Wireless network connection problem

jabaroon

Hey all,

Had a call from a friend earlier. She is trying to get her laptop to connect up (wireless) to her Eircom Netopia access point. I was trying to walk her through it blind and over the phone and didnt have much success....

I managed to get her to see the wireless network and then get prompted for her WEP key. Once this was entered, windows simply reported that there was connectivity issues, something like "Limited or no connectivity....".

I got her to check that she is setup for DHCP on the connection and to check that the WEP key was entered correctly etc....

What am I missing?...Im sure I would spot it from 100yards if I was sitting in front of the laptop screen, but trying to visualise over the phone is tough!!

Cheers
Jab

PS - is an XP SP2 laptop.

jabaroon

Forgot to say, I had previously configured the laptop to connect to my own wireless network (which doesn't have WEP) and that all worked fine (and continues to), so I dont think its a problem with generic TCPIP settings etc...

Maybe something to do with WEP settings that I forgot? Maybe something specific to the Eircom Netopia wireless access point (which I am not familiar with?).

8T8

Is mac filtering enabled on the Netopia that would explain the problem if it were as you could still join the network with the correct passkey but not able to use it if the mac address wasn't on the authorised list.

jabaroon

8T8 wrote:

Is mac filtering enabled on the Netopia that would explain the problem if it were as you could still join the network with the correct passkey but not able to use it if the mac address wasn't on the authorised list.

Just checked that and nope, its not enabled.....

8T8

If you have broadband you coud get her to bring the Netopia and laptop to you so you could double check everything in the settings.

Is Windows set to manage the connection or a third party utility ?

Have you tried getting her to reboot the Caymen Netopia ?

Also check the settings of the WiFi cards driver, make sure everything is set to auto etc.

Of course it could be an interference issue for example if there is other equipment that operates in the 2.4Ghz spectrum like a wireless TV sender or a wireless land line phone that could mess it up.

Try changing the channel the wireless network operates on.

MunsterCycling

Double check the WEP key and if possible copy and paste it in as this is most likely the reason you are getting the limited connectivity warning.

irlrobins

MunsterCycling wrote:

Double check the WEP key and if possible copy and paste it in as this is most likely the reason you are getting the limited connectivity warning.

I think that if the WEP/WPA key is wrong it won't let you connect at all. Limited connectivity is usually a sign of ip address problems.

OP, get her to to do a ipconfig /all when the limited connectivity message comes up and post up here. Might give us a clue.

MunsterCycling

Think it will let you connect alright but not authenticate so you end up having IP problems as your not getting past the security checks...

irlrobins

Well I know intel client won't connect. Can't say for sure if you use the windows client only.

28064212

I think you can switch off WEP authentication, try that