No WEP key works?

[Brett]

[Windows XP Pro]
In my wireless network properties under the association tab, I select the
following:
Wireless network key
Network Authentication: Open
Data Encryption: WEP
Network key (my key)
Confirm (my key)
Key index (advanced): 1
Uncheck provide key auto

No matter what I enter into the network key field, I get this message:
Network Connections:
The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your network
configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26
hexadecimal characters.

I've tried:
11
1001
and various alpha numeric strings. What exactly does it want?

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Brett]

[Windows XP Pro]
In my wireless network properties under the association tab, I select the
following:
Wireless network key
Network Authentication: Open
Data Encryption: WEP
Network key (my key)
Confirm (my key)
Key index (advanced): 1
Uncheck provide key auto

No matter what I enter into the network key field, I get this message:
Network Connections:
The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your
network configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters
or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters.

I've tried:
11
1001
and various alpha numeric strings. What exactly does it want?

Thanks,
Brett

Well, you must enter the wireless encryption key in hex format (e.g.
AB126F - valid characters are 0-9A-F).

40 bits = 5 bytes = 10 hex characters
104 bits = 13 bytes = 26 hex characters

So a hex string of length 10 or 26 will be accepted. If you have not set
up WEP encryption on the WLAN you do not need to enter a key here. If you
used a phrase to generate a WEP key, check what the actual hex-encoded key
has become using the manufacturer provided configuration software.

HTH,

Max Bolingbroke

Thanks Max.

My router has 64bit and 128bit keys. What does this mean if XP is only
allowing 40bit and 104bits? It seems incompatible. How do I enter a 64 or
128bit key for XP?

In the router, it looks something like this:

WEP Mode 64-bit 128-bit
Key Provisioning Static Dynamic

Static WEP Key Setting
Default Key ID 1
Passphrase ________ (1~32 characters)
Key 1 _________
(10/26 hex digits for 64-WEP/128-WEP)
Key 2 ________
Key 3 ________
Key 4 ________

It's an SMC Barricate 2804WBRP-G wireless router w/print server. I tried to
get help from SMC but it's very difficult to understand any of their heavy
accents. Do you have any suggestions on what I do with the above?

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

[Windows XP Pro]
In my wireless network properties under the association tab, I select the
following:
Wireless network key
Network Authentication: Open
Data Encryption: WEP
Network key (my key)
Confirm (my key)
Key index (advanced): 1
Uncheck provide key auto

No matter what I enter into the network key field, I get this message:
Network Connections:
The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your network
configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters or 10 or 26
hexadecimal characters.

I've tried:
11
1001
and various alpha numeric strings. What exactly does it want?

Thanks,
Brett

Well, you must enter the wireless encryption key in hex format (e.g.
AB126F - valid characters are 0-9A-F).

40 bits = 5 bytes = 10 hex characters
104 bits = 13 bytes = 26 hex characters

So a hex string of length 10 or 26 will be accepted. If you have not set
up WEP encryption on the WLAN you do not need to enter a key here. If
you used a phrase to generate a WEP key, check what the actual
hex-encoded key has become using the manufacturer provided configuration
software.

HTH,

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

Brett wrote:

[Windows XP Pro]
In my wireless network properties under the association tab, I select the
following:
Wireless network key
Network Authentication: Open
Data Encryption: WEP
Network key (my key)
Confirm (my key)
Key index (advanced): 1
Uncheck provide key auto

No matter what I enter into the network key field, I get this message:
Network Connections:
The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your
network configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters
or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters.

I've tried:
11
1001
and various alpha numeric strings. What exactly does it want?

Thanks,
Brett

Well, you must enter the wireless encryption key in hex format (e.g.
AB126F - valid characters are 0-9A-F).

40 bits = 5 bytes = 10 hex characters
104 bits = 13 bytes = 26 hex characters

So a hex string of length 10 or 26 will be accepted. If you have not set
up WEP encryption on the WLAN you do not need to enter a key here. If you
used a phrase to generate a WEP key, check what the actual hex-encoded key
has become using the manufacturer provided configuration software.

HTH,

Max Bolingbroke

Thanks Max.

My router has 64bit and 128bit keys. What does this mean if XP is only
allowing 40bit and 104bits? It seems incompatible. How do I enter a 64 or
128bit key for XP?

In the router, it looks something like this:

WEP Mode 64-bit 128-bit
Key Provisioning Static Dynamic

Static WEP Key Setting
Default Key ID 1
Passphrase ________ (1~32 characters)
Key 1 _________
(10/26 hex digits for 64-WEP/128-WEP)
Key 2 ________
Key 3 ________
Key 4 ________

It's an SMC Barricate 2804WBRP-G wireless router w/print server. I tried to
get help from SMC but it's very difficult to understand any of their heavy
accents. Do you have any suggestions on what I do with the above?

Thanks,
Brett

Google found this page:
http://www.mpirical.com/companion/m...mpanion/IP/WEP_-_Wired_Equivalent_Privacy.htm

The gist of it is that 64 bit encryption is 40 bit encryption with a 24
bit "initalization vector". Since you say there are only 10/26
characters reported by the router, it seems you are only getting 40/104
bits back from the router anyway (the init. vector is hidden) so you
have nothing to worry about Just enter the reported values into XPs
dialog.

HTH

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Brett]

Brett wrote:


[Windows XP Pro]
In my wireless network properties under the association tab, I select
the following:
Wireless network key
Network Authentication: Open
Data Encryption: WEP
Network key (my key)
Confirm (my key)
Key index (advanced): 1
Uncheck provide key auto

No matter what I enter into the network key field, I get this message:
Network Connections:
The network password needs to be 40bits or 104bits depending on your
network configuration. This can be entered as 5 or 13 ascii characters
or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters.

I've tried:
11
1001
and various alpha numeric strings. What exactly does it want?

Thanks,
Brett

Well, you must enter the wireless encryption key in hex format (e.g.
AB126F - valid characters are 0-9A-F).

40 bits = 5 bytes = 10 hex characters
104 bits = 13 bytes = 26 hex characters

So a hex string of length 10 or 26 will be accepted. If you have not set
up WEP encryption on the WLAN you do not need to enter a key here. If you
used a phrase to generate a WEP key, check what the actual hex-encoded
key has become using the manufacturer provided configuration software.

HTH,

Max Bolingbroke

Thanks Max.

My router has 64bit and 128bit keys. What does this mean if XP is only
allowing 40bit and 104bits? It seems incompatible. How do I enter a 64
or 128bit key for XP?

In the router, it looks something like this:

WEP Mode 64-bit 128-bit
Key Provisioning Static Dynamic

Static WEP Key Setting
Default Key ID 1
Passphrase ________ (1~32 characters)
Key 1 _________
(10/26 hex digits for 64-WEP/128-WEP)
Key 2 ________
Key 3 ________
Key 4 ________

It's an SMC Barricate 2804WBRP-G wireless router w/print server. I tried
to get help from SMC but it's very difficult to understand any of their
heavy accents. Do you have any suggestions on what I do with the above?

Thanks,
Brett

Google found this page:
http://www.mpirical.com/companion/m...mpanion/IP/WEP_-_Wired_Equivalent_Privacy.htm

The gist of it is that 64 bit encryption is 40 bit encryption with a 24
bit "initalization vector". Since you say there are only 10/26 characters
reported by the router, it seems you are only getting 40/104 bits back
from the router anyway (the init. vector is hidden) so you have nothing to
worry about Just enter the reported values into XPs dialog.

HTH

Max Bolingbroke

Ok, Thanks. I have the WEP going now, I think. I've changed the wireless
network properties to WEB and put in the key. I disconnected and
reconnected to the wireless network. How do I make sure it is working?

When viewing available wireless networks, I still notice mine is listed as
unsecure. Why is that?

In that same window, it says I'm not connected, although I can surf the
Internet.

Also, going back into the wireless connection properties, I see it has
defaulted back to open/disabled. Seems as though it isn't taking the
changes.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

Ok, Thanks. I have the WEP going now, I think. I've changed the wireless
network properties to WEB and put in the key. I disconnected and
reconnected to the wireless network. How do I make sure it is working?

When viewing available wireless networks, I still notice mine is listed as
unsecure. Why is that?

In that same window, it says I'm not connected, although I can surf the
Internet.

Also, going back into the wireless connection properties, I see it has
defaulted back to open/disabled. Seems as though it isn't taking the
changes.

Thanks,
Brett

HI,

I've never heard of WEB encryption. Are you referring to WPA or WEP? WPA
is a new standard that may not be supported by your client card, but in
this case it looks like the router has simply defaulted to insecure mode
despite you choosing "WEB", whatever that may be. This is a bit odd, but
if my experiences with access points are anything to go by, is probably
down to the shoddy software - make sure you have the latest firmware on
the router, and get the latest version of the configuration program (if
it is seperate from the router).

Going back to where we were before, If you change the security mode back
to WEP and enter the key reported by the router after you generate one
using a passphrase into the XP configuration widget, does it work correctly?

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Brett]

HI,

I've never heard of WEB encryption. Are you referring to WPA or WEP? WPA
is a new standard that may not be supported by your client card, but in
this case it looks like the router has simply defaulted to insecure mode
despite you choosing "WEB", whatever that may be. This is a bit odd, but
if my experiences with access points are anything to go by, is probably
down to the shoddy software - make sure you have the latest firmware on
the router, and get the latest version of the configuration program (if it
is seperate from the router).

Going back to where we were before, If you change the security mode back
to WEP and enter the key reported by the router after you generate one
using a passphrase into the XP configuration widget, does it work
correctly?

Max Bolingbroke

I meant WEP, not WEB. Sorry.

Yes, it works correctly after putting the key in XP. However, XP doesn't
save this. When I go back into the wireless properties, the configuration
is set to OPEN/DISABLED.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

I meant WEP, not WEB. Sorry.

Yes, it works correctly after putting the key in XP. However, XP doesn't
save this. When I go back into the wireless properties, the configuration
is set to OPEN/DISABLED.

Thanks,
Brett

Hi,

Its possible that this is due to 3rd party configuration software - did
you wireless access card come with any of this? If so, is it installed?
You should probably use the 3rd party software to manage the connection
if it is available (my Gigabyte card refuses to work if I do not use
their software, for example).

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Brett]

Hi,

Its possible that this is due to 3rd party configuration software - did
you wireless access card come with any of this? If so, is it installed?
You should probably use the 3rd party software to manage the connection if
it is available (my Gigabyte card refuses to work if I do not use their
software, for example).

Max Bolingbroke

This isn't any third party software for the card. When ever I put in the
passphrase on the router and the same one for the card, I can't use the
network. I can only use it with WEP disabled. Not sure what that means.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

This isn't any third party software for the card. When ever I put in the
passphrase on the router and the same one for the card, I can't use the
network. I can only use it with WEP disabled. Not sure what that means.

Thanks,
Brett

Ah OK I thought that perhaps I was the only one with a problem of
this nature, but the same thing happens to me when I try and use WEP
between a Belkin Wifi card I have and a Gigabyte access point. In the
end, I just turned it off and enabled MAC filters instead.. I'm sorry I
can't be of more help..

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Brett]

Ah OK I thought that perhaps I was the only one with a problem of this
nature, but the same thing happens to me when I try and use WEP between a
Belkin Wifi card I have and a Gigabyte access point. In the end, I just
turned it off and enabled MAC filters instead.. I'm sorry I can't be of
more help..

Max Bolingbroke

Without WEP, how do I secure my wireless network?

I view available wireless networks and some have a lock on them and others
don't. Mine being one that doesn't. Please elaborate on MAC filtering?

I just don't want others connecting to my network and accessing any data. I
do have the router firewall enabled and the laptop is running ZoneAlarm. Is
that very secure? By how much (scale 1 to 10)? I have

Thanks for the help.
Brett

 

[Brett]

Ah OK I thought that perhaps I was the only one with a problem of this
nature, but the same thing happens to me when I try and use WEP between a
Belkin Wifi card I have and a Gigabyte access point. In the end, I just
turned it off and enabled MAC filters instead.. I'm sorry I can't be of
more help..

Max Bolingbroke

BTW, my computer always shows very locked up in online security test. My
most recent from Symantec only shows the ICMP ping as open. ShieldsUp also
shows only this as being open. I'm not sure how to hide my router/computer
from pings. Do you have any suggestions?

I also don't use DHCP. I only have enough IPs for the machines that connect
to the router. My intent is to not allow IPs for any one else.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

Without WEP, how do I secure my wireless network?

I view available wireless networks and some have a lock on them and others
don't. Mine being one that doesn't. Please elaborate on MAC filtering?

I just don't want others connecting to my network and accessing any data. I
do have the router firewall enabled and the laptop is running ZoneAlarm. Is
that very secure? By how much (scale 1 to 10)? I have

Thanks for the help.
Brett

A MAC filter isn't very secure, but its better than nothing. You setup
your router/access point with a list of MAC addresses that it will allow
to connect to it. Any other computers will have MAC addresses that are
not on the list, and so will not be able to connect. One problem is that
the actual data is sent unencrypted, so people can still eavesdrop on
your data, though not send any of their own. A more annoying problem is
that they can just change their MAC address and suddenly be able to
connect..

Your setup sounds good! Two layers of protection is excellent, but a
problem could occur when wireless clients connect, if they manage to
break the relatively insecure MAC filtered or horrendously insecure open
environment. They will be able to bypass the router firewall, at least,
which could have some nasty consequences. I would give you a 6 with your
wireless networking open, or a 9 if you can get WEP working (WEP has
known vunerabilities still, however )

To stop responding to pings, check your router configuration. Assuming
you are running a NAT network, it is probably the router responding to
pings - there might be an option to turn that off. If you are running a
non-NAT network, zonealarm may have a setting to stop pings, or you
could use the Windows Firewall as well/instead and set it up not to
respond to ICMP echo packets (pings).

The IP limitation thing you talk about might deter the casual
comprimiser, but as soon as one of those machines is switched off, the
IP is open for use without any detrimental effects. Even with another PC
using the IP, someone could still technically use the in-use IP and get
all the reply packets (unlike normal IP spoofing), since they are on the
same network segment and the packets will be broadcast to both PCs with
the IP.

The upshot of all of this is that its a really good idea to get WEP, or,
even better, WPA working. Are you running a network of wifi equipment
from different manufacturers? Thats the only situation where I've seen
this WEP problem..

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Brett]

A MAC filter isn't very secure, but its better than nothing. You setup
your router/access point with a list of MAC addresses that it will allow
to connect to it. Any other computers will have MAC addresses that are not
on the list, and so will not be able to connect. One problem is that the
actual data is sent unencrypted, so people can still eavesdrop on your
data, though not send any of their own. A more annoying problem is that
they can just change their MAC address and suddenly be able to connect..

Your setup sounds good! Two layers of protection is excellent, but a
problem could occur when wireless clients connect, if they manage to break
the relatively insecure MAC filtered or horrendously insecure open
environment. They will be able to bypass the router firewall, at least,
which could have some nasty consequences. I would give you a 6 with your
wireless networking open, or a 9 if you can get WEP working (WEP has known
vunerabilities still, however )

To stop responding to pings, check your router configuration. Assuming you
are running a NAT network, it is probably the router responding to pings -
there might be an option to turn that off. If you are running a non-NAT
network, zonealarm may have a setting to stop pings, or you could use the
Windows Firewall as well/instead and set it up not to respond to ICMP echo
packets (pings).

The IP limitation thing you talk about might deter the casual comprimiser,
but as soon as one of those machines is switched off, the IP is open for
use without any detrimental effects. Even with another PC using the IP,
someone could still technically use the in-use IP and get all the reply
packets (unlike normal IP spoofing), since they are on the same network
segment and the packets will be broadcast to both PCs with the IP.

The upshot of all of this is that its a really good idea to get WEP, or,
even better, WPA working. Are you running a network of wifi equipment from
different manufacturers? Thats the only situation where I've seen this WEP
problem..

Max Bolingbroke

Max, Thanks. I now have WPA-TKIP working. I'm using the Passphrase (8-63
chars) rather than Hex (64 bits). Which of those is better.

Since I'm now using WPA, will the MAC addresses be encrypted for MAC
filtering? Meaning, being able to use MAC filtering without the problems
you mentioned earlier.

Also, my network now shows up with a lock in avialable networks. Clients
are allowed to use WPA only. Also, I've checked "discard ping to WAN".
Running ShieldsUp, my network passes the ICMP ping test. However, it is
sending information to the source and thereby exposing its existence. I'm
not sure yet how to turn that off. Here is what I have checked:

Intrusion Detection Feature
SPI and Anti-DoS firewall protection : X
RIP defect : X
Discard Ping To WAN : X

Stateful Packet Inspection
Packet Fragmentation X
TCP Connection X
UDP Session X
FTP Service X
H.323 Service X
TFTP Service X

Do any of the above seem as though they would send information to the
source? The router is trying to gather info on the source in case I'd like
that emailed to me. I haven't filled in my email info but I guess it
gathers either way.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

Max, Thanks. I now have WPA-TKIP working. I'm using the Passphrase (8-63
chars) rather than Hex (64 bits). Which of those is better.

Since I'm now using WPA, will the MAC addresses be encrypted for MAC
filtering? Meaning, being able to use MAC filtering without the problems
you mentioned earlier.

Also, my network now shows up with a lock in avialable networks. Clients
are allowed to use WPA only. Also, I've checked "discard ping to WAN".
Running ShieldsUp, my network passes the ICMP ping test. However, it is
sending information to the source and thereby exposing its existence. I'm
not sure yet how to turn that off. Here is what I have checked:

Intrusion Detection Feature
SPI and Anti-DoS firewall protection : X
RIP defect : X
Discard Ping To WAN : X

Stateful Packet Inspection
Packet Fragmentation X
TCP Connection X
UDP Session X
FTP Service X
H.323 Service X
TFTP Service X

Do any of the above seem as though they would send information to the
source? The router is trying to gather info on the source in case I'd like
that emailed to me. I haven't filled in my email info but I guess it
gathers either way.

Thanks,
Brett

Hi,

It's great to hear of your WPA success! Personally I would favour a
totally random hex key, as using a passphrase leaves you open to
dictionary-based attacks (providing the algorithm used to generate the
key from the phrase is known). This is reaching the outer degrees of
probability though, so I'd say you were OK.

If you decide to use MAC filtering as well, data will still be encrypted
by WPA and so you will not have any issues there. However, it is still
bypassable by changing your MAC address to one you have decided to
trust, however IIRC MAC addresses are hidden from packet sniffers with
WPA enabled (not 100% sure here).

I'm not sure I can be of more help with your router problems unless I
know what brand/model it is. Could you furnish me with that info and
also confirm that you are failing the "Unsolicited Packets" packets
test? Or is it the "Solicited TCP Packets" test? BTW, none of the
settings there look like they should be a problem.

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Brett]

Hi,

It's great to hear of your WPA success! Personally I would favour a
totally random hex key, as using a passphrase leaves you open to
dictionary-based attacks (providing the algorithm used to generate the key
from the phrase is known). This is reaching the outer degrees of
probability though, so I'd say you were OK.

If you decide to use MAC filtering as well, data will still be encrypted
by WPA and so you will not have any issues there. However, it is still
bypassable by changing your MAC address to one you have decided to trust,
however IIRC MAC addresses are hidden from packet sniffers with WPA
enabled (not 100% sure here).

I'm not sure I can be of more help with your router problems unless I know
what brand/model it is. Could you furnish me with that info and also
confirm that you are failing the "Unsolicited Packets" packets test? Or is
it the "Solicited TCP Packets" test? BTW, none of the settings there look
like they should be a problem.

Max Bolingbroke

Max,

My router model is SMC2804WBRP-G.

How exactly do I "generate" a random hex key? Do I need to download a
generater from download.com or somewhere?

I tried the Shields Up test again this morning and now I pass. Pings are
being ignored and I'm not passing any back out. The Symantec test also
passed except for the virus scan (AV Product check and Virus protection
update check), which I'm not worried about. Are these test saying the router
or my laptop is secure? I'm assuming either way, everything is pretty
secure.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

Max,

My router model is SMC2804WBRP-G.

How exactly do I "generate" a random hex key? Do I need to download a
generater from download.com or somewhere?

I tried the Shields Up test again this morning and now I pass. Pings are
being ignored and I'm not passing any back out. The Symantec test also
passed except for the virus scan (AV Product check and Virus protection
update check), which I'm not worried about. Are these test saying the router
or my laptop is secure? I'm assuming either way, everything is pretty
secure.

Thanks,
Brett

Hi

Since you're all A-OK on Shields Up now, I don't think I need to
research any router settings - unless there is something else you want
help with?

To generate a random hex key is even easier that that Type a random
letter from 0-9A-F until you have as many as you need to be in the key.

It's hard to say whether its the router or the laptop, but since you
seem to have turned on packet filtering on the router firewall its
likely to be the router. If you want to test the firewall on your laptop
as well, try turning off packet filtering on the router firewall
temporarily and running Shields Up again.

Congratulations on your shiny new, secure, setup!

Max Bolingbroke

 

[Brett]

Hi

Since you're all A-OK on Shields Up now, I don't think I need to research
any router settings - unless there is something else you want help with?

To generate a random hex key is even easier that that Type a random
letter from 0-9A-F until you have as many as you need to be in the key.

It's hard to say whether its the router or the laptop, but since you seem
to have turned on packet filtering on the router firewall its likely to be
the router. If you want to test the firewall on your laptop as well, try
turning off packet filtering on the router firewall temporarily and
running Shields Up again.

Congratulations on your shiny new, secure, setup!

Max Bolingbroke

Thanks on the hex key generation help and also the bit on packet filtering.
I'll try that.

It's nice to be secure. However, I have a new problem and I don't know
exactly when or why it all started. Just recently. I have a wireless
laptop and wired desktop along with a NAS attached to the router. For some
reason nothing can be seen on the internal network. Each computer can
access the Internet. The workgroup is visible from each computer and they
can ping each other and router plus NAS. When I double click the workgroup
from either computer, I get it is not accessible. I have tried uninstalling
and reinstalling file/print sharing but that doesn't help. I've rebooted
and also unplugged the router for a few seconds, no results. Rebooting each
PC doesn't do anything.

I also reset the router to factory defaults and then added back a few
settings such as WPA but still no luck. Before the problem, I could see the
other computer with WPA on so don't think that is the issue.

Sorry to have more problems. Do you know of any way I can figure this one
out? I'm hoping maybe some security setting on the router caused it.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[Max Bolingbroke]

Thanks on the hex key generation help and also the bit on packet filtering.
I'll try that.

It's nice to be secure. However, I have a new problem and I don't know
exactly when or why it all started. Just recently. I have a wireless
laptop and wired desktop along with a NAS attached to the router. For some
reason nothing can be seen on the internal network. Each computer can
access the Internet. The workgroup is visible from each computer and they
can ping each other and router plus NAS. When I double click the workgroup
from either computer, I get it is not accessible. I have tried uninstalling
and reinstalling file/print sharing but that doesn't help. I've rebooted
and also unplugged the router for a few seconds, no results. Rebooting each
PC doesn't do anything.

I also reset the router to factory defaults and then added back a few
settings such as WPA but still no luck. Before the problem, I could see the
other computer with WPA on so don't think that is the issue.

Sorry to have more problems. Do you know of any way I can figure this one
out? I'm hoping maybe some security setting on the router caused it.

Thanks,
Brett

Hi,

Argh! Another problem Can you access your computers from each other
by using Start > Run > "\\ComputerName\ShareName"? You might also try
using a packet sniffer to examine the status codes returned by SMB query
sent out by your computer.

If it was a security setting, I wouldn't expect you to even see the
workgroup.. very odd.

All in all, you will probably be best served by posting a new question
on this newgroup, so that more people will give it a read - this sounds
like a bit of a puzzler, and resolving workgroup problems is not a skill
I have, unfortunately (network visibility is erratic on my network as
well, but since I can access PCs with Start > Run as described above, I
don't mind).

Max Bolingbroke

 

[codswallower]

It's your wifi card

I tried various workarounds posted online for this problem and nothing worked. Even supplying a hex or ASCII key didn't make XP happy.

I finally fixed it by upgrading the driver on my laptops wifi card. You'll have to get this from the card manufacturer.

I have a Sony Vaio PCG-TR1A and I found the driver here;

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=PCGTR1A&upd_id=2347&os_id=7