[nappymonster]

hi all,
I recently installed a dual boot of XP + ubuntu for a friend, XP first. He also has a wi fi connection, but had forgotten the WEP (possibly WPA) password so we reset the password (through 192.168.2.1) and entered it in. Ubuntu likes it and so does the desktop pc, but ever since the XP gives "limited or no connectivity". I think this is because it thinks it knows the password, but because it has changed it doesn't, so gives the error. I think the solution is just to re-enter the password, but i don't know how, because when I disconnect and re-connect, it doesn't ask for a password!

As a result, there is no longer internet available on the XP, but ubuntu and the other XP machine are fine

Thanks,
Nappymonster

[JohnWill]

Delete all the stored wireless profiles and search for a new network. It will then ask for the password, it's using the incorrect stored one.

[nappymonster]

Sorry to sound stupid, but how do i delete the wireless profiles?

Thanks,
Nappymonster

[TerryNet]

how do i delete the wireless profiles?

The details will depend on what wireless utility (client) you are using.

[nappymonster]

Wireless client? I really must be quite dumb with wireless because i don't know what that is either :P

I am connecting to the network through the standard XP wireless network icon (right click>>View all available networks), though i'm not sure what else you could mean. If you could tell me how to find out the client, by all means i'll say!#

Thanks,

Nappymonster

[JohnWill]

1. Right click on the wireless network in Network Connections (Start, Settings, Network Connections)
   
2. Select the Wireless Networks tab.
   
3. Select each of the network names displayed in the Preferred Networks box.
   
4. Press the Remove button.

[TerryNet]

OK, sounds like you are using XP's Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC), in case somebody asks again.

I very seldom use it so can't advise exactly. Until somebody with knowledge responds, after you click on 'view all available networks' I think there are some other options on the resulting screen. So instead of selecting a network to connect, look at some of the other things you can do there. Or, maybe, when you select your network you also have the option to 'delete.'

EDIT: See, John told you how even before I could tell you I didn't know!

[nappymonster]

Thanks so much to both of you, i'm sure this will fix the issue. Will mark solved when i have a chance to see if it works.

Thanks,
Nappymonster

[nappymonster]

Ok, thanks for your help; that solved the issue in hand (he couldn't enter in the password), as it asked for it. However, how great, he forgot the password! I reset the password (luckily his router doesn't need the original), but then when he went to enter the new password in, it gives something along the lines of

"The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your network configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26
hexadecimal characters.",

Any ideas for getting this fixed? We enter the right password and it gives the error above.

Thanks,
Nappymonster

[TerryNet]

The only thing worse than trying to trouble shoot via ascii (e.g., this forum) is via phone! Good luck!

It sounds like the router's encryption is WPA (or WPA2) and the adapter's driver does not support it. If XP is not at the SP2 or SP3 level, better just use WEP. Or, an ascii passcode was used for WEP instead of a HEX key. In the latter case, use a HEX key.

If now using WPA2, drop back to WPA if possible.

With a wireless driver update maybe WPA (or WPA2) can be used.

Over the phone, just tell 'em to use WEP for now with a HEX key.

[nappymonster]

Thanks, but i tried all the different encryptions (WEP 64/128 WPA and WPA-PSK) that the router offered, and none of them worked. What exactly is meant by a HEX key anyway? And how would i then explain this to him - he is VERY computer illiterate.
Thanks,
Nappymonster

[TerryNet]

A HEX key is 10 (64-bit WEP) or 26 (128-bit WEP) hexadecimal digits; e.g., 2dead4face

If he is also math illiterate you may have to specify the hexadecimal digits: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 a b c d e f

[nappymonster]

The router is offering a passphrase; and you then click generate, then save the settings. In the wireless settings do i enter the passphrase (e.g bob) or do i enter the hex equivalent?

Thanks,
Nappymonster

[TerryNet]

Since different devices sometimes translates passcodes (or passphrases) differently, I'd try the hex equivalent.