Thread: Question for Windows guys (wireless)

My father and step mother both have PCs and I just set up a wireless network in the house for them. My iPod and Mac saw the connection and hooked up to it automatically. I thought Windows did that too, but I guess I was wrong.

I can't figure out how to connect to the network. In the Network Connections I can see:

Local Area Connection 3
Connected
WAN Network Driver

but it's not setting itself up. It's got a 64 bit WEP security key, which is why I'm assuming the WAN says connected, but refuses to connect to the internet. I don't see any place to type in the WEP key and it doesn't automatically prompt me for it when I try to open Firefox or IE.

When I do it tries to open the old dial-up connection.

In the Network Connections that old connection has a black check mark by it, I assume that means that it's the default connection.

There is no wireless icon in the drawer and the driver is configured.


Little help?

I'll try to help more tomorrow but i'm about to nod off to bed right now otherwise you'd see a longggggg post right about now. But for starts if you are creating a home network it shouldn't be a WAN. WAN stands for Wide Area Network, traditionally schools (colleges) or large busienses or anything that needs a very large network.use this, or even MAN - Metropolitan Area Network.

And another thing is there is a huge difference between a workign network, and a network connected to the internet. You have to make sure you have all of that enabled. Your wireless devices manual should say this. And FYI too - The wireles's do automatically connect to networks (if it is set up like that).

And a question - Are you having truoble connecting your Ipod/Mac or your your windows computers to the itnernet?

My PC, the iPod and Mac connected automatically and work fine.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

My PC, the iPod and Mac connected automatically and work fine.

Could you give me a llist of what OS, Wireless Device (model/brand), and Internet connection you are using?

*Edit*
I'm assuming XP, here
if not, then ignore
***

I have almost zero experience with wireless under windows (only setting up other people's wireless networks)

You should be able to right click the wireless connection in the network settings of control panel, and enter all the info in there (SSID, WEP key, etc.) ?

That's the manual way
and all settings should stick across reboots
(Ie. no need to re-enter in wep keys all the time)

there's also a service (daemon) called "wireless zero config"
(Run -> services.msc -> Wireless zero config)
this is the thing that scans for all available wireless signals
and prompts you which one you want to connect to
However, everytime you connect, you will have to enter the keys

What Ytol said is right. The problem is that there are so many programs that have absolutely retarted wireless conecction setups. It becomes hard to diagnose and troubleshoot problems from a distance. Especially for me sicne i fix problems hands on easier than I do otherwise.