Wireless problems

I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on my
laptop. I'm using XP media centre

I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting Windows was
unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.

How can I fix this?

Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed. I
originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA

anyone know of a fix for these?

From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
MAC
WEP
WPA-PSK
WPA-AES
WPA2
The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless
Computers Card) should state the type of security that is available with
your Wireless hardware.
All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass
phrase.
Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible
of one of the Wireless devices.
I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the
max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of
WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can
do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the
device with a better one.
Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
WEP, WPA, and the Future - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"bri@n" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on my
>laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>
> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting Windows was
> unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>
> How can I fix this?
>
> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed. I
> originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA
>
> anyone know of a fix for these?

bri@n wrote:
> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on my
> laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>
> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting Windows was
> unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>
> How can I fix this?
>
> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed. I
> originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA
>
> anyone know of a fix for these?

In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred networks,
click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab and make sure that
the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network" is
UNchecked. OK your way out.

WPA-PSK just means WPA with a Pre Shared Key (which is what virtually
all home users use). Sometimes, you are given the opportunity to select
the encryption algorithm used with WPA-PSK -- TKIP or AES. Of the two,
AES is a stronger encryption (which is used in WPA2).

If you have the IEEE 802.1x box checked, WZC thinks you are using
WPA-Enterprise with an authentication server. If you want your eyes to
glaze over, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_P...A2-_Enterprise
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extensi...ation_Protocol

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem wrote:
> bri@n wrote:
>> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on my
>> laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>>
>> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting Windows
>> was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>>
>> How can I fix this?
>>
>> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed. I
>> originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA
>>
>> anyone know of a fix for these?
>
> In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
> wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred networks,
> click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab and make sure that
> the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network" is
> UNchecked. OK your way out.

thanks for the info guys, I've given it another go but I'm still getting
the same results when I try WPA-psk.

When I try to set up my laptop to use WPA-PSK the lap top reverts to WPA
and I get the Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on the
network.

So I think it's the router that's the problem, but why is the Network
key and confirm options are greyed out as is the Enable IEEE 802.1x

I can't even change the IEEE 802.1x in Authentication because that is
greyed out and there is a tick

Lem wrote:
> bri@n wrote:
>> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on my
>> laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>>
>> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting Windows
>> was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>>
>> How can I fix this?
>>
>> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed. I
>> originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA
>>
>> anyone know of a fix for these?
>
> In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
> wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred networks,
> click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab and make sure that
> the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network" is
> UNchecked. OK your way out.

thanks for the info guys, I've given it another go but I'm still getting
the same results when I try WPA-psk.

When I try to set up my laptop to use WPA-PSK the lap top reverts to WPA
and I get the Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on the
network.

So I think it's the router that's the problem, but why is the Network
key and confirm options are greyed out as is the Enable IEEE 802.1x

I can't even change the IEEE 802.1x in Authentication because that is
greyed out and there is a tick

bri@n wrote:
> Lem wrote:
>> bri@n wrote:
>>> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on my
>>> laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>>>
>>> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting Windows
>>> was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>>>
>>> How can I fix this?
>>>
>>> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed. I
>>> originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA
>>>
>>> anyone know of a fix for these?
>>
>> In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
>> wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred
>> networks, click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab and
>> make sure that the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this
>> network" is UNchecked. OK your way out.
>
> thanks for the info guys, I've given it another go but I'm still getting
> the same results when I try WPA-psk.
>
> When I try to set up my laptop to use WPA-PSK the lap top reverts to WPA
> and I get the Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on the
> network.
>
> So I think it's the router that's the problem, but why is the Network
> key and confirm options are greyed out as is the Enable IEEE 802.1x
>
> I can't even change the IEEE 802.1x in Authentication because that is
> greyed out and there is a tick

It's not the router. The router has nothing to do with the ability to
make/change configuration settings on your laptop.

Is this laptop used to connect to a corporate network (or has it been
used that way)? It's possible that there is a group policy locking your
configuration options.

Is the box "The key is provided for me automatically" checked or
unchecked? It should be UNchecked.

Have you tried to delete the network entirely from the list of Preferred
networks (using the "Remove" button), and then use the "Add" button to
re-create it using the proper settings?

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem wrote:
> bri@n wrote:
>> Lem wrote:
>>> bri@n wrote:
>>>> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on my
>>>> laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>>>>
>>>> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting Windows
>>>> was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>>>>
>>>> How can I fix this?
>>>>
>>>> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed.
>>>> I originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA
>>>>
>>>> anyone know of a fix for these?
>>>
>>> In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
>>> wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred
>>> networks, click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab and
>>> make sure that the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for
>>> this network" is UNchecked. OK your way out.
>>
>> thanks for the info guys, I've given it another go but I'm still
>> getting the same results when I try WPA-psk.
>>
>> When I try to set up my laptop to use WPA-PSK the lap top reverts to
>> WPA and I get the Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you
>> on the network.
>>
>> So I think it's the router that's the problem, but why is the Network
>> key and confirm options are greyed out as is the Enable IEEE 802.1x
>>
>> I can't even change the IEEE 802.1x in Authentication because that is
>> greyed out and there is a tick
>
> It's not the router. The router has nothing to do with the ability to
> make/change configuration settings on your laptop.
>
> Is this laptop used to connect to a corporate network (or has it been
> used that way)? It's possible that there is a group policy locking your
> configuration options.

No I bought a few days ago, it's a brand new laptop



> Is the box "The key is provided for me automatically" checked or
> unchecked? It should be UNchecked.

When I go to advanced settings in Choose a Wireless Network, I select
Wireless Network and then add. Type in the name of the router change the
network authentication to WPA-PSK, leave the AES and type in the network
key and confirm key.

The Key is provided automatically is greyed out and there's no tick. On
the authentication tab every thing is greyed out


> Have you tried to delete the network entirely from the list of Preferred
> networks (using the "Remove" button), and then use the "Add" button to
> re-create it using the proper settings?

Yes I have deleted them many times but I remember that I first used set
up a wireless network option below the refresh network list. Should I
have done this?

bri@n wrote:
> Lem wrote:
>> bri@n wrote:
>>> Lem wrote:
>>>> bri@n wrote:
>>>>> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on
>>>>> my laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>>>>>
>>>>> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting
>>>>> Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>>>>>
>>>>> How can I fix this?
>>>>>
>>>>> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have changed.
>>>>> I originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going back to WPA
>>>>>
>>>>> anyone know of a fix for these?
>>>>
>>>> In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
>>>> wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred
>>>> networks, click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab and
>>>> make sure that the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for
>>>> this network" is UNchecked. OK your way out.
>>>
>>> thanks for the info guys, I've given it another go but I'm still
>>> getting the same results when I try WPA-psk.
>>>
>>> When I try to set up my laptop to use WPA-PSK the lap top reverts to
>>> WPA and I get the Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you
>>> on the network.
>>>
>>> So I think it's the router that's the problem, but why is the Network
>>> key and confirm options are greyed out as is the Enable IEEE 802.1x
>>>
>>> I can't even change the IEEE 802.1x in Authentication because that is
>>> greyed out and there is a tick
>>
>> It's not the router. The router has nothing to do with the ability to
>> make/change configuration settings on your laptop.
>>
>> Is this laptop used to connect to a corporate network (or has it been
>> used that way)? It's possible that there is a group policy locking
>> your configuration options.
>
> No I bought a few days ago, it's a brand new laptop
>
>
>
>> Is the box "The key is provided for me automatically" checked or
>> unchecked? It should be UNchecked.
>
> When I go to advanced settings in Choose a Wireless Network, I select
> Wireless Network and then add. Type in the name of the router change the
> network authentication to WPA-PSK, leave the AES and type in the network
> key and confirm key.
>
> The Key is provided automatically is greyed out and there's no tick. On
> the authentication tab every thing is greyed out
>
>
>> Have you tried to delete the network entirely from the list of
>> Preferred networks (using the "Remove" button), and then use the "Add"
>> button to re-create it using the proper settings?
>
> Yes I have deleted them many times but I remember that I first used set
> up a wireless network option below the refresh network list. Should I
> have done this?

I'm sorry, I'm essentially out of ideas. The only other thing I can
think of to suggest is to make sure that there is no
manufacturer-supplied wireless configuration utility running at the same
time as Windows "wireless zero configuration." This situation usually
manifests with different problems than the one you describe, but you
should check anyway. You may have to do some investigation to identify
any manufacturer-supplied configuration utility. For more info, see:
http://www.ezlan.net/wzc.html

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem wrote:
> bri@n wrote:
>> Lem wrote:
>>> bri@n wrote:
>>>> Lem wrote:
>>>>> bri@n wrote:
>>>>>> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on
>>>>>> my laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting
>>>>>> Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> How can I fix this?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have
>>>>>> changed. I originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going
>>>>>> back to WPA
>>>>>>
>>>>>> anyone know of a fix for these?
>>>>>
>>>>> In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
>>>>> wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred
>>>>> networks, click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab and
>>>>> make sure that the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for
>>>>> this network" is UNchecked. OK your way out.
>>>>
>>>> thanks for the info guys, I've given it another go but I'm still
>>>> getting the same results when I try WPA-psk.
>>>>
>>>> When I try to set up my laptop to use WPA-PSK the lap top reverts to
>>>> WPA and I get the Windows was unable to find a certificate to log
>>>> you on the network.
>>>>
>>>> So I think it's the router that's the problem, but why is the
>>>> Network key and confirm options are greyed out as is the Enable IEEE
>>>> 802.1x
>>>>
>>>> I can't even change the IEEE 802.1x in Authentication because that
>>>> is greyed out and there is a tick
>>>
>>> It's not the router. The router has nothing to do with the ability
>>> to make/change configuration settings on your laptop.
>>>
>>> Is this laptop used to connect to a corporate network (or has it been
>>> used that way)? It's possible that there is a group policy locking
>>> your configuration options.
>>
>> No I bought a few days ago, it's a brand new laptop
>>
>>
>>
>>> Is the box "The key is provided for me automatically" checked or
>>> unchecked? It should be UNchecked.
>>
>> When I go to advanced settings in Choose a Wireless Network, I select
>> Wireless Network and then add. Type in the name of the router change
>> the network authentication to WPA-PSK, leave the AES and type in the
>> network key and confirm key.
>>
>> The Key is provided automatically is greyed out and there's no tick.
>> On the authentication tab every thing is greyed out
>>
>>
>>> Have you tried to delete the network entirely from the list of
>>> Preferred networks (using the "Remove" button), and then use the
>>> "Add" button to re-create it using the proper settings?
>>
>> Yes I have deleted them many times but I remember that I first used
>> set up a wireless network option below the refresh network list.
>> Should I have done this?
>
> I'm sorry, I'm essentially out of ideas. The only other thing I can
> think of to suggest is to make sure that there is no
> manufacturer-supplied wireless configuration utility running at the same
> time as Windows "wireless zero configuration." This situation usually
> manifests with different problems than the one you describe, but you
> should check anyway. You may have to do some investigation to identify
> any manufacturer-supplied configuration utility. For more info, see:
> http://www.ezlan.net/wzc.html
>
Two other long shots:

- make sure that the box "Use Windows to configure my wireless network
settings" (on the wireless network connection properties "wireless
networks" tab) is checked.

- click the "configure" button next to the name of your wireless adapter
(on the wireless network connection properties "General" tab) and then
click the "Advanced" button. Check the list of Properties and their
values for an incompatible security setting.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem wrote:
> Lem wrote:
>> bri@n wrote:
>>> Lem wrote:
>>>> bri@n wrote:
>>>>> Lem wrote:
>>>>>> bri@n wrote:
>>>>>>> I have a couple of question about setting up a wireless system on
>>>>>>> my laptop. I'm using XP media centre
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I set up my laptop and router to go wireless and I'm getting
>>>>>>> Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on the network.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> How can I fix this?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Also every time I go into the properties the settings have
>>>>>>> changed. I originally set it up to use WPA-PSK but it keeps going
>>>>>>> back to WPA
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> anyone know of a fix for these?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In addition to Jack's advice, in the "Properties" screens for your
>>>>>> wireless adapter, select your network in the list of preferred
>>>>>> networks, click "Properties," and then the "Authentication" tab
>>>>>> and make sure that the box for "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication
>>>>>> for this network" is UNchecked. OK your way out.
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks for the info guys, I've given it another go but I'm still
>>>>> getting the same results when I try WPA-psk.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I try to set up my laptop to use WPA-PSK the lap top reverts
>>>>> to WPA and I get the Windows was unable to find a certificate to
>>>>> log you on the network.
>>>>>
>>>>> So I think it's the router that's the problem, but why is the
>>>>> Network key and confirm options are greyed out as is the Enable
>>>>> IEEE 802.1x
>>>>>
>>>>> I can't even change the IEEE 802.1x in Authentication because that
>>>>> is greyed out and there is a tick
>>>>
>>>> It's not the router. The router has nothing to do with the ability
>>>> to make/change configuration settings on your laptop.
>>>>
>>>> Is this laptop used to connect to a corporate network (or has it
>>>> been used that way)? It's possible that there is a group policy
>>>> locking your configuration options.
>>>
>>> No I bought a few days ago, it's a brand new laptop
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Is the box "The key is provided for me automatically" checked or
>>>> unchecked? It should be UNchecked.
>>>
>>> When I go to advanced settings in Choose a Wireless Network, I select
>>> Wireless Network and then add. Type in the name of the router change
>>> the network authentication to WPA-PSK, leave the AES and type in the
>>> network key and confirm key.
>>>
>>> The Key is provided automatically is greyed out and there's no tick.
>>> On the authentication tab every thing is greyed out
>>>
>>>
>>>> Have you tried to delete the network entirely from the list of
>>>> Preferred networks (using the "Remove" button), and then use the
>>>> "Add" button to re-create it using the proper settings?
>>>
>>> Yes I have deleted them many times but I remember that I first used
>>> set up a wireless network option below the refresh network list.
>>> Should I have done this?
>>
>> I'm sorry, I'm essentially out of ideas. The only other thing I can
>> think of to suggest is to make sure that there is no
>> manufacturer-supplied wireless configuration utility running at the
>> same time as Windows "wireless zero configuration." This situation
>> usually manifests with different problems than the one you describe,
>> but you should check anyway. You may have to do some investigation to
>> identify any manufacturer-supplied configuration utility. For more
>> info, see: http://www.ezlan.net/wzc.html
>>
> Two other long shots:
>
> - make sure that the box "Use Windows to configure my wireless network
> settings" (on the wireless network connection properties "wireless
> networks" tab) is checked.

That is ticked

> - click the "configure" button next to the name of your wireless adapter
> (on the wireless network connection properties "General" tab) and then
> click the "Advanced" button. Check the list of Properties and their
> values for an incompatible security setting.
>

I will have a look at the properties list. here's hopping something
jumps out at me?

Thanks for the help guys