Anoying WEP notice. Can I disable?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bryan scott
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bryan scott

Every once in a while (random as far as I can tell), the
windows wireless connection manager pops up and tells me
that I have lost my wireless connection. I do NOT have WEP
setup on my network simply because I don't need it. Nobody
would CARE enough about what I do to intercept my data,
and on top of that I am in a home enviornment.

The problem lies that in attempting to reconnect to the
wireless network, the dialog box repeatedly pops up and
asks me which network to connect to, and also notifies me
that it is not secure. I check the box that says
basicly "Allow me to connect to this network even though
WEP isn't enabled," but I still can't connect. I have to
disable then re-able the wireless network. Any ideas? Can
I edit something in the registry to make it work?

This only started since I updated to WinXP SP1. I used the
express version ... should I have used the network install?

Thanks for you help.
 
Actually, there are other considerations besides intercepting your data,
People sharing your connection without your knowledge. And your ISP could
hold you responsible for someone who abused the network through your
unsecured connection. Then, think about drive by war driving, identity
theft, or worse.
 
Barb,

So there is no way to disable or satisfy XP's not wanting to connect to
a non-secure wireless network?

SKB
 
I agree that its probably a software bug, especially since
it seems other people are having the problem and they
probably have different hardware.

Thanks for your concern about somebody mooching off my
connection, but in my neighborhood the houses are quite
far apart and quite frankly I don't think anybody could
intercept my connection even if they wanted to. I have
password on all routers and fileshares, so that takes care
of access to the internet and stealing my files.

I just think MS has gone crazy on this security issue. I
know it is called "Professional Edition," but does that
really mean you have to have the upmost security for every
aspect of your system?

Enabling WEP just isn't worth the slowdown in Tx-rate.
 
uninstalling 815485 will help, and I hope you live in a neighborhood where
no war drivers or kids with backpacks and laptops don't visit.
 
Bryan, there may not be a solution for you if you alternate your connection between secured (wep and/or 802.1x) and unsecured wireless access points. If you only connect to your home access point, then here are the steps to fix your problem à

1) Select the View Available Wireless Networks option when you right click your wireless adapter's icon in the tray portion of your start menu, or the Network connections window. (This brings you to the window that you mentioned).

2) Click Advanced button.

3) Click Wireless Networks tab.

4) View the Preferred networks list and make position the ssid of your home network ahead of all others. (Move Up, Move Down buttons.).

5) Click Advanced button on the Wireless Tab. make certain that you have not accidentally checked Automatically connect to non-preferred networks.

6) Click OKs out.



If you associate (intentionally, or unintentionally) to both secured and unsecured access points, XP will force your to explicitly request access to an unsecured access point after you have been associated to a secured access point. You may be associating with secured wireless access points (even though you will not be authenticated on the network) if you have checked the Automatically connect to non-preferred networks. If you explicitly connect to a wep-secured network, then it will be registered in your Preferred networks list. The next time you attempt to access an unsecured network, ie your residential unit, XP will prompt you to check the Allow me to connect. checkbox (or will sometimes to uncheck a 802.1x checkbox).

There are some inconsistencies in the behavior of wireless XP, and how it operates with different wireless nic providers, but this is generally how it works.

I usually leave my home network secured, however, I'm like you and do not judge the risk too high. I drop the security whenever I have house guests in order to simplify their access. It's much easier to sit in the parking lot of any computer store and alot of coffee houses to borrow some wireless Internet access then it is to park in my driveway to do same. There are always degrees of risk and we need to assess those and determine if we want to but "bars on our windows," etc... Your mail box and trash can are significantly greater security risks then your neighbor's teenager...

Hope this works for you .

Jamie
 
I was hasty and missed a step. Between steps 4 and 5... "Remove all ssid's in the Preferred Network's list you do not care about..."


Bryan, there may not be a solution for you if you alternate your connection between secured (wep and/or 802.1x) and unsecured wireless access points. If you only connect to your home access point, then here are the steps to fix your problem à

1) Select the View Available Wireless Networks option when you right click your wireless adapter's icon in the tray portion of your start menu, or the Network connections window. (This brings you to the window that you mentioned).

2) Click Advanced button.

3) Click Wireless Networks tab.

4) View the Preferred networks list and make position the ssid of your home network ahead of all others. (Move Up, Move Down buttons.).

4.5) Remove all ssid's in the Preferred Network's list you do not care about...

5) Click Advanced button on the Wireless Tab. make certain that you have not accidentally checked Automatically connect to non-preferred networks.

6) Click OKs out.



If you associate (intentionally, or unintentionally) to both secured and unsecured access points, XP will force your to explicitly request access to an unsecured access point after you have been associated to a secured access point. You may be associating with secured wireless access points (even though you will not be authenticated on the network) if you have checked the Automatically connect to non-preferred networks. If you explicitly connect to a wep-secured network, then it will be registered in your Preferred networks list. The next time you attempt to access an unsecured network, ie your residential unit, XP will prompt you to check the Allow me to connect. checkbox (or will sometimes to uncheck a 802.1x checkbox).

There are some inconsistencies in the behavior of wireless XP, and how it operates with different wireless nic providers, but this is generally how it works.

I usually leave my home network secured, however, I'm like you and do not judge the risk too high. I drop the security whenever I have house guests in order to simplify their access. It's much easier to sit in the parking lot of any computer store and alot of coffee houses to borrow some wireless Internet access then it is to park in my driveway to do same. There are always degrees of risk and we need to assess those and determine if we want to but "bars on our windows," etc... Your mail box and trash can are significantly greater security risks then your neighbor's teenager...

Hope this works for you .

Jamie
 
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