PC with Windows XP Home won't connect over Wi-FI

[zx2012]

We have a PC running Windows XP Home that just won't connect to our network.

This PC isn't ours as it belongs to the Nursery. To enable them to have net and email access I've been asked to connect it to our wi-fi Network.

The PC had no Anti-Virus software (and loads of "issues") So using Sophos I removed the 24 "issues" and Sophos is now working(but unable to update itself.)

The Wi-Fi Access Point is a Planet WAP-4000. We're using a WEP with a 26 character HEX key.

The USB adapter is Belkin F5D7050 54G USB Wireless Adapter. I've tried Wi-FI confuguration using both the Belikn utility and Windows XP's own configuration. I can see the Network and put the password in but it just refuses to obtain an IP address.

The school Wi-Fi network is listed but refuses to connect.

My own Windows Vista Home Premium laptop connects with no problems.

Any ideas of what to try to do?

[Butuz]

In my experience Belkin USB adaptors are a total waste of time - they have horrific signal strength and drop on and off the network at will. Actually replaced our 4 with cat 5 wires.

Butuz

[zx2012]

If I switch off the WEP key it connects fine.

[kmount]

I'd back the poor quality equipment argument.

Does it work if you plug it into your laptop?

[SimpleSi]

will it work with static ip?

regards

Simon

[RabbieBurns]

What Service pack does the laptop have? Prior to SP2 wifi support was shocking in XP.

Also try updating firmware on the wifi card? Or try WPA which is probably a better long term security option once you get it working

[tech_guy]

Yeah, I'd go too for updating the firmware on the card and using wpa.

[EduTech]

I have had the same issue in the past, mainly because the adapter does not support the encryption type.

Also, as SimpleSi has said.. i have also seen this problem and i have allocated the laptop a static ip and it worked fine.

James.

[zx2012]

Well I got it working at long last.

I disabled off the WEP on the WAP-4000.
The PC connected first time without a password.

I enabled the WEP but switched it from "Shared" to "Open"
The PC connected with the password.

I then looked at the settings in Network.Connections.Wireless.Properties and discovered that there is an option for both "Open" and "Shared" that can be selected.

I changed both the PC and the WAP-4000 to "Shared" and it's all working now.

It seems that Vista doesn't need that to be done.

The PC is current running XP Home SP2 but I suspect without any updated for some time.

Can anyone explain "Open" v "Shared"

Normally I'd use WPA but the WAP-4000 asks for a Radius server details which we don't have.