Sally Thompson <me2@privacy.net> wrote:

> 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:

<snip>

> 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 link looks interesting.

An alternative could be Buffalo's Client Manager 2 (v2.1). This works
with many old (non-Buffalo) PCMCIA cards providing WPA-PSK/TKIP, even
WPA-AES for my Gericom card with RTL8180 chipset.

You haven't provided details about the Belkin card.

> 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.

You could look for a PCMCIA to ethernet (cable) adapter.

> 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.

Apparently you have a Win98 driver for the Belkin card, which is...?