How to Connect to WPA2 Or WPA Encrypted Wireless Wi-Fi Network In The Windows XP
Windows XP is capable of scanning and detecting the accessibility of the Wi-Fi network. Sometimes, the Windows XP system is unable connect to the WPA security-enabled wireless network, even after the configuration of the security settings of the Wi-Fi network router 802.11a/b/g or access point.
When user sets the Access Point to enable encryption of WPA or WPA2 with a Pre-Shared Key such as WPA2-Personal and WPA-Personal, or Radius Server which are WPA-Enterprise and WPA2-Enterprise, the Windows XP system which is to be connected shows the following error massage: –
[Windows is now unable to connect to the selected network. The network may not be in longer range. Please refresh available networks list, and try to connect after some time]
The WPA and WPA2, which is also called as Wi-Fi Protected Access and IEEE 802.11i-2004 or RSN Robust Security Network is extra safe encryption algorithm for all the wireless or Wi-Fi networks, chiefly WPA2.
The WPA2 brings the new AES-based algorithm and CCMP encryption which is known as fully secure connection type. The WPA2 certification is now compulsory for network policy which is to be certified as “Wi-Fi CERTIFIED” by Wi-Fi Alliance.
The Windows XP operating system SP1 or above system works correctly and connect entirely to the wireless network. For this the router and WAP (wireless access point) must be configured to allow and utilize WEP 64-bit or 128-bit or 225-bit safety encryption. These safety encryptions are less protected than WPA2 and WPA.
In addition to this in Windows XP SP1 system, the WPA encrypted wireless network would be connected with no error. The errors merely take place on Windows XP pre-SP2 along with protocols of WPA and WPA2, and only on WPA2 in Windows XP SP2.
Windows XP operating systems do not really have any known problem with WPA. Note that it is only initiated by means of KB815485 WPA support patch and with using Service Pack 2. There is no native support for WPA2 in anticipation of Windows XP SP3.
If you are unable to connect to the wireless network, it technically is caused by lack of glitch in Windows XP, follow these steps
- Firstly, right click on the icon of “Network Connections” on the system tray.
- Then go to “Wireless Network” option. Choose or add manually in the SSID for wireless networks.
- Click on the “Data Encryption” option.
If Windows XP operating system supports the WPA and WPA2, you will see the options will be shown in the drop-down list, along with usual WEP.
You have to download and install KB815495 or just upgrade the Windows XP pre-SP2 OS to Windows XP SP2 to allow Windows XP pre-SP2 to provide support for WPA Wi-Fi network security encryption.
If you want the operating system to provide the support for WPA2, then download and install the newer version of KB917021 Wireless Client Update. The downloading of the WindowsXP-KB917021-v3-x86-ENU.exe can be done directly from the Microsoft Download Center for Windows XP Service Pack 2.
The older version of KB893357 Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) and WPS IE (Wireless Provisioning Services Information Element) upgrade for Windows XP SP2 (the validation is required at Microsoft Download Center, or you can download the WindowsXP-KB893357-v2-x86-ENU.exe directly) or upgrade to Windows XP SP3, which helps to incorporate the WPA2 hotfix plus implements the wireless networking standard WPA2 IEEE 802.11i natively.
After the installation of the WPA or WPA2 support application into Windows XP, simply restart the computer system and if the your system has a client wireless card along with WPA/WPA2-compitible firmware plus WPA/WPA2 drivers, the Wireless Zero Configuration shows a WPA2 description when you view the obtainable wireless networks list.
For example – the “Security-enabled wireless network (WPA2)” and “Security-enabled wireless network (WPA)” in the place of “Security-enabled wireless network”
As stated just now, especially for WPA2, the OS problem for wireless safety protocol is just a part of the jigsaw puzzle. The PC must contain client wireless card or any inbuilt wireless receiver or Wi-Fi network adapter which supports both WPA and WPA2.
It is recommended that after installing the WPA2 (or WPA), you need to just update the hotfix or newest service pack in Windows XP. If still WPA and WPA2 or any of the one is unsupported, and if the system is not able to connect to wireless network, you can verify the website of the WLAN adapter and wireless card to download any new upgraded WLAN driver that is able to enable the WPA and WPA2 functions on the WiFi recipient adapter card. Some of the WLAN adapters might be need a firmware upgrade to connect to the WPA and WPA2.
If it is any old wireless card, the only one option available is WEP in addition to this, there is no driver (updated driver) for it. Then WPA/WPA2 will not work smoothly since the WLAN adapter will not be supported by it. In such situation, you could revert to WEP encryption or use the new wireless adapter.