Can't connect to wireless access point

No, i cant get IP through the wireless, it's a wireless access point not a wireless router, if that makes a difference.

Yes, i have tried removing the profile.

try to remove the wireless profile and create a one manually

also try to put in a static IP & try

is it worth me upgrading to VISTA business to see if it makes a difference?

Also, how do i set up the static IP address?

under control panel > network Connections > Wirelss Connection, > Properties > then to go the TCP/IP v4 and add IP there

but try to remove the wireless profile & re connect it
or create a one manually

Don't bother upgrading Vista.
To set up a static IP:

Right click on Network and go to properties. That opens the Network and Sharing Center 
On the left hand column you want to click on Manage Network Connections.
Right click and go to properties of the connection you would like to statically assign. (this will be your wireless connection, if you do View -> Details you will get a list with more information about the different connections).
You may be asked for your admin password at this point.
select Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and click properties.
Now you will be able to enter in your IP, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, and DNS addresses and click OK.
Don't worry about DNS, you should get that from your router, but enter an IP address in the same subnet that your router is in. For instance if your router is 192.168.0.1 then you should enter and IP of 192.168.0.50 (for example) as long as it doesn't clash with another machine on the network. The last number in the group of four is the important one. The subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway will be the address of your router.

The Encryption is WEP.

I'm Using Win XP Pro SP3.

i have updated the drivers, it uses a DELL Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card.

If the encryption is WEP, rather than some form of WPA, then I take it back... it's not an encryption incompatibility, since EVERYTHING has WEP implemented.

You say you can't connect to the internet wirelessly...but can you access local network resources?  Can you, for example, ping the router, or ping other machines on your LAN?

yes i can ping the router using the LAN.

If you can ping the router wirelessly, but can't get onto the internet wirelessly, it's almost certainly a firewall issue.

If you can ping the router wirelessly, but can't get onto the internet wirelessly, it's almost certainly a firewall issue.

No it wont ping wirelessly, it does not connect at all. if i use the dell utility to connect it just does nothing and if i use the windows utility it doesn't even ask me for a WEP key, it just gives me the following error message:

the network may no longer be in range. please refresh the list of available networks, and try to connect again.

Is the wireless card turned on (with the SWITCH) on the front lefthand corner of the laptop, just in front of the express card slot?

Do you have a spare wireless adapter you can plug into the laptop and try to connect with? That will tell us if the problem is with your wireless adapter.

I own a Dell laptop with the same model wireless card. On my laptop there is a small switch on the side which turns the adapter on and off, it's not accidentally switched off is it?

the switch is turned on, and the wireless light on the dashboard is solid on. I have a speedtouch wireless adapter that i will try using and let you guys know in a bit.

the speedtouch software is showing it as connected at full strength, but the windows icon in bottom right is showing it as connected but with limited connectivity.

Try right-clicking on the limited connectivity icon and choosing 'repair'.
I don't hold out much hope for that but it's worth a try.
You often get the limited connectivity icon if the WEP key is incorrect. Can you access your wireless Access Point (via the web interface) and change the WEP key to something different, then try connecting with that key entered? You will need to be connected on a wired connection.
(off to bed now, but will check my messages in the morning - good luck).
If you don't know how to access your access point web interface post the make and model.

Hi guys

i turned on the laptop this morning, and tried using the Speedtouch adapter (as stated earlier) and it connected fine, it was no longer showing it as having limited connectivity, i was able to use the internet fine. Does this mean that their could be a problem with the wireless card in the laptop? the Laptop is only about 4-5 days old.

That is what it sounds like if one wireless adapter works ant the other doesn't then I'd suspect hardware right away

Yes that sounds like the wireless card is faulty.

You need to try to test on another wireless network to rule out any issue with keys etc.

But if if you have one adaptor that works fine and one that doesnt then Id say the one that doesnt is faulty in some way.

thanks experts

i will contact DELL and try to get a replacement laptop asap, i will assign points shortly.

thanks again