I am having a problem getting my Win98SE notebook to connect wirelessly to my
Netgear router, which has WPA-PSK security enabled. After extensive googling
and reading on this newsgroup I realise that such an old OS as Win98SE is
apparently incompatible with WPA-PSK. My current set-up is: Netgear Wireless
ADSL Firewall Router DG834G with an iMac G5 connected through an Ethernet
cable and an iMac G4 which connects (successfully) wirelessly through its
built in Airport, Compaq Armada notebook running Win98SE with a Belkin PCMCIA
card which has in the past connected with the same model router (but one
which didn't have any security enabled) in another house.
I don't use the notebook a lot but I have found three options (apart from
throwing out the notebook!) and would be glad of some advice:
1. When I want to use the notebook, unplug my Netgear router and plug the
notebook into my old BT Voyager broadband modem using my old USB cable (the
notebook has no Ethernet slot). I'm not keen on this although it would be a
work-around.
2. Set the encryption on the router to WEP rather than WPA when I want to use
the notebook, and then switch back. I believe from my reading that Win98SE
would work with WEP? I can set up WEP on the router OK, but I'm not sure what
I would have to set up on the Belkin settings.
3. I have found some downloadable *WPA software* from McAfee:
<http://www.wirelesssecuritycorp.com/wsc/public/WPAAssistant.do>
which apparently enables a Win98 computer to use WPA. Is this a good idea,
and does anyone know if it would work, or is there a better way?
The notebook doesn't have to connect wirelessly, but with no Ethernet slot in
the notebook I believe there is no other choice, unless someone can advise
otherwise.
Incidentally, the Belkin card registers (beeps on turn-on) and is shown in
the taskbar, and its little green light is on. If I look at the card
properties, it shows: Belkin 11Mbps Wireless Notebook Network Adapter. If I
go to Start-Programs-Belkin PCMCIA WLAN Utility and select Belkin PCMCIA WLAN
Monitor my Router SSID is shown but I get an Authentication Error with a
message to Check Encryption Settings when I try to connect to the network.
I'm a novice at all this so having trouble fully grasping some of the
technical terms and issues.
--
Sally in Shropshire, UK
bed and breakfast near Ludlow:
http://www.stonybrook-ludlow.co.uk
Burne-Jones/William Morris window in Shropshire church:
http://www.whitton-stmarys.org.uk