WiFi problems with Axim X3i

[niomosy]

It works flawlessly when I have WEP disabled. I'm certainly not going to accept that, however. If I change my router to an Open key and plug the key into the Axim, the Axim will try to connect but always end up with some oddball IP address upon failing to get an IP address from DHCP. I've also tried checking the "Network key is provided for me" box. Same thing.

If I switch to a Shared key, select that option on my Axim, plug in the correct key (key 1, which my router broadcasts as the default) and try to connect, the Axim doesn't even scan my router as I watch the radio utility. It scans some other signals in the area but never scans mine.

The router is a Linksys b/g. I forget the exact model. Right now I'm running on channel 6. I've got MAC address filtering enabled and the MAC address for the Axim on the list. The router can identify the Axim's hostname based on the MAC address but the Axim still can't seem to get on the network and get an IP address assigned.

Also tried hard-coding the IP address. It shows as connected to the network but can't seem to ping anything.

Power management is disabled.

I've yet to install the latest patches of Dell's sight and I'll also try upgrading the router as it's behind as well. From what I've read, others have not had much luck with the Dell patch the router firmware update.

I'll probably run through everything again systematically after the router upgrade and see if that helps. I've seen suggestions about moving to channel 11 so I might as well try that too.

Any other thoughts? I'd like to stay with the Dell since it's easier on the wallet but if push comes to shove, I'll just bite the bullet and get an iPaq or such.

[an.user]

The problem might not be the AXIM but the Linksys.

I have also problems with a WEP connection between my Linksys and an IBM wireless card. As soon as WEP is enabled i cannot not see my network across the wireless connection.

[outofpocket_pc]

Ran into similar stuff here. Still have connection problems when the Axim 'wakes up' on it's battery and have to reset the Axim to get a connection again. Here's a few tips I've found, most you will probably already know.


You using SSID? If not (security reasons), you'll need to create a new connection on your Axim using the same name as the SSID on your Linksys, but to start out re-enable SSID on the router just to get configured.

When using WEP with a Linksys router it's recommended that you not use the mac filter until the following is done:

Disable mac filter and WEP on both router an Axim, reset both.

Use static IPs instead of the DHCP on the Axim with the router IP as the gateway, reset the Axim and make sure you can connect.

Enable WEP, create passphrase and generate your WEP keys and select one of the keys, save the router config then manually input your chosen WEP key and set Default transmit number for that key on your Axim, reset and verify connection.

Once you get reconnected ok, then set up your wireless mac filter on the router.

hope this helps,

[niomosy]

Originally posted by outofpocket_pc@Mar 19 2004, 11:39 AM
Ran into similar stuff here. Still have connection problems when the Axim 'wakes up' on it's battery and have to reset the Axim to get a connection again. Here's a few tips I've found, most you will probably already know.


You using SSID? If not (security reasons), you'll need to create a new connection on your Axim using the same name as the SSID on your Linksys, but to start out re-enable SSID on the router just to get configured.

When using WEP with a Linksys router it's recommended that you not use the mac filter until the following is done:

Disable mac filter and WEP on both router an Axim, reset both.

Use static IPs instead of the DHCP on the Axim with the router IP as the gateway, reset the Axim and make sure you can connect.

Enable WEP, create passphrase and generate your WEP keys and select one of the keys, save the router config then manually input your chosen WEP key and set Default transmit number for that key on your Axim, reset and verify connection.

Once you get reconnected ok, then set up your wireless mac filter on the router.

hope this helps,

Guess I'll try a hard reset on the router. Yes, SSID broadcast is on.

I tried static IP's and that didn't do anything. I'll have to run some packet sniffer software from my laptop to watch the wireless traffic. Seems funky. I did run VxSniffer and saw the Axim broadcasting to 255.255.255.255 for a DHCP server but never tried talking. Maybe I'll try sniffing with a static IP and see if I can any more info out of it.

I can try disabling everything again and see how it goes. It works fine with MAC filtering on and WEP disabled but it's worth a shot. I'll have some time to go through this Saturday. Also going to try and get some help from Dell support.

If the router's the problem maybe I can just replace that with a D-Link or Netgear. Might be cheaper (and faster) than sending the Dell back and getting an iPaq or whatever.

[an.user]

I just tried to switch on WEP on my Linksys WAP 11.

And it instantly worked without any problems.

Settings:

WEP: mandatory
Key: 128 Bit
Mode: HEX
Key1: [You wont need mine ]
Default TX key: 1

No MAC filter applied.
DHCP enabled

On the AXIM:

WEP: enabled
Shared mode: disabled
Key: [same as above]
Keyindex: 1

Maybe that will help you.

Now i only have to find out, how set up my IBM card to work with this setup too

[an.user]

Just a non related update:

After upgrading my WIFI drivers and IBM's Access Connection software on my laptop, it can also access the network using WEP.

Thus all problems solved and my net is a bit safer than it was the day before :lol:

[outofpocket_pc]

niomosy,

Is there a reason why your subnet is '255.255.255.255'?
Might want to give '255.255.255.0' a try if this is a self contain network and not a more complex network connecting a router to another router.

I found that after trial & error (i.e. setting up your router & wireless device a couple times) it really gets easy. I had to do this after upgrading my router's firmware, cause the management screens no longer match the user's manual.... :blink:

nice resource here by lkehiker:
Setting up a Home WiFi network

[niomosy]

Originally posted by outofpocket_pc@Mar 20 2004, 09:00 AM
niomosy,

Is there a reason why your subnet is '255.255.255.255'?
Might want to give '255.255.255.0' a try if this is a self contain network and not a more complex network connecting a router to another router.

I found that after trial & error (i.e. setting up your router & wireless device a couple times) it really gets easy. I had to do this after upgrading my router's firmware, cause the management screens no longer match the user's manual.... :blink:

nice resource here by lkehiker:
Setting up a Home WiFi network

That's not what my subnet it set to. That's what it's broadcasting to in order to get a DHCP response. .255 is the typical IP for broadcasting to the entire subnet.

On a Unix box, if I wanted to ping everything on the 192.168.1. network, I'd pink 192.168.1.255 and, in theory, get responses from every system conneted to that network.

[niomosy]

Just thought I'd post one last update. Called Dell support and they were no help, as I've read may times. Dell should have their PDA back on Monday. I've ordered an iPaq 4155 to replace the Dell temporarily until more VGA PDA's start coming out.