Networking Problem

[David Dye]

Hello All,

This is my first visit to this site so I may err; please advise me if I do.

My problem is a simple one, I am attempting to network three computers and have hit a small snag. The Acer 3613, with XP Home and Service pack 2, will not connect to the home network, although it will accept the password.

However, I am unable to check my settings. When I right click the Wireless network icon the ensuing list that appears has the 'STATUS' greyed out. Can anyone out there tell me how to activate this item as I am at a standstill?

I have been unable to find the answer in the many books I have.

 

Any advice would be welcome. David

[Seth]

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help David.

 

By "password', I assume you mean the network (encryption) key?

 

Go into Device Manager, find the wireless card, right click on it and choose Uninstall. Now restart the computer and it will be reinstalled. Any better?

[David Dye]

Networking Problem - status

 

Thank you for your interest.

 

Unfortunately,no. The 'status' and 'delete' are still 'greyed' out.

 

Du you have a plan B? I hope so. David

[Dalo Harkin]

Are you logged on as an Administrator?

have you installed the driver that came with the wireless card?

[Seth]

At this point I'd hard reset the router.

 

With most routers that's normally done by having the router powered up, then holding in the tiny reset button on the back of the router. Once complete, you'll need to set up the encryption again.

 

If you don't have the manual to find out how to cold reset your router, you can find out on the net by typing in 'How to reset a (your router make) router', or just post the type of router here.

[Dalo Harkin]

If the other 2 pcs are connecting to the router ok then it is not the router but the settings on the Acer 3613

[danzil]

Is windows controlling your wireless card or another application,

it maybe the wireless zero configuration services is not active due to another app.

to start the service right click my computer>manage>service adn applications>service scroll down to the bottom there will be "wireless zero configuration" start that services,, the double click your wireless icon in the bottom right hand side of your screen (near the time).click properties, then wireless networks..make sure "use windows to configure my wireless networks " is ticked..now see if your wireless is enabled and the button you need is not greyed out.

regards

danzil

[David Dye]

Networking - status

 

Hello to you All,

I am most impressed at such swift attention and very grateful.

I am the administrator and the NIC is working OK according to the properties. I am trying to avoid the backward step of hardwiring the Linksys as both the Toshiba Vista and the PC XP Pro are both 'on line'.

My next move will be to follow the instructions of Danzil and come back in due course.

 

Thanks again. David

 

Ps. I have only 2 years experience but am very interested in all aspects and hope to become self sufficient and be less of a nuisance to you chaps!

[David Dye]

Network - status

 

Hi Danzil and all,

I clicked through to 'wireless zero configuration' and found it already in 'started' mode. I rechecked properties and the 'use windows to configure' was ticked. Thus the 'status' remains greyed out.

 

If it helps I have noticed that when I right click the wireless icon and click the properties of my preferred network, the SSID is greyed out and, in addition the settings in Network Authentication(WPA-PSK) and Data Encryption(AES) had changed back to 'Open' and 'WEP'. I altered these back to WPA-PSK and AES but when I clicked 'View Wireless Networks' a dialog box appeared saying, 'You have made changes to the properties of this connection. If you proceed your changes will be lost.'

 

I think this is where part of the problem is, because, as I see it, no way can I make a wireless connection at all until the Authentication and Encryption match the Router and the other two computers.

 

I have just also noticed that when I clicked the 'Authentication' at the top of the properties box the IEEE 802.1x, which I had disabled, had in fact been ticked back to enabled.

 

I have tried again to change the settings but when I went back to the Properties Dialog box the settings had changed back as above.

 

This is a bit longwinded but I hope it may shed some light. I await unbowed, not annoyed but supremely interested.

 

Regards, David

[danzil]

Hi

have you tried running scans to make sure you have no nasties on that machine.

do you have no other issue like browsing the internet etc.

is simple file sharing turned on.

explain your set up in detail.

ie, are they workgrouped. are they just all conencted to the same lan.etc

regards

danzil

[David Dye]

Hello Danzil,

I have run scans but had found nothing untoward.

 

Simple file sharing is on and I still have no Internet connection on the Acer XP.

History of events:

Bought 2nd computer for wife, for browsing. Connected it through Linksys router to Virgin Broadband using, WPA and AES security.

 

Was given third PC. Set up in Summerhouse; attached Thompson external NIC. Connected through router and modem, as before. No problem.

 

Decided I wished to access all files from any of the 3. Began setting up home network 'ARTIST.' Started with the Acer and a flash drive with the wireless configuration but after a few minutes I had lost Internet access.

 

 

At that point I [R} clicked the W/Network icon and found the properties box with the 'status' greyed out. Unable to gain any info there I went to the preferred network 'HANDSOME' clicked properties and found

OPEN and WEP settings. I tried to change these to match the router and each time the message came up,'You have changed the properties and if you proceed these will be lost.'

 

No matter what I do when I go back to those properties they are back to OPEN and WEP and the IEEE 802.1x is enabled.

 

 

I am loathe to go back to factory settings as this would bypass the problem and not solve it.

 

Kind Regards, David