How to tell what wireless card laptop has

[trishajohnson]

I am VERY new to trying to work with laptops, so forgive me. I have just bought a used laptop that I know for a fact has a wireless card. It is a Dell D 630.

I have just wiped it and installed Win XP Pro and I can't tell what the card is in order to install the proper drivers.

HELP! Is there any way? Do I have to open it up?

[TechSOS]

Hello there, there is a very simple way to discover the make and model of the Wireless NIC (Network Interface Card).

Start > Control Panel > (for Category View, click on Performance & Maintenance > then System at the bottom) (If Classic View, click on System) Then click on the Hardware tab > then the Device Manager button. It will then bring up a list in which you are looking for the Network Adapters. The wireless NIC will be located there.

Let me know if this was helpful

[BCCOMP]

Hi,
Welcome to TSF.
There are a couple of ways, but the best thing to do is run Everest under my signature.
It will produce a report the will tell you the hardware you have in your laptop.
Dells are a pain to find the various drivers.

If you could PM me the service tag#, I will see if I can narrow the drivers down for you.
Thanks,
Bill

[BCCOMP]

Originally Posted by TechSOS

Hello there, there is a very simple way to discover the make and model of the Wireless NIC (Network Interface Card).

Start > Control Panel > (for Category View, click on Performance & Maintenance > then System at the bottom) (If Classic View, click on System) Then click on the Hardware tab > then the Device Manager button. It will then bring up a list in which you are looking for the Network Adapters. The wireless NIC will be located there.

Let me know if this was helpful

Yes, the Hardware will be there, but it will not tell him what it is unless the driver is installed for it. It will show up as a Network Controller or Ethernet Controller for example with a yellow ! error.
The only way you can identify it (this way) is to get the VEN/DEV # under Device Instance ID. This is not always accurate.
Bill

[TechSOS]

You're right, I made an assumption which I should not have.

[trishajohnson]

First, thank you all.

After running Everest I THINK that I have the integrated Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit controller. ???

[johnwill]

If you take the service tag # off that machine and login to the Dell website, it'll take you directly to the required drivers, no need to guess what you have.

[trishajohnson]

OK... the dumbest of dumb questions.

Is that Broadcom Netxtreme 57xx even a wireless card??? It's the integrated NIC that came with the Dell.

I connected via wireless on this pc under the old operating system before it was wiped. Which is why I said "I know it has the capability".

[BCCOMP]

Hi,
I got the PM of your service tag Thanks!
Your LAN Driver is here:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=201410

Your WIRELESS Card:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=282483

Double check your DEVICE MANAGER and let us know if you have any errors remaining after you install these drivers.
Bill

[trishajohnson]

Sorry it took so long. I had to perform a windows installer update before I could install the wireless card driver.

However, when I start installation, it cache's the files to the hard drive... starts the process and then I get the following:

!Warning
1:0

I click ok, and everything stops. That's a new one on me... ???

[BCCOMP]

Hi,
What version of XP is installed (ex. XP SP2)
Have you done a full MS Update to SP2.
Bill

[trishajohnson]

I have not. It's still SP1. I will do that upgrade next.

Sorry guys... I appreciate your time.

:)

[BCCOMP]

Yes,
Update to SP2 and then try to reinstall the wireless driver.
Let me know how you make out.
Bill