Connecting a wireless network - please help

[mcflurry]

I have a Netgear WRG614 wireless router broadcasting my broadbean signal round the house.

When I first connected it using my laptop and a WG511 card, I had to search the available networks each time I rebooted and select my network before surfing away. By installing WEP security the laptop would automatically connect to the network each time it was turned on :)

Now, heres the problem.. I have installed XP service pack 2, and it won't connect automatically. I tried changing the password on both router and lappy, but now I have to manually select network, and type in the encyption codes each time I would like to surf or check email.

The lappy is a Dell 5150, running xp home.

Is there an easy way for the lappy to connect to the network automatically?

Thanks in advance

[victormeldrew]

SP2 - you have my sympathy!

I tried a wee wile back to install SP2, and my wireless networking was frazzled as well. Fortunately the SP2 uninstall works.

I recently had another go, as SP2 is not an option since April. Strangely it seemed to work OK this time, though I don't recall doing anything different, other than downloading the latest release of SP2.

You could try uninstalling your wireless network, and re-installing it.

[mcflurry]

victormeldrew said:

You could try uninstalling your wireless network, and re-installing it.

Tried that one. Windoze would only then see a wireless network if it was accessible through a USB adaptor!!

Looks like uninstall of SP2 unless anyone else has another suggestion?

Thanks VM

[arcturus]

No need to uninstall SP2.

Just make sure the WEP key type is 'Open System' rather than 'Shared Key' in the wireless router and it should work.

[bogie]

go into the avaced wireless network settings - you will be able to sort it out there....and try the FAQ on MS WinXPSP2 and wireless - do a google...theres a ton of stuff

[mcflurry]

bogie said:

go into the advanced wireless network settings - you will be able to sort it out there....and try the FAQ on MS WinXPSP2 and wireless - do a google...theres a ton of stuff

Windows can only see the network once it is connected (?) but cannot make any changes. Every option is greyed out! When the network is not connected it tries to connect via a (non-existant) USB adaptor...

arcturus said:

Just make sure the WEP key type is 'Open System' rather than 'Shared Key' in the wireless router and it should work.

Getting somewhere, thanks
The laptop can now see the network at bootup, the icon is green not red. However it still needs the WEP keys to be exchanged manually..

[arcturus]

mcflurry said:

... However it still needs the WEP keys to be exchanged manually..

Having entered the key in the laptop, don't forget to save the profile before exiting. I'm assuming that you are using the Netgear configuration utility on the laptop, not Windows built in configuration utility.

[mcflurry]

arcturus said:

mcflurry said: ... However it still needs the WEP keys to be exchanged manually.. Having entered the key in the laptop, don't forget to save the profile before exiting. I'm assuming that you are using the Netgear configuration utility on the laptop, not Windows built in configuration utility.

I am, thats why this sp2 is being more annoying by the minute...