Sony Vaio Wireless Network Connection problems with WEP / WPA security - SOLUTION!!

Hi all

I have recently been having problems with my Sony Vaio laptop in getting it to connect to a wireless network with security e.g. WEP, WPA etc.

I have eventually got it working by identifying a number of sources and between them all have worked - but Ihave never found them all put in one place as a good solution for the problems so thought I would share this with the wider Sony Vaio community.

Do you have these problems?

A Sony Vaio laptop which fails to connect into a wireless network which has security running - either WEP or WPA. The Vaio will connect in fine to a network which is not running security. When trying to connect to a WEP/WPA wireless network, it begins to acquire a network address, the wireless icon on the toolbar flicks between acquiring (yellow dot moving) to not connected (red cross X), but never connects in and then stops.

Routers affected - Belkin, Netgear
Wireless - b/g INTEL wireless card

Solution

The following solution is a basic generic description and will vary dependent on your current set up on your router:

Identify your MAC address on your wireless card - go to the wireless card properties and under the MAC address settings (generally found under General) note this down.

Check that the driver being used for the wireless card is the most up to date (the driver date will be on the properties tab) and then visit
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scri...nav2_download#

for the most recent driver date and download this and install it.

Next download from the Intel web site the wireless management software

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network ConnectionÂ*Intel® PROSet/Wireless Network Connection Software [WIRELESS_TIC_131935_V10.5.2.0_XP32.EXE]

This software will replace Windows management software for the wireless connection. Download and install this software.

Now use the software to access your router. Under the router maintenance / set up screen (I am not sure what this will look like for everyones routers) go to the MAC filtering rule and type in the MAC address for your wireless card. FYI just make sure this hasnt changed on installation of the new driver!!

Make sure you have MAC filtering then enabled.

Next check that the following is set up on the router:

DHCP server is on and enabled (this will automatically assign IPs)
Also make sure the IP address pool is big and not just for one computer - your IP address pool should be from something like 198.128.2.1 (or slight variant on that - the most important bit is the last number) - to something 198.128.2.100 - this means it will assign IPs to 100 computers.

Check that the properties for the wireless card (back on the PC) are also set for DHCP.

Delete any old wireless listings on the network listing - this will have old info on WEP/WPA keys - you can delete (REMOVE) a wireless network from your list of preferred networks.

Running the INTEL software to access the wireless router should now be working fine and connect and add in the WEP/WPA key. May I suggest using WPA-PSK as it works better and is more secure.

Ok well I hope that helps some of you - apologies if it doesn't. Key thing is that Windows cant seem to manage the INTEL card correctly under security over wireless.

All the best!

Hi

I have a similar problem and I am following the instruction from the post but the link:


Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network ConnectionÂ*Intel® PROSet/Wireless Network Connection Software [WIRELESS_TIC_131935_V10.5.2.0_XP32.EXE]

is no longer available could you please direct me to a new link.

Kind regards

Edward

Solution seems to address one location. My problem is if I attempt to sign on in location with multiple networks, e.g. airport and I click connect to one wireless network but after being routed there realize that it requires a password which I do nothave. I then try to connect to another network, but I cannot. The Sony has seemingly "grabbed" the first network and will not let go. I have tried everything, e.g. restart, disable power. Disable wireless and reenable and etc. The only thing that works is to leave the geographical location and go to another location where I can then sign on to a wireless network taht does not require security. I have had this problem for the last year all over the world. I do not have this problem in many times the smae locations with either of my other two HPs. At home I run two other laptops and a wireless printer. Sometimes I have the same problem. But if I fool around shutting down everything else in teh home and starting the Sony first I can usually, but not all of the time get it to connect and then connect the other two HPs and printer. I have spoken with Sony's 800 number and they are worthless. They say it is a problem and there is no fix for it. In fact another dealer said that Sony new models fix this problem. Of course Iam stuck with a $2000 piece of equipemnt that Sony will not fix or replace. Any help form anyone.

I think the problem is not in the vaio or other manufacturer.
For XP the solution is very easy. Open Wireless Network Connection properties, go to the wireless networks tab and delete all Access Points detected before from the preferred networks box. OK and try reconnecting again.

The above solutions may work for some, but my fix was MUCH easier!!
I had this problem this week of no wireless networks being detected after having a Vaio VGN-C series for over three years now. I never had this problem before, but my toddler hit some keys on the computer one day and the next day my wireless internet wouldn't detect anything. There are several different posts online on how to fix it, including redownloading drivers, or simply turning the switch on on the front or side of your computer.

The real answer is MUCH EASIER! For some reason, Vaio put this link in the quick launch bar on the bottom right of your screen (You know all those anoying little things that you never use!?! ). Just click on the green box that has LAN in small print and check the box for wireless internet and you are good to go. There was no need to restart the computer or anything. I looked forever trying to find a solution to this and it is a simple fix. I hope this helps someone else out there who got as frustrated as me about this weird feature.

Here is a screen shot of what it looks like on my Vaio VGN-C190G:

I have had this same problem for weeks now. However, I don't have that little LAN box in my task bar. Do you have any other solutions? Right now, my only connection is wired to the Vaio.

Thanks,

Baroo

This worked beautifully for me about a month ago but it has happened again and I don't have the LAN icon this time? What can I do? and why is it turning itself off? Thanks!

I hope this helps. Ive just been sat for half an hour trying to fix my girlfriends dads wireless as it wouldnt connect to the new modem and i tried allsorts but this is the only thing i did and it worked as soon as it had completed.

Basicly plug the laptop into the lan so it gets internet access, find your wireless card driver and update it using the update tool so it searches the internet for the driver and updates it and installs itself, i did this and straight away it picked up the routers settings and voila internet was able to be recieved through the wireless.

Hope this helps guys and if it does enjoy