December 28, 2006

Troubleshooting Comcast Wireless Internet - a helpful solution for Win XP notebook users

Recall a couple of days ago I pointed out that I had been troubleshooting some wireless connectivity and security with my new Comcast Internet.. well, here's some more useful information I'd like to share with anyone who's having issues with Comcast Internet or who may have trouble down the road. One of the issues I had was a Notebook connection (via wireless) that kept dropping off every 2 or 3 minutes (quite frustrating). Turns out its an issue with Comcast requirements and a Windows XP setting. Here's the solution: (Source: Comcast FAQ)
 
In Windows XP Service Pack 1, Microsoft changed the authentication process for networks that use 802.1x authentication. If the 802.1x authentication does not complete properly, the connection is dropped. To resolve this issue, configure your wireless network connection so that it does not use 802.1x authentication. To do this:
 
Step 1: Click Start, select Connect To, click Show all connections then double-click your wireless network adapter
Step 2: On the General tab, click Properties
Step 3: Click the Wireless Networks tab
Step 4: Under Preferred Networks, click your home network then click Properties
Step 5: Click Data encryption (WEP enabled)
Step 6: Click the Association tab then click to clear the Network Authentication (Shared mode) check box and the The key is provided for me automatically check box if they are selected
Step 7: Click the Authentication tab then click to clear the Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network check box if it is selected
Step 8: Click OK then click OK again to accept the changes

No comments: