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No WiFI With New Computer
This is complex, so I will keep it as short as I can. It started with my Dell XPS60 returning from an overnight repair. I used a Macrium Restore entry to restore the computer with a known backup. Perhaps an hour later, the monitor was filled with dire warnings that non of the troubleshooters would work, and the computer was locked up.
That seemed to be so dire that I decided to scrap the computer and purchase a Dell ECT1250. This presented a problem, as my Macrium Rescue could not be used, so I called my tech and requested a home visit.
He started by telling me that he would figure out how to use the existing backup, but that there would be some problems due to different hardware. As I preferred to recover as much of my programs, data, etc. as possible, I told him to proceed. I watched as he worked his way through to doing what I asked; I had no idea what it was that he was doing.
Which brings me to the reason for this: My Nighthawk BE series router, unlike my using my wife's Dell XPS55 which she rarely uses, and which connected immediately when I connected the XPS 55 in my computer room, did not connect to the Internet.
While I don't recall the steps that I took, i did manage to get the router network light to go on, but the WiFi light had not done do on its own. Purely out of idle curiosity, I connected the router to the computer with a n ethernet cable, and the WiFi router light turned on!
I am sort of connected, but the usual box at the bottom right-hand corner of the monitor does not show the usual logon box where the password can be entered, the printer cannot connect to WiFi, etc.
Short of my using the Jaws of Life, were I still the fire chief, any and all suggestions as to what I need to do to finish the router connection with my new computer.
I have no idea as to what the suggested tags are, hence "Not Listed" shall suffice.
Problem Found: A support session with Dell's software area where the agent , who did some delving into the set u during a phone call, determined that the problem is with Windows. As it it happened, a few days earlier I had reinstalled my Wife's ell XPS50 which I had been using and which had Wifi there, and which had it when i was back where it belongs. Even tough it was some forty feet from the router, it still WIFI. Rather slow, but connected it was.
Dell offered to install a new copy of Windows, but as is their policy, that would not have saved my data. Having declined, the agent immediately told me that he was returning my fee, and it already in progress. I am not looking forward to a Windows install with my data, as the process is quite different and more complex than the last time I did that. Without a proper WiFi, my printer is not working, so i am going write down the steps--and hope that I will be able to decipher my own notes.
10 Replies
Something to contact the PC Mfr about regarding there products.
The first thing that I did was to peruse the voluminous help files provided by the manufacturer.
Yes: I moved her XPS50 into the computer room temporarily before I could find the time to install the new computer and then call my support agent to come to our house and figure out how to restore the Macrium backup file as well as possible given the differences in codes between the file created with the old and new computers. When I turned my wife's computer on it connected immediately to the internet.
I now have sense that a critical file is missing from my new computer. As I rarely deal with such matters, I will have to again find and write down the name of where that file might belong before I call Dell for a support session. That location has an entry for ethernet, but not for wifi.
While writing this I remembered that she had made room for reconnecting her computer, space that had been blocked as she was getting her materials ready for taking to school for her classroom . I am going to do that so that I can see if the file I that I think is missing is there.
how to restore the Macrium backup file
Macrium Reflect backs up everything - it is an "image" backup of the complete hard drive.
If you restored the full image backup to the new computer, then it might have corrupted the windows files on the new machine. In particular, you might not have the correct wifi drivers installed on the new laptop. If that is the case, you might need to start over (reinstalling windows on the new PC, and then only restoring your data).
My tech made me aware of this possibility before I told him to proceed.
I know know that it not the router.My wife had taken enough of the classroom supplies to school that I could put her computer. I connected everything turned it on, was immediately conneiscted to wifi though the router. It is perhaps forty feet from the router, so speed tests were very slow, but the router itself is fine.
I had a lengthy remote session with Dell, during which the technician found and fixed a number of problems that were quite possibly caused by the unusual Macrium restore process. He was even able to create a wifi entry to use with the router, but until i find how to keep ProtonVPN from taking one of the two slots in Windows/Network & Internet, I still o not have a proper wifi feed.
The Dell agent who handled my software support session yesterday concluded that the problem is my copy of Windows. He offered to install a new copy, but as Dell only does this without saving your data, I turned him down. I was surprised and glad that he concluded the session by telling me that the fee would be refunded, and I have already received an email to that effect.
I am not looking forward to doing a Windows install with my data, as the system for doing that has changed since the last time I did that. Given that, although I appear to have WiFi, my printer disagrees, so I will have to make notes of the steps to take.
He offered to install a new copy, but as Dell only does this without saving your data, I turned him down.
That was the right solution. Don't you still have the data in your Macrium backup?
Might be easier for you to maybe install a wifi extender or wifi bridge that has a ethernet port. Connect it to the Orbi system and then connect the printers ethernet port to the wifi extender/bridge. Maybe less hassle.
Just a suggestion.
Good Luck.
Problem Found: A support session with Dell's software area where the agent , who did some delving into the set u during a phone call, determined that the problem is with Windows. As it it happened, a few days earlier I had reinstalled my Wife's ell XPS50 which I had been using and which had Wifi there, and which had it when i was back where it belongs. Even tough it was some forty feet from the router, it still WIFI. Rather slow, but connected it was.
Dell offered to install a new copy of Windows, but as is their policy, that would not have saved my data. Having declined, the agent immediately told me that he was returning my fee, and it already in progress. I am not looking forward to a Windows install with my data, as the process is quite different and more complex than the last time I did that. Without a proper WiFi, my printer is not working, so i am going write down the steps--and hope that I will be able to decipher my own notes.
Might check into upgrading the wifi adapter on this one PC as well after you get Windows and the PC in good working order. Some good USB adapters out there.
Glad you found the problem.
