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What can I do if my wireless network card is not working?

Wireless cards come in many brands and configurations. Technically, any 802.11b compatible (NOT 802.11a) wireless card should function on the University wireless network. However, a number of cards seem to be easier to install and configure, so the University tends to "recommend" those, simply as an indication to students as to which cards we have observed the least amount of setup problems. Please see the Student Computer System Recommendations question in the Miscellaneous section of the LCS website for the most current list of those "recommended" cards.

Even if you are using a "recommended" card, wireless problems can be difficult to diagnose and fix because of the number of variations caused by operating systems (Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP Professional, XP Home), wireless cards (several different brands with different versions of drivers), and factors like location, access point overload, and conflicting network cards on your computer. The tips, tricks, and troubleshooting ideas listed below are simply a list of the some of the most common and consistent problems we have seen, not an exhaustive how-to guide.

Steps for Troubleshooting Common Wireless Problems

• Have you entered the Pepperdine SSID/Network Name? (If you have Windows XP, see the "How Do I Connect My Laptop to the Student Printers and U Drive?" question in the Laptop section of the LCS website for instructions on how to enter your SSID; if you have any other operating system, please see the instructions that came with your network card. Often, you can find configuration tools for your wireless card by looking for any icon in your "system tray" (by the clock on your screen) that appeared after you installed your card, then right-clicking on that icon. If you don't see any icons that have to do with your wireless card, you may have to reinstall the "client software" that came with your wireless card.)
• Are you in one of the low-reception areas of the Law School? The back corners of Room SR-1 and Room A have light wireless signal, especially for cards with less powerful antennae. Also, the "access points" (transmitters) covering Rooms C, D, and E can sometimes slow or even halt if scores or hundreds of students in those three rooms begin to access the network heavily. The network at the School of Law is designed to give "coverage", not to support all users accessing the network simultaneously. Plans to configure the network to allow more traffic are prepared for when the wireless network becomes a formal education tool at the School of Law.
• Do you have another network card in your computer that may be conflicting? Many Windows 98 and ME machines in particular cannot access the wireless network if a wired network card is inserted in the computer at the same time. (Windows tries to use the wired card instead of the wireless, and reports to you that there is no connection). Try ejecting your wired card while accessing the wireless network. You may have to restart your computer with the wireless card in and the wired card out to get best results. (Note: If your wired network card is built-in, you can try disabling the wired network card using System Properties. Right-click My Computer, choose Properties, choose Hardware and/or Device Manager.
• Try uninstalling and reinstalling your wireless card. For best results, reboot your laptop after each install/uninstall.
• The Law Computing Support Office can attempt to configure your wireless card for you, if you continue to have problems. PLEASE: Attempt to install the card yourself before coming to the LCS office to save time.
• DO YOU HAVE OTHER TIPS AND TRICKS TO ADD TO THE ONES ABOVE? OR OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS YOU HAVE OBSERVED? Submit them to Law Computing Support using the Contact form and we'll post them here!