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    Vista - Must manually connect to Wi-Fi every time

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by aaaaron, May 24, 2007.

  1. aaaaron

    aaaaron Notebook Guru

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    I'm running Vista on an HP dv2000t. Now everytime I go to my friend's house and connect to his wireless router, I must do it manually, even though I have his settings saved. His SSID is hidden, but I have it and the WEP key saved. Still I must enter in his SSID and WEP key manually. However, at another friend's, their SSID is not hidden, and it connects manually even with the WEP key stored. And yes, I have the option clicked so that it connects even if the SSID is not broadcasting. Also, my school connects automatically as well.

    Thanks for your help!
     
    aaaaron, May 24, 2007
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  2. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Are you doing a cold boot or waking up from sleep/hibernation?

    Can't help you with vista, but on XP mine only connects to hidden ssid from a cold boot, or by disabling and re-enabling the card. If the ssid is broadcasted makes not difference.
     
    blue68f100, May 25, 2007
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  3. -Recoil-

    -Recoil- Notebook Consultant

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    Make sure you are connected to the network first...

    try right-clicking on your wireless icon down in the system tray.. then click Network and Sharing Center.. then go to View Status.. then click Wireless Properties.. then tick "Connect Automatically....."
     
    -Recoil-, May 25, 2007
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  4. aaaaron

    aaaaron Notebook Guru

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    Yup, I have that chosen too.


    I almost always hibernate. Next time I go to my friend's, I will try from a cold boot.
     
    aaaaron, May 27, 2007
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  5. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hibernate only remembers the last state. SO if you move, it's lost.
     
    blue68f100, May 27, 2007
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  6. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I think we have two issues here: The state of the wireless card and whether it connects.

    Some notebooks have an option in the BIOS for the wireless card state upon starting: On, off, or whatever it was previously. This may also apply for resuming from hibernation.

    Vista seems to handle wireless connections a little differently from XP. I see three items in the wireless network properties :

    a) Connect automatically when this network is in range

    b) Connect to a more preferred network if available

    c) Connect even if the network is not broadcasting

    Have you got both (a) and (c) selected for your problem network?

    John
     
    John Ratsey, May 28, 2007
    #6