WPA hotfix problem

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

Have you considered using MAC address filtering instead? If you always use
the same computers on the network it might be better than trying to
enforcing a protocol that isnt properly supported. Known as ACL (Access
control list) in the 3Com router

Start/Run ipconfig /all to see the physical (MAC) address for each network
interface

hth

philip ashley


"Rachael the Wiccan Rat" <none@badrats.co.uk> wrote in message
news:41549f65$0$20254$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com...
> Got a desktop running XP SP2 and a laptop running XP SP1. Not keen to
> possibly mess up my wireless network (3com router, 3com wireless card in
the
> laptop, wired link from router to the desktop) so I don't fancy installing
> SP2 on the laptop just yet. However as I understand it, SP2 or a hotfix is
> needed in order to take advantage of WPA (this I assume because that's the
> impression I get from reading about it and there is currently no option to
> use WPA in either windows wireless config or my hardware manufacturers
> config software on my laptop. The desktop however has the option to use it
> in the router config software - and the wireless card definitely supports
> it).
> So I installed a windows hotfix on the lappy which apparently adds WPA
> support in SP1. However - after installing said hotfix, the laptop runs
> slow, programs hardly ever open and as for connecting to the net via the
> wireless card - forget it. Had to uninstall to get my system back.
Uninstall
> it and all is well - runs fine, connects, browses, network, internet, all
> the bells and whistles with 128 WEP.
>
> So - what's the deal ? Should my hardware manufacturers config software be
> giving the support for WPA or does windows itself need to have it in order
> for it to function ? Not clear on that. Any ideas how to add WPA support
to
> SP1 which actually works and doesn't make my system run like it is chock
> full of goo ? (No spyware, no malware, no viri, no nuttin' on the laptop
> btw). Or do I have to bite the bullet and install the Feared SP2 on my
> laptop ?
>
> TIA for any ideas.
>
>
> Rachael
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless (More info?)

agreed that MAC filtering isnt foolproof on its own, just another layer of
security.

maybe not appropriate in your case anyway

wpa adds an extra payload and i found some tweaking of the wireless
interface helped a lot

You could try setting the fragmentation and RTS/CTS thresholds a bit lower,
that has considerably stabilised my connection. I set both of mine to 2304
in the router and PCMIA laptop card.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutoria [...] hp/1468331

hth

philip ashley

"Rachael the Wiccan Rat" <none@badrats.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4155c5c6$0$20253$cc9e4d1f@news-text.dial.pipex.com...
>
> "philip ashley" <p.ashley47RE@MOVEntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:AXc5d.254$lW2.218@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
> > Have you considered using MAC address filtering instead? If you always
use
> > the same computers on the network it might be better than trying to
> > enforcing a protocol that isnt properly supported. Known as ACL (Access
> > control list) in the 3Com router
> >
> > Start/Run ipconfig /all to see the physical (MAC) address for each
network
> > interface
> >
> > hth
>
> Aren't MAC addresses easy to spoof ? I had considered it but I often have
> friends come over with their laptops so WPA would be easier on the fly.
>
>
>
> Rachael
>
>