WiFi with XP connection question?

Question

It has been a long time since using XP and I am a bit lost setting up an old netbook onto the existing Wifi network.

The existing WiFi has about 10-11 devices connected - it varies depending on time of day/night. Devices attached are 3 computers or tablets, 4-5 smartphones, a Wii and 2 printers. All devices communicate fully, the printers both print and one is a MFC which even scans remotely. Based on this, I believe the WiFi setup is 100% functional.

It uses WEP security with a 10 character password. The tablet Wifi signal analyser tells me I am using Channel 11, WPA-PSK-TKIP with a decent signal strength.

I have tried connecting a Netbook a friend has just been given, a Sharp model PC-MM1110 with 512Mb memory and 20Gb disk running XP. It seems to function fully. When I type in the network name to find (it is a hidden network) and the password, I get an error message saying "The network password needs to be 40 bits or 104 bits depending on your network config .... can be entered as 5 or 13 ASCII characters or 10 or 26 hex characters.".

Now, other than seeming restrictive as to what I can use as a pssword, I really do *not* want to change it as so many other devices will need changing, including some mobile devices which do not come here (and come online) very often. It would be a damn nuisance.

But the main issue is that I have a valid, functional password which works on all manner of devices and numerous other operating systems (only 2 devices use the same OS). I am pretty sure my setting up of the netbook must be wrong, but how? Is there something in the config which I can change? I interpret the error message as saying the format of the password is wrong, whereas every other device works OK.

Can anyone advise how I alter the XP setup to accept the password in place?

Thanks...

Answer 1

Linking to a wifi system or a wi-fi hot spot is very uncomplicated, though there are variations between different techniques. This guide will help you set up your notebook computer on Windows XP, Vista/7, or a Mac so you can go to a wifi system for Internet connection or to discuss information over the system. (The screenshots are from a notebook computer operating Windows vista, but the guidelines have information and facts for the other OSes as well.)



Before you get began, you'll need:



A wifi system adaptor for your notebook computer (or built-in wifi on a different convenient device). If you don't have one designed in, you can buy a USB wifi adaptor or a PC card that you just hook up in to set up.



You should also make sure you have a software set up and the newest anti-virus up-dates and os areas, especially if the system you're connecting to is a community one. (Open wifi techniques or ones that just use WEP are really not safe).



If the system is properly secured with a code or the staff have invisible the system name (SSID) from being transmitted, you'll need to find out that information as well to get linked.

Answer 2

Are you sure you're using WEP? Because according to your 3rd paragraph, the "tablet Wifi signal analyser" tells you you're using WPA (PSK TKIP), not WEP. If you're telling the netbook to use WEP, this might be your only problem.

(This is good by the way, WEP isn't very secure).



Edit:

Another thing, if you're using Microsoft's "zero configuration" connection utility, it's known to have problems connecting to networks with hidden ssid's (I went through this getting my sister's laptop to connect to my network). If you can, use the 3rd party utility that came with the netbook or, at least temporarily, enable ssid broadcast on your router. Hiding it doesn't add a whole lot more security (using WPA is much more important) and if it saves you trouble, it might be worth leaving it that way. Try it and see.



Edit2:

Oh, and also make sure the netbook is set to "obtain...automatically" for ip address and dns.

control panel -> network connections -> right-click wireless connection -> properties

Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), click Properties





---More important edit---

I didn't realize how old this computer is... I think there's a good chance Littlecoo is right about it only supporting WEP. Did it even give you the option to use WPA? I also agree that you shouldn't downgrade your network to wep for this computer. If you want to use this computer securely on your network, you can get an usb wireless g adapter for about $10.

Answer 3

Nothing wrong with your network or Windows XP (assuming it is updated to at least service pack 2, but ideally service pack 3) I would suspect that the netbook's old 802.11b Wi-Fi network adapter, likely only supports WEP encryption and so would be incompatible with your WPA-PSK wifi network.

Changing your entire network to WEP encryption for just one piddly netbook would be somewhat insane, and would totally fly in the face of commonsense LOL. What will work is a new USB wireless G/N network adapter for the netbook (make sure it has driver support for vers of XP the netbook is running) these are fairly inexpensive, will support WPA encryption standards and should install and work perfectly fine on that netbook (turn off the netbook's integrated adapter) and it will work with your existing network.