Laptop Only Connects to Home NW

My Compaq laptop running Windows XP connects reliably (including
Internet Sharing) to my home wifi NW, but has NEVER been able to
connect to any other wifi.

Here's my wifi setup for two desktop PCs and one laptop PC on my home
Netgear wifi:

Netgear WGR614 wireless router connected to a cable modem and desktop
PC #1 via ethernet cable.

Netgear WG511 wireless PC card in #2 desktop PC.

Netgear WG311 wireless PC Adapter in my Compaq laptop.

I set up my home wifi using all the Netgear suggested setup settings.
This wifi NW works fine. The two desktop PCs and the Compaq laptop all
share the single internet connection. File and print sharing work fine
as well. I am NOT using WEP or NW Authentification.

My problem is that my laptop has never been able to make a wifi
internet connection via any other wifi network elsewhere including
public wifi hotspots and a home wifi at my daughters townhouse. Other
laptop users there can use her wifi just fine.

When I try to make an internet connection via my daughter's wifi, I
can see her home wifi NW together with several other wifis in her
neighborhood. However I can't get my laptop to connect to any of
these. I have the password (key) for my daughters wifi, but my laptop
refuses to connect.

What allows my laptop to find, connect and gain internet access on my
homw wifi, but no where else??

Help!

On 8 Feb 2007 13:23:07 -0800, (E-Mail Removed) wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed). com>:

>My Compaq laptop running Windows XP connects reliably (including
>Internet Sharing) to my home wifi NW, but has NEVER been able to
>connect to any other wifi.
>
>Here's my wifi setup for two desktop PCs and one laptop PC on my home
>Netgear wifi:
>
>Netgear WGR614 wireless router connected to a cable modem and desktop
>PC #1 via ethernet cable.
>
>Netgear WG511 wireless PC card in #2 desktop PC.
>
>Netgear WG311 wireless PC Adapter in my Compaq laptop.
>
>I set up my home wifi using all the Netgear suggested setup settings.
>This wifi NW works fine. The two desktop PCs and the Compaq laptop all
>share the single internet connection. File and print sharing work fine
>as well. I am NOT using WEP or NW Authentification.
>
>My problem is that my laptop has never been able to make a wifi
>internet connection via any other wifi network elsewhere including
>public wifi hotspots and a home wifi at my daughters townhouse. Other
>laptop users there can use her wifi just fine.
>
>When I try to make an internet connection via my daughter's wifi, I
>can see her home wifi NW together with several other wifis in her
>neighborhood. However I can't get my laptop to connect to any of
>these. I have the password (key) for my daughters wifi, but my laptop
>refuses to connect.

WEP security? If so, enter the WEP key in _hex_ (not ASCII).

>What allows my laptop to find, connect and gain internet access on my
>homw wifi, but no where else??

What happens when you try to connect to an open public Wi-Fi hotspot?

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On Feb 8, 4:23 pm, denni...@charter.net wrote:
> My Compaq laptop running Windows XP connects reliably (including
> Internet Sharing) to my home wifi NW, but has NEVER been able to
> connect to any other wifi.
>
> Here's my wifi setup for two desktop PCs and one laptop PC on my home
> Netgear wifi:
>
> Netgear WGR614 wireless router connected to a cable modem and desktop
> PC #1 via ethernet cable.
>
> Netgear WG511 wireless PC card in #2 desktop PC.
>
> Netgear WG311 wireless PC Adapter in my Compaq laptop.
>
> I set up my home wifi using all the Netgear suggested setup settings.
> This wifi NW works fine. The two desktop PCs and the Compaq laptop all
> share the single internet connection. File and print sharing work fine
> as well. I am NOT using WEP or NW Authentification.
>
> My problem is that my laptop has never been able to make a wifi
> internet connection via any other wifi network elsewhere including
> public wifi hotspots and a home wifi at my daughters townhouse. Other
> laptop users there can use her wifi just fine.
>
> When I try to make an internet connection via my daughter's wifi, I
> can see her home wifi NW together with several other wifis in her
> neighborhood. However I can't get my laptop to connect to any of
> these. I have the password (key) for my daughters wifi, but my laptop
> refuses to connect.
>
> What allows my laptop to find, connect and gain internet access on my
> homw wifi, but no where else??
>
> Help!

Hmm - probably not a WEP issue - since the author stated that they are
not using WEP. I would check the settings in your Netgear software
for the wireless NIC. It's probably set to the SSID of your home
network. If you use the pulldown menu you will see that there is a
choice for "Any (First available)"

On 8 Feb 2007 16:07:32 -0800, (E-Mail Removed) wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>Hmm - probably not a WEP issue - since the author stated that they are
>not using WEP. I would check the settings in your Netgear software
>for the wireless NIC. It's probably set to the SSID of your home
>network. If you use the pulldown menu you will see that there is a
>choice for "Any (First available)"

Not a good idea to use that choice (which can result in
inappropriate/unwanted connections) -- better to select the specific
SSID.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Opps!

My original home wifi NW description was in error.

The correct configuration follows:

The WG311 Wireless PCI adapter is in desktop PC #2 (NOT the WG511)
The WG511 Wireless PC Card is in my Compaq laptop. (NOT the WG311)

Dennis

On 8 Feb 2007 16:07:32 -0800, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>> I am NOT using WEP or NW Authentification.
(...)
>> I have the password (key) for my daughters wifi, but my laptop
>> refuses to connect.

>Hmm - probably not a WEP issue - since the author stated that they are
>not using WEP.

Maybe exept that one would not need a "password" to connect to the
WGR614 if some form of encryption were enabled. So, is WEP or WPA
encryption enabled?

I just had a nasty little battle with a WGR614v6 (not the latest).
Nothing worked right. Slow downloads, erratic packet loss, flakey
wireless, and even a dead LAN port. I clue was that the office also
had a dead Efficient 5360 DSL modem, a failing Panasonic fax machine,
and the copier repair person arrived while I was working. Hmmm...
Power line glitch fried some hardware.

Lacking anything better to try, I managed to re-flash the firmware in
the WGR614v6 with the latest version. Like magic, everything fixed
itself except the dead LAN port. Oh well. I replaced the DSL modem
and all was well.

Reading the original question, it's not clear whether the desktop with
the WG311 PCI card functions correctly. If so, it's unlikely that
there's anything wrong with the WGR614 (version number???) except
perhaps antique firmware. However, if the desktop also fails to
connect, then the router should be suspect.

Assuming that the desktop works, then the problem is probably with the
unspecified model Compaq laptop. My guess is simple configuration and
the usual muddle with encryption keys, profiles, settings,
authentication, etc. Also, Windoze Wireless Zero Config versus the
Netgear client manager. I like John's idea. Go to a free coffee shop
(no encryption) and see if it works. Don't bother with the neighbors
wireless access points as they're probably encrypted.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 (E-Mail Removed)
# http://802.11junk.com (E-Mail Removed)
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

On Feb 8, 8:30 pm, Jeff Liebermann <j...@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us>
wrote:
> On 8 Feb 2007 16:07:32 -0800, e...@webercs.com wrote:
>
>
>
> >> I am NOT using WEP or NW Authentification.
> (...)
> >> I have the password (key) for my daughters wifi, but my laptop
> >> refuses to connect.
> >Hmm - probably not a WEP issue - since the author stated that they are
> >not using WEP.
>
> Maybe exept that one would not need a "password" to connect to the
> WGR614 if some form of encryption were enabled. So, is WEP or WPA
> encryption enabled?
>
> I just had a nasty little battle with a WGR614v6 (not the latest).
> Nothing worked right. Slow downloads, erratic packet loss, flakey
> wireless, and even a dead LAN port. I clue was that the office also
> had a dead Efficient 5360 DSL modem, a failing Panasonic fax machine,
> and the copier repair person arrived while I was working. Hmmm...
> Power line glitch fried some hardware.
>
> Lacking anything better to try, I managed to re-flash the firmware in
> the WGR614v6 with the latest version. Like magic, everything fixed
> itself except the dead LAN port. Oh well. I replaced the DSL modem
> and all was well.
>
> Reading the original question, it's not clear whether the desktop with
> the WG311 PCI card functions correctly. If so, it's unlikely that
> there's anything wrong with the WGR614 (version number???) except
> perhaps antique firmware. However, if the desktop also fails to
> connect, then the router should be suspect.
>
> Assuming that the desktop works, then the problem is probably with the
> unspecified model Compaq laptop. My guess is simple configuration and
> the usual muddle with encryption keys, profiles, settings,
> authentication, etc. Also, Windoze Wireless Zero Config versus the
> Netgear client manager. I like John's idea. Go to a free coffee shop
> (no encryption) and see if it works. Don't bother with the neighbors
> wireless access points as they're probably encrypted.
>
> --
> # Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
> # 831-336-2558 j...@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
> #http://802.11junk.com j...@cruzio.com
> #http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS

To repeat, on my home wifi, all works fine (including my Compaq laptop
with it's WG511) with no encryption is used.

My daughters wifi does use encryption. So using her "key" (and
enabling the laptop's WG511 WEP encryption) I tried to access her
wifi. No go!

I'm heading to a "coffee-shop" free wifi and will post back with
results there.

Dennis

On Feb 9, 2:05 pm, denni...@charter.net wrote:
> On Feb 8, 8:30 pm, Jeff Liebermann <j...@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On 8 Feb 2007 16:07:32 -0800, e...@webercs.com wrote:
>
> > >> I am NOT using WEP or NW Authentification.
> > (...)
> > >> I have the password (key) for my daughters wifi, but my laptop
> > >> refuses to connect.
> > >Hmm - probably not a WEP issue - since the author stated that they are
> > >not using WEP.
>
> > Maybe exept that one would not need a "password" to connect to the
> > WGR614 if some form of encryption were enabled. So, is WEP or WPA
> > encryption enabled?
>
> > I just had a nasty little battle with a WGR614v6 (not the latest).
> > Nothing worked right. Slow downloads, erratic packet loss, flakey
> > wireless, and even a dead LAN port. I clue was that the office also
> > had a dead Efficient 5360 DSL modem, a failing Panasonic fax machine,
> > and the copier repair person arrived while I was working. Hmmm...
> > Power line glitch fried some hardware.
>
> > Lacking anything better to try, I managed to re-flash the firmware in
> > the WGR614v6 with the latest version. Like magic, everything fixed
> > itself except the dead LAN port. Oh well. I replaced the DSL modem
> > and all was well.
>
> > Reading the original question, it's not clear whether the desktop with
> > the WG311 PCI card functions correctly. If so, it's unlikely that
> > there's anything wrong with the WGR614 (version number???) except
> > perhaps antique firmware. However, if the desktop also fails to
> > connect, then the router should be suspect.
>
> > Assuming that the desktop works, then the problem is probably with the
> > unspecified model Compaq laptop. My guess is simple configuration and
> > the usual muddle with encryption keys, profiles, settings,
> > authentication, etc. Also, Windoze Wireless Zero Config versus the
> > Netgear client manager. I like John's idea. Go to a free coffee shop
> > (no encryption) and see if it works. Don't bother with the neighbors
> > wireless access points as they're probably encrypted.
>
> > --
> > # Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
> > # 831-336-2558 j...@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
> > #http://802.11junk.com j...@cruzio.com
> > #http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
>
> To repeat, on my home wifi, all works fine (including my Compaq laptop
> with it's WG511) with no encryption is used.
>
> My daughters wifi does use encryption. So using her "key" (and
> enabling the laptop's WG511 WEP encryption) I tried to access her
> wifi. No go!
>
> I'm heading to a "coffee-shop" free wifi and will post back with
> results there.
>
> Dennis

Coffee-shop success!

Well after making sure my WG511 encryption was disabled, Internet IP
address and DNS address were set to get automatically from ISP and my
Wireless Access point was enabled ... whew; I managed to connect to
and access the Internet at three different free wireless hotspots.

As for making an encrypted wireless connection at my daughter's house,
I'll have to try it again next time there. Maybe I tried to use the
"key" that she gave me as a "pass-phrase" instead of one of the
encryption keys.

Can anyone advise me regarding getting on an encrypted wireless
network with a given "key":


When changing the WG511 settings:

- how do I know if my daughter's "key" is 64 bit or 128 bit?
- do I enter the key as a pass-phrase?
- or do I enter it as a key?
- if a key, which key should I use: 1, 2, 3 or 4?

Thanks in advance.

Dennise

On 12 Feb 2007 09:29:42 -0800, (E-Mail Removed) wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>Coffee-shop success!
>
>Well after making sure my WG511 encryption was disabled, Internet IP
>address and DNS address were set to get automatically from ISP and my
>Wireless Access point was enabled ... whew; I managed to connect to
>and access the Internet at three different free wireless hotspots.

Good!

>As for making an encrypted wireless connection at my daughter's house,
>I'll have to try it again next time there. Maybe I tried to use the
>"key" that she gave me as a "pass-phrase" instead of one of the
>encryption keys.
>
>Can anyone advise me regarding getting on an encrypted wireless
>network with a given "key":

WEP: Enter _all_ keys in _hex_ (not ASCII), including the one in your
daughter's wireless router. You'll normally use Key #1 (of 4).

WPA: Enter the passphrase exactly.

With either:

* Make sure MAC filtering is turned _off_ -- it doesn't do any real good
in any event.

* Make sure SSID broadcast is turned _on_ -- hiding it does no real good
in any event.

>When changing the WG511 settings:
>
>- how do I know if my daughter's "key" is 64 bit or 128 bit?

The software determines that automatically by the length of the key you
enter.

>- do I enter the key as a pass-phrase?

Only for WPA.

>- or do I enter it as a key?

Only for WEP.

>- if a key, which key should I use: 1, 2, 3 or 4?

Normally #1.

Good luck!

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

(E-Mail Removed) hath wroth:

>Coffee-shop success!

OK, the laptop is deemed working without encryption.

>Well after making sure my WG511 encryption was disabled, Internet IP
>address and DNS address were set to get automatically from ISP and my
>Wireless Access point was enabled ... whew; I managed to connect to
>and access the Internet at three different free wireless hotspots.

Ummm... The WG511 PCMCIA card does NOT control encryption. Encryption,
channel, speed, and just about everything else is controlled by the
wireless access point. You shouldn't have to do anything on the
laptop except select an SSID and supply an encryption key.

>As for making an encrypted wireless connection at my daughter's house,
>I'll have to try it again next time there. Maybe I tried to use the
>"key" that she gave me as a "pass-phrase" instead of one of the
>encryption keys.

If she's using WPA encryption, it will be a "pass phrase".
If she's using WEP encryption, it will be either in the form of a 5 or
13 letter ACSII (text) key, or a 10 or 26 character Hex key.

>Can anyone advise me regarding getting on an encrypted wireless
>network with a given "key":

Use the Hex key and NOT the ASCII key for WEP encryption. There's a
problem converting from ASCII to Hex which different manufactories do
in various creative manners.

>When changing the WG511 settings:
>- how do I know if my daughter's "key" is 64 bit or 128 bit?

By the length. 64 bit is 5 characters of ASCII or 10 characters of
Hex. 128 bit is 10 characters of ASCII or 26 characters of Hex.

>- do I enter the key as a pass-phrase?

For WPA encyption yes.
For WEP encrytion use Hex to be safe.

>- or do I enter it as a key?

Pass phrase is the same as a key. They might also be called a
"password" or "encryption key". Terminology seems to vary depending
on vendor.

>- if a key, which key should I use: 1, 2, 3 or 4?

You'll only have that choice for WEP 64 bit. Use #1 for 64 bit WEP.

>Thanks in advance.

Good luck. This should be easy from here (famous last words).

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558