Problems with Wireless Network

Question

I have a new Dimension 9100 and have it hard wired to a broadband cable; I'm connected to the internet and all is working fine with what I'll call computer A.  I wanted a fast and secure wireless system for computer B.  I just bought a Linksys Wireless G router and set it up using the software Linksys supplied.  I am using Dell Wireless USB Adapter on computer B and have installed that software.   Both computers use XP.   Computer B is able to receive the signal from the router but it cannot connect, and the problem appears to be the encryption.  I ran the wireless set up wizard, getting the setup file on my thumbdrive from Computer A, putting it in Computer B, back again to A, and this is what it told me my settings were:   Wireless Settings Network Name (SSID): DHD Network Key (WEP/WPA Key): 8a30b83bc21a40cbad63918dbd Key Provided Automatically (802.1x): 0 Network Authentication Type: open Data Encryption Type: WEP Connection Type: ESS Key Index:   I thought the wireless wizard would have installed all the data needed by computer B to enable it to connect.  I tried entering manually the lengthy Network Key (twice to confirm) and tried again.  It does not work.  What am I doing wrong? Why do they make this so complicated?   thanks  Don   Message Edited by DoyleDH on 08-10-2005 08:30 AM

jmwills · Answer

Try using the Windows Zero Configuration utility to manually enter all that data.  Besides, how can you have an 'open network' with encryption?

DoyleDH · Answer

Sorry, but on which computer, A or B, and how do I use this zero configuration procedure?  What is it and how do I get to it?    I'm still a bit puzzled as to why Windows XP's wireless network wizard can't take care of gathering the essential data, transferring it from one computer to another, and making this whole thing a lot less complicated.  Does it work for others?

jmwills · Answer

It's a wizard and mistakes can be made if you input the wrong information.  Use it on computer B.

DoyleDH · Answer

I'm afraid I still have to ask: how precisely does one access this procedure?  and if my goal is to provide security for my home wireless network, don't I want to change it from 'open' encrypted?  Also, if the wizard makes mistakes, and the data I gave above are all from that source, don't I want to change what the wizard told me is my settings?

jmwills · Answer

Go to Control Panel>Netwrok Connection and find your wirleless adapter.  Right click and go to properties.  I belive it is the middel tab that allows you to manually configure the information. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1277020,00.asp

DoyleDH · Answer

JMWells,  I really appreciate your patience.  I still found all of this confounding and overly complicated.  I still do not have the wireless network secure, with WPA encrytion, and I'll work on that later, but for now I have WEP 64 bit encryption.  Here is the solution I finally found: I  went to linksys.com and used their Easy Connect (yeah) page, which downloaded another 'wizard' but this one worked.  It took me through the steps to set up the router, and then saved a NetSet Client file, which I could copy to my thumb drive and then run on computer B.  So it is working.  When I get my sanity back I'll work on a WPA encrypted system.   I still find this ridiculously complicated and can't believe it is so for everyone, yet I followed the directions from Linksys carefully.   thanks again for your efforts,   Don

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