wireless problem

stevelev,

Is SSID broadcast disabled on the router?  If it is, enable SSID broadcast temporarily and see if you can connect to the network.

Post back with the results.

stevlev,

That's exactly where I was heading. 

Have you tried a different channel to eliminate interference?  Channel 1 or 11 would be a good choice.

Paladin,

Router and AP are two different pieces of hardware. Firmware on AP does not give me the ability to disable SSID broadcasting, so the AP is broadcasting. Upgrading the firmware would give me the ability to disable, but I know that would not work with WinXP Zero Config.

stevlev

stevlev,

Well, just for grins you may want to install the Linksys WUSB11 configuration utility and disable WinXP's WZC.  The utility is located on the \utility directory of the WUSB11 CD and has its own setup.exe.  Install it, then disable WZC and reboot the PC.  Then see what happens when the Linksys utility has control.

Paladin,

Yes, I switched to Channel 11. I don't think it improved reception, and it did not eliminate the problem. After reloading the drivers, the connection is Good, with few dropped packets.

stevlev

jmwills,

That MSKB article explains a lot.  Thanks.

While I agree with the article saying disabling SSID broadcast is not going to make your wireless network secure, that step is just one in a list of security precautions to take.  I do not understand Microsoft's thinking that if you configure the wireless client for a preferred network that that network must be broadcasting the SSID.  It's short sighted on Microsoft's part, to say the least.  Fortunately, there is a workaround.

Paladin,

Your are a genius! It worked!  After days of trying myself, hours of tech support with Linksys, and numerous postings on networking boards, you are the one who was able to help!

Thank you so much.

stevlev

Learning new things all the time! Thanks Paladin.  Here is a Knowledge base Article that deals with this subject:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811427&Product=winxp

I do remember working with this utility for one customer and had forgotten about it.  Fortunately, she had the only Wireless system in the neighborhood, or at least NetStumbler didn't show any others present, so I mconfigured her LAN as the preferred network.

The link to the Cable Guy articles is really resourceful also.

I don't know if I am having the same problem but here is my situation.  I have a new Dell 4600 with XP Home.  I installed a linksys wireless USB adapter (network already in place).  When I boot the computer the computer the network will not connect.  I do get network available but it will not let me connect.  If I disable the wireless connection (meaning right mouse click in the network connections page) and then enable, it connects quickly and works fine.  Or if I unplug the usb and replug it connects and works fine.  The problem is only on a computer reboot, both a restart and a cold start.

Any ideas?  I have downloaded I think all the XP updates and have also downloaded the latest USB drive from linksys.

Thanks

Mike