Adapter does not connect to Linksys router when SSID broadcast is disabled

Hi there,

I installed a Linksys BEFW11S4 v4 router and use a Linksys WUSB11 v4 adapter
(ISP: Casema Wanadoo Cable / Motorola SURFboard Cable modem; OS: WindowsXP
sp2). I secured my wireless network by using WPA (PSK), client MAC address
list restriction, renaming the SSID and password, and by disabling SSID
broadcast.

In the beginning, when I visited webpages, the pages and pictures were
distorted or did not show up at all; they were being downloaded only
partially. The cause of this problem appeared not to have anything to do
with MTU values, but with the Norton Firewall 2001 version. The excellent
(and free) Linksys helpdesk helped me solve this problem.

Now that I upgraded the firewall, I run into a new problems (of course). My
wireless network adapter only connects to my wireless router when SSID
broadcast is ENabled. It does not, or hardly ever, connect when SSID
broadcast is DISabled. What could be causing this? Of course I want to keep
SSID broadcast disabled.

Further info: I used to be able to see my own SSID in the list of available
wireless networks, even when SSID broadcast was disabled (strangely enough);
currently, it only shows up in this list when I enable SSID broadcast (as
one would problably expect).

Please help,
Ray (city of Utrecht, The Netherlands)

this is a known problem. turn back on ssid broadcast. turnning it off does
not help security and it causes the problems you are seeing with
connections.

"Ray" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:43478252$0$37857$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi there,
>
> I installed a Linksys BEFW11S4 v4 router and use a Linksys WUSB11 v4
> adapter (ISP: Casema Wanadoo Cable / Motorola SURFboard Cable modem; OS:
> WindowsXP sp2). I secured my wireless network by using WPA (PSK), client
> MAC address list restriction, renaming the SSID and password, and by
> disabling SSID broadcast.
>
> In the beginning, when I visited webpages, the pages and pictures were
> distorted or did not show up at all; they were being downloaded only
> partially. The cause of this problem appeared not to have anything to do
> with MTU values, but with the Norton Firewall 2001 version. The excellent
> (and free) Linksys helpdesk helped me solve this problem.
>
> Now that I upgraded the firewall, I run into a new problems (of course).
> My wireless network adapter only connects to my wireless router when SSID
> broadcast is ENabled. It does not, or hardly ever, connect when SSID
> broadcast is DISabled. What could be causing this? Of course I want to
> keep SSID broadcast disabled.
>
> Further info: I used to be able to see my own SSID in the list of
> available wireless networks, even when SSID broadcast was disabled
> (strangely enough); currently, it only shows up in this list when I enable
> SSID broadcast (as one would problably expect).
>
> Please help,
> Ray (city of Utrecht, The Netherlands)
>
>

> What utility are you using to control the adapter, the manufacturers or
> the Windows WZC?

I use Windows itself; not the Linksys software. Linksys helpdesk itself
advised me to do it this way.

> It you hard wire do the pages load correctly?

Yes, the problem of the pages and pictures was only there when I had
the Norton 2001 firewall up and running in combination with the wireless
connection. It was not there when I used the LAN-connection with or
without the router in between. This problem is now solved anyway.

> Have you set up a profile for your connection on your computer so it knows
> what the SSID is?

Yes, absolutely, it is right there in the list, actually as the only item.
It's
supposed to connect to my router's signal automatically when it detects
the signal.

I've already tried using a new WPA-PSK-password, or throwing this
wireless connection profile away and creating a new one, with either SSID
broadcast switched on or switched off, but it just doesn't work.
The strange thing is, that sometimes all of a sudden it (the
connection/profile)
switches on automatically (it finds my network/SSID) without any action
taken to do so.

Regards,
Ray

the FIRST and most important thing is to turn ssid broadcast ON and leave it
ON... then try other troubleshooting. using wzc you will get disconnected
from your access point if you are not broadcasting and another one in range
is broadcasting... eliminate that possibility permanently before worrying
about other stuff.

"Clark" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:eV72f.4$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Are you using the computer where the signal is strong, sometimes even
> turning the computer a different direction will help? Is there anything
> that might be interfering with it, like some cordless phones or microwaves
> or even other networks ? I suppose disabling the WPA security makes no
> difference?
>
> Just so you will know, it seems to me there are quite a few questions from
> folks with USB adapters. Do you have another type you could use to check?
>
> Clark
>
> Ray wrote:
>>> What utility are you using to control the adapter, the manufacturers or
>>> the Windows WZC?
>>
>> I use Windows itself; not the Linksys software. Linksys helpdesk itself
>> advised me to do it this way.
>>
>>> It you hard wire do the pages load correctly?
>>
>> Yes, the problem of the pages and pictures was only there when I had
>> the Norton 2001 firewall up and running in combination with the wireless
>> connection. It was not there when I used the LAN-connection with or
>> without the router in between. This problem is now solved anyway.
>>
>>> Have you set up a profile for your connection on your computer so it
>>> knows what the SSID is?
>>
>> Yes, absolutely, it is right there in the list, actually as the only
>> item. It's
>> supposed to connect to my router's signal automatically when it detects
>> the signal.
>>
>> I've already tried using a new WPA-PSK-password, or throwing this
>> wireless connection profile away and creating a new one, with either SSID
>> broadcast switched on or switched off, but it just doesn't work.
>> The strange thing is, that sometimes all of a sudden it (the
>> connection/profile)
>> switches on automatically (it finds my network/SSID) without any action
>> taken to do so.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Ray
>>

Hi

Since SSID really does not add any security when MAC and WPA are used switch
it On, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#ssid



"Ray" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:43478252$0$37857$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi there,
>
> I installed a Linksys BEFW11S4 v4 router and use a Linksys WUSB11 v4
adapter
> (ISP: Casema Wanadoo Cable / Motorola SURFboard Cable modem; OS: WindowsXP
> sp2). I secured my wireless network by using WPA (PSK), client MAC address
> list restriction, renaming the SSID and password, and by disabling SSID
> broadcast.
>
> In the beginning, when I visited webpages, the pages and pictures were
> distorted or did not show up at all; they were being downloaded only
> partially. The cause of this problem appeared not to have anything to do
> with MTU values, but with the Norton Firewall 2001 version. The excellent
> (and free) Linksys helpdesk helped me solve this problem.
>
> Now that I upgraded the firewall, I run into a new problems (of course).
My
> wireless network adapter only connects to my wireless router when SSID
> broadcast is ENabled. It does not, or hardly ever, connect when SSID
> broadcast is DISabled. What could be causing this? Of course I want to
keep
> SSID broadcast disabled.
>
> Further info: I used to be able to see my own SSID in the list of
available
> wireless networks, even when SSID broadcast was disabled (strangely
enough);
> currently, it only shows up in this list when I enable SSID broadcast (as
> one would problably expect).
>
> Please help,
> Ray (city of Utrecht, The Netherlands)
>
>

> the FIRST and most important thing is to turn ssid broadcast ON and leave
> it ON... then try other troubleshooting.

But the problem itself is that I do not want to leave the SSID broadcast on.
As one
of the things one has to do to make wireless networking more secure, one is
advised
to turn it off, so that's what I want to do. I cannot judge on whether this
really does
or does not improve security.

> using wzc you will get disconnected from your access point if you are not
> broadcasting and another one in range is broadcasting... eliminate that
> possibility permanently before worrying about other stuff.

Other routers _are_ broadcasting, about four or five of them, each with a
weak
signal. But they are nog in my list of preferred networks; only my own
netwerk
is. Obviously I cannot prevent other networks from broadcasting.
What I find strange, is that turning off SSID broadcast was not a problem
before;
the problem started after I upgraded my firewall and the Linksys firmware.
And what is the point of being able to turn off SSID broadcast if
1) it doesn't help security
2) I cannot connect to it anymore

>Are you using the computer where the signal is strong, sometimes even
>turning the computer a different direction will help?

The signal is always very good to excellent. The problem even occurs
when the router and adapter are only half a meter apart.

> Is there anything that might be interfering with it, like some cordless
> phones or microwaves or even other networks ?

I have tried different channels, but it doesn't make a difference.

> I suppose disabling the WPA security makes no difference?

I haven't tried, and I don't think I want to try...
And again: on rare occasions the adapter _does_ connect automatically when
SSID broadcast is turned off. So it _can_ function somehow sometimes,
only not on demand. This makes the problem even more strange.

>Just so you will know, it seems to me there are quite a few questions from
>folks with USB adapters. Do you have another type you could use to check?

No, I only have the USB adapter. Would have been nice to try if I had an
alternative.

Regards,
Ray

OK, thanks!

Ray


"Jack" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
>
> Since SSID really does not add any security when MAC and WPA are used
> switch
> it On, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#ssid
>
>
>
> "Ray" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:43478252$0$37857$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi there,
>>
>> I installed a Linksys BEFW11S4 v4 router and use a Linksys WUSB11 v4
> adapter
>> (ISP: Casema Wanadoo Cable / Motorola SURFboard Cable modem; OS:
>> WindowsXP
>> sp2). I secured my wireless network by using WPA (PSK), client MAC
>> address
>> list restriction, renaming the SSID and password, and by disabling SSID
>> broadcast.
>>
>> In the beginning, when I visited webpages, the pages and pictures were
>> distorted or did not show up at all; they were being downloaded only
>> partially. The cause of this problem appeared not to have anything to do
>> with MTU values, but with the Norton Firewall 2001 version. The excellent
>> (and free) Linksys helpdesk helped me solve this problem.
>>
>> Now that I upgraded the firewall, I run into a new problems (of course).
> My
>> wireless network adapter only connects to my wireless router when SSID
>> broadcast is ENabled. It does not, or hardly ever, connect when SSID
>> broadcast is DISabled. What could be causing this? Of course I want to
> keep
>> SSID broadcast disabled.
>>
>> Further info: I used to be able to see my own SSID in the list of
> available
>> wireless networks, even when SSID broadcast was disabled (strangely
> enough);
>> currently, it only shows up in this list when I enable SSID broadcast (as
>> one would problably expect).
>>
>> Please help,
>> Ray (city of Utrecht, The Netherlands)
>>
>>
>
>