Dell Axim X51V WLAN Problems

[zimmy03]

I'm trying to connect to my Linksys WRT54G wireless router with my new Dell Axim X51V. My computer connects to it fine. I have it setup using WEP and it's not broadcasting the SSID name. I'm using the Dell WLAN Utility. (the odyssey client is disabled). I have the IP set to auto configure. Sometimes it will connect and work fine and other times it won't. When it doesn't connect, it says unavailable. If I disable the WLAN, wait a few minutes and re-enable, it will work once in a while. I can't seem to find a set pattern as to when it works and when it doesn't. If the Axim turns off on it's own or the screen goes into powersave, it loses the wireless connection. I am running Dell's newest version of ActiveSync, but not sure if this has an effect or not. Any ideas?

[sochinkarate]

Hi there i had same problem with my x51 whem i switched to orange live box but i managed to find this solution on another pda forum and it worked so maybe you could give it a try.

1) Go into the 'Network Adaptors' tab using Start>Settings>'Connections' tab>Network Cards.
2) Ensure that 'The Internet' is selected in the "My network card connects to:" drop-down list.
3) Select the WiFi card from the hardware list below i.e. select "IEEE 802.11b/g Compatible WiFi Ad..."
4) If your screen looks something like the picture below (i.e. contains letters as well as numbers in the IP address box) then this is where the problem lies!!!

Basically, either the device or the Livebox (not sure which) is not automatically assigning a correct IP address. To get round this you have to manually give the device a valid IP address to your network. Don't worry, you don't have to do this each time you want to connect, once you have done it once and it connects to your network, you can go back to using the the "Use server-assigned IP address" option, and it should then connect without any problems.

5) If you're using an Orange Livebox, then ensure that "WEP security only" is selected in the Configuration>Advanced>Wireless section of your Livebox. Presumably selecting the "WPA or WEP security" option would work as well, but I just followed the Orange guy's instructions.
6a) When in the WiFi card settings page (in the picture above), select 'Use specific IP address' option.
6b) Enter the following IP address 192.168.1.201. If you already have a wireless device e.g. PDA/laptop connected to your network, then you may well have to give your pocket PC a different IP address e.g. 192.168.1.202. Once you've entered the IP address the 'Subnet mask' field should then automatically be entered by the device. In the 'Default gateway' field type 192.168.1.1
6c) Now go to the 'Name Servers' tab and enter 192.168.1.1 You can igonre the rest of the fields in this tab.
6d) Press 'ok' and you should now get a message saying "The new settings will be applied the next time the adaptor is used...." Press 'ok' to get rid of the message.
7) Switch the WiFi receiver on your device on (using Comm Manager)
8) Now remove any previous settings you have assigned to your Network by pressing down on the name of your network in the 'Configure Wireless Networks' list (Start>Settings>'Connections' tab>Network Cards>'Wirelss' tab), and select "Remove Settings".
9) Now press the number '1' button on the Orange Livebox to put the Livebox into pairing mode (the WiFi LED on the Livebox changes from a constant red light to a flashing red light (i.e. Pairing Mode is active).
10) Now select your network from the list on your Pocket PC in order to alter the settings of your network connection on your Pocket PC:-
- Ensure "Connects to:" 'The Internet' is selected from the drop-down list.
- Go to the 'Network Key' tab (see picture below) and select "Authentication:" 'Open' from the drop-down list.
- Change "Data Encryption:" to 'WEP' from the drop-down list (if not already selected).
- Deselect the "The key is automatically provided" tick box and enter your 26 character WEP Security Key. N.B. depsite what you may be told in the Orange literature, this Security Key is NOT case sensitive.

- Now go to the '802.1x' tab, and ensure that the "Use IEEE 8-2.1x netowrk access control" is NOT selected.
- Now press 'ok' and you should return to the 'Configure Wireless Networks' screen.
11) Ensuring that you Livebox is still in Pairing mode (red wireless LED on Livebox is flashing, if not, re-perform step 9 (above)). If it is, then press down on the name of your network in the 'Configure Wireless Networks' list and select "Connect"... with a bit of luck your device should now FINALLY connect to your network!!!!!



P.S. If that has worked, perform a soft reset of your Pocket PC and try and connect to your network again (you shouldn't need to enter the network key again). If it does connect, then select the "Use server-assigned IP address" option in the "IEEE 802.11b/g Compatible WiFi Ad..." settings and do a soft reset of your Pocket PC and trya and connect again, if that works, then heh presto!!!

regards,
twyds

[zimmy03]

It works! I originally had the 'Name Servers' Tab blank. Not sure what that does. The other thing that I changed was a setting on my wireless Linksys router. When the 'broadcast ssid' is disabled, it's a hit/miss with my Dell Axim for connecting. When I enabled the ssid broadcasting, it connects every time!

I originally kept the broadcasting off just for added security, but it looks like I'll have to keep it turned on for the Axim to work better. I'm just glad to see it connecting consistently. Anyone else able to connect with a linksys router not broadcasting the ssid?

Thanks!