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So I've got this huge P.I.T.A. Dell Studio XPS 13 laptop that I got last summer and this thing as of late frequently puts me in a rage. Quite frequently, when trying to connect to a wireless network, I will get "Local Access Only", meaning the laptop is active on the network but something is blocking internet connectivity. I can usually get it working after several restarts but it's really becoming unacceptable. Here's where I'm at:
1) Today- clean install of windows 7 64-bit (still having the problem)
2) Updated laptop BIOS
3) Updated network drivers from manufacturer 8.0.0.279 (Dell is notoriously behind)
4) No antivirus programs installed
5) Windows firewall settings untouched (I should not have to mess around with this, it has never been a problem on several installs on other computers)
6) Disabled wired adapter as I have no intention of using this
The basic issue is that my girlfriend needs this computer for graduate school. It is completely unpredictable as to whether or not it will allow internet access when she uses it at the library, coffeehouse, here at home, whatever. Goggle searching has led to numerous dead ends. Manually changing any settings is not the issue as it does work when it wants to.
Anyone have any ideas? It's got to be driver or firmware issues
The wireless adapter is a dell WLAN 1515 Half-mini card
From what I can gather this is manufactured by Atheros and is based on the 5009 chipset.
Edit: If I restart the router is regains connection as "Network 2". This is annoying however because it resets the connection on all of my wireless devices. It's also not a viable option for when she goes to Starbucks or the library or something.
1) Today- clean install of windows 7 64-bit (still having the problem)
2) Updated laptop BIOS
3) Updated network drivers from manufacturer 8.0.0.279 (Dell is notoriously behind)
4) No antivirus programs installed
5) Windows firewall settings untouched (I should not have to mess around with this, it has never been a problem on several installs on other computers)
6) Disabled wired adapter as I have no intention of using this
The basic issue is that my girlfriend needs this computer for graduate school. It is completely unpredictable as to whether or not it will allow internet access when she uses it at the library, coffeehouse, here at home, whatever. Goggle searching has led to numerous dead ends. Manually changing any settings is not the issue as it does work when it wants to.
Anyone have any ideas? It's got to be driver or firmware issues
The wireless adapter is a dell WLAN 1515 Half-mini card
From what I can gather this is manufactured by Atheros and is based on the 5009 chipset.
Edit: If I restart the router is regains connection as "Network 2". This is annoying however because it resets the connection on all of my wireless devices. It's also not a viable option for when she goes to Starbucks or the library or something.