Why can't I connect to my network using WPA?

July 19, 2005 1:43 AM

Just reinstalled my OS and can longer connect wirelessly to my router using WPA.

Things were getting a bit sluggish on my computer so I just reinstalled XP with Sp2 and all updates. I have a US Robotics 5416 wireless PCI card in the computer and until now, have never had any problems with it. However, after the OS reinstall, it will no longer connect to my network using WPA-PSK security. After reinstalling the OS, I installed the same driver as before (the most up to date from USR website) and have done everything the same as before i.e. SSID, passkey phrase, channel) but it just won't work. It just keeps scanning and for a second it says "authenticating" but then it just goes back to scanning.

When I turn off security on the router, it connects OK. Can anyone tell me why WPA would work absolutely fine yesterday but won't work today? I've tried resetting router to factory defaults but that also didn't work.

Thanks.

posted by gfrobe to technology (4 comments total)

Perhaps this document might help?
posted by Rothko at 3:16 AM on July 19, 2005

Take off all security and make sure that you're running the latest driver of your wireless card. Some older cards (or older drivers) are iffy with certain security settings.
posted by k8t at 5:22 AM on July 19, 2005

Thanks for suggestions but no luck. Rothko, I downloaded that patch from MS but it didn't change anything. K8t, like I said in my original note, I am running latest drivers and when I turn off security it does work. It's when I turn WPA on that it no longer works.

I should mention that with this card and driver, I'm forced to use the US Robotics utility rather than let Windows control the wireless connection.

Anyone have any other suggestions? It's just frustrating that it all worked fine before I reinstalled XP..
posted by gfrobe at 6:45 AM on July 19, 2005

Sorted it out. I ended up wiping the whole system again and starting from scratch and this time it worked.

Thanks for the suggestions.
posted by gfrobe at 7:32 AM on July 19, 2005