Setting up wireless network with Vista

[Charlie]

I just purchased a Inspiron 531s with Vista Home Premium and a integrated
Dell wireless adapter (Broadcom 802.11g Adapter). My existing wireless
network is a Linksys WAP Router BEFW11S4 connected to my cable modem. It is a
802.11b device and WEP is enabled. I have 4 other PC's running XP or 2000 and
a wireless printer using the network.

I went through the out of the box setup on the Vista PC and I can get
connected to the WAP but the PC indicates that I have "limited connectivity".
I have not been able to get the internet. All my other PC's are connected to
the internet and working.

I tried editing the registry as per the Windows Support Article about
setting the DHCP Broadcast Flag for routers that may not recognize it. That
did not make any difference. No success.

I tried also entering the pass phrase and also the encryption key but still
no success. I find it strange that it will let me connect with no WEP but
gives me only limited connectivity when using WEP. It is like the Vista PC
connects to the router but cannot get any further. When looking at the
connection in the Network Center in Vista, it lists it as a Unknown network.
Could there be some settings in the router I might tweak? i.e. UDP or TCP
ports/sockets? I tried enabling and disabling in different combinations but
no success.

I hate to buy another Router when the one I have has been working fine for
years.

Thanks for any insights!

Charlie

 

[Robert L. \(MS-MVP\)]

Have you check if there is a new firmware for the router? Or check this
search result

Resolution of Vista Unidentified NetworkThe Vista Unidentified Network or
Limited Connectivity could be hardware, TCP/IP configuration or security
issues. The following are some resolutions. ...
www.chicagotech.net/vista/unidentifirdnetwork.htm


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com

 

[Barb Bowman]

Only hardware version 3 of this device shows up as compatible with
Vista on the official MS site

http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Pr...id=712&sv=&f=&pn=BEFw11S4V3 - 1.44.2&oid=7007

and it requires firmware 1.44

In any case, WEP is not safe at all these days. It would be worth
replacing the router for security reasons so that you can use WPA2
or at least WPA.

I just purchased a Inspiron 531s with Vista Home Premium and a integrated
Dell wireless adapter (Broadcom 802.11g Adapter). My existing wireless
network is a Linksys WAP Router BEFW11S4 connected to my cable modem. It is a
802.11b device and WEP is enabled. I have 4 other PC's running XP or 2000 and
a wireless printer using the network.

I went through the out of the box setup on the Vista PC and I can get
connected to the WAP but the PC indicates that I have "limited connectivity".
I have not been able to get the internet. All my other PC's are connected to
the internet and working.

I tried editing the registry as per the Windows Support Article about
setting the DHCP Broadcast Flag for routers that may not recognize it. That
did not make any difference. No success.

I tried also entering the pass phrase and also the encryption key but still
no success. I find it strange that it will let me connect with no WEP but
gives me only limited connectivity when using WEP. It is like the Vista PC
connects to the router but cannot get any further. When looking at the
connection in the Network Center in Vista, it lists it as a Unknown network.
Could there be some settings in the router I might tweak? i.e. UDP or TCP
ports/sockets? I tried enabling and disabling in different combinations but
no success.

I hate to buy another Router when the one I have has been working fine for
years.

Thanks for any insights!

Charlie

--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for the help and info. I will check out the links.

I am currently at 1.44.2 but there is a 1.45 available from Linksys website.
Having problems with the upgrade as is says at the end of the upgrade that it
did not finish because of corrupt file data.........

I think it's time to replace the router with a more current model that is
Vista certified.

My wife says I should have bought a Mac.........

Charlie

 

[Charlie]

Thanks for your help and info!

I am currently at 1.44.2 but there is a 1.45 available from Linksys website.
Having problems with the upgrade as is says at the end of the upgrade that it
did not finish because of corrupt file data.........

I think I will just buy a router that is certified to work with Vista.

Charlie

 

[Barb Bowman]

Sounds good to me.

I think I will just buy a router that is certified to work with Vista.

--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/