Where do I enter wireless settings?

Clueless in Seattle wrote:
> Hi again, Lem,
>
> I lugged this oversized laptop over to the library yesterday and tried to
> connect to their Wi-Fi.
>
> My computer detected the librariy's Wi-Fi signal and showed 5 green bars.
>
> But when I cllicked on "Connect" I got this:
>
> Limited or no connectivity
>
> This problem occurred because the network did not assign a network address
> to the computer
>
> Network Connection Details
> Physical Address 00-0C41-A4-7B
> IP Address 169.254.84.107
> Subnet Mask 255.255.0.0
>
> I clicked "Repair" and then got this:
>
> Windows is taking the following actions:
>
> Windows could not finish repairing the problem because the follow action
> cannot be completed:
>
> Renewing your IP address
>
> Do you have any ideas on how to troubleshoot this problem?
>

This typically happens when the encryption key on the computer does not
match the encryption key on the router. You said, however, that the
library's system did not have any encryption (and if it had, you should
have been asked to supply a key when you attempted to connect).

Check the list of preferred networks. You can get to this either as I
described earlier or directly from the left pane of the View available
wireless networks screen ("change order of preferred networks").

Is there an entry for the library's network? If so, select it and click
the Properties button. Make sure that Network Authentication = Open and
Data encryption = Disabled and OK your way out. Alternatively, delete
the entry from the list of preferred networks and try again to connect.

You earlier confirmed that the "Properties" of "Internect Protocol
(TCP/IP") showed that you were configured to get an IP address
automatically (and you probably wouldn't have been assigned the type of
IP address you did get if you were configured differently), but double
check this setting.

If there is no listing in Preferred networks for the library's network
(or if there is and you confirm that encryption is disabled), your best
option would be to find a technical support person at the library. You
can, however, try the following long shots.

See if you can access the Internet notwithstanding the "limited or no
connection" warning (unlikely, but possible).

(*Don't* do any of the following if you are using this same laptop
successfully to connect to the Internet at home using a *wired* connection.)

Because this is a used laptop, unless you or the person who gave it to
you re-installed Windows after formatting the hard drive, you don't know
what malware is on -- or might have been on -- the system (several folks
who post in the XP General newsgroup will adamantly insist that you
"clean install" Windows on any used computer). Sometimes, removing
adware can damage the way the system connects to the Internet.

Follow the steps here under "Use a manual method":
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299357

The following tools are not likely to help, but you can try them as a
last resort. First see http://windowsxp.mvps.org/winsock.htm

Download and run WinsockXPFix http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html

Use the "netsh winsock reset catalog" command described in Ramesh's page
linked above or download and run LSP Fix
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4180

--
Lem

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ap...0th/index.html

"Lez Pawl" wrote:

> have you tried turning off all protection, Windows Firewall, Norton AV, or
> likewise. j

Hi Lez Pawl,

No, I'm afraid that that idea didn't occur t me until after I was already
back home. The library is closed today, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow
to try again.

In the meantime, using Lem's detailed instructions, I found the place where
WEP is disabled:

Start > Settings > Network Connections

RIGHT CLICK Wireless Network Connection 3

LEFT CLICK "Properties"

CLICK on "Wireless Networks" Tab

SELECT "spl-public (Automatic)" in "Preferred networks" window

CLICK "Properties"

In the "Data Encryption" field CLICK DOWN ARROW next to WEP

CLICK "Disabled"

CLICK "OK"

CLICK "Continue Anyway"

CLICK "OK"

I had apparently wrongly understood Lem to have told me that Windows would
automatically set that to the library's preference (disabled) when I logged
on to their wireless network. But I figured it might me worth a try to reset
it manually to see if that might help.

In an earlier post you questioned this setting, saying that it would make my
computer vulnerable to access by other library patrons. Can you think of any
reason why the library would specify this setting?

The staff at the library yesterday said they knew nothing about how to
configure a laptop for Wi-Fi. But tomorrow I hope that someone at the main
branch should be available by phone to help me.

Also, If I turn off my firewall (Ashampoo Free), won't that make my
computer vulnerable to cyber attack while I'm using the library's wireless
network? Or would the library wireless system serve as a kind of firewall
between my computer and the Internet?

--
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"

"Lez Pawl" wrote:

> disable WEP encryption ???
>
> would you really want to go online if that's the case. Someone close by
> could be looking at your system.

Well, it looks like manually disabling WEP was the trick to getting into the
library's Wi-Fi.

So is there anyway to protect my computer from intrusion while I'm online
here in the library?

Windows built in firewall is good enough provided that you keep your Windows
security updates up to date. You might also want to disable file and printer
sharing.

"Clueless in Seattle" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
message news:8F3A905E-DD83-4CA6-9409-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Well, it looks like manually disabling WEP was the trick to getting into
> the
> library's Wi-Fi.
>
> So is there anyway to protect my computer from intrusion while I'm online
> here in the library?
>

Clueless in Seattle wrote:
> "Lez Pawl" wrote:
>
>> disable WEP encryption ???
>>
>> would you really want to go online if that's the case. Someone close by
>> could be looking at your system.
>
> Well, it looks like manually disabling WEP was the trick to getting into the
> library's Wi-Fi.
>
> So is there anyway to protect my computer from intrusion while I'm online
> here in the library?
>

Assuming that you have Windows Firewall and not some third-party
firewall, go to Control Panel. If you're using Category View, select
Security Center and then Windows Firewall; if you're using Classic View,
go to Windows Firewall directly.

Select the box labeled "Don't allow exceptions" and OK. If some
programs you then try to use don't work, go back and uncheck that box,
then click the "Exceptions" tab and uncheck the box for "File and
Printer Sharing." OK your way out.

--
Lem

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ap...0th/index.html

Hi again, Lem,

I posted a message to you from the library this afternoon, but maybe I
failed to hit the "Post" button or something, because it didn't seem to go
through.

Did you catch that part about my posting to you "from the library"? That's
right! Today I was able to connect to the library's Wi-Fi from my "new"
laptop. It looks like manually disabling the WEP encryption was what did the
trick.

Thanks a million for your patience and diligence in sticking with me as I
stumbled through this process. And thanks to the others who contributed to
this thread. I know I could never have managed to figure out how to do this
without all of your help.

I think it was you who suggested I reformat the hard drive on this
hand-me-down laptop and then reinstall XP. Well, that's exactly why I wanted
to make sure I could connect to the library's Wi-Fi. At home I only have a
free dial-up Internet connection. And I imagine I'm going to have to download
a raft load of updates after reinstalling this old version of XP I got from
Toshiba. It would probably take days and days via dial-up.

So, now I'm going to compile a set of instructions, based on the messages
you've posted here, so after the reformat and reinstall, I can go over to the
library and start downloading the updates, patches, etc.

Then, finally, I'll have a computer I can use while I'm resting in bed,
which is where I spend most of my time these days.

Thanks again to all of you for your generosity in sharing your expertise
with me.
--
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"

Clueless in Seattle wrote:
> Hi again, Lem,
>
> I posted a message to you from the library this afternoon, but maybe I
> failed to hit the "Post" button or something, because it didn't seem to go
> through.
>
> Did you catch that part about my posting to you "from the library"? That's
> right! Today I was able to connect to the library's Wi-Fi from my "new"
> laptop. It looks like manually disabling the WEP encryption was what did the
> trick.
>
> Thanks a million for your patience and diligence in sticking with me as I
> stumbled through this process. And thanks to the others who contributed to
> this thread. I know I could never have managed to figure out how to do this
> without all of your help.
>
> I think it was you who suggested I reformat the hard drive on this
> hand-me-down laptop and then reinstall XP. Well, that's exactly why I wanted
> to make sure I could connect to the library's Wi-Fi. At home I only have a
> free dial-up Internet connection. And I imagine I'm going to have to download
> a raft load of updates after reinstalling this old version of XP I got from
> Toshiba. It would probably take days and days via dial-up.
>
> So, now I'm going to compile a set of instructions, based on the messages
> you've posted here, so after the reformat and reinstall, I can go over to the
> library and start downloading the updates, patches, etc.
>
> Then, finally, I'll have a computer I can use while I'm resting in bed,
> which is where I spend most of my time these days.
>
> Thanks again to all of you for your generosity in sharing your expertise
> with me.

Great.

Assuming that you have a retail Windows XP CD, this is a good site for
instructions on how to do a clean install:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
I suggest that you print it out and read it all the way through before
doing the install. Make sure that you have the product activation key.

Two important caveats:

1. If your CD has an older version of Windows XP (e.g., SP1 or SP2) read
the section on "slipstreaming" and create a CD that incorporates SP3.
If you have a really old CD (pre-SP1), you can slipstream sp2, but
you'll have to update with sp3 after the install. For more info, Google
slipstream xp sp3

2. *Before* you start reinstalling Windows, go to the website of the
manufacturer of the laptop and download all of the relevant drivers.
See, for example, the section on drivers here:
http://tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installXP1.htm
Because your laptop is so old, it's possible that XP will have
sufficient built-in drivers so that things will work, but if you don't
get the manufacturer's drivers, you may find that some features don't
work or don't work properly. I do *not* recommend getting drivers from
Windows Update.

--
Lem

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ap...0th/index.html

Hi again (again!) Lem,

Yesterday I posted a reply to your most recent message, but as also happened
the day before yesterday, my message seems to have vanished into the
electronic ether. So, I'll try again:

A fellow over at a Toshiba laptop forum tells me that what I'm about to do
is not "reinstalling" XP but rather "restoring" it. I have to confess that
that's a distinction that is lost on me. But what he says leads me to
believe that the CDs I got from Toshiba already have many of the drivers I'm
going to need:

"If you are going to use the discs that Toshiba sent you, Will, you will not
be partitioning the hard disk or even installing Windows.

"You will be restoring the hard disk to its original contents. The process
simply lays down all the bytes on the drive, one-by-one. The original
preinstalled Windows with all the drivers, utilities, and original software
will be restored."

If that's the case, would slipstreaming work for me?

--
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"


"Lem" wrote:

> Clueless in Seattle wrote:
> > Hi again, Lem,
> >
> > I posted a message to you from the library this afternoon, but maybe I
> > failed to hit the "Post" button or something, because it didn't seem to go
> > through.
> >
> > Did you catch that part about my posting to you "from the library"? That's
> > right! Today I was able to connect to the library's Wi-Fi from my "new"
> > laptop. It looks like manually disabling the WEP encryption was what did the
> > trick.
> >
> > Thanks a million for your patience and diligence in sticking with me as I
> > stumbled through this process. And thanks to the others who contributed to
> > this thread. I know I could never have managed to figure out how to do this
> > without all of your help.
> >
> > I think it was you who suggested I reformat the hard drive on this
> > hand-me-down laptop and then reinstall XP. Well, that's exactly why I wanted
> > to make sure I could connect to the library's Wi-Fi. At home I only have a
> > free dial-up Internet connection. And I imagine I'm going to have to download
> > a raft load of updates after reinstalling this old version of XP I got from
> > Toshiba. It would probably take days and days via dial-up.
> >
> > So, now I'm going to compile a set of instructions, based on the messages
> > you've posted here, so after the reformat and reinstall, I can go over to the
> > library and start downloading the updates, patches, etc.
> >
> > Then, finally, I'll have a computer I can use while I'm resting in bed,
> > which is where I spend most of my time these days.
> >
> > Thanks again to all of you for your generosity in sharing your expertise
> > with me.
>
> Great.
>
> Assuming that you have a retail Windows XP CD, this is a good site for
> instructions on how to do a clean install:
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
> I suggest that you print it out and read it all the way through before
> doing the install. Make sure that you have the product activation key.
>
> Two important caveats:
>
> 1. If your CD has an older version of Windows XP (e.g., SP1 or SP2) read
> the section on "slipstreaming" and create a CD that incorporates SP3.
> If you have a really old CD (pre-SP1), you can slipstream sp2, but
> you'll have to update with sp3 after the install. For more info, Google
> slipstream xp sp3
>
> 2. *Before* you start reinstalling Windows, go to the website of the
> manufacturer of the laptop and download all of the relevant drivers.
> See, for example, the section on drivers here:
> http://tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installXP1.htm
> Because your laptop is so old, it's possible that XP will have
> sufficient built-in drivers so that things will work, but if you don't
> get the manufacturer's drivers, you may find that some features don't
> work or don't work properly. I do *not* recommend getting drivers from
> Windows Update.
>
> --
> Lem
>
> Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
> http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ap...0th/index.html
> .
>

Clueless in Seattle wrote:
> Hi again (again!) Lem,
>
> Yesterday I posted a reply to your most recent message, but as also happened
> the day before yesterday, my message seems to have vanished into the
> electronic ether. So, I'll try again:
>
> A fellow over at a Toshiba laptop forum tells me that what I'm about to do
> is not "reinstalling" XP but rather "restoring" it. I have to confess that
> that's a distinction that is lost on me. But what he says leads me to
> believe that the CDs I got from Toshiba already have many of the drivers I'm
> going to need:
>
> "If you are going to use the discs that Toshiba sent you, Will, you will not
> be partitioning the hard disk or even installing Windows.
>
> "You will be restoring the hard disk to its original contents. The process
> simply lays down all the bytes on the drive, one-by-one. The original
> preinstalled Windows with all the drivers, utilities, and original software
> will be restored."
>
> If that's the case, would slipstreaming work for me?
>

Instead of providing an actual Windows CD (like the one you might buy in
a retail store) with systems that come with Windows pre-installed and
pre-activated, so-called "direct OEMs" (i.e., the big name-brand
computer manufacturers) provide a mechanism to restore the computer to
the state it was in when it left the factory, i.e., with Windows
installed, activated, and with all of the additional software that the
manufacturer decided to pre-load on the computer.

This mechanism may be a CD or DVD (or set of CDs) or it may be a hidden
partition on the hard drive. Slipstreaming isn't appropriate for such CDs.

You can, however, download the complete sp3 installation and burn it to
a CD (assuming that you have a CD burner):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...8-1E1555D4F3D4
You can only install sp3 on a system that has sp1 or later. Unless you
can date your restore CDs (or know when the laptop was originally
purchased), you won't know what service pack, if any, you'll end up with
after the restore. See this for more details, including where to get
sp1a if you need it: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

Although that KB article says that you need SP1a or later to install
sp3, SP1 and SP1a differ only with respect Java (Microsoft lost a
lawsuit with Sun and had to remove the Microsoft version of Java that
was in the original sp1).
--
Lem

Apollo 11 - 40 years ago:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ap...0th/index.html