linksys wireless and xp sp 2

[Jeff]

I recently got a dsl and a linksys wireless G router to
try and end the kids' "internet wars." Using WEP.
Hardwired router to win98se computer - no problem.
Wireless to win98se laptop - no problem. Wireless to xp
home edition - no problem. Wireless to xp home edition
service pack 2 - the network will not recognize the
computer and allow the address type to change to DHCp or
to change the IP address. I have run repair. Linksys
says that this is a service pack 2 problem with
encryption and they do not know what to do. Anybody have
an idea? I have spent a day on this now, and the wife is
mad. Thanks.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I recently got a dsl and a linksys wireless G router to
try and end the kids' "internet wars." Using WEP.
Hardwired router to win98se computer - no problem.
Wireless to win98se laptop - no problem. Wireless to xp
home edition - no problem. Wireless to xp home edition
service pack 2 - the network will not recognize the
computer and allow the address type to change to DHCp or
to change the IP address. I have run repair. Linksys
says that this is a service pack 2 problem with
encryption and they do not know what to do. Anybody have
an idea? I have spent a day on this now, and the wife is
mad. Thanks.

I'm not aware of any particular issues with encryption in service pack
1. Tech support people sometimes point the finger at someone else when
they can't solve a problem.

The first thing to do when you suspect an encryption problem is to
temporarily disable encryption on the router and the XP network card.
Then, see whether they can connect with no encryption. That will
dictate where to go next.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Barb Bowman [MVP-Windows]]

First, there is a firmware update (6/24/03) for the Linksys G router.
You don't say what wireless card(s) you are using, but there are recent
drivers for the Linksys G card and new drivers for the Linksys WPC11 V3
card. The G router has settings where you can set a performance mode (b
clients won't be able to connect). Since you have a mixed network, you can't
use the WPA features of the G router. You need to use WEP, use a 128 bit HEX
key. Don't use the Linksys utility on the XP machine.

Post more details for more help.

 

[jeff]

I disabled the encryption (I had been using 64 bits 10
hexdigits because it was supposed to be faster (?)). The
hardwired wireless G WRT54G to Win98SE works fine. The
wireless router to wireless G notebook adapter WPC54G also
works fine. Now however, not only does the wireless
router to Win XP home edition WMP54G adapter not work
(Compaq machine), but the wireless router to Win XP home
edition with service pack 1 WMP54 G adapter still does not
work (HP machine). I enabled the encryption again, but
now neither one works. Both show a signal being received
via a wireless network, but I cannot access the internet.

I will try the new drivers and let you know if it makes a
difference.

I think that the problem is that the internet
configuration type will not go to "Automatic
Configuration - DHCP" and will not change. (Although I
have no idea whether or not this should make a difference.)

Barb, what do you mean "don't use Linksys utility on the
XP machine."?

Thanks. Any more info you would like to see?

Jeff

 

[Barb Bowman [MVP-Windows]]

Please don't delete portions on the thread when you reply -
Linksys has a utility for configuring the card. On Windows XP you should not
install that utility and use the built in wireless zero configuration.
Exactly where are you looking and seeing Internet Configuration Type -
Automatic Configuration DHCP? Are you trying to run the network wizard? Some
Linksys setup program? don't!!! Please make sure that the XP Internet
Connection Firewall is not running.

I disabled the encryption (I had been using 64 bits 10
hexdigits because it was supposed to be faster (?)). The
hardwired wireless G WRT54G to Win98SE works fine. The
wireless router to wireless G notebook adapter WPC54G also
works fine. Now however, not only does the wireless
router to Win XP home edition WMP54G adapter not work
(Compaq machine), but the wireless router to Win XP home
edition with service pack 1 WMP54 G adapter still does not
work (HP machine). I enabled the encryption again, but
now neither one works. Both show a signal being received
via a wireless network, but I cannot access the internet.

I will try the new drivers and let you know if it makes a
difference.

I think that the problem is that the internet
configuration type will not go to "Automatic
Configuration - DHCP" and will not change. (Although I
have no idea whether or not this should make a difference.)

Barb, what do you mean "don't use Linksys utility on the
XP machine."?

Thanks. Any more info you would like to see?

Jeff
First, there is a firmware update (6/24/03) for the Linksys G router.

You don't say what wireless card(s) you are using, but there are recent
drivers for the Linksys G card and new drivers for the Linksys WPC11 V3
card. The G router has settings where you can set a performance mode (b
clients won't be able to connect). Since you have a mixed network, you can't
use the WPA features of the G router. You need to use WEP, use a 128 bit HEX
key. Don't use the Linksys utility on the XP machine.

Post more details for more help.

 

[Jeff]

Gave up and took everything back to store. It's easier to
fight the internet wars with the kids than to try to get
his stuff to work. This is probably the reason why tech
is in the doldrums - it is not simple enough for people to
utilize, and it is too hard or too expensive to get help
in a timely fashion.