Wireless router configured - laptop not accessing using WPA

Hi all - I just got a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and a WPC54G notebook
card. I have a small network consisting of a desktop and laptop. The
desktop has no problems connecting to the internet. However, the laptop
does. I used the set up discs for both installations. The notebook card
monitor
tells me "no association with the access point" but when I place the mouse
cursor
over the connection icon in the system tray, it tells me I have an excellent
signal
and speed is 54mbps with a 'acquiring network address' message. I disabled
DHCP
and manually assigned an IP address but when I look in the properties of the
card,
it's all zeros. On a stranger note, when I change the wireless security to
WEP, it
connects and works fine but the speed drops to 36mbps. I want to use WPA
since I hear it's more secure. I have the SSID and key entered correctly so
I know
that's not an issue. Can someone please help me?

Thanks,
newtechie

Hmm If it works just find when you are not using WPA, and it doesn't work
when you are using WPA, then either you are entering the key wrong, or you
are not using the same kind of WPA as the access point is, or your machine
doesn't support WPA.

Your post is confusing, if the card is showing "acquiring network address"
then it is not configure to use a static address, or the address is not
configure correctly.. By the way 36 mbps is IMHO way faster than any
internet connection you are likely to have coming into your home. There
would for internet browsing be no noticeable difference between a 36 mbps
connection link and a 54 mbps connection link when you are connecting to the
internet at 5 ~ 6 mbps.

--
David Hettel
Microsoft MVP Mobile Devices

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
"Newtechie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi all - I just got a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and a WPC54G notebook
> card. I have a small network consisting of a desktop and laptop. The
> desktop has no problems connecting to the internet. However, the laptop
> does. I used the set up discs for both installations. The notebook card
> monitor
> tells me "no association with the access point" but when I place the mouse
> cursor
> over the connection icon in the system tray, it tells me I have an
> excellent signal
> and speed is 54mbps with a 'acquiring network address' message. I
> disabled DHCP
> and manually assigned an IP address but when I look in the properties of
> the card,
> it's all zeros. On a stranger note, when I change the wireless security
> to WEP, it
> connects and works fine but the speed drops to 36mbps. I want to use WPA
> since I hear it's more secure. I have the SSID and key entered correctly
> so I know
> that's not an issue. Can someone please help me?
>
> Thanks,
> newtechie
>
>
>

Hi

Assuming that the basic I OK since it works with WEP.

First, make sure that the Wireless client is WPA capable, log to Linksys
support and get the latest firmware and drivers for the Card.

Then use pass phrase to generating a key in the Router, and copy the actual
key to the Wireless client. Wireless Hardware might differ in the way that
its produce the key from the pass phrase.

Jack (MVP-Networking).



"Newtechie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi David - I'm 110% sure I'm entering the correct key. Its a word I use
> all
> the time so there's no way it's wrong. I don't understand what you mean
> by
> "not using the same kind of WPA as the access point". I set it up to use
> WPA Personal. Is it suppose to be something different?
>
> I have Comcast high speed and I don't think my address is static so I'd
> have
> to say you're right in saying the router isn't configured for static
> addressing.
>
> I have attached screen prints so you can see my set up.
>
> Thanks for responding.
> newtechie
>
> "David Hettel MVP MobileDevices" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%23EfLw%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hmm If it works just find when you are not using WPA, and it doesn't work
>> when you are using WPA, then either you are entering the key wrong, or
>> you
>> are not using the same kind of WPA as the access point is, or your
>> machine
>> doesn't support WPA.
>>
>> Your post is confusing, if the card is showing "acquiring network
>> address"
>> then it is not configure to use a static address, or the address is not
>> configure correctly.. By the way 36 mbps is IMHO way faster than any
>> internet connection you are likely to have coming into your home. There
>> would for internet browsing be no noticeable difference between a 36 mbps
>> connection link and a 54 mbps connection link when you are connecting to
>> the
>> internet at 5 ~ 6 mbps.
>>
>> --
>> David Hettel
>> Microsoft MVP Mobile Devices
>>
>> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
>> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
>> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>>
>> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>> "Newtechie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Hi all - I just got a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and a WPC54G
>>> notebook
>>> card. I have a small network consisting of a desktop and laptop. The
>>> desktop has no problems connecting to the internet. However, the laptop
>>> does. I used the set up discs for both installations. The notebook
>>> card
>>> monitor
>>> tells me "no association with the access point" but when I place the
>>> mouse
>>> cursor
>>> over the connection icon in the system tray, it tells me I have an
>>> excellent signal
>>> and speed is 54mbps with a 'acquiring network address' message. I
>>> disabled DHCP
>>> and manually assigned an IP address but when I look in the properties of
>>> the card,
>>> it's all zeros. On a stranger note, when I change the wireless security
>>> to WEP, it
>>> connects and works fine but the speed drops to 36mbps. I want to use
>>> WPA
>>> since I hear it's more secure. I have the SSID and key entered
>>> correctly
>>> so I know
>>> that's not an issue. Can someone please help me?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> newtechie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

Thanks everyone for your help. Wireless is up and running! I'm thinking it
was
a firewall issue. I switched from Sygate to ZoneAlarm and so far so good.

Newtechie

"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
>
> Assuming that the basic I OK since it works with WEP.
>
> First, make sure that the Wireless client is WPA capable, log to Linksys
> support and get the latest firmware and drivers for the Card.
>
> Then use pass phrase to generating a key in the Router, and copy the
actual
> key to the Wireless client. Wireless Hardware might differ in the way
that
> its produce the key from the pass phrase.
>
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>
>
> "Newtechie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi David - I'm 110% sure I'm entering the correct key. Its a word I use
> > all
> > the time so there's no way it's wrong. I don't understand what you mean
> > by
> > "not using the same kind of WPA as the access point". I set it up to
use
> > WPA Personal. Is it suppose to be something different?
> >
> > I have Comcast high speed and I don't think my address is static so I'd
> > have
> > to say you're right in saying the router isn't configured for static
> > addressing.
> >
> > I have attached screen prints so you can see my set up.
> >
> > Thanks for responding.
> > newtechie
> >
> > "David Hettel MVP MobileDevices" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:%23EfLw%(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> Hmm If it works just find when you are not using WPA, and it doesn't
work
> >> when you are using WPA, then either you are entering the key wrong, or
> >> you
> >> are not using the same kind of WPA as the access point is, or your
> >> machine
> >> doesn't support WPA.
> >>
> >> Your post is confusing, if the card is showing "acquiring network
> >> address"
> >> then it is not configure to use a static address, or the address is not
> >> configure correctly.. By the way 36 mbps is IMHO way faster than any
> >> internet connection you are likely to have coming into your home. There
> >> would for internet browsing be no noticeable difference between a 36
mbps
> >> connection link and a 54 mbps connection link when you are connecting
to
> >> the
> >> internet at 5 ~ 6 mbps.
> >>
> >> --
> >> David Hettel
> >> Microsoft MVP Mobile Devices
> >>
> >> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> >> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> >> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
> >>
> >> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
> >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
> >> "Newtechie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> >>> Hi all - I just got a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and a WPC54G
> >>> notebook
> >>> card. I have a small network consisting of a desktop and laptop. The
> >>> desktop has no problems connecting to the internet. However, the
laptop
> >>> does. I used the set up discs for both installations. The notebook
> >>> card
> >>> monitor
> >>> tells me "no association with the access point" but when I place the
> >>> mouse
> >>> cursor
> >>> over the connection icon in the system tray, it tells me I have an
> >>> excellent signal
> >>> and speed is 54mbps with a 'acquiring network address' message. I
> >>> disabled DHCP
> >>> and manually assigned an IP address but when I look in the properties
of
> >>> the card,
> >>> it's all zeros. On a stranger note, when I change the wireless
security
> >>> to WEP, it
> >>> connects and works fine but the speed drops to 36mbps. I want to use
> >>> WPA
> >>> since I hear it's more secure. I have the SSID and key entered
> >>> correctly
> >>> so I know
> >>> that's not an issue. Can someone please help me?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>> newtechie
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

Your router and adapter are compatible. Tbey may offer you WPA or WPA2 or
both coupled with TKIP or AES encryption. Make sure the router and card are
talking to each on this same basis - whichever you choose.

When the dust settles and it is all going I recommend you go to
'grc.com/password' (well I have) and pick up a pseudo random generated 63
character ASCII key. Read all the blurb from Steve Gibson - he is a good guy.
You will also find a fistful of security tips/broadcasts and some free
software. A short key for WPA is breakable and might be open to dictionary
attacks. WEP is seriously broken. Do not use unless no other option. If you
do use a long key remember to save it safe somewhere in a text file - you
will never remember it which doesn't matter because you could always start
again. Steve reckons using current technology it should take about three
million years to break a 63 char key - which should cover it for most of us!

"Newtechie" wrote:

> Hi all - I just got a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and a WPC54G notebook
> card. I have a small network consisting of a desktop and laptop. The
> desktop has no problems connecting to the internet. However, the laptop
> does. I used the set up discs for both installations. The notebook card
> monitor
> tells me "no association with the access point" but when I place the mouse
> cursor
> over the connection icon in the system tray, it tells me I have an excellent
> signal
> and speed is 54mbps with a 'acquiring network address' message. I disabled
> DHCP
> and manually assigned an IP address but when I look in the properties of the
> card,
> it's all zeros. On a stranger note, when I change the wireless security to
> WEP, it
> connects and works fine but the speed drops to 36mbps. I want to use WPA
> since I hear it's more secure. I have the SSID and key entered correctly so
> I know
> that's not an issue. Can someone please help me?
>
> Thanks,
> newtechie
>
>
>
>

Thanks for that site Oliver! Quick question though - if I decide to use one
of those passwords, how would I update it in Windows?


"oliver_tiger" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8C75F8CD-908C-48E4-9C47-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Your router and adapter are compatible. Tbey may offer you WPA or WPA2 or
> both coupled with TKIP or AES encryption. Make sure the router and card
> are
> talking to each on this same basis - whichever you choose.
>
> When the dust settles and it is all going I recommend you go to
> 'grc.com/password' (well I have) and pick up a pseudo random generated 63
> character ASCII key. Read all the blurb from Steve Gibson - he is a good
> guy.
> You will also find a fistful of security tips/broadcasts and some free
> software. A short key for WPA is breakable and might be open to dictionary
> attacks. WEP is seriously broken. Do not use unless no other option. If
> you
> do use a long key remember to save it safe somewhere in a text file - you
> will never remember it which doesn't matter because you could always start
> again. Steve reckons using current technology it should take about three
> million years to break a 63 char key - which should cover it for most of
> us!
>
> "Newtechie" wrote:
>
>> Hi all - I just got a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and a WPC54G
>> notebook
>> card. I have a small network consisting of a desktop and laptop. The
>> desktop has no problems connecting to the internet. However, the laptop
>> does. I used the set up discs for both installations. The notebook
>> card
>> monitor
>> tells me "no association with the access point" but when I place the
>> mouse
>> cursor
>> over the connection icon in the system tray, it tells me I have an
>> excellent
>> signal
>> and speed is 54mbps with a 'acquiring network address' message. I
>> disabled
>> DHCP
>> and manually assigned an IP address but when I look in the properties of
>> the
>> card,
>> it's all zeros. On a stranger note, when I change the wireless security
>> to
>> WEP, it
>> connects and works fine but the speed drops to 36mbps. I want to use WPA
>> since I hear it's more secure. I have the SSID and key entered correctly
>> so
>> I know
>> that's not an issue. Can someone please help me?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> newtechie
>>
>>
>>
>>