1. Welcome Guest! In order to create a new topic or reply to an existing one, you must register first. It is easy and free. Click here to sign up now!.
    Dismiss Notice

Wireless Connection Problem

Discussion in 'Networking' started by titch, Sep 5, 2010.

  1. titch

    titch

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    UK
    Operating System:
    Windows Vista Home Premium
    Hi,I seem to have a similar problem to this guy: http://computerhelpforums.net/topic/35737-wireless-authentication-failed-because-of-a-timeout/ but I decided to start another topic, sorry.

    We bought a new router recently (3com 3CRWDR100A-72) and have 3 Acer laptops running Vista. I set it up with WPA-PSK TKIP authentication but all of the laptops seem to struggle to connect and get a message saying 'wireless authentication failed because of timeout'. They do occasionally connect, and will connect if plugged into the router (can then unplug and the wireless should still work, but obviously this isn't ideal) and work if there is no encryption. Today I've changed it to WEP which seems to be working better but still had some problems, and I've read that WEP isn't very good so would prefer to use WPA.

    When I've done google searches for the problem there seems to be plenty of people with the same problem (just google 'wireless authentication failed because of timeout', something to do with WPA and Vista, but I can't actually find any fix for it. I was just wondering if anyone here could help out, because its pretty annoying and I don't know what else to do.

    I'm running Vista SP2, the router firmware is fully updated, as are my network adapter drivers. And yes, the password was definitely typed in correctly!

    Thanks very much
     
    titch, Sep 5, 2010
    #1
  3. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    Messages:
    10,616
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Operating System:
    Windows 10
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD
    CPU:
    AMD Phenom II X6 1090T-Thuban 3.2GHz
    Memory:
    Crucial-DDR3 SDRAM 1333-8GB
    Hard Drive:
    WD Caviar Black SE HDD 640 GB - WD Caviar Black SE HDD 500 GB
    Graphics Card:
    Sapphire Radeon HD-7870 2GB
    Power Supply:
    CORSAIR CMPSU-750W
    Hi titch and welcome to CHF.

    If this model 3com 3CRWDR100A-72 is yours, it's obsolete in the US. 3Com discontinued the sale
    of model 3com 3CRWDR100A-72 in November 2006. (In the USA) It is no longer supported and
    they have had no software or firmware updates for more than two years. The recommended
    operating systems are (Windows 95/98/NT/Me/2000/XP, and Unix, Mac OS 8.5 or higher).

    http://www.3com.com/...u=3CRWDR100A-72

    Release Date - 27 April 2007
    Version - 2.06T13
    File Size - 1.14 MB
    Firmware Upgrade - 3CRWDR100A-72_26Apr2007.exe


    Assuming that you have updated your NIC driver and installed the latest router firmware, (available) if you continue to have
    issue it seems Vista is unable to handle communication with this particular router using WPA encryption. Unless the router offers
    WPA2 encryption (WPA-AES) you may have to either replace it with one that does or     give up on WPA security encryption and
    use the WEP security (ideally with a 128-bit key) and set up a whitelist of MAC addresses that can connect to the network.
    This will at least protect you against casual intruders but it isn't something I would advise. A Google Search shows that you are not
    the only one with this issue. The combination of this 3Com wireless router and WPA issues with Vista seems to be common problem.

    I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help but maybe one of our other tech's will see something that I may be missing.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Sep 6, 2010
    #2
  4. titch

    titch

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2010
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    UK
    Operating System:
    Windows Vista Home Premium
    Hiya, thanks for the reply. Pretty annoyed about that router because only bought it recently (was recommended in the shop) but too late to take it back now. Ah well, I figured it was something like that from looking on the internet but was hoping there was some kind of fix that I was missing :D. Got it set up on WEP now and its working fine, not ideal but at least its working! Thanks.
     
    titch, Sep 9, 2010
    #3
  5. BeeCeeBee

    BeeCeeBee ADMINISTRATOR IN MEMORY

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2009
    Messages:
    7,201
    Location:
    New Jersey "Stronger than the Storm"
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    WEP is not as secure as WPA (2) but since you are dealing with a router with limited range I would not be too concerned. If you are living in a densely populated area or an apartment building I would consider spending some more money and getting a new router. (If you can see a large list of wireless networks that would be a good clue because if you can see them then they can probably see you.

    Most broadband thieves are looking for unsecured networks but they are getting scarce.
     
    BeeCeeBee, Sep 9, 2010
    #4

Share This Page