why the wireless doesn't work with WPA-PSK encryption??

Question

I enabled the WPA-PSK encryption with a password but it doesn't connect. I can connect when I disable all encription. what's wrong with the WPA?

here's my setup:
-linksys wireless-B router version 4
-router firmware ver 1.52.02
-using channel 1 to avoid other linksys signals
-changed SSID to avoid other linksys signals
-IBM laptop
-Win XP op system service pack 2

(my wireless signal is slow and choppy lately. the channel and the SSID are different to avoid other linksys signals. I decided to turn on WPA encryption to make it secure.)

Answer 1

Typically the WPA-PSK encryption is compatible with devices that use 802.11g or 802.11 draft n. Most of the 802.11b devices are OLDER than the standard WPA-PSK.

You can use other forms of restricted access to your Wireless router.

One example would be to use MAC address restriction, only allowing systems access to the router that are in the MAC address table. Make sure you get your laptop's MAC address in the table BEFORE you ENABLE this.

You could also go the route of using static IP addresses for your laptop and other computers. And then resticting access on the router to only those IP address you have assigned.
If you use this method, be sure to add the static IP of your laptop to the table of the router, BEFORE you enable the feature. Your static IP addresses should be in the range of
192.168.0.1 - 192.168.255.255. I suggest using 192.168.200.1 - 192.168.200.255.

Answer 2

Well not all wireless Cards support WPA some of the older ones did not so do you know if your IBM laptop card supports that encryption? If not see what happens with WEP (not as good but will let you test)

Second TRY a different channel, even though there may be others on it you may find it works better because of less interference from things besides WiFi which won't show up when you view them. Try channel 11 or 9 or 4 etc. Most routers will default to 1, 6 or 11 but that doesn't mean those are all you can use. Many things do interfere with the lower channels fewer items on the upper ones (usually)

I even had one customer who, when his TV was on, couldn't use WiFi at all --- seems his remote wireless surround sound system had a lot more power than the router!

Answer 3

wireless sucks. the signals get messed up with microwave signals and wireless house Phone signals. netgear has a really fancy wireless router that might work way better, or just get a wired connection.