HELP windows XP wifi issue

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › HELP windows XP wifi issue - weird!

Batman

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#77116 11-Feb-2011 02:39

Hi I have an Acer netbook (emachine) that can connect to every network. Except this one:

When i try to connect to this wireless network it says ... validating ... and then a baloon pops up and says

Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you on to the network XXX

Ok so I google. Everyone's solution seems to be "uncheck enable IEEE 802.1x ..." under authentication under properties of the preferred network. NOT MINE.

I run Windows XP SP3 (Home).
The wireless network is a "WPA2". To connect I should get a pop up to enter my network username and password (just added this detail in case it helps you help me)

the box enable IEEE 802.1x ... is greyed out. If i select any other setting it still comes up with the pop up.

What is the problem and the solution?

lostangel

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#438089 11-Feb-2011 05:31

Does perhaps the network you are connecting to require the authenticaion?
It seems windows is certain the network needs this.

Is this a home network?
If so, can you login to the wifi router to check it's security settings?

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#438600 12-Feb-2011 14:56

lostangel: Does perhaps the network you are connecting to require the authenticaion?
It seems windows is certain the network needs this.

Is this a home network?
If so, can you login to the wifi router to check it's security settings?

You're not understanding the issue - the network is not providing the certificate or is giving something that is not usable by my OS. It's so weird.

freitasm

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#438601 12-Feb-2011 14:59

But he is correct in the recommendation. Plug the computer to the network viat ethernet cable and check the router configuration.

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mckenndk

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#438617 12-Feb-2011 16:13

Usually if a certificate is required you need to get it on your pc before you can connect to the wireless.

Dion

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#438622 12-Feb-2011 16:21

It's my work wifi. A mega building with 5000 employees ... Bloody helpdesk queue last time waited 1 hr then I gave up. They haven't responded to my email either ... I'll see what I can do but. ... So you reckon the certificate is on my side? Not the wifi?

freitasm

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#438624 12-Feb-2011 16:24

See, you didn't give us all the information in your first post.

It's likely the wireless access point requires a certificate, in addition to the password. If your laptop doesn't have the certificate, then it won't connect.

Your IT administrator will have to give the certificate to you. If this is not a work laptop, I doubt you will get it. If the company is going to this level of sophistication for securing their network they probably don't want non-managed laptops connecting left and right.

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#438648 12-Feb-2011 17:45

But every other staff is able to connect to it ... They were perplexed as to why I couldn't ... Google says the prompt is just bill gate jargon for something not right and may nothave anything to do witha certificate ... http://www.wirelessforums.org/alt-internet-wireless/windows-unable-find-certificate-log-you-network-... ...

I'll try readjusting the time to oz time on Monday. It's still in NZ time

lostangel

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#438731 12-Feb-2011 23:51

If a certificate is required to connect, you will need that very cert or you will not be able to connect.

Ask at your work, it seems they have implemented a reasonable security measure.

Business networks require a little more attention to security details and I'd not hesitate in rolling out a radius server to manage network acess and accounting.

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#444932 2-Mar-2011 18:25

ahh ... an update. my emails were never returned. used the phone and after 1 hour got through and they logged my enquiry. 3 weeks later a phone call to come in to the office. the first guy installed the certificate but stuffed up the settings. got his asian mate (it's ok i'm asian) ... 2 clicks later i'm connected!!!

TURNS OUT: all my colleagues use Macs or iphones or ipads - apparently apple generates their own 'certificate' and configure themselves too! what the??? boo windows!

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#444950 2-Mar-2011 19:08

joker97: ahh ... an update. my emails were never returned. used the phone and after 1 hour got through and they logged my enquiry. 3 weeks later a phone call to come in to the office. the first guy installed the certificate but stuffed up the settings. got his asian mate (it's ok i'm asian) ... 2 clicks later i'm connected!!!

TURNS OUT: all my colleagues use Macs or iphones or ipads - apparently apple generates their own 'certificate' and configure themselves too! what the??? boo windows!

Sounds like they implement 802.1x security on the wireless network as mentioned by others above.

If you are interested in learning about this then I suggest checking out Microsoft Network Access Protection (NAP).

As to why Apple OS's auto enroll the certs, it is possible that measures have been put in place to allow these OS's to connect without importing certificates as they don't play nicely with Microsoft standards.

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#445268 3-Mar-2011 19:52

freitasm: See, you didn't give us all the information in your first post.

It's likely the wireless access point requires a certificate, in addition to the password. If your laptop doesn't have the certificate, then it won't connect.

Your IT administrator will have to give the certificate to you. If this is not a work laptop, I doubt you will get it. If the company is going to this level of sophistication for securing their network they probably don't want non-managed laptops connecting left and right.

This is Australia, every one of the thousands employee gets wifi! Even guests are allowed on facebook! But large organizations take ages to get things right ;(