Resolved Verizon MIFI connection problems with VISTA

We bought the Mifi on Wednesday, took it home, and at first we couldn't even get our Toshiba notebook to recognize it (we still randomly get this error, but not as often as we did at first). We were told by Verizon to take it into the store I bought it from, but they were no help at all. I spent hours upon hours on the phone with Verizon to no avail, and they decided that the device was defective. They sent me a new one, which I got yesterday (Friday), and I'm having the same problem.

Currently here is the issue: I can connect to the internet if the MIFI is plugged into my notebook with the USB cable.


Problem is: the device will not work as a WIFI for any other device if this is the case.

As soon as I disconnect the MIFI from the notebook, I can see the MIFI on both VCAccess MNGR & Windows, but when I click to connect I get an error message. The message I get with the VZAccess MNGR is "Failed to conect to the Wi-Fi network 'Verizon MiFi2200 51E3 Secure' To make another connection attempt, press the retry button. If you would like to change the access credentials, press the modify credentials button."

When I hit the modify button, it takes me to a password page, I entere the password provided to me on the back of the device, and then I get the same "failed" message again.

When I try and connect not using VZAccess MNGR, and just using windows, it sees the network, it prompts me for my password, I enter it and then I get: "Windows cannot connect to {network name}. Wireless association failed due to an unknown reason. "

Any ideas, I'm assuming it's a VISTA issue, some type of setting is preventing me from connecting. But I'm no expert, and apparently neither is anyone at Verizon.

 

The MIFI will not connect to any other device while it's tethered. Thats the way its designed.

Regarding Vista, you are describing the exact same issue I am having with it. It connects to my Laptop fine running xp and a friend brought his over and connected wifi fine as well running xp. Vista on my desktop will not connect. I get to the password and then get a cannnot connect message. Same run around with Verizon as well. Sorry I am no help to the situation but figure I will keep checking this and my thread to see if anyone throws us a bone. If I get mine figured out, Ill let you know what solved it.

 

Danniwifi Did you try any other wifi connectable devices running other OS. Xp computer or handheld smartphone, game systems etc?) Just wondering

 

shellhammer - I tried connecting my nintendo wii to the device, but that didn't work either. I just get an error code.

This thing is incredibly frustrating. I have verizon investigating the issue (they finally offered to do that after my third hour+ long call), and I'm supposed to get a call back tomorrow. If they have anything useful (which I doubt), I'll post it.

FYI, my wife just upgraded to Internet Explorer 8, as well as did some other Vista upgrades, but nothing has changed.

 

Dannywifi- I'm in the same boat with Verizon. The techs are stumped and I have spent 5-6 hours already on the phone with them. Their 72 hr callback was actually about 10 days and then didn't offer me any solution except to say some excuse about tower upgrades coming in next few months???? I don't care about towers, I just want to know why I can't get the one computer to connect while have no issues with the others.

I know its a settings issue somewhere. Ive messed around with firewalls and security settings etc... and still can't get it to connect. The MiFi is relatively new on the market (May) so I am guessing there a some kinks yet to be discovered.

 

**Update**

My wife was on the phone with Verizon for about an hour this afternoon, apparently they now have a department that deals with the MIFI. He told her that when the initial release went out for these MIFI's, some of the devices were defective and the password that was printed on the back of the device was not the password that was actually programmed into the device. He said that we must be "really unlucky" because we got two defective ones. He said he has seen this issue, and the fix is a new device.

I'm holding out hope, but not a ton since we've already been told the "defective device" bit before and it didn't help us. But, this guy apparently did seem really knowledgeable, so who knows....

 

**Update**

We received our new MIFI yesterday, and still could not get Vista to talk to it.

I was able to get my Wii connected to it (finally), so there must have been something to the password issue. Once connected with the Wii, I used the Wii's internet channel, and went into 192.168.1.1. I was able to remove the security setting, eliminating the need to type in a password. We live on three acres out in the country, so we don't have anyone close enough to access the MIFI.

I then tried to connect again using Vista but to no avail. This confirms my original thought that there is some setting in Vista that is not communicating with the MIFI.

Any thoughts?

 

Dannywifi- Yep. You are now where I have been. I am still pushing Verizon on this issue. Their level 2 and 3 techs are stumped on it as well. Again, I'll keep you posted on any new updates on my end.

 

*UPDATE*

After trying everthing suggested I was still unable to get this thing to work. Since I live nowhere near any other wifi networks, I decided to take my desktop to a wifi hotspot to see if I could connect it with the Lynksys. It worked fine with the different wifi connection so the lynksys obviously works.

Another computer tech friend of mine suggested getting rid of the Lynksys and try another brand of wifi card. I did and went with a Belkin USB type. Pulled the Lynksys out of the desktop, rebooted and installed the USB Belkin, rebooted again and it works now. It connects just like my laptop does with no apparent issues.

For whatever reason, this particular Lynksys wifi card did not like my mifi. Like I said it worked fine on the other wifi network so not sure what to make of it. At any rate, it appears my problem is solved.

Thanks to all who helped with suggestions.