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bohlman
08-28-2004, 10:00 AM
I have an 802.11b network (NetGear to DSL) in my house, and my to laptops connect to it no problem (both WinXP, one is an IBM ThinkPad, one a Compaq Presario 2500).

Two of my neighbors have recently set-up WiFi networks, too. Since then, my laptops now have the (very) annoying habbit of picking up the presence of their networks and attempting to attach to them. When they "try", they disconnect from mine, and find that they cannot attach to the neighbors (we all are using WEP encryption with keys required). After that, I have to go in and "attempt to connect" back to my network in order to restore connection. All three networks have different SSIDs which are broadcasted. None of the three provide a key.

How can I "tell" my laptops to find my network and only my network, and once found and connected, not to try to look for another netork?

In the settings, I have tried to the following:
- As the other networks are "found", I have deleted the profiles, just to see them "found" again and automatically configured again.
- I have not checked (not selected) the "connect automatically to non-preferred networks" box.
- I have moved my network to the top of the list of "available networks"
- I have tried to set the other networks to "no encryption" or make up a bogus key to try to "trick" it into rejecting the network.

Is there an "exclude the following networks" list somewhere in the settings that I can't find?

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Ewan
08-28-2004, 12:47 PM
Are you using the Wireless Zero Configuration Service? Maybe you should disable it and use the utility that came with your wireless cards.

danielmaui
08-28-2004, 06:13 PM
Supposedly, Windows XP SP2 provides much better management of wireless networks and getting that might solve your problems.

http://myitforum.techtarget.com/articles/16/view.asp?id=7668

Otherwise, yes, turn off ZERO CONFIG and use the (hopefully) included utility for your wireless adapter.