Never again buy a Dell!!!

I had to reload my Inspiron 8600 due to a crashed hard drive and now I can not connect wireless using WEP. (I know old technology) The laptop connects fine with out encryption but not when WEP is enabled. Anyway, Dell won't even talk to me without a fee. Any ideas?

 

what are the symptoms? do you get a password prompt? have you tried updating the firmware on the router?

Why is this Dells issue- you expect assistance after your warranty has expired?

 

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Hmm, I'm convinced. Thats the end of dell for me. Off to sell my laptops and purchase an Asus...


Have you installed all drivers?

 

Your warranty has long expired, how is this Dell's fault for not providing support for free? They are business, they give you support for your warranty period and then want paid after that, just like any other company out there.

 

If you put the correct username and WEP key into the window upon trying to connect to your SSID, you will be able to reconnect.

Perhaps you don't have the correct WEP key or username?

Dell is simply doing what they should as it is not their fault you cannot connect to your Wireless signal.
Any tech guy/gal make any number of quick calls to people that do not understand wireless and need help. You must pay for what you refuse to learn.

Good Luck.
This experience will only make you smarter.

 

skipduty, I like how you didn't provide any error messages. That NEVER helps.

Anyway, 3 Dell laptops here, had no issues that weren't user error, and a Dell will probably be my 4th.

 

That counts for me too. I have/had a fair number of notebooks over the past 15 years. Although I admit Dell has to improve at the moment.

 

I have had that issue before and it wasn't with any of the many dell's I have owned. I found out that for whatever reason, I had to reduce the bit's of the encryption to make it work. It was with a older laptop and older card.

I don't think this is a Dell problem, perhaps you should try contacting your router manufacturer or maybe your internet provider if it is their router. If you laptop is picking up wireless signals then it isn't a hardware issue.

Aside form all of that...your laptop is old, maybe consider an upgrade. Those are like circa 2004.

 

OP won't be back. This is nothing more than a drive by rant.

 

It looks like.

 

He probably works for Toshiba, HP, Gateway...

 

Maybe Packard Bell.