Windows Wireless Can't Find Hidden Network

[Guest]

We have a wireless LAN and currently have three laptops with XP Pro on them
working fine with it. I just bought a new laptop that has Vista Basic on it
and cannot get on the LAN unless we unhide the SSID. We had hidden the SSID
so no one could see it when they create their wireless LAN. I would like to
keep it hidden.

Is there someplace in Vista I need to check so it will see my SSID when it
is hidden?

Thanks!!

GG

 

[Andy]

Try this
Turn on the SSID for a while. Then go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing
Center. Click on "Manage wireless networks". Remove all other networks
except your. Right click on your network. Click Properties. Open Connection
tab. Do checkmarks on "Connect automatically when this network is in range"
and "Connect even if the network is not broadcasting"; and remove checkmark
from "Connect to a more preffed network if available".
Now you can turn the SSID off again.

 

[Gunrunnerjohn]

If you have decent encryption (WPA or WPA2) with a strong key, there is no point
in turning off SSID broadcasts. As you can see here, all it does is make your
network harder for you to use. Also, there are many mechanisms that invoke an
SSID broadcast, all you're turning off is periodic beacon. This is really
pointless, and adds no security. Encryption is the only real security for
wireless, and WPA or better is the only decent encryption.

Try this
Turn on the SSID for a while. Then go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing
Center. Click on "Manage wireless networks". Remove all other networks
except your. Right click on your network. Click Properties. Open Connection
tab. Do checkmarks on "Connect automatically when this network is in range"
and "Connect even if the network is not broadcasting"; and remove checkmark
from "Connect to a more preffed network if available".
Now you can turn the SSID off again.

John Will
Microsoft MVP - Networking

 

[Andy]

Get smart?
Reread initial question, please.

If you have decent encryption (WPA or WPA2) with a strong key, there is no
point
in turning off SSID broadcasts. As you can see here, all it does is make
your
network harder for you to use. Also, there are many mechanisms that
invoke an
SSID broadcast, all you're turning off is periodic beacon. This is really
pointless, and adds no security. Encryption is the only real security for
wireless, and WPA or better is the only decent encryption.



John Will
Microsoft MVP - Networking

 

[Guest]

Hi Andy!!!

That worked PERFECTLY!!!! Thanks SOOOOO much! Too bad they don't give you
instruction booklets when you get your computer. Geez!!!

GG

 

[Guest]

You can see hidden SSID if you put yourself in Broadcast mode in Vista:
http://john.bryntze.net/jbkb/index.php?title=Vista-kb4_WLAN_broadcast_SSID