you much specific help other than I know there are many settings that affect your wireless performance and that your situation should be able to be remedied by Dell one way or another. Hopefully someone here might have more specific setting ideas that you try.
     
    yasdaz, Aug 17, 2008
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  15. redrubberpenguin

    redrubberpenguin Notebook Consultant

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    I have the same notebook and same wireless card as you, and I can easily get my neighbor's connection three houses down. Try setting your wireless card to a higher power setting in the *power settings, like people here suggested. Otherwise you might have a defective card... if it comes to that, call Dell!
     
    redrubberpenguin, Aug 17, 2008
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  16. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    What router is it btw? Also what wireless mode and security protocol its running?

    You can try reseating the antenna receptacles for now.
     
    flipfire, Aug 17, 2008
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  17. Maksa

    Maksa Notebook Consultant

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    mine XPS M1330 Wireless range is really good. it's batter then my old Inspiron 1720
     
    Maksa, Aug 17, 2008
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