[Solved] Wireless connection not getting through, Hard wire is

Hello everyone,

I'm normally helping out on the Graphics forums, but I've come across a bit of a problem on my girlfriends laptop that I can't seem to solve.

The Computer: Compaq (she got it against my wishes, shutup) Presario F700, integrated wireless (NOT N rated, it's G), Windows Vista 32 bit.

The Router: Netgear N300, Wireless N

There are multiple computers in the household. The one I'm posting this thread from you can see in my "member's configuration" link in my profile. There's 1 other computer, it's a desktop, that has wireless N via a Linksys Wireless N PCI card. That desktop also has windows Vista, but has no issues connecting to the router and the internet. I also have a Motorola Droid that connects to the router just fine.

I am using WPA2-AES encryption for my wireless security. I have tried the following, all with no results, to troubleshoot my connection on the laptop:

1. Reset the router
2. Reset all wireless configurations on the laptop
3. Disabled all of the network ports except the wireless (and tried the different combinations of having the wireless on, but others off, or all of them on, etc)
4. Started in safe mode with networking

Now, the laptop will "connect" to the router with "limited connectivity" and it gets an IP address from the router, it has a DHCP address and a default gateway (the same, 192.168.1.1), but it will not be able to access the internet, it will not successfully ping 192.168.1.1 or this desktop that I'm posting on (192.168.1.5). HOWEVER, if connected to the router via a physical cable (Cat5), the laptop gets internet access perfectly fine, all functionality works perfectly OK.

Ready for the real bitch?

If I DISABLE WPA2, AND MAKE IT AN UNPROTECTED NETWORK, THE FREAKING WIRELESS CONNECTION WORKS.

I cannot explain this atrocity of a wireless problem in better detail.

Please help!

(I'll love you forever).

does the laptop support WPA2?

Update: Found this online:

http://dan.matan.ca/Windows-Vista- [...] g-Time-out

The laptop does have Atheros AR5007 b/g integrated wireless. I tried updating the driver previously before posting, but I'll try again for good measure. Web site also links to a Windows hotfix. I'll try that next.

is there a network card software controlling the card or is Windows?

Waaaait, HP Wireless assistant, wtf is this bullshit. Should I remove it?

Uninstalled, no results, tried the windows hotfix, no results, tried installing driver manually, screwed up the wireless adapter and now it doesn't work at all (whoops). Even after uninstalling the device and then reinstalling it with window's default drivers, nothing.

I think I'm just at an impasse in that this laptop's wireless will not work with any security but WEP with a Netgear router. What sucks the most is that WEP isn't even an option on the router in the first place, so I can't even revert back.

Gotta love wireless.

Anywho, I'll be re-formatting the stupid laptop as it needs it anyway, so I'll post an update in a week or so after I get everything off of it. I have ONE LAST thing I want to try, and I was reluctant to try it at first. I saw one post online that said if you try WPA2 - TKIP instead of AES, it works. I was reluctant to try it because of the number of devices I would have to change over to TKIP if it did work (I didn't think it'd be worth the hassle, but in hindsight it might have been a good idea to try).

I'll find out later and post a new thread detailing this problem and the solution if it does. If it doesn't, then it's Wireless USB stick time.

Thanks Emerald for your help!

Best answer selected by borisof007.

hi. having same issue with connecting wireless Atheros AR5007 802.11b/g WiFi Adapter on HP Pavillion + windows vista. the router is a netgear n600. it seems the problem is the wireless security setting. my home network uses WPA and WPA2. the solution was to change to WEP setting. to prevent resetting all my other devices, i used the netgear guest network option and set the encryption setting to WEP. Viola.
good luck
mark

Atheros wifi cards will not connect to new AP's that have mac addresses that do not start with 00: using wpa security. They connect but do not get an IP.
The updated drivers from the manufacturer may help. I am going to test that today. I have Cisco 1142 that they connect to no problem, my newer Cisco 3600 AP's will not connect.