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Resolved Question

Unable To Connect XP Laptop To Home Network

Mar 3, 2015 8:20AM PST

I've looked at some of the topic titles in this forum, and they all seem pretty much over my head, so I hope someone can help me deal with this, no doubt, simple problem....

I have a combination modem and router supplied by my ISP, and we have one old XP tower wired directly to it, and one Vista laptop, one W7 laptop and one W7 tower connected wireless. All of those work and connect perfectly.

I recently was given an old IBM (at least they told me it was IBM - I see nothing on the outside that is brand related) laptop from my wife's parents. I verified that it was connecting wirelessly at their house. The idea was that we would keep it at our house for our granddaughters when they visit.

When I try to connect to our network I get the following message - Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on to the network (_______).

I went to network connections, right clicked the wireless connection icon and selected Properties. Then I clicked on the Wireless Networks tab, highlighted my network and clicked on properties.

I then went to the Authentication tab, and unchecked Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network.

When I then hover the mouse over the connection icon in the notification area, I get a msg that I have Limited or no connectivity.

When I go back to my network properties and click the Association tab, it has the proper Network Name in the box, the Network Authentication is set to Open and the Data Encryption is set to WEP. The other choices from the pulldown are Shared, WPA and WPA-PSK for Network Authentication.

If I uncheck the box that reads This key is provided for me automatically and I enter (and confirm) the proper Network key in the boxes I get the follwing msg - The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your network configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters.

When I hover the mouse over my network on this laptop - a W7 laptop, not the problematic XP laptop, it says that my security type is WPA2-PSK and the Radio Type is 802.11n. It seems like there's some sort of conflict her, but I don't know how to resolve it.

As I already said the XP laptop connected perfectly at my in-laws house, but they have a different ISP as well as a seperate modem and router. I would rather not have to screw around with my wireless connections - in addition to the 3 wireless computers we also have a Netflix connection with our Smart TV, and the thought of having to redo all those connections gives me pause.

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Best Answer

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microsoft has an XP update to WPA2
Mar 4, 2015 11:48AM PST
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917021

http://www.jmu.edu/computing/desktop/wireless/wm_library/OfficialWireless-WindowsXP.pdf


My daughter's XP with SP3 has WPA2 capability, but from a Zydas program that came with her wifi device. So, it's possible.

All about it and WPA2 PSK

If it doesn't show just those, then go to the search box under comments and put WPA2 into it.


http://www.amazon.com/review/R2QOK7C8TAT3AN/ref=cm_srch_res_rtr_alt_1


Works well on my old XP laptop!, February 3, 2014


By K. Perry


Verified Purchase(What's this?)


This review is from: Panda
Ultra Wireless N USB Adapter (150Mbps) - 802.11n 2.4GHz - Compatible
with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1, Mac OS X 10.4/10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8, Mint
14/15/16, Ubuntu 12.04/12.10/13.04/13.10, Fedora 17/18/19/20, openSUSE
12.1/12.2/12.3, Puppy 5.6, Lubuntu 12.10/13.04, Kubuntu
12.04/12.10/13.04, BackTrack5 R3, Kali Linux 1.0.3, Raspbrian Wheezy and
OpenELEC (Personal Computers)


I have an 11 year old Windows XP laptop which I connect to the internet via a 10 year old NetGear WG511v2 card.When
I recently moved and Verizon Fios upgraded my wireless router to their
latest and greatest router, all of a sudden my old laptop would not
connect to my wireless network.After some frustration, tech
calls, and intense Google-ing, I discovered the reason was that my old
WG511v2 card did not support WPA2 network encryption, and only supported
the older, less secure, WEP encryption protocol's. I was left with two
options... upgrade to a wireless card that can handle WPA2, or manually
switch my new router to the older WEP protocol.Sooo I tossed my old card in the trash and ordered this one which stated it works with WPA and WPA2 encryption.When
it came in the mail, I installed the drivers as per the instructions on
the CD it came with. I plugged in this little guy, and BOOM! I was back
online within minutes. I even got a friendly email the manufacturer
(through amazon) saying to contact them if I have any questions. Since
set up was so easy I didnt need to call, but it was nice they did that.The
only negative I have noticed thus far is signal strength. My Verizon
Fios plan gives me 50Mbps/25Mbps-Upload/Download speeds. So I should be
able to acheive 25Mbps since this states it can handle up to 150Mbps..
however even when I am right next to my router I get 10-15 max. This is
still by far enough to browse the web, download MP3's, stream youtube,
etc. However if I try to stream and browse at the same time, or while
downloading MP3's, things slow down a bit. And if I am a couple rooms
over or outside the signal gets even worse.I dont mind the
slightly weaker signal, especially since it is a small unit and it so
cheap. Plus I only use this old laptop for web-browsing and updating my
iPod. All of my gaming and streaming is done on consoles or my iPad
anyways. So I just needed something to connect my old dinosaur of a
laptop and this did the trick.If the signal strength was better I would have given 5 stars, but all in all as long as it doesnt break, Im happy.If you want an easy, inexpensive, way to connect to networks with the latest protocols, this little adapter should do the trick.EDIT:
I fixed my weak signal problem by enabling "Windows Zero Configuration"
in XP. This solved my weak signal issue and now this little bad boy is
giving me 70+ Mbps, which is more than enough. It also maintains good
strength in adjacent rooms from where my router is. So I upped this from
4 stars to 5.Now I can keep rocking my 10+ year old XP Laptop!
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reply to microsoft has an XP update to WPA2
Mar 4, 2015 3:33PM PST
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917021
I've seen this update referenced several places, but my understanding is that this is a WPA2 XP patch that's only necessary if you're not already running SP3, since SP3 itself supposedly already incorporates this patch. As I've said more than once, this laptop IS running SP3. I've seen it suggested that one could rollback to SP2, install the patch, and then reinstall SP3, but that just seems silly

http://www.jmu.edu/computing/desktop/wireless/wm_library/OfficialWireless-WindowsXP.pdf
I'm not sure that anything contained in this article is going to make WPA2-PSK suddenly pop up in the pull-down in the Network Authentication box. And that not being a NA option on the XP laptop seems to be a deal-breaker if I want to keep my router's current configuration.

My daughter's XP with SP3 has WPA2 capability, but from a Zydas program that came with her wifi device. So, it's possible.

All about it and WPA2 PSK
Yeah, either this little guy or the Edimax suggested by Mr. Proffitt seem like the best all-around suggestions on how to get the laptop connecting with the least amount of fuss.
Thanks to all that replied. I've certainly learned a few things.
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Answer
Looks to be true.
Mar 3, 2015 8:51AM PST

XP out of the box only did WEP. We reloaded a XP machine a few months back and it oddly connected to the WPA2 network but failed in many other ways. Very confusing to most folk. But it's true we don't expect XP to connect right UNTIL 2 things happen.

1. XP is updated to it's latest from Microsoft with Windows Update. SP3 and all the patches.
2. The WiFi driver is updated from it's maker.

Then it should give the option of WPA2 and work fine.
Bob

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Why do i need another subject line?
Mar 3, 2015 9:48AM PST

The laptop is up to date with SP3 and all attendant patches and updates. I'll have to use this laptop to download the updated wireless driver to a flash drive, but I have no idea of the brand. The bottom of the laptop has a sticker that identifies it as model 557s, and the computer properties screen reads Viscom Technology Group, Inc and V2Premier. I have no idea how to find updated drivers for this.

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Never did it that way.
Mar 3, 2015 9:56AM PST

I would go to the laptop's maker driver page and get the new driver there. Either with a temp Ethernet connection or with some other PC and usb memory stick. Which ever way works at the time.
Bob

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reply to never did it that way
Mar 3, 2015 10:46AM PST

Once again, if someone could tell me how to determine the manufacturer, I'd be good with using a temp wired connection, or another PC with a flash drive.

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Sorry but I don't see the make+model of the laptop.
Mar 3, 2015 10:54AM PST

If you don't know try BELARC ADVISOR?

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About ASCII and such.
Mar 3, 2015 11:02AM PST

Sorry but in over a decade I've yet to do anything like that. It was a blast from the past as we reloaded XP (the ORIGINAL without any SP!) and refreshed our memories about what had to be done to get connected to a WPA2 WiFi spot.
Bob

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Ugh
Mar 3, 2015 2:11PM PST

'Sorry but in over a decade I've yet to do anything like that. It was a blast from the past as we reloaded XP (the ORIGINAL without any SP!) and refreshed our memories about what had to be done to get connected to a WPA2 WiFi spot.'

No, I'm sorry because I have zero inkling about what you're talking about. In over a decade you've never done anything like what?

Anyway, according to Belarc, under the heading System Model it lists
Elitegroup Co. 557 1.0
I've downloaded both of the 2 wireless drivers on their webpage and installed the Inter driver on the XP laptop. It now tells me that not only is it not connected, but that 'no connections are available'. If you could refresh your memory a bit more....

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ECS motherboard
Mar 3, 2015 7:20PM PST

Does the computer work OK otherwise? Those ECS motherboards were some of the worst capacitor poppers out there during the time of XP systems.

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ECS motherboard
Mar 4, 2015 4:20AM PST

Yes, the laptop works just fine otherwise. It is actually in pristine condition, physically. And it works just great when connected with an Ethernet cable.

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I shared a recent XP reload experience.
Mar 4, 2015 12:16AM PST

Because we don't reload XP (the one without the SP1 to 3) very often the recent reload was a great way to refresh out knowledge about what it took to get it working again.

Maybe there is no driver today for your WiFi card for WPA2. Just maybe. The issues you listed are typical for some hardware and you will get clients that "don't understand" that XP's days are over. You may have to check this WiFi card and plug in something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Edimax-EW-7811Un-150Mbps-Raspberry-Supports/dp/B003MTTJOY/ref=CNET

That's about 10 bucks and folk report it working in XP (the product claims XP support as well.)
Another model I used was http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037G2BMY/ref=CNET but it's a little more bulky but I like the big antenna. I've seen it work on Windows XP, Vista and 7. Haven't tried it on 8 yet. But it works in Linux too.
Bob

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R.Proffitt
Mar 4, 2015 4:51AM PST

How discouraging.... So perhaps the fact that this laptop connected wirelessly at my in-laws house would mean that their router was not set up for WPA2? I don't want to get a wireless adapter since this is to be used by my grandchildren. I can very easily see a USB plug-in such as that getting 'injured' by 4 and 6 year-olds.

I have gone to the desktop and entered my modem/router address which 192.168.254.254. But I see nowhere where it displays any hexadecimal network values.

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I see Kees laid out the options.
Mar 4, 2015 5:39AM PST

The smaller USB nano plug would be best. As to hexadecimal, it's been 2 decades of WiFi work here and I'm never used or advised to type in such. Ask those that advise such to fill that in.
Bob

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use a "button" type USB wifi
Mar 4, 2015 11:32AM PST
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Skip the Bluetooth for this round.
Mar 4, 2015 11:42AM PST
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Thank you
Mar 4, 2015 6:03AM PST

Its work for me!

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Answer
several things
Mar 3, 2015 9:09AM PST
"I then went to the Authentication tab, and unchecked Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network."

That should be on.

"The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your network configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters."

That would be WEP setting, if used. Your router might be set to the newer WPA or WPA2.
ASCII is not what you want to use, but set it for the hexadecimal and enter the same as shown on the router. You can access the internal router program using your browser at it's IP address, most commmon being 192.168.1.1
There should be an area where all the settings you need to use for the computer are listed, just copy them and then input to the TCP/IP settings for the computer.

You may have to enter the router's SSID into the computer settings and also turn it on at the router.

" it says that my security type is WPA2-PSK and the Radio Type is 802.11n. It seems like there's some sort of conflict her, but I don't know how to resolve it. "

The "n" range can over power both the a, b, and g ranges, in essence jamming more than one or 2 computers wifi.
Sounds like you are trying to set the computer for WEP, but your router uses WPA2 instead.
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Reply to several things
Mar 3, 2015 10:36AM PST

I have no idea in this forum how to quote from another reply. Usually there's some little button that says 'Reply with quote' but I see nothing like that here....
"I then went to the Authentication tab, and unchecked Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network."

That should be on.

As I said, when that option was checked, I got the msg, 'Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on to the network (_______). Give me an idea on how to deal with that.

"The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your network configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters."

That would be WEP setting, if used. Your router might be set to the newer WPA or WPA2.
ASCII is not what you want to use, but set it for the hexadecimal and enter the same as shown on the router. You can access the internal router program using your browser at it's IP address, most commmon being 192.168.1.1
There should be an area where all the settings you need to use for the computer are listed, just copy them and then input to the TCP/IP settings for the computer.

You've lost me... Do I go to the computer with the wired connection to the router/modem and enter 192.168.1.1? And then do what? I do not want to mess up my Netflix streaming or the other 3 PC's connection. I'm sorry if I seem to be dense about this.

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yes
Mar 3, 2015 11:48AM PST
"Do I go to the computer with the wired connection to the router/modem and enter 192.168.1.1? And then do what? I do not want to mess up my Netflix streaming or the other 3 PC's connection. I'm sorry if I seem to be dense about th"

No need to change anything, just get the information you need. The part about 40 vs 104 or for hex the 64 vs 128 is based on whether it's an ASCII phrase or hexadecimal. Unfortunately the same phrase may mean something different from router to router, meaning it's hexadecimal form may not be the same, so best to just use the hex instead from the start. I ran into this switching from a Linksys to a Westall router in past.

Rob mentioned need to update XP fully to have WPA capability. Since that's what you are using, you need to do that to the XP computer, or use it hardwire to a LAN port instead. Remember, whether WEP or WPA, that only applies to the wireless settings. LAN assumes you are on location and not needing such encryption.
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Answer
Re: laptop
Mar 4, 2015 4:32AM PST

Old versions of XP don't support WPA2-PSK. See if you can install SP3, and it might work.
It's not really recommend to switch your whole network back to WEP.

If the laptop happens to have 1 GB of RAM, your granddaughters might prefer a wireless Mint OS above a wired XP to be connected.

Kees

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reply to kees_b
Mar 4, 2015 5:10AM PST

Laptop already has SP3. And no, I'm not about to change my whole network for the couple of days a month we babysit the kids.

I have no idea what the phrase 'a wireless Mint OS' means. And letting my granddaughters work off a wired connection isn't a viable option - too many things in the room with the wi-fi equipment are not for little fingers.

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Re: network
Mar 4, 2015 5:27AM PST

So you say that your router is WPA2-PSK and this XP PC won't go higher than WPA-PSK (without the 2) and lets you enter an (inapplicable) WEP-key. Then apparently is incompatible.

So it seems your choices are:
- set your network security to WPA in stead of WPA2
- don't go wireless with this laptop but use an Ethernet cable
- replace Windows XP with Linux Mint if it has 1 GB of RAM - depending on what your grandchildren want to do with the laptop it probably would work fine (Youtube, browser, Facebook, word processor, play mp3 etc, but no Windows games).
- use another laptop that can communicate wirelessly with your router
- let them use a deskotp
- give them both a tablet (lots of apps they love)

Kees

Kees