Pro/Wireless 2915ABG and WPA Security preshared key

Hi, has the preshared key got any strange chars in it (- or _ or + or anything).  I have often had problems when using these and I have no idea why, it seems to defy logic to be honest.

Alternatively this could be a manifestation of an unstable signal (to negotiate security needs a bit of stability).  Try changing the channel, moving your mobiles/turning them off. Also power cycle the router, I think some models stop trying to reconnect a given device if there are failed connection attempts. 

Dan

Message Edited by danielwest on 01-22-2006 05:46 AM

Thanks for the ideas.  I will try them tomorrow as it is late here in Melbourne.  I do not have any unusual characters in the Preshared Key, just alphanumerics lowercase.  The notebook is in the same room as the router, but the stability/channel and re-connection issues are worth trying as I have run out of thoughts myself.

My Inspiron 6000 with 2915ABG adapter and Driver Version 9.0.3.9, dated 9/12/2005, suffers from the same challenge. I have had 5 Chat sessions, updated the driver and tried everything to fix it, to no avail. As long as no security is used, it connects and reconnects after shutdown. However when WPA2-PSK security is enabled, the DHCP feature on my D-Link DWL DI-624 (using Firmware 2.70) cannot connect with the adapter to provide it an IP address. This results in the self-address function response by the adapter, and the resulting IP address of all zeros or 169.254.x.x, resulting in limited or no connectivity.

Today, the last chat session resulted in the technician stating that the 2915ABG adapter had "issues" with WPA security. He suggested that I back down to the older and more-easily defeated WEP encryption scheme. When I attempted to use it in the past, the overhead load required by WEP consistently disabled the connection on another (less powerful CPU) desktop used by my spouse. That unit does well under the WPA2-PSK security, but the Inspiron 6000 does not.

There is nothing I have found related to this challenge on the Intel website, and Intel claims that the adapter will work under WPA security despite my experience and apparently that of others.

Does anyone know of a solution to this problem? The Chat tech said he was not aware of Intel's efforts to fix it.

I have both a Toshiba with Atheros chip set and a Dell 9300. On the Atheros chip I upgraded to the 4.xxx driver and on the Intel to the 9.10 driver. Both would work fine for 24 to 48 hours when the router would lock up. We were using WPA2 with AES and a 20 character key. After seaching the wireless forums.
http://www.dslreports.com/gs/atheros+driver I found that I was not alone and there was a major problem with Dlink and WPA2 with AES. That is when I went off to BestBuy for the WRT54GS V4.

The Linksys has a 63 character very random key and is using AES. No problems since it was installed in late December.

I did apply the Microsoft WPA2 update to both machines prior to the change.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357/en-us

Dell's support was at best poor. The 'techician' claimed that Dell only support WEP. Dlink was much better, but no answer. Linksys knew the problem and had a solution.

Ollie

As a result of the input of others users, I discovered the key to making my D-Link DI624c work with the 2915ABG network adapter and permit full access to the internet for my Inspiron 6000.

I now have security on my wireless network and feel that I can now work on allowing file and printer sharing over my network. Because I earlier was unable to successfully enable the security without running into the "limited or no connectivity" result on the wireless connection for the Inspiron 6000, I was reluctant to open the network between the PC's.

My DI-624c uses Firmware Version 2.70, the most recent (as of 1/26/2006) Version offered by D-Link.  Other more knowledgeable users have found later Versions, but I have not.  My 2915ABG adapter is working under the Driver Version 9.0.3.9, dated 9/12/2005.

The key was the change from WPA2-PSK to WPA2-Auto as the Security mode.  Though I am unsure as to the degradation in security with this step-back, the network is secured by a strong password, and I am reasonably sure it cannot be violated unless someone resets the router back to the "default" settings through the 10-second hold of the reset button on the router.

I must say that I am disappointed with the support provided by Dell through its chat sessions and Intel whose response is to send you a listing of wireless technology files to read.  While intellectually stimulating and then frustrating, the files do not provide the answer to curing the problem.  I am especially dismayed by D-Link, a company that apparently takes the attitude that if their router works through their wireless devices on other PC’s, it obviously is not a problem for them if your PC, using an Intel adapter, has “limited or no connectivity” through their router.  Ultimately, they will pay for that attitude through an ever-shrinking customer base.

On the other hand, I am thankful that Dell supports this Forum through which so many people are willing to help others through their hard-earned, real-world expertise in finding ways to make things work.

I had found the same setting. My only problem was the router would freeze ever 24 to 48 hours. It had to be powered off and back on to reset the wireless connection. The wired connections continued to work. That is way I recieved two on RMA.. Pain in bottom, and Dell was less than no help.

Ollie