Waiting for the network

[delfin]

I´ve got a centrino laptop with an intel bg wireless card and windows XP service pack 2. The problem is as follows: I can perfectly see my AP (signal strong enough) but whenever I try to connect I get the "waiting for the network message". It gets stucked there for a few minutes and then gives up. I´ve checked and double checked and all firewalls (windows and norton) are down.

The funny bit comes now. When I use another wireless card in my laptop, even though it get a less strong signal it connects fine (and fast!).

I´ve already used the centrino wireless card to connect to other APs and it does fine. Thus, I haven´t got a clue of what´s going on. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[qualcuno]

probably you have turned on the mac-filtering?

[delfin]

That´s been checked and the mac filtering isn´t on.....

[YeOldeStonecat]

Are you using Windows to configure your Centrino wireless? Or the Intel utility?

Is the access point running any security? If so, may want to try dropping all security temporarily just to see if that's what's getting in the way. Dropping it quickly for a few minutes of testing would probably (not knowing your network or situation) be OK...long as you enable it again once you're done.

[delfin]

The security's off for the trial.

I've tried with both (Windows and Centrino) utilities and none of them manage to get connected. The problem, according to the intel software, is that it doesn't get a IP address. What I found really weird is that I manage to connect using a different card (in the same laptop).

Thanks!

[YeOldeStonecat]

By chance....is your router or access point up to date on the firmware?

Try making notes of all your settings....then reset the router or access point to factory defaults and start over.

[spyhunter]

I have the same problem with my Acer Aspire 4020 using its built-in wireless adapter...
I connect to a ADSL Modem router via a Netgear Access Point.
The access point is seen by the router (static IP at this stage) and I have tried everything from resetting the AP, removing all security but it sees the wireless AP but just states 'Waiting for the Network' when connecting.

Anyone got any more suggestions on how to get this working.
I'm running XP SP2 also, but have just restore back to the original factory settings/setup on the laptop to see if that helps but I get the same problem?

[twwabw]

Just out of curiosity- is this an Intel 2200 wireless in the laptop? And what specific access point are you trying to connect to?

[spyhunter]

I can't say at the moment, Im at work
But its the built-in for the Acer Aspire 4020 Laptop.

It has no other means to config it other than windows.

Any suggestions?

(I will post again later once I get home and fine out exactly what model it is)

[spyhunter]

ooh almost forgot the access point is a Netgear WG602 v3 AP
connected to my Etec ADSL Modem Router (PT-3812).

[mmione]

i had the same problem with an intell 2200bg network. i reformatted my computer as it was from dell and filled with a bunch of crap that i dont need and that fixed the problem.

[spyhunter]

It's actually a
"Broadcom 802.11g Network Adapter"

and the Laptop is an Acer Aspire 5020 not 4020.. oops!!

Anyone got any other suggestions, I have restored back to original factory settings a few days ago hoping it would fix the problem but it hasn't...?

[spyhunter]

any idea's or suggestions on how I can get this working please?

I'm still stuck with the same problem, and have even tried another Wireless Access Point (D-Link) with the same problem?

Please please help i want to get my wireless setup at home ASAP!!!

Thanks.

[spyhunter]

any ideas anyone please?

[naira]

You are also experiencing same with your other wireless computer? That might mean that it is whith the router. Try to check if you have encryption or security on your router which was not yet configured on your computer. Try to check for MAC filter on the router/AP and see if your your computers MAC is included on the permit list. IF theres some wireless interference then just change channel on your AP. Thats the reason for having a message "Waiting for the network to be ready" for a longer time and it seems to never connect. Hope that helps.

[spyhunter]

i have checked that, the only thing where i can enter a mac address on the router (etec adsl modem router PT-3812) is under the section 'Bridge filtering'
then i need a Source MAC, Destination MAC and Type???

Any other suggestions at this stage please?

Although my network knowledge is limited (as you can guess hehe), I would assume that the problem between the connection has nothing to do with the router - if I could connect and not get internet access or network access then I could understand, but I can not conect to the wireless AP connected to the router? Or am i thinking totally wrong?

[naira]

IF the other wireless computers could connect to your network and only that particular computer wont connect then you might need to update the drivers of your adapter. But before doing that try to delete all the preferred networks on the wireless profile and try to connect after that. If your network is security enabled network, just turn it of for the mean time. The wireless computer should connect without any problem since it is an open network but if it wont connect still then you might need to update the drivers of your wireless adapter.

[spyhunter]

I got my hands on another Wireless Router (which plugs into my ADSL Modem Router though), and it works!! woohoo

but when i set a security it comes up with waiting for network again, when I set it back to no security it works OK??

any suggestions?

[naira]

Thats a good isolation. What security are you making up on the router?
If its a WPA, WinXP SP2 supports it, but if its Win2000 and lower versions of Windows then you need a patch for the Operating System to work with the encryption you have. Try to check also if your adapter is working with the encryption that you have setup on the router.. IF all the requirements are good there might be some inappropriate configurations on your wireless profile. To check that, try to do this.

Start > Control Panel > Network Connections > right click Wireless Network Connections > Properties.
then click Wireless Networks Tab > ON the preferred networks highlight your network name, then click properties command button below. On the Window that popped up, be sure that the box "The key is provided for me automatically" is UNCHECKED. then enter your encryption/network key manually. Then Connect . you shouild be connected by now.

IF not, goto wireless network connection again> properties > then click advanced tab. Be sure that "Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication is UNCHECKED". then try to connect again, it should be working. Try that first, lets see what happens.

[spyhunter]

Thanks that now works all fine - woohoo although the speed is only 24Mbps - damn this router LOL

Also, what does Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication actually do?
Shoul;d I now have it checked or unchecked.

I have secured my network by using 'MAC Address' only access although it wont allow me to remove SSID Broadcast using the Netgear USB Adapter (from my PC not laptop) - but everyting else is locked down as best I can.

It was due to the laptop only being able to read the key (not word) and only using 64bit (128 bit seemed to hang with the laptop)