Laptop wont connect to WiFi network with security settings

I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my wireless
network unless I remove the security settings.

It will connect OK when the security type is set to no authentication with
the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with WPA
encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN.

The router settings are:
Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router)
PPPoA
Channel: Auto
SSID Broadcast: Enable
Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang mixed 11b
+ 11g)
g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius

I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they work with
the laptop with the WPA taken off.

I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
Windows XP
Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
Network Authentication WPA-PSK
Data encryption TKIP

The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
This connected OK when the security type was set to no authentication with
the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with Encryption
type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.

As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to the
router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a copy and
paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss off any
of the leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.

It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can anyone advise
a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't involve a new
router or using and Express card.

Thanks.

"Shelly" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Sun, 5 Oct 2008 15:40:38 +0100, "M" <>
> wrote:
>
>>I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my
>>wireless
>>network unless I remove the security settings.
>>
>>It will connect OK when the security type is set to no authentication with
>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>WPA
>>encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN.
>>
>>The router settings are:
>>Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router)
>>PPPoA
>>Channel: Auto
>>SSID Broadcast: Enable
>>Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang mixed
>>11b
>>+ 11g)
>>g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
>>WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius
>>
>>I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they work with
>>the laptop with the WPA taken off.
>>
>>I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
>>Windows XP
>>Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
>>Network Authentication WPA-PSK
>>Data encryption TKIP
>>
>>The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
>>The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
>>This connected OK when the security type was set to no authentication with
>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with Encryption
>>type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.
>>
>>As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to the
>>router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a copy and
>>paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss off
>>any
>>of t>
>>he leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.
>>
>>It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can anyone
>>advise
>>a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't involve a new
>>router or using and Express card.
>>
>>Thanks.
>
> USB plub in firewall?
>

of course it works with WPA, this is down to fault with user not fault with
machine, and or a config issue. 1st try resetting the router to default
settings and then start again and make sure you set the router up using a
wired connection and RTFM that came with the router.

"Fixer" <> wrote in message
news:CmoGk.39318$_2...
>
> "Shelly" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> On Sun, 5 Oct 2008 15:40:38 +0100, "M" <>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my
>>>wireless
>>>network unless I remove the security settings.
>>>
>>>It will connect OK when the security type is set to no authentication
>>>with
>>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>>WPA
>>>encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN.
>>>
>>>The router settings are:
>>>Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router)
>>>PPPoA
>>>Channel: Auto
>>>SSID Broadcast: Enable
>>>Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang mixed
>>>11b
>>>+ 11g)
>>>g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
>>>WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius
>>>
>>>I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they work
>>>with
>>>the laptop with the WPA taken off.
>>>
>>>I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
>>>Windows XP
>>>Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
>>>Network Authentication WPA-PSK
>>>Data encryption TKIP
>>>
>>>The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
>>>The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
>>>This connected OK when the security type was set to no authentication
>>>with
>>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>>security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with Encryption
>>>type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.
>>>
>>>As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to the
>>>router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a copy and
>>>paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss off
>>>any
>>>of t>
>>>he leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.
>>>
>>>It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can anyone
>>>advise
>>>a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't involve a new
>>>router or using and Express card.
>>>
>>>Thanks.
>>
>> USB plub in firewall?
>>
>
> of course it works with WPA, this is down to fault with user not fault
> with machine, and or a config issue. 1st try resetting the router to
> default settings and then start again and make sure you set the router up
> using a wired connection and RTFM that came with the router.
>


The OP might also have a hard look at what utility (Windows Zero or Intel
PRO-set) is managing the wireless connection.

Try mimicking the other Dell notebook's utility if possible (unless it has a
Dell/broadcom card), or try reverting to Windows zero to manage the
connection.

"M" <> wrote in message
news:...
> I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my
> wireless network unless I remove the security settings.
>
> It will connect OK when the security type is set to no authentication with
> the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
> WPA encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN.
>
> The router settings are:
> Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router)
> PPPoA
> Channel: Auto
> SSID Broadcast: Enable
> Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang mixed
> 11b + 11g)
> g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
> WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius
>
> I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they work with
> the laptop with the WPA taken off.
>
> I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
> Windows XP
> Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
> Network Authentication WPA-PSK
> Data encryption TKIP
>
> The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
> The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
> This connected OK when the security type was set to no authentication with
> the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
> security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with Encryption
> type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.
>
> As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to the
> router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a copy and
> paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss off
> any of the leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.
>
> It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can anyone
> advise a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't involve
> a new router or using and Express card.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
>


I think I'd ditch the 63 digit key for now and try setting it up with
something like 1234 as the key. That way you don't have to cut and paste
anything in case that might be messing something up. Then if it works with
the small key you could try a bigger one.

alien

alien

"S.Lewis" <> wrote in message
news:BMoGk.48508$. ..
>
> "Fixer" <> wrote in message
> news:CmoGk.39318$_2...
>>
>> "Shelly" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> On Sun, 5 Oct 2008 15:40:38 +0100, "M" <>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my
>>>>wireless
>>>>network unless I remove the security settings.
>>>>
>>>>It will connect OK when the security type is set to no authentication
>>>>with
>>>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>>>WPA
>>>>encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN.
>>>>
>>>>The router settings are:
>>>>Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router)
>>>>PPPoA
>>>>Channel: Auto
>>>>SSID Broadcast: Enable
>>>>Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang mixed
>>>>11b
>>>>+ 11g)
>>>>g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
>>>>WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius
>>>>
>>>>I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they work
>>>>with
>>>>the laptop with the WPA taken off.
>>>>
>>>>I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
>>>>Windows XP
>>>>Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
>>>>Network Authentication WPA-PSK
>>>>Data encryption TKIP
>>>>
>>>>The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
>>>>The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
>>>>This connected OK when the security type was set to no authentication
>>>>with
>>>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>>>security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with Encryption
>>>>type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.
>>>>
>>>>As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to the
>>>>router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a copy
>>>>and
>>>>paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss off
>>>>any
>>>>of t>
>>>>he leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.
>>>>
>>>>It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can anyone
>>>>advise
>>>>a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't involve a new
>>>>router or using and Express card.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks.
>>>
>>> USB plub in firewall?
>>>
>>
>> of course it works with WPA, this is down to fault with user not fault
>> with machine, and or a config issue. 1st try resetting the router to
>> default settings and then start again and make sure you set the router up
>> using a wired connection and RTFM that came with the router.
>>
>
>
> The OP might also have a hard look at what utility (Windows Zero or Intel
> PRO-set) is managing the wireless connection.
>
> Try mimicking the other Dell notebook's utility if possible (unless it has
> a Dell/broadcom card), or try reverting to Windows zero to manage the
> connection.
Err that would be using the "Windows Wireless Zero Configuration Service"
maybe???

"Kevin Childers" <> wrote in message
news:VNpGk.18426$...
>
> "S.Lewis" <> wrote in message
> news:BMoGk.48508$. ..
>>
>> "Fixer" <> wrote in message
>> news:CmoGk.39318$_2...
>>>
>>> "Shelly" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> On Sun, 5 Oct 2008 15:40:38 +0100, "M" <>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my
>>>>>wireless
>>>>>network unless I remove the security settings.
>>>>>
>>>>>It will connect OK when the security type is set to no authentication
>>>>>with
>>>>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>>>>WPA
>>>>>encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN.
>>>>>
>>>>>The router settings are:
>>>>>Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router)
>>>>>PPPoA
>>>>>Channel: Auto
>>>>>SSID Broadcast: Enable
>>>>>Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang mixed
>>>>>11b
>>>>>+ 11g)
>>>>>g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
>>>>>WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius
>>>>>
>>>>>I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they work
>>>>>with
>>>>>the laptop with the WPA taken off.
>>>>>
>>>>>I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
>>>>>Windows XP
>>>>>Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
>>>>>Network Authentication WPA-PSK
>>>>>Data encryption TKIP
>>>>>
>>>>>The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
>>>>>The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
>>>>>This connected OK when the security type was set to no authentication
>>>>>with
>>>>>the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work with
>>>>>security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with
>>>>>Encryption
>>>>>type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.
>>>>>
>>>>>As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to
>>>>>the
>>>>>router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a copy
>>>>>and
>>>>>paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss
>>>>>off any
>>>>>of t>
>>>>>he leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.
>>>>>
>>>>>It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can anyone
>>>>>advise
>>>>>a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't involve a
>>>>>new
>>>>>router or using and Express card.
>>>>>
>>>>>Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> USB plub in firewall?
>>>>
>>>
>>> of course it works with WPA, this is down to fault with user not fault
>>> with machine, and or a config issue. 1st try resetting the router to
>>> default settings and then start again and make sure you set the router
>>> up using a wired connection and RTFM that came with the router.
>>>
>>
>>
>> The OP might also have a hard look at what utility (Windows Zero or Intel
>> PRO-set) is managing the wireless connection.
>>
>> Try mimicking the other Dell notebook's utility if possible (unless it
>> has a Dell/broadcom card), or try reverting to Windows zero to manage the
>> connection.
> Err that would be using the "Windows Wireless Zero Configuration Service"
> maybe???
>


Correct. I just got lazy. In "services", it's listed as "Wireless Zero
Configuration".

"alien" <> wrote in message
news:gcd7mm$mdn$...
>
>
> "M" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my
>> wireless network unless I remove the security settings.
>>
>> It will connect OK when the security type is set to no authentication
>> with the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work
>> with WPA encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN.
>>
>> The router settings are:
>> Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall Router)
>> PPPoA
>> Channel: Auto
>> SSID Broadcast: Enable
>> Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang mixed
>> 11b + 11g)
>> g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
>> WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius
>>
>> I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they work
>> with the laptop with the WPA taken off.
>>
>> I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
>> Windows XP
>> Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
>> Network Authentication WPA-PSK
>> Data encryption TKIP
>>
>> The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
>> The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
>> This connected OK when the security type was set to no authentication
>> with the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not work
>> with security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with
>> Encryption type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.
>>
>> As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to the
>> router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a copy and
>> paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss off
>> any of the leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.
>>
>> It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can anyone
>> advise a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't involve
>> a new router or using and Express card.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> I think I'd ditch the 63 digit key for now and try setting it up with
> something like 1234 as the key. That way you don't have to cut and paste
> anything in case that might be messing something up. Then if it works
> with the small key you could try a bigger one.
>
> alien
>
> alien


Not a bad idea either, though I'd probably try a 20-30 character generated
WPA-PSK key.

Sometimes those full key lengths can blow things up.

"Tom Cole" <> wrote in message
news:...

<snip>

I agree that WEP is virtually useless. But don't take my word for it:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...l-ban-wep.html



Stew

"Tom Cole" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:05:09 -0500, RnR <> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:24:27 +1300, Tom Cole
>><> wrote:
>>
>>>On Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:43:41 -0500, RnR <> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Mon, 6 Oct 2008 10:57:40 -0500, "S.Lewis"
>>>><> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>"alien" <> wrote in message
>>>>>news:gcd7mm$mdn$.. .
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "M" <> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:...
>>>>>>> I have just bought a Dell XPS laptop but am unable to connect to my
>>>>>>> wireless network unless I remove the security settings.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It will connect OK when the security type is set to no
>>>>>>> authentication
>>>>>>> with the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not
>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>> with WPA encryption. The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link
>>>>>>> 4965AGN.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The router settings are:
>>>>>>> Router settings (OfficeConnect 3COM ADSL Wireless 11g Firewall
>>>>>>> Router)
>>>>>>> PPPoA
>>>>>>> Channel: Auto
>>>>>>> SSID Broadcast: Enable
>>>>>>> Wireless Mode: 11g Only (also tried Mixed 11b + 11g and long rang
>>>>>>> mixed
>>>>>>> 11b + 11g)
>>>>>>> g Nitro Enable (disabling does not make a difference)
>>>>>>> WPA: WPA-PSK (no server) The only other WPA available is with Radius
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I believe that all the other router settings are correct as they
>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>> with the laptop with the WPA taken off.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have another desktop which connects wirelessly its settings are:
>>>>>>> Windows XP
>>>>>>> Raling RT2500 Wireless LAN Card
>>>>>>> Network Authentication WPA-PSK
>>>>>>> Data encryption TKIP
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The laptop does not offer the exact corresponding settings
>>>>>>> The network adaptor is an Intel WiFi Link 4965AGN
>>>>>>> This connected OK when the security type was set to no
>>>>>>> authentication
>>>>>>> with the corresponding setting on the 3COM router however will not
>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>> with security type set to WPA-Personal (there is not WPA-PSK) with
>>>>>>> Encryption type TKIP. I have tried all of the other WPA options.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As part of the set up I created a new 63 digit key and applied it to
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> router, the wireless desktop and the laptop. This was done as a
>>>>>>> copy and
>>>>>>> paste using a USB key and Notepad. I have taken care to not to miss
>>>>>>> off
>>>>>>> any of the leading or trailing characters or to include any spaces.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It basically looks like this Dell wont work with WPA-PSK. Can
>>>>>>> anyone
>>>>>>> advise a work around that doesn't compromise security and doesn't
>>>>>>> involve
>>>>>>> a new router or using and Express card.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think I'd ditch the 63 digit key for now and try setting it up with
>>>>>> something like 1234 as the key. That way you don't have to cut and
>>>>>> paste
>>>>>> anything in case that might be messing something up. Then if it
>>>>>> works
>>>>>> with the small key you could try a bigger one.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> alien
>>>>>>
>>>>>> alien
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Not a bad idea either, though I'd probably try a 20-30 character
>>>>>generated
>>>>>WPA-PSK key.
>>>>>
>>>>>Sometimes those full key lengths can blow things up.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Going along these lines, I read that you could use WEP but change the
>>>>password weekly. Of course I prefer WPA if available as would most
>>>>others.
>>>
>>>There are tools available on the internet which will crack WEP in about
>>>a minute. WEP is simply not secure.
>>
>>
>>No argument but the average person doesn't know how to use them
>>(packet sniffers) so I hesitate to say WEP is not secure. I'd rather
>>say it has weak security at least when compared to WPA. BTW, I read
>>a while back even WPA is crackable so when you define secure, you
>>better also relate that to what degree of security. Otherwise
>>someone else can come along and say WPA isn't secure either.
>
> WPA is only insecure with a weak or short password (see below).
>>
>>Bottom line is, secure or not secure depends on the situation. WEP
>>might be fine in a home network in a small populated place but I
>>wouldn't recommend it for an apartment, major city or for storing
>>sensitive files on the network.
>>
>>Last I agree WEP is not a preferable level of encryption if WPA is
>>available but it's better than nothing <grin> .
>
> If you are concerned about the security of your WEP network you should
> consider upgrading its components to support at least WPA.
>
> The only time you can crack the WPA pre-shared key is if it is a
> dictionary word or relatively short in length. Conversely, if you want
> to have an unbreakable wireless network at home, use WPA/WPA2 and a 63
> character password composed of random characters including special
> symbols. There is a suitable random key generator at
> https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

Then again you can limit the IP range on the router and use MAC Filters.