Security blocking a PC

Hi guys.
I have three PCs (All with XP), one Andriod and two iPhones on my network.
They all work just fine until I enable wireless security.
When I enable security using WPA + WPA2 I can't get one of the PCs to connect.
I know an expert can get round wireless security quite easily, but I'm not trying to keep these guys out as there is nothing of interest to them on the PCs. All I need security for is to stop others using my bandwidth.

Any ideas what would stop only one PCs from working with security enabled.

 

Does the non working system have WPA enabled software/hardware? Unlikely I know but older systems could only handle WEP.

BTW, just curious, you're not originally from Wick are you?

 

Thanks for replying guys.
This PC is my newest one so should have the latest driver. My card is a Belkin that I purchased two years ago. I'll check that it has the lates driver.

Wildfire I only ever visited Wick, many times.

 

What's the Service Pack on that computer ?

 

RS it has SP3.
I've made sure that the driver is the latest one from Belkin.
If it helps this PC works fine on WEP.

 

Sp3 should handle WPA/WPA2 fine. Maybe your card doesn't support it. Check on Belkin's website.

 

RS I have. They say it does. In fact I have another Belkin, same type, that works ok.

 

Can you switch the 2 cards & confirm whether it works in the problematic PC ?

 

First: WEP encryption is easily bypassed and is not recommended.

Second: WPA /WPA2 is very secure especially if you get a PSK from an online keygenerator. I use online Keygenerators for all the routers that I set up for clients. I just save the key into a notepad text file for the client to take to any other wireless device that they wish to connect.

Third: If you need an alternative security other than PSKs, then use MAC addressing access control. Can't see why you can't use PSKs though. To make sure the key is correct, just connect to the router using ethernet, go to the wireless settings and copy the PSK from the wireless key field and paste it into the wireless connection dialog on the PC. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

Guys thanks for your input.
My PCs don't have anything of worth in them that an expert would want to crack the key for.
All I want to do is stop random people using my broadabnd and therefore slowing my own connection down.
I've enabled WEP (Worthless I know) as nothing from the forum seems to fix my WPA issue.
I was hoping for an easy fix or tweek that would work.

As I don't need high security and there does'nt seem to be an easy fix, I think I'll live with WEP untill I get a new wireless card.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

The easy fix is MAC access control. You will need to add the mac addresses of each device to the router, but once that's done - its done. Your network will appear to be an open network but only authorised devices will be allowed to connect.

Setup is easy.
First: Disable encryption so you have an open network.
Second: In the router setup mac addressing section, you will see all your devices. I suggest doing them one at a time so you know which is which. Add each device to the allowed list one by one. When you have added them all, enable Mac address access to lock up your network. You're done.

 

Thanks guys. I never thought about mac restriction. That should do the trick.
Many thanks for the help.