Help please

When I try and connect to my thinkpads (xp home) wireless connection it
tells me the radio is powered on but not associated. I'm using a linksys
router wrt54gs. When I search for networks I can see ours but cannot
connect to it. Everything was fine until the big wind last Sunday turn the
power off all over ohio. When the power came on then this laptop would not
reconnect to our network. I have gone over and over all the settings in
the current profile to make sure they match up with the router settings.
Still no luck. I am using ThinkVantage Access Connections software.

When I run ipconfig /all from a dos window I don't get the usual good stuff
like dns server, ip address, subnet, default gateway. Instead it says media
disconnected.

When the radio is on but not "associated" what does that mean? Gota be a
dumb question correct?
Hmmmm!

Thankyou for any help.

mrhangster

1. Try to reset wireless router.
2. Try to use windows WZC.

Or check this search result.
Can't access the Internet after a ...
Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure it.
.... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the server, ...
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c


--
Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"mrhangster" <> wrote in message
news:49C588FC-4A1C-4B22-B4CE-...
> When I try and connect to my thinkpads (xp home) wireless connection it
> tells me the radio is powered on but not associated. I'm using a linksys
> router wrt54gs. When I search for networks I can see ours but cannot
> connect to it. Everything was fine until the big wind last Sunday turn
> the power off all over ohio. When the power came on then this laptop
> would not reconnect to our network. I have gone over and over all the
> settings in the current profile to make sure they match up with the router
> settings. Still no luck. I am using ThinkVantage Access Connections
> software.
>
> When I run ipconfig /all from a dos window I don't get the usual good
> stuff like dns server, ip address, subnet, default gateway. Instead it
> says media disconnected.
>
> When the radio is on but not "associated" what does that mean? Gota be a
> dumb question correct?
> Hmmmm!
>
> Thankyou for any help.

Robert L. \(MS-MVP\)

Robert L. (MS-MVP) wrote:

> 2. Try to use windows WZC.

In this case, probably OP should stay with
the Lenovo software (Thinkvantage). It is not worse than WZC,
and contains vendor's plugin for all wi-fi adapters they install.

Probably fixing the router will be enough.

Regards,
--pa

> Or check this search result.
> Can't access the Internet after a ...
> Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure it.
> ... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the server, ...
>
> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c
>
>
>

Pavel A.

Thankyou to both Robert & Pavel for the come back.
I disconnected the cable modem and router and reset them. I have gone into
the router and reset to factory settings.
I'm getting good signal from the radio now. However all the connection does
is "acquiring network address" . In the thinkvantage software I have keyed
in the ip address, submask, and gateway address. My cable company says set
to "obtain ip address automatically" that doesn't work either. I'm lost.
My encryption on the laptop matchs the encryption in the router. I have
another laptop and 2-other desktops on this wireless network and they work
just fine. Unbelievable.



"Pavel A." <> wrote in message
news:...
> Robert L. (MS-MVP) wrote:
>
>> 2. Try to use windows WZC.
>
> In this case, probably OP should stay with
> the Lenovo software (Thinkvantage). It is not worse than WZC,
> and contains vendor's plugin for all wi-fi adapters they install.
>
> Probably fixing the router will be enough.
>
> Regards,
> --pa
>
>> Or check this search result.
>> Can't access the Internet after a ...
>> Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure it.
>> ... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the server, ...
>>
>> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c

mrhangster

Hi
Try first without Encryption.
Maybe these pages can further Help.
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
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

"mrhangster" <> wrote in message
news:F4C23DB0-BD3A-47A6-9FDF-...
>
> Thankyou to both Robert & Pavel for the come back.
> I disconnected the cable modem and router and reset them. I have gone
> into the router and reset to factory settings.
> I'm getting good signal from the radio now. However all the connection
> does is "acquiring network address" . In the thinkvantage software I have
> keyed in the ip address, submask, and gateway address. My cable company
> says set to "obtain ip address automatically" that doesn't work either.
> I'm lost. My encryption on the laptop matchs the encryption in the router.
> I have another laptop and 2-other desktops on this wireless network and
> they work just fine. Unbelievable.
>
>
>
> "Pavel A." <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Robert L. (MS-MVP) wrote:
>>
>>> 2. Try to use windows WZC.
>>
>> In this case, probably OP should stay with
>> the Lenovo software (Thinkvantage). It is not worse than WZC,
>> and contains vendor's plugin for all wi-fi adapters they install.
>>
>> Probably fixing the router will be enough.
>>
>> Regards,
>> --pa
>>
>>> Or check this search result.
>>> Can't access the Internet after a ...
>>> Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure it.
>>> ... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the server,
>>> ...
>>>
>>> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c
>

Jack \(MVP-Networking\).

"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi
> Try first without Encryption.
> Maybe these pages can further Help.
> 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
> Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
>
> "mrhangster" <> wrote in message
> news:F4C23DB0-BD3A-47A6-9FDF-...
>>
>> Thankyou to both Robert & Pavel for the come back.
>> I disconnected the cable modem and router and reset them. I have gone
>> into the router and reset to factory settings.
>> I'm getting good signal from the radio now. However all the connection
>> does is "acquiring network address" . In the thinkvantage software I
>> have keyed in the ip address, submask, and gateway address. My cable
>> company says set to "obtain ip address automatically" that doesn't work
>> either. I'm lost. My encryption on the laptop matchs the encryption in
>> the router. I have another laptop and 2-other desktops on this wireless
>> network and they work just fine. Unbelievable.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Pavel A." <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Robert L. (MS-MVP) wrote:
>>>
>>>> 2. Try to use windows WZC.
>>>
>>> In this case, probably OP should stay with
>>> the Lenovo software (Thinkvantage). It is not worse than WZC,
>>> and contains vendor's plugin for all wi-fi adapters they install.
>>>
>>> Probably fixing the router will be enough.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> --pa
>>>
>>>> Or check this search result.
>>>> Can't access the Internet after a ...
>>>> Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure
>>>> it. ... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the
>>>> server, ...
>>>>
>>>> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c
>>
>

thankyou for all the links Jack. Surely I can figure this out.

mrhangster

"mrhangster" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
>
> "Jack (MVP-Networking)." <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi
>> Try first without Encryption.
>> Maybe these pages can further Help.
>> 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
>> Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
>>
>> "mrhangster" <> wrote in message
>> news:F4C23DB0-BD3A-47A6-9FDF-...
>>>
>>> Thankyou to both Robert & Pavel for the come back.
>>> I disconnected the cable modem and router and reset them. I have gone
>>> into the router and reset to factory settings.
>>> I'm getting good signal from the radio now. However all the connection
>>> does is "acquiring network address" . In the thinkvantage software I
>>> have keyed in the ip address, submask, and gateway address. My cable
>>> company says set to "obtain ip address automatically" that doesn't work
>>> either. I'm lost. My encryption on the laptop matchs the encryption in
>>> the router. I have another laptop and 2-other desktops on this wireless
>>> network and they work just fine. Unbelievable.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Pavel A." <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Robert L. (MS-MVP) wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> 2. Try to use windows WZC.
>>>>
>>>> In this case, probably OP should stay with
>>>> the Lenovo software (Thinkvantage). It is not worse than WZC,
>>>> and contains vendor's plugin for all wi-fi adapters they install.
>>>>
>>>> Probably fixing the router will be enough.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> --pa
>>>>
>>>>> Or check this search result.
>>>>> Can't access the Internet after a ...
>>>>> Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure
>>>>> it. ... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the
>>>>> server, ...
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c
>>>
>>
>
> thankyou for all the links Jack. Surely I can figure this out.

Well Jack I tried removing the encryption from the router and the laptop
connection--yes it worked. My wife is surfing again. However when I chg
back to the WEP encryption --no workee. Really strange. So I'm working on
that problem now. You sure gave me a bunch of links with a ton of info.
Thankyou again.

mrhangster

Hi
Try something else (Not WEP).
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.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"mrhangster" <> wrote in message
news:%...
>
>
> "mrhangster" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>>
>>
>> "Jack (MVP-Networking)." <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Hi
>>> Try first without Encryption.
>>> Maybe these pages can further Help.
>>> 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
>>> Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
>>>
>>> "mrhangster" <> wrote in message
>>> news:F4C23DB0-BD3A-47A6-9FDF-...
>>>>
>>>> Thankyou to both Robert & Pavel for the come back.
>>>> I disconnected the cable modem and router and reset them. I have gone
>>>> into the router and reset to factory settings.
>>>> I'm getting good signal from the radio now. However all the connection
>>>> does is "acquiring network address" . In the thinkvantage software I
>>>> have keyed in the ip address, submask, and gateway address. My cable
>>>> company says set to "obtain ip address automatically" that doesn't
>>>> work either. I'm lost. My encryption on the laptop matchs the
>>>> encryption in the router. I have another laptop and 2-other desktops on
>>>> this wireless network and they work just fine. Unbelievable.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Pavel A." <> wrote in message
>>>> news:...
>>>>> Robert L. (MS-MVP) wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> 2. Try to use windows WZC.
>>>>>
>>>>> In this case, probably OP should stay with
>>>>> the Lenovo software (Thinkvantage). It is not worse than WZC,
>>>>> and contains vendor's plugin for all wi-fi adapters they install.
>>>>>
>>>>> Probably fixing the router will be enough.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>> --pa
>>>>>
>>>>>> Or check this search result.
>>>>>> Can't access the Internet after a ...
>>>>>> Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure
>>>>>> it. ... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the
>>>>>> server, ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c
>>>>
>>>
>>
>> thankyou for all the links Jack. Surely I can figure this out.
>
> Well Jack I tried removing the encryption from the router and the laptop
> connection--yes it worked. My wife is surfing again. However when I chg
> back to the WEP encryption --no workee. Really strange. So I'm working
> on that problem now. You sure gave me a bunch of links with a ton of
> info. Thankyou again.
>
>

Jack \(MVP-Networking\).

"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi
> Try something else (Not WEP).
> 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.
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
> "mrhangster" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>>
>>
>> "mrhangster" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>>
>>>
>>> "Jack (MVP-Networking)." <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Hi
>>>> Try first without Encryption.
>>>> Maybe these pages can further Help.
>>>> 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
>>>> Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
>>>>
>>>> "mrhangster" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:F4C23DB0-BD3A-47A6-9FDF-...
>>>>>
>>>>> Thankyou to both Robert & Pavel for the come back.
>>>>> I disconnected the cable modem and router and reset them. I have gone
>>>>> into the router and reset to factory settings.
>>>>> I'm getting good signal from the radio now. However all the
>>>>> connection does is "acquiring network address" . In the thinkvantage
>>>>> software I have keyed in the ip address, submask, and gateway address.
>>>>> My cable company says set to "obtain ip address automatically" that
>>>>> doesn't work either. I'm lost. My encryption on the laptop matchs the
>>>>> encryption in the router. I have another laptop and 2-other desktops
>>>>> on this wireless network and they work just fine. Unbelievable.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Pavel A." <> wrote in message
>>>>> news:...
>>>>>> Robert L. (MS-MVP) wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 2. Try to use windows WZC.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In this case, probably OP should stay with
>>>>>> the Lenovo software (Thinkvantage). It is not worse than WZC,
>>>>>> and contains vendor's plugin for all wi-fi adapters they install.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Probably fixing the router will be enough.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> --pa
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Or check this search result.
>>>>>>> Can't access the Internet after a ...
>>>>>>> Try to reset the router to the factory default and re-configure
>>>>>>> it. ... After that happened, I discovered that I could access the
>>>>>>> server, ...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums...3467f0ada6658c
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> thankyou for all the links Jack. Surely I can figure this out.
>>
>> Well Jack I tried removing the encryption from the router and the laptop
>> connection--yes it worked. My wife is surfing again. However when I chg
>> back to the WEP encryption --no workee. Really strange. So I'm working
>> on that problem now. You sure gave me a bunch of links with a ton of
>> info. Thankyou again.
>>
>>
>
well Jack that did not work. My configuration is 1-desktop wireless to the
network, 1-laptop wireless to the network, another desktop that is not
wireless that is connected to the router and modem.

And this thinkpad laptop I am having this trouble with. The only way I can
connect to the network with it is to disable the encryption on the router.
And then I have to of course disable encryption on all the other machines
also or they won't connect.

So my network is open unsecured. I've got neighbors all around me with
severl encrypted wireless networks. I have even chged the channel on mine
router to a number that the rest of them are not using.

Anyway thanks for the tips. I'll go thru all those links you sent me.

mrhangster

On Sat, 20 Sep 2008 20:59:35 -0400, "mrhangster"
<> wrote:

>well Jack that did not work. My configuration is 1-desktop wireless to the
>network, 1-laptop wireless to the network, another desktop that is not
>wireless that is connected to the router and modem.
>

You will be advised to persist with WPA or WPA2 rather that WEP.

Apart from more secure encryption, the key exchange and authentication
are much more user friendly (no entering hex codes etc).

If you choose WPA-PSK and enter the same pre-shared key on all the
equipment, you will also have to choose whether the use AES or TKIP
and ensure this is the same on all the equipment too. Some equipment
might only have an option for TKIP in which case the decision has been
made for you but you still have to match these settings on all the
pc's and router.

Also ensure IEEE 802.1x authentication is disabled.


Jim.

James Egan