So I got an Apple Airport Extreme for the hose. All set up and works great except for one (PC) laptop. When password protected, the laptop will not log on. It see's the network, but wont take the password and connect. If I go into the airport settings and disable the security/password, it logs right on and works great.

I've tried everything within my knowledge base to get it to work for like two days now...nothing. I've tried too much stuff to list here.

You guys got any ideas? If you ask, I'll let you know if I tried that, but dig deep. I even had a buddy come over, so I think the obvious stuff is covered but you never know I guess. Thanks guys.

The laptop is running XP and it's fully updated.

 

XP SP3?

If it's still @ SP2, Is the latest WPA2 patch applied to the XP laptop? May need to apply it manually.

Latest Wireless NIC drivers?

WLAN NIC settings - channel #, width, etc ?

DHCP - settings, address in scope, etc ...?

Post the type of encryption you chose to run (no, not the password, lol).

MGD

 

SP3...don't know??

I know the router is WPA2. I know about the patch for the laptop. Windows says everything is up to date. I will check on finding that patch and installing.

NIC settings??? Beyond my knowledge base.

DHCP...again, beyond my knowledge base.

I have traveled the world literally with this laptop and have never had an issue logging on...until now. I know that probably means nothing, but just thorwing it out there.

 

IF yer @ SP2, you'll need this for WPA2 support: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/e...8-F7FC20195769

It's not a security patch so it does not show up in Windows Update.

Yer buddy need sot help you with a NIC (the wireless adapter) (mis)config, and/or review/correct yer DHCP settings.

Screenshots?

MGD

 

Thanks dude...let me get home and try that download and then take it from there.

 

Make sure when you are trying to connect your using the right security like WEP or one of the security choices it has and make sure it's the right one..


James

 

Well MGD, I got a pop up saying my computer was up to date and don't need to download/install that.

 

Ok.

Does it work @ any encryption level? try WEP, WPA, WPA2-AES? ( ensure access point is configured to suppost same.). Which one(s) don't work? Are you using B, G, or N? If N, you need the drivers to be as current as possible. What is the model of the WLAN nic?

What other wireless devices are working on this access point - list settings.

MGD

 

No...it only works with zero security. The options on the router are WPA/WPA2 Personal, WPA2 Personal, or None. Or WPA2 Enterprise, WPA/WPA2 Enterprise.

I did not try the enterprise settings.

The router is everything capable...A/N, B/G/N. My laptop is about 7 years old and came with wireless. It's a Dell TrueMobile 1300WLAN Mini-PCI Card (got that from the device manager) I don't know what NIC is??

Only other devices running off the router are my desktop (brand new iMac, so obviously it works, and two iPhones connected. No problems. Have no idea how to check settings.

When I go into the device manager>network adaptors>Dell True Mobile1300>advanced tab. there's a setting called Locally Administered MAC address. This selection has two options; Not Present and Value (with a block to enter a value). Not Present is selected. Does that mean anything?

Something of note (maybe)...when I select the network and hit connect, you get the pop-up to enter the Network Key: I've been assuming this is the password that I assigned wile setting up the router. I entered an incorrect password on purpose to see what it would do and it doesn't change anything. It never says you have entered an incorrect key/password/anything. It just keeps thinking like if you entered the correct password until it times out. Don't know if that's a clue or not.

I meant to bring home my work laptop (also a PC with Vista) to see what it would do, but I forgot it today.

 

Are you entering the correct password in the correct case?
I just bought an Extreme as well, and remember I had to set up two different passwords.

Just a thought. Hope you get everything figured out though.

 

Yes...using the correct case. Yes, the airport has different password capabilites for the different features, but I used the same password for all of them...so rules that out. Good commom sense tip though.

 

Dell laptops around that time had some issues with the wireless adapters. Go to the Dell support site and download the latest driver for the wireless adapter and install it. Easiest way to find the right driver is search by service tag number.

Confirm that XP has Service Pack 3. Control panel, system, look at the General tab.

 

Yes, I did see that...I do have SP3.

 

Dumb question from me... ( yes I know, what is new )

The WPA key, I have seen some mfgrs that allow the parameter to be entered as a word ( and it is converted to HEX on the back side ) and others where it is expecting a HEX value only.

If you enter only 0-9 and a-f in a word password ( so it looks HEX ), it will convert it to a HEX string on the back side, and the word & HEX are not the same.

The quick check, are any of the letters higher than F in the WPA key ?

The Dell 710m I am using, the key is expecting HEX only ( not a word containing a letter higher than F ) when using the Dell wireless config.

 

So what are you trying to say??? Create a password using only letters a through f and or numbers 0 through 9 and see if it works?