WPA hotfix problem

Got a desktop running XP SP2 and a laptop running XP SP1. Not keen to
possibly mess up my wireless network (3com router, 3com wireless card in the
laptop, wired link from router to the desktop) so I don't fancy installing
SP2 on the laptop just yet. However as I understand it, SP2 or a hotfix is
needed in order to take advantage of WPA (this I assume because that's the
impression I get from reading about it and there is currently no option to
use WPA in either windows wireless config or my hardware manufacturers
config software on my laptop. The desktop however has the option to use it
in the router config software - and the wireless card definitely supports
it).
So I installed a windows hotfix on the lappy which apparently adds WPA
support in SP1. However - after installing said hotfix, the laptop runs
slow, programs hardly ever open and as for connecting to the net via the
wireless card - forget it. Had to uninstall to get my system back. Uninstall
it and all is well - runs fine, connects, browses, network, internet, all
the bells and whistles with 128 WEP.

So - what's the deal ? Should my hardware manufacturers config software be
giving the support for WPA or does windows itself need to have it in order
for it to function ? Not clear on that. Any ideas how to add WPA support to
SP1 which actually works and doesn't make my system run like it is chock
full of goo ? (No spyware, no malware, no viri, no nuttin' on the laptop
btw). Or do I have to bite the bullet and install the Feared SP2 on my
laptop ?

TIA for any ideas.


Rachael

Have you considered using MAC address filtering instead? If you always use
the same computers on the network it might be better than trying to
enforcing a protocol that isnt properly supported. Known as ACL (Access
control list) in the 3Com router

Start/Run ipconfig /all to see the physical (MAC) address for each network
interface

hth

philip ashley


"Rachael the Wiccan Rat" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:41549f65$0$20254$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Got a desktop running XP SP2 and a laptop running XP SP1. Not keen to
> possibly mess up my wireless network (3com router, 3com wireless card in
the
> laptop, wired link from router to the desktop) so I don't fancy installing
> SP2 on the laptop just yet. However as I understand it, SP2 or a hotfix is
> needed in order to take advantage of WPA (this I assume because that's the
> impression I get from reading about it and there is currently no option to
> use WPA in either windows wireless config or my hardware manufacturers
> config software on my laptop. The desktop however has the option to use it
> in the router config software - and the wireless card definitely supports
> it).
> So I installed a windows hotfix on the lappy which apparently adds WPA
> support in SP1. However - after installing said hotfix, the laptop runs
> slow, programs hardly ever open and as for connecting to the net via the
> wireless card - forget it. Had to uninstall to get my system back.
Uninstall
> it and all is well - runs fine, connects, browses, network, internet, all
> the bells and whistles with 128 WEP.
>
> So - what's the deal ? Should my hardware manufacturers config software be
> giving the support for WPA or does windows itself need to have it in order
> for it to function ? Not clear on that. Any ideas how to add WPA support
to
> SP1 which actually works and doesn't make my system run like it is chock
> full of goo ? (No spyware, no malware, no viri, no nuttin' on the laptop
> btw). Or do I have to bite the bullet and install the Feared SP2 on my
> laptop ?
>
> TIA for any ideas.
>
>
> Rachael
>
>

"philip ashley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:AXc5d.254$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Have you considered using MAC address filtering instead? If you always use
> the same computers on the network it might be better than trying to
> enforcing a protocol that isnt properly supported. Known as ACL (Access
> control list) in the 3Com router
>
> Start/Run ipconfig /all to see the physical (MAC) address for each network
> interface
>
> hth

Aren't MAC addresses easy to spoof ? I had considered it but I often have
friends come over with their laptops so WPA would be easier on the fly.



Rachael

agreed that MAC filtering isnt foolproof on its own, just another layer of
security.

maybe not appropriate in your case anyway

wpa adds an extra payload and i found some tweaking of the wireless
interface helped a lot

You could try setting the fragmentation and RTS/CTS thresholds a bit lower,
that has considerably stabilised my connection. I set both of mine to 2304
in the router and PCMIA laptop card.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials...le.php/1468331

hth

philip ashley

"Rachael the Wiccan Rat" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4155c5c6$0$20253$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "philip ashley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:AXc5d.254$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Have you considered using MAC address filtering instead? If you always
use
> > the same computers on the network it might be better than trying to
> > enforcing a protocol that isnt properly supported. Known as ACL (Access
> > control list) in the 3Com router
> >
> > Start/Run ipconfig /all to see the physical (MAC) address for each
network
> > interface
> >
> > hth
>
> Aren't MAC addresses easy to spoof ? I had considered it but I often have
> friends come over with their laptops so WPA would be easier on the fly.
>
>
>
> Rachael
>
>