Wireless Connection problems

I have Windows XP Media Center on my laptop and have a Dell Wireless 1500
Draft 802.11WLAN Mini Card. I was prompt to renew my McAfee Security System
and my Wireless Protection. I chose McAfee Total Protection (did the removal
of my old McAfee), loaded Total Protection and realized that it didn't
include a Wireless Protection and when I removed my old NcAfee, it removed my
Wireless Protection. Had to go to another computer to get online, looked on
the McAfee web site and searched for a new version of Wireless Protection
with no luck. I then reloaded from a disc my old version of Wireless
Protection and was able to connect online again (after entering the WEP keys)
and then I started experiencing problems with my new version of McAfee
Total Protection, stating that some of the Wireless Protection was not
loaded, I wasn't protected, and to reload Wireless Protection (also the
McAfee symbol (red 'M' in grey box) in the taskbar would turn black with
distorted blue lines or picture in box)
I contacted McAfee, stated my problem and was advised that at this time,
they do not offer Wireless Protection and to remove my Wireless Protection.
I advised them that this came with my computer and this is the way I connect
to the internet.

So, my question is how do I connect to a wireless internet (I use my laptop
at home and at work, etc...) without a wireless protection?

sss69

"sss69" <> wrote in message
news:94386AAC-3010-4A99-B18C-...
> So, my question is how do I connect to a wireless internet (I use my
> laptop
> at home and at work, etc...) without a wireless protection?

Your "wireless protection" does not come from McAfee. You are a victem of
Marketing that uses terms in whatever way benefits them. Just because
McAfee had some feature in their earlier product (later removed) that in
some way or another claims to have added to your "wireless security" does
not in any way make *them* the official protector of your wireless
networking methods.

You wireless security comes from the encryption Protocols in Windows. The
most common are WEP and a few variations of WPA.

All you need is the Driver for the Wireless Network Adapter (NIC) loaded
into Windows

You do *not* need the Utility application(s) that came from the NIC
Manufacture, although it may install along with the driver without giving
you a choice. Often you can uninstall the Utility and then have the machine
scan for new hardware and it will pick up the NIC Driver (that still
remains) and the NIC will function.

You then use the Windows Zero Configuration Utility to manage the Nic. Do
not let the NIC Manufacture's Utility manage the NIC if it is still
installed, they tend to be "clunky", undependable, and sometimes overly
complicated and confusing. I don't remember if the Zero Configuration
Utility is still called that in Vista or if it is called something else.

Anyway,..then choose a variation of WPA (forget WEP) and use it. This *IS*
your Wireless Security.

Checkout the "wireless" sections of this web site for details:

http://www.ezlan.net/index.html


--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------

Phillip Windell

Hi
This service by McAfee is a personal choice. Millions of people use their
Wireless computers and probably never heard of McAfee.
Uninstall and remove what ever relates to this product, and use the Windows
Wireless Utility (WZC), or the original manufacturer utility (whatever works
best for you).
The info. in the following pages might help you in case your Wireless
configuration is way Off Default.
My Wireless does not work - http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html
Wireless Basic Configuration - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
MAC______(Band Aid if nothing else is available).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).
Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.
Note 2: If you use WinXP and did not updated it you would have to download
the WPA2 patch from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357
The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless
Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with
your Wireless hardware.
All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass
phrase.
Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible
of one of the Wireless devices.
I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the
max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of
WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can
do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the
device with a better one.
The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 -
http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"sss69" <> wrote in message
news:94386AAC-3010-4A99-B18C-...
>I have Windows XP Media Center on my laptop and have a Dell Wireless 1500
> Draft 802.11WLAN Mini Card. I was prompt to renew my McAfee Security
> System
> and my Wireless Protection. I chose McAfee Total Protection (did the
> removal
> of my old McAfee), loaded Total Protection and realized that it didn't
> include a Wireless Protection and when I removed my old NcAfee, it removed
> my
> Wireless Protection. Had to go to another computer to get online, looked
> on
> the McAfee web site and searched for a new version of Wireless Protection
> with no luck. I then reloaded from a disc my old version of Wireless
> Protection and was able to connect online again (after entering the WEP
> keys)
> and then I started experiencing problems with my new version of McAfee
> Total Protection, stating that some of the Wireless Protection was not
> loaded, I wasn't protected, and to reload Wireless Protection (also the
> McAfee symbol (red 'M' in grey box) in the taskbar would turn black with
> distorted blue lines or picture in box)
> I contacted McAfee, stated my problem and was advised that at this time,
> they do not offer Wireless Protection and to remove my Wireless
> Protection.
> I advised them that this came with my computer and this is the way I
> connect
> to the internet.
>
> So, my question is how do I connect to a wireless internet (I use my
> laptop
> at home and at work, etc...) without a wireless protection?
>
>

Jack \(MVP-Networking\).