Why dont i have the ''certificate'' so that i can connect to my wireless network?

Question

I have a windows xp toshiba computer, and it works fine at home and the internet connection is fine.
but when i go to my dad's office, it wont connect. I know what their connection name is, but everytime i try to connect to it, it looks as if it connected but on the bottom of my screen, there's a little computer with a yellow ball going around it. and a bar pops out of it and says that it couldnt find the certificate for me to connect.WHATS GOING ONNN HELLPPP!?!?

Answer 1

It sounds like the network is configured for RADIUS authentication. This is an access control system similar in concept to the pre-shared keys you probably use on your home network but better suited to the needs of larger networks. Among other things it allows for access by a particular user or device to be revoked without having to change the keys used on all the other devices.

Answer 2

XP by default will try to authenticate with using a smart card and certificate on networks using WPA or WPA2 with 802.1x. Ask you dad if guests are allowed to connect, then ask for the proper credentials. You will have to change the connections properties, this can be done by going to Control Panel>Network Connections. Right click on your wireless adapter and select Properties. Then select the wireless network name and click on the "Properties" button (going on memory here, sorry if its wrong). Your encryption type should've been detected and set properly, but you might double check. Click on the Authentication Tab. There should be a drop down menu to select your authentication type, it is probably set to "Use Smart Card/Certificate" or something similar. Change it to Protected EAP (PEAP). There should be a configuration or advanced button below it, click it. On this window is another button labeled advanced, click it. Another window, this one having the just a check box labeled "Use logon username and password", should appear; uncheck the box. Click OK all the way out. Reconnect to the network and use the credentials supplied by your father, if you are allowed on the network. Should be good to go. Again, these instructions might be a little off as I'm going off of memory.

Answer 3

In order for a company to make sure only their computer's can connect to their network they use certificates. Basically one server hands out loads of certificates to all the valid computers on the network. When a computer connects to the network any communication over the network is signed with the certificate as proof its valid. The signature certificate is always checked for validity. If you don't have a valid certificate from that server when talking to the network then it will just ignore anything your computer says.