WinXP SP3 will not show WPA encryption choice

I have an existing wireless network that is WPA/WPA2. On my laptop, I have
WinXP SP3 which I thought provided for WPA connectivity. It recognizes my
network but will not let me connect. Only security choices shown are Disabled
and WEP. Am I missing something? TIA

 

This also depends on your wi-fi adapter - does it support WPA?
Otherwise the WPA options won't be present in the GUI.

--pa

 

Hi
In personal Network the Wireless Security is decided by the setting of the
Wireless Router.
Make sure that yours is set to WPA, or even better WPA2.
If the Wireless computer can not connect to WPA, or WPA2, then it is a
problem in the computer's Wireless card.
Either it is too old and have WEP only, or the Drivers need Update.
From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even if
it is Off)
MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can be
easily Spoofed).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
-------------------
The three above are Not considered safe.
Safe Starts here at WPA.
-------------------
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 bellow SP3 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.
Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 -
http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

You might be missing a WPA compatible wireless card.