Problem changing SSID

Balfa

Whoops... just posted this over on computers without thinking.

I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 v.4 wireless (802.11b) router. It works okay, but when i try to change the default SSID from "linksys" to something else (like "test"), my laptop no longer finds it in the list of access points! (there are about six different APs in range here in my apartment complex). Has anyone experienced anything like this? I want to be able to change my SSID and then stop broadcasting it.

Also, how do I use WPA in WinXP SP2?

snappieT

When you say your laptop no longer finds it, is that because it just doesn't connect automatically like it does normally, or when you click on your Wireless icon, it just doesn't come up?

Balfa

Using XP's "View Available Wireless Networks" screen, and it's not listed in there with the 4 or more other networks. My neighbour's still got her router's SSID as "linksys" and her one shows up, but not mine. I can tell its hers cos the signal strength is always really low. Mine's always really high. And I can connect to hers (unsecure) and even log into her router config using linksys's default password. But anyway, yeah, mine doesn't show up.

snappieT

Hmm, that is an odd one. You're not putting in any crazy characters into the SSID I assume, like € or * or ?

Also, do you restart the router when you've changed the SSID. Mines needs a restart, for example (Buffalo, stay away btw)

I'm afraid I'm stumped after that.

Balfa

Yes, restarted numerous times. and like i said, i've even tried just "test" (without quotes, orbviously).
Thanks anyway!

Any idea on using WPA with XP SP2? Is it straightforward?

Also, is it easy to connect to a non-broadcasting AP in XP?

vibe666

when you're changing the ssid, is it possible that it's also stopping the ssid broadcast as well?

have you tried manually connecting to 'test'?

Balfa

vibe666 wrote:

when you're changing the ssid, is it possible that it's also stopping the ssid broadcast as well?

have you tried manually connecting to 'test'?

dunno how
My Wireless adapter's software is complete muck, so if you could tell me how to do it in win XP, then i could try that

Jaeger

My reply to your original thread, also located in this same forum now.

Jaeger wrote:

Meh....hate problems like that, my only experience is with netgears, and often times, if you're changing the settings, and they're not changing properly, a reset of the router's needed. And at that, I would say Netgear's firmware would be better than Linksys'.

As for using WPA with XP SP 2...

Gl, hf

[edit]

Balfa wrote:

Any idea on using WPA with XP SP2? Is it straightforward?

Yes.

Balfa wrote:

Also, is it easy to connect to a non-broadcasting AP in XP?

It appears to be...

dub45

A friend of mine has just purchased a new laptop complete with wireless card. For some strange reason it was picking up a wireless network from across the road but not his own router's one in the house. So as a last resort I tried adding his network via the windows network settings and voila everything was fine. Maybe worth a try in your case.