Problem with wireless card in Dell 530s running XP

[Howard M. Rensin]

I bought a Dell 530s desktop with Vista and a wireless card. I changed to XP
and the wireless card did not work. I located a Broadcom driver and loaded
it. Now the card works but only at 5.5 Mbts and it takes forever to transfer
files. I tried to replace the wireless card, but its one of those low
profile cards with a 4 inch metal bracket (as opposed to the standard size
with a 4.8 inch bracket). NO ONE makes a low profile internet wireless card
that will fit in the Dell 530s that runs on XP, INCLUDING Dell. I went out
and bought a USB wireless adapter and got the exact same slow results.
Something is wrong inside the Dell box on how they handle wireless. I have
since switched to a wired NIC connection and given up on Dell support. They
don't even sell a card that fits their new 's' series boxes for XP. I regret
buying the s series and Dell support is terrible.
Any ideas on how to make the Dell wireless card work would be
greatly appreciated.

[PeeCee]

Post by Howard M. Rensin
I bought a Dell 530s desktop with Vista and a wireless card. I changed to
XP and the wireless card did not work. I located a Broadcom driver and
loaded it. Now the card works but only at 5.5 Mbts and it takes forever to
transfer files. I tried to replace the wireless card, but its one of those
low profile cards with a 4 inch metal bracket (as opposed to the standard
size with a 4.8 inch bracket). NO ONE makes a low profile internet wireless
card that will fit in the Dell 530s that runs on XP, INCLUDING Dell. I went
out and bought a USB wireless adapter and got the exact same slow results.
Something is wrong inside the Dell box on how they handle wireless. I have
since switched to a wired NIC connection and given up on Dell support. They
don't even sell a card that fits their new 's' series boxes for XP. I
regret buying the s series and Dell support is terrible.
Any ideas on how to make the Dell wireless card work would be
greatly appreciated.

Howard

I know you bought it with the Wireless card and would like to make it work
properly, but I would suggest it is time to be realistic.

I venture you are better of with wired LAN anyway.
It's a desktop so can be permanently wired.
Wired LAN is allways faster than Wireless.
Wired doesn't have any security issues.
No remembering passwords.
No interferance problems.

If you must install another wireless card just look for one with a low
enough card height then just take the bracket off and modify it to fit.
After all it's only a bit of metal.

Best
Paul.

[Brian]

Can you try the card in a different computer to test it?
Also try the computer in a different location It may be interference where
you are located. Wireless is a bit tricky sometimes
I am a fan of the wired idea also..but if you have to have wireless ....make
sure you have the latest driver (check what issues are corrected with the
updated driver), make sure you have a good connection and signal, secure the
network

Post by Howard M. Rensin
I bought a Dell 530s desktop with Vista and a wireless card. I changed to
XP and the wireless card did not work. I located a Broadcom driver and
loaded it. Now the card works but only at 5.5 Mbts and it takes forever to
transfer files. I tried to replace the wireless card, but its one of those
low profile cards with a 4 inch metal bracket (as opposed to the standard
size with a 4.8 inch bracket). NO ONE makes a low profile internet wireless
card that will fit in the Dell 530s that runs on XP, INCLUDING Dell. I went
out and bought a USB wireless adapter and got the exact same slow results.
Something is wrong inside the Dell box on how they handle wireless. I have
since switched to a wired NIC connection and given up on Dell support. They
don't even sell a card that fits their new 's' series boxes for XP. I
regret buying the s series and Dell support is terrible.
Any ideas on how to make the Dell wireless card work would be
greatly appreciated.

Howard

I know you bought it with the Wireless card and would like to make it work
properly, but I would suggest it is time to be realistic.

I venture you are better of with wired LAN anyway.
It's a desktop so can be permanently wired.
Wired LAN is allways faster than Wireless.
Wired doesn't have any security issues.
No remembering passwords.
No interferance problems.

If you must install another wireless card just look for one with a low
enough card height then just take the bracket off and modify it to fit.
After all it's only a bit of metal.

Best
Paul.