Is the XPS still able to connect to the internet? I'm wondering if its the XPS which is outputting the message about Wifi to the TV because at that stage it is casting its display to the TV. I'd check the settings for the WiDi driver in Device Manager, see if there's any obvious config settings that could shed some light on things.
Has anyone actually got WiDi (not wifi) to work
- Thread starter alex_123_fra
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Yep the router is DHCP enabled and on auto assignment of addresses. I checked the network map when the Widi receiver was on and couldn't actually see it display as a client with an IP address. Should it have one?
Traffic manager is on auto. I haven't enabled the quality of service function.
Yes it is and also with 5GHz. I tried the latter and it gives the same message about wifi connection stopping. I also have a separate BT infinity connection in the house with a HomeHub 5 and connecting via that gives the same message too. This makes me think there is an issue with the XPS end.
Yes XPS connects to all wifi networks fine. Looking at device manager, the only devide available to view settings for is the network adapter (Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 7260). COuldn't see anything in settings that is obviously wrong. I disabled power saving features. Maybe this adapter isn't compatible with Widi? But the Intel Widi updater tells me I'm good to go
I think this is very similar to what you seem to be experiencing.
http://supportkb.intel.com/wireless...or-message-Could-not-obtain-a-network-address
From doing a bit more reading about WiDi it seems it uses WiFi Direct which I'm guessing is the same or like Adhoc which is why the TV displayed a code from the WiDi device to enter into the XPS to establish the direct connection. This would explain the WiDi device not showing in the router with an IP.
I think you need to have a dig around on the XPS to find firewall settings, see if you can find something that mentions WiFi Direct.
I think I would try the following test:
Disconnect internet
Turn firewall off on XPS
Retry projecting something from XPS to TV
If that works you'll know it's something the firewall on the XPS is causing.
http://supportkb.intel.com/wireless...or-message-Could-not-obtain-a-network-address
From doing a bit more reading about WiDi it seems it uses WiFi Direct which I'm guessing is the same or like Adhoc which is why the TV displayed a code from the WiDi device to enter into the XPS to establish the direct connection. This would explain the WiDi device not showing in the router with an IP.
I think you need to have a dig around on the XPS to find firewall settings, see if you can find something that mentions WiFi Direct.
I think I would try the following test:
Disconnect internet
Turn firewall off on XPS
Retry projecting something from XPS to TV
If that works you'll know it's something the firewall on the XPS is causing.
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Cheers thenewoc, I'll try this and see if I can get it working.
Soldato
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Ok I'm slightly confused now, so are you saying you can project direct to the TV using Windows but not to the PTV3000?
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Yes my Viera tv is part of my home network and when I right click a video file that can be played by media player, the menu gives me the option of playing the file to my TV ("open to" option). This only projects the media file though, unlike Widi which should project the entire desktop.
These are two separate things though, "open to" is most likely using DLNA / UPnP as Windows has a DLNA server running inside Windows to make that possible with a DLNA enabled device such as the TV. The firewall recognises this as a separate program requiring to be let through, than the WiDi apps that also need to be allowed in the firewall for the projection to the WiDi receiver to work.
The link I posted above has a link to the firewall troubleshooting which describes the names of the programs you need to allow access through the firewall in the firewall settings in Windows. However, if you're using a different firewall in some 3rd party virus software then you'd need to apply the same logic to that instead of the windows firewall.
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I am totally stumped. I am not really a network expert but I have tried a variety of things with the win 8.1 firewall. I have created specific inbound and outbound rules to enable network projectors and also wifi direct. None of this worked. There is no specific application or programme I can enable or add to the firewall list of apps in relation to Widi.
I even tried switching the firewall off completely while keeping wifi on and it still won't connect.
What is really frustrating is that there is no diagnostic feature within Widi to enable one to at least understand what the issue is (similar to network troubleshooting). I'm sure that someone with more knowledge on networks/firewalls could sort this but it shouldn't be this hard.
If I were just told by the hardware "this will not work at all because of x, y or z" I would accept it and not worry about it. The fact though that it should work on this xps ultrabook and that I can see it attempting to connect but not doing so successfully is so irritating that I am considering sending it back to Dell for a refund.
I agree, I think MS has actually made networking more complicated in the last few versions of Windows despite their attempts at the opposite. DLNA wasn't the most intuitive to configure, when I tried that it was very hit and miss as to a pathway of what the user should be enabling.
I'm all for this new WiDi though since reading about it, it just seems such a useful feature it's quite surprising someone didn't come up with it years ago. I had been looking at Chromecast for Android but once this WiDi stuff is figured, it seems a much better solution. I read somewhere that the previous version, I think it was 3.5 introduced the ability to cast 3D stuff and hdcp protected content, blu rays and more.
I have a Panasonic Viera too so will be looking out for this feature in a future laptop, tablet and phone.
I take it you don't have any items with a yellow explanation mark in the device manager?
Does the WiDi device show up in Windows under Control Panel > Devices and Printers? I know my other media devices show up there as in the DLNA ones. Some items in this screen can be right clicked to access settings and / or properties.
The fact that it doesn't give a more useful error is poor development really as it should be easy to capture at which point in a sequence it falls over and output a human understandable reason. However, have you had a good look in the Event Viewer (right click start menu).
Is the wireless adapter in the XPS an Intel one?
Found this on lifehacker, which speaks of installing Intel My Wi-Fi Dashboard to enable WiFi Direct. Before doing this though, do you have anything describing itself as a WiFi Direct network adapter in the Device Manager?
http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-connect-two-windows-8-machines-with-wi-fi-dir-1441290813
So when you go into Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall > Allowed applications, you don't have WiDiApp and Wireless PAN DHCP Server listed at all?
I'm all for this new WiDi though since reading about it, it just seems such a useful feature it's quite surprising someone didn't come up with it years ago. I had been looking at Chromecast for Android but once this WiDi stuff is figured, it seems a much better solution. I read somewhere that the previous version, I think it was 3.5 introduced the ability to cast 3D stuff and hdcp protected content, blu rays and more.
I have a Panasonic Viera too so will be looking out for this feature in a future laptop, tablet and phone.
I take it you don't have any items with a yellow explanation mark in the device manager?
Does the WiDi device show up in Windows under Control Panel > Devices and Printers? I know my other media devices show up there as in the DLNA ones. Some items in this screen can be right clicked to access settings and / or properties.
The fact that it doesn't give a more useful error is poor development really as it should be easy to capture at which point in a sequence it falls over and output a human understandable reason. However, have you had a good look in the Event Viewer (right click start menu).
Is the wireless adapter in the XPS an Intel one?
Found this on lifehacker, which speaks of installing Intel My Wi-Fi Dashboard to enable WiFi Direct. Before doing this though, do you have anything describing itself as a WiFi Direct network adapter in the Device Manager?
http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-connect-two-windows-8-machines-with-wi-fi-dir-1441290813
So when you go into Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall > Allowed applications, you don't have WiDiApp and Wireless PAN DHCP Server listed at all?
In the settings for the PTV3000 or the driver or somewhere is there an option to disable legacy WiDi support? If so, try disabling it, as Win 8.1 should have this.
Also, try
moving XPS closer to PTV3000
changing wifi channel on router
toggling airplane mode on and off and retry projecting
Also, try
moving XPS closer to PTV3000
changing wifi channel on router
toggling airplane mode on and off and retry projecting
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I checked the allowed apps in the firewall and there is a Widi app there which is enabled (although it doesn't allow you to look at any settings). I also downloaded wifi dashboard but it doesn't detect the Widi receiver.
Yes I have unchecked the legacy widi support. Of the other suggestions, the only one I haven't tried is changing wifi channel on the router. Have tried my Asus router and the BT homehub 5 though on 2 separate wifi connections. No joy.
I found that removing the wireless adapter from the windows 8.1 device list and then rediscovering it allows the communication between the laptop and the TV to progress a little further in that the laptop asks for a passcode which is displayed on the tv.
Will try different router channels tomorrow.
Is the wireless adapter using the latest drivers? If you log into Dell website and use the asset tag can you establish whether the latest driver listed with them is a newer version than the one you currently have installed?
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I have now updated the xps 12 bios to A03 (from A02) and also reinstalled the network adapter drivers from the Dell site. Still unable to connect.
Haven't had a chance yet to try different wifi channels.
Haven't had a chance yet to try different wifi channels.
Maybe try an Android device running 4.2 if you can, just to check the fault isn't with the PTV3000.
Other than that am running out of ideas.
I saw quite a few people mentioning problems after upgrading to Win 8.1, is it possible to reimage the XPS to 8, then use the WiDi app?
I also noticed when looking at Win firewall there's something with the word projection in the name, might be worth trying that as being enabled by checking the public and private boxes.
Other than that am running out of ideas.
I saw quite a few people mentioning problems after upgrading to Win 8.1, is it possible to reimage the XPS to 8, then use the WiDi app?
I also noticed when looking at Win firewall there's something with the word projection in the name, might be worth trying that as being enabled by checking the public and private boxes.
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Great suggestions, I will give it a go. I have a Windows phone 8 device (Lumia 920) and I don't think they project onto TV panels. Wife has an ipad but I don't think it projects to tv panels either. Have a kindle fire HD but I think you need the HDX to play to tv.
Soldato
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Don't use drivers from Dell go to Intel's site as generally they will have the newest drivers, which card is it the Centrino 7260? The latest version seems to be 16.6.0 is that what you have?
You can download it here https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=23389&lang=eng
Also some FAQ here might be of use http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-034561.htm
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Thanks nightmare. Will try these when I get back.