Windows XP Wireless Setup

Setting up WPA (802.1x authentication) for Windows XP

Please note:  If your wireless network card supports only the 802.11b wireless standard it may not support WPA authentication.  When purchasing a wireless network card please be sure to purchase a card that supports both the 802.11b and 802.11g standard or a card that supports all three standards 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

Before you begin: make sure you have installed the WPA2 patch from Microsoft: WindowsXP-KB893357.exe

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PASSWORD CHANGES - PLEASE READ

The first time you connect to the UWSP wireless network, Windows XP caches your user name and password and does not prompt for it again.  When you change your UWSP password Windows XP will attempt to connect using the old cached password, which may result in your account becoming locked.  This is a known issue according to Microsoft.  To workaround this issue, after you have changed your UWSP password double-click to run this file: Delete cached password You may want to save this file to your computer first and then run it.  This way you'll have it available to you the next time you have to change your password.

Running this file will remove your wireless cached password and force you to enter your UWSP username and password to connect to the wireless network.  You will want to run this file every time you change your UWSP password.

 

  1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Network Connections. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection and select Properties.

    XP Control Panel, Wireless Network Connection properties

  2. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
  3. Click the Add Button.

    XP Wireless Network Connection Properties - Add

  4. In the Network name (SSID) box type in UWSPWIRELESS.
    NOTE: UWSPWIRELESS must be capitalized.
    • For Network Authentication select WPA2.
    • For Data encryption select TKIP.

    If you do NOT see WPA2 listed you need to install the Microsoft WPA2 update: WindowsXP-KB893357.exe

    UWSPWIRELESS properties

  5. Click the Authentication tab and select Protected EAP (PEAP).
  6. Uncheck the box next to "Authenticate as computer when computer information is available"
  7. Uncheck the box next to "Authenticate as guest when user or computer information in unavailable"
  8. Click Properties.

    Wireless Network Properties - Authentication

  9. Uncheck Validate server certificate. Your screen should look like the one below. Click Configure.

    XP Protected EAP Properties - Validate server certificate unchecked

  10. Uncheck the box next to Automatically use my Windows logon and password (and domain if any).

    XP EAP MSCHAPv2 Properties - uncheck auoaticaly use my Windows logon

  11. Click OK to close any open dialog boxes. You should now see a bubble appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. Click on it.

    XP Wireless Network Detected

  12. After you click the bubble, a list of wireless connections will be shown. You can also show them by going to Start > Control Panel > Network Connections and double-clicking the wireless network icon. Select the wireless network called UWSPWIRELESS and click Connect.

    Wireless Network Connection - Choose a wireless network

    You'll see the following window.

    XP Wireless Network Connection - connection progress

  13. Click the bubble that appears in the lower-right corner of your screen.

    XP Wireless Network Connection dialogue

  14. Enter your UWSP user name and password into their respective fields. For Logon Domain enter UWSPDOM and click OK.

    XP Wireless login window

You should now be connected to the secure wireless network.