Connecting To A Wireless Network

Pizzor2000 · Joined: Sep 14, 2003 Posts: 137

I have my Netgear router set to disable SSID broadcast. Now, I am trying to connect a new computer to my network, which isn't as easy, since it doesn't appear in the list of networks.

How would I connect to a non-broadcasted wireless network using the Windows XP SP2 interface?

Debora · Joined: Mar 28, 2004 Posts: 1764 Location: Iowa

you have to add it to available networks manually. You'll have to know what the ssid and password etc are and just enter it manually and configure it manually. Fairly easy too!

Pizzor2000 · Joined: Sep 14, 2003 Posts: 137

Debora · Joined: Mar 28, 2004 Posts: 1764 Location: Iowa

start/settings/network connections/ then right click the wireless connection and go to properties.

Next click the second tab at the top called Wireless Networks
make sure there's a checkmark in the first box that says "use Windows to configure my wireless network settings.

inside the box that is labled Preferred Networks, click Add then fill in the blanks as you have info. Only change the info that you have and leave everything else in the default position unless you MUST change it. Makes less headaches later haha......

Now click all positives, either ok or apply etc... you get the idea, until you're out of that box..... then go back to start/settings/network connections/ and click your wireless connection and enable it if need be and have it connect to the preferred network you've set up.....

Best of luck, and I hope I've not left out any steps..... let me know with a post here that it worked!!!

cat5e · Joined: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 589

People are disabling SSID thinking that it adds security.

If you use WPA encryption, the probably that some one would be able to break it is close to zero, and if you use WPA2 it is probably 0.000001%

If you only use MAC filtering someone knowledgeable with a little patient can break it.

If you switch SSID Off any one can Google the topic, Download Netstumbler and find you in few seconds.

Therefore, SSID Off is basically a Placebo.

On the other hand, it is needed for many Wireless systems to function correctly.

Wireless Security for Small Networks - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

:thumbup:

Pizzor2000 · Joined: Sep 14, 2003 Posts: 137

cat5e · Joined: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 589

usasma · Joined: May 06, 2003 Posts: 5007

Many of the popular websites who write about things like this have stated in the past that disabling SSID is a security measure - so that's where the idea comes from.

It's sorta like the idea that a lock just keeps the honest person honest - it doesn't stop a determined thief. The same was thought true of disabling SSID - it was only there to make it less obvious - not to deter the more determined thieves!

I was unaware of the stability impact that it may have and will change my recommendations to reflect this. Thanks for the advice!

nlinecomputers · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:37 am Post subject:

If you are trying to add a new system to the network and you have XP SP2 and a USB thumb drive you can save the info to the drive and use it to set up the new machine.

Just run START/CONTROL PANEL/Wireless Network Setup Wizard on the machine that is already connected to the net and select add a new machine to network ________. Pop in your USB key and let it do it's stuff.