topic Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub in Broadband & Landline

Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 12:52:43 GMT

I have just received a new EE Smarthub to replace the Brightbox I was previously using for my Broadband wireless internet connection.

I have set up the Smarthu, the light on the front is aqua. I can connect my mobile phone to the wireless connection no problem by using the password on the back of the hub.

However, when I try to connect my laptop by clicking on the available connection in the wireless network connection box , I get a message 'The network requires a network key (also called a wep key or wpa key). There are then two boxes, one for network key then another for confirm network key. I have tried putting in the same password which is on the back of the hub, but it won't connect.

The laptop was previously connected to the old Brightbox, but I can't remember whether I had this problem connecting to that. The laptop is an old Dell Latitude running on Windows XP.

What is this wep/wpa key I need to connect? I have tried another newer laptop running windows 7 home premium and this connects ok by just typing in the password on bak of hub, it's just this older laptop I am having problems with, yet it connected to the Brightbox.

Any help appreciated

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

XRaySpeX — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 13:19:58 GMT

What spec is the wireless on the old Dell? The 802.11x ?

All these "keys" are what you know as a password.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 13:42:57 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
What spec is the wireless on the old Dell? The 802.11x ?

How do I find this info, please?

All these "keys" are what you know as a password.

Yes, I thought that but I have tried putting the password in 50 times but it won't have it.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 13:46:55 GMT

I would also like to add, I have tried to connect the laptop to a talk talk wireless network and I get the same problem, won't accept that password either.

The laptop works ok using an ethernet cable. It's obviously something to do with the laptop

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

XRaySpeX — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 13:56:10 GMT

Look up the spec of your lappy, or its wireless adapter, in the docs you got with it or online.

It's possible its wireless adapter is faulty if it's failing with a TT router, but OTOH it works with your BB1.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:08:14 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
Look up the spec of your lappy, or its wireless adapter, in the docs you got with it or online.

Not sure where the docs are, not sure what to look for online

It's possible its wireless adapter is faulty if it's failing with a TT router, but OTOH it works with your BB1.

It was working ok with the brightbox though? Not sure what TT router, OTOH, or BB1 means

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:23:25 GMT

@stackrock wrote:
@XRaySpeX wrote:
Look up the spec of your lappy, or its wireless adapter, in the docs you got with it or online.

Not sure where the docs are, not sure what to look for online

It's possible its wireless adapter is faulty if it's failing with a TT router, but OTOH it works with your BB1.

It was working ok with the brightbox though? Not sure what TT router, OTOH, or BB1 means

Ok I get it, on the other hand, brightbox1, yes, that's what I thought. Is there a difference between BB1 and smarthub?

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

XRaySpeX — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:25:52 GMT

TT = TalkTalk.

OTOH = On the other hand.

BB1 - Brightbox 1

Feed the exact model of your Dell lappy + "Spec" into a search engine.

Go to Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections on the lappy & R click the WiFi adapter & select Properties. What device name does it say under "Connect Using"?

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:45:11 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
TT = TalkTalk.
OTOH = On the other hand.
BB1 - Brightbox 1

Feed the exact model of your Dell lappy + "Spec" into a search engine.

Go to Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections on the lappy & R click the WiFi adapter & select Properties. What device name does it say under "Connect Using"?

Intel(R) PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3A Mini PCI Adapter - device status: this device is working properly.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:47:22 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
Look up the spec of your lappy, or its wireless adapter, in the docs you got with it or online.

Communications
Wireless Protocol
802.11b
Wired Protocol
Gigabit Ethernet

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

XRaySpeX — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 15:30:10 GMT

Wow, that adapter is of a low/old spec, circa 1999:

Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100A LAN MiniPCI Adapter Type 3B Type 3B MiniPCI 

Key Features:
􀂃 802.11a/b dual band (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) supported
􀂃 Up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz, and up to 11 Mbps at 2.4 GHz
􀂃 IEEE 802.11a/b standard technology

The 3A may be of slightly lower spec, like not having 802.11a 5 GHz band but I can't find its exact spec.

Change the Wireless Mode of the EE SH from 1 to 2. That'll fix it but will degrade any other devices with an 802.11ac spec.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 15:16:46 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
Wow, that adapter is of a low/old spec, circa 1999:
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100A LAN MiniPCI Adapter Type 3B Type 3B MiniPCI 

Key Features:
􀂃 802.11a/b dual band (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) supported
􀂃 Up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz, and up to 11 Mbps at 2.4 GHz
􀂃 IEEE 802.11a/b standard technology
Change the Wireless Mode of the EE SH from 1 to 2. That'll fix it but will degrade any other devices with an 802.11ac spec.

Ok, Do I do that by using my ethernet cable and going to the smarthub settings page online?

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

XRaySpeX — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 15:26:49 GMT

Yes, either from the old lappy by Ethernet as it can't yet use WiFi or from the new lappy using WiFi. Go to Advanced Settings / Wireless.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 15:34:31 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
Yes, either from the old lappy by Ethernet as it can't yet use WiFi or from the new lappy using WiFi. Go to Advanced Settings / Wireless.

Ok Thanks! I will try that and report back later.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 15:55:59 GMT

When I change this setting, does that mean it won't ask for the wpa/wep key when attempting to connect to the wi-fi? if it does, should the password on the hub work ok?

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

XRaySpeX — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 16:14:45 GMT

The Mode has nowt to do with asking for a pwd. The Mode change is only so it can work for your low spec lappy. Networks always ask for pwds (if they have 1 which is insecure not to) the 1st time a device successfully connects to them & they should be remembered by the device subsequently.

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 13:31:12 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
The Mode has nowt to do with asking for a pwd. The Mode change is only so it can work for your low spec lappy. Networks always ask for pwds (if they have 1 which is insecure not to) the 1st time a device successfully connects to them & they should be remembered by the device subsequently.

Sorry, my post should have read 'will I still get asked for the wpa/wep key to connect to the hub?

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 13:44:43 GMT

I have changed to mode 2 using the EE Smart Hub Manager, but same again, when I try to connect to the wireless network, I am asked for a wpa/wpe key. I type in the password on the back of the hub, but it won't connect

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

XRaySpeX — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 14:06:48 GMT

Try Mode 3 then. It will keep asking for the pwd until you successfully connect.

You are supplying the WiFi pwd, not the admin pwd, just the same as you did with the new lappy?

Re: Can't connect laptop to wireless connection on new EE Smarthub

stackrock — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 14:13:57 GMT

@XRaySpeX wrote:
Try Mode 3 then. It will keep asking for the pwd until you successfully connect.

You are supplying the WiFi pwd, not the admin pwd, just the same as you did with the new lappy?

Losing the will to live now. I have tried mode 3 but to no avail, same result. Yes I am trying the same password on the back of the hub I used to connect my phone.

Is it possible the wireless card in this old laptop just isn't compatible with the new smarthub? Are the specs of this new smarthub different to the brightbox?