Wireless network won't connect automatically

[Sheldon]

In Windows 7: The wireless signal we want to connect to will not connect
automatically after shutting down the computer and restarting. We have to
hit the icon in the tray, select the network and hit connect every time we
restart. I've already set this network to Automatic, but it still won't
connect automatically. It does hang onto the password, however, so we don't
have to retype that.

Any ideas? This is on a brand new Dell notebook.

 

[Seth]

In Windows 7: The wireless signal we want to connect to will not connect
automatically after shutting down the computer and restarting. We have to
hit the icon in the tray, select the network and hit connect every time we
restart. I've already set this network to Automatic, but it still won't
connect automatically. It does hang onto the password, however, so we
don't have to retype that.

Any ideas? This is on a brand new Dell notebook.

Are you using the Microsoft wireless manager or the 3rd party one that was
installed by Dell to go with the wireless card? It might be you are using
the MS one while the 3rd party manager is loaded and that is causing a
conflict. Use the 3rd party manager that is specific to your system (and
usually more featured) or disable it so the MS one can operate unhindered.