Vista & Wireless Internet... - Saxperience

Luke · 14th November 2007, 22:10

Evening,

Basically I know quite a bit when it comes to IT but when it involves Vista and Wireless Networking, I need information.

A lass at my work, has just got a new laptop with built in Wireless running on Windows Vista Basic (bad idea...) and they have a wireless modem/router next to computer in her Dads office as he runs a business from home. He also has a laptop than runs on Windows XP and obviously that connects fine into the router with no problems BUT the Vista one will not connect to the router, it keeps coming up with 'Windows cannot connect'.

I know from personal experiences at Mikes house I cannot connect into his internet as my computer is also Vista and my Dad has heard rumours there is a few glitches surrounding this and wireless networking.

Can anyone shed any light?

I tried to connect it a few times, but the same error message kept showing. The wireless is turned on and does display the network, just won't connect.

Is there a way to stop this?

Does it need to be downgraded to XP?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Luke

Payney · 14th November 2007, 22:16

Sorry i don't know answer to your question, but i have question for you Luke, or whoever..

My laptop i bought the other week, has a wireless assistant... Whats this for, does it mean i have wireless internet, as atm, i have to use a DSL cable... Would i need an adapter for my router for it or what?

Luke · 14th November 2007, 22:19

That means your computer is wireless mate.

I presume it's an HP one, so when it's blue it's on.

Payney · 14th November 2007, 22:53

Yes, how'd you guess that lol?

How do i connect to internet then, without using the cable?

Sorry to hijack again, pm instead if you want, but may answer others questions.

Mystic^p · 14th November 2007, 23:06

Anthony, you'll need a wireless ADSL modem router to replace your current ADSL modem.

Or possible just a wireless router & plug the modem into it, this is most commonly done with cable modems though, iv still never came across an ADSL setup using this method, but i know its possible.

Luke not totally sure about your issue because i don't really use windows anymore & have only seen vista in passing. It will be possible to connect them wirelessly though so downgrading isn't the answer, i'll have a little look about and see if i can find anything useful

Amiee · 14th November 2007, 23:09

Our Vista laptop picks our wireless up straight away and connects perfectly every time..

where as my xp is a bugger for wireless takes forever to connect

Luke · 14th November 2007, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony

Yes, how'd you guess that lol?

How do i connect to internet then, without using the cable?

Sorry to hijack again, pm instead if you want, but may answer others questions.

From pictures of your car other day.

Erm...yeah like Mystic said you need a ADSL router which replaces your existing modem which is what my parents have.

Basically get one like a Belkin or Netgear from Argos/PC world and follow instructions given on the disc or box, it's pretty simple. Once you have set it up, make sure the blue light is on through the laptop, then it should be rights find the wireless connection and ask for a password to connect - that's if you protected it during the process.

Any problems, drop me a PM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic

Anthony, you'll need a wireless ADSL modem router to replace your current ADSL modem.

Or possible just a wireless router & plug the modem into it, this is most commonly done with cable modems though, iv still never came across an ADSL setup using this method, but i know its possible.

Luke not totally sure about your issue because i don't really use windows anymore & have only seen vista in passing. It will be possible to connect them wirelessly though so downgrading isn't the answer, i'll have a little look about and see if i can find anything useful

Thanks mate.

I'll give out a some reps later.

Mystic^p · 14th November 2007, 23:14

Hmm, most people having trouble seem to think its down to the drivers for the wireless card on the laptop/computer.

Either they need to be further upgraded or you use microsofts own versions of them, instead of the manufacturers supplied drivers.

Theres also a mention of "Microsoft Wireless Zero Configuration service", what ever that is. Which might help?

2 cases:
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...opic.php?t=253
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...opic.php?t=398

Might be worth a shot. Ignore what they mention about turning off wireless security though, and dont use WEP securty either since any monkey with a laptop & 10 mins to spare could break the encryption.

Luke · 14th November 2007, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic

Hmm, most people having trouble seem to think its down to the drivers for the wireless card on the laptop/computer.

Either they need to be further upgraded or you use microsofts own versions of them, instead of the manufacturers supplied drivers.

Theres also a mention of "Microsoft Wireless Zero Configuration service", what ever that is. Which might help?

2 cases:
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...opic.php?t=253
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...opic.php?t=398

Might be worth a shot. Ignore what they mention about turning off wireless security though, and dont use WEP securty either since any monkey with a laptop & 10 mins to spare could break the encryption.

Thanks mate, rep left.

I'll look at this further into detail, cheers.

WEP is what it's already setup as, I remember from earlier.

Mystic^p · 14th November 2007, 23:21

Mmm WEP is dated now, should think about updating to WPA. You can dl programs which intercept wireless packets, since every packet contains the key in its header it only takes a few minutes until the key is decyphered.

I live in a quiet litle series of dead end streets & ages ago there was a guy who came at random times during the day & sat all over the place around the neighbourhood cracking peoples connections or using the ones people had left open. God knows what kinda data he was able to get from these people computers, but he would sit in the pouring rain under a golf umbrella to get the data, so he must have thought it important!

Luke · 14th November 2007, 23:23

OK Mystic, somethings to bare in mind that.

Thanks for help though, established what it's probably going to be.

mattchewone · 14th November 2007, 23:45

Think someone was saying at work (pc world so is probably wrong) that you need the correct vista drivers for the modem router. You should be able to connect xp machines and vista ones at the same time though.

Luke · 15th November 2007, 07:28

So in theory I should be OK to download from Microsoft site?

DarylVTR · 15th November 2007, 10:59

I have a D-Link router a XP / VISTA duel boot and my sister has xp on laptop and dad had vista on laptop. All work no problems atall

Clouds_mate · 15th November 2007, 11:08

How locked down are her security settings on the router.

If wireless is locked to Mac address, she will be able to view and find the access point but wont be able to connect as the mac address wont have been configured on the allow list.

Luke · 15th November 2007, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leckie

How locked down are her security settings on the router.

If wireless is locked to Mac address, she will be able to view and find the access point but wont be able to connect as the mac address wont have been configured on the allow list.

I thought that and I went to access the settings, but then she said he Dad had already tried that (he his currently away in Far East on Business) so after that I didn't try.

Thanks Leckie though, I'll mention that.

Saxo-Will · 15th November 2007, 18:15

Is the network encrypted? Because when i had my network encrypted i couldnt connect using vista, so i changed it to open and connects fine

not really the best idea but cant find any other answers...