To broadcast or not? Do I have a choice?

simrick · #1 03-15-2008, 08:17 PM

I originally had an old Compaq XP PRO laptop with a Netgear PCMCIA card connecting to my router (first B and then upgraded to G). I set up the network with WPA-PSK security and no broadcast of the SSID. I had no problem to connect at all, and I did not use specific MAC addresses.

The Compaq has since died and I now am stuck with a VISTA machine (of course). It has an integral Atheros wireless-G adapter. The thing is, the only way I can connect is if the SSID is broadcasting. Every time I turn off the broadcast, it fails to connect.

I thought I read somewhere about (WMZ?) Microsoft actually doing this on purpose - does anyone have any ideas about this? I don't like the idea of broadcasting my network; just invites hackers, you know?
Thanks.

Tech-Master · #2 03-16-2008, 07:57 PM

This seems to be a well known problem with Vista, i have found something which you can try here;

http://209.167.114.38/support/techsu...-TSB001374.htm

simrick · #3 03-17-2008, 02:24 AM

Thanks Tech-Master - it seems to have done the trick.

simrick · #4 03-17-2008, 04:20 AM

I spoke too soon - I still have problems. I was connected to the wireless network, made the changes as described and turned off the SSID broadcast. At that point I was still connected. I then turned off the laptop, turned it back on, and it would not connect. I tired to "diagnose" thru Vista and at one point it said the security key did not match - well, I never changed that. I tried and tried but it would not connect. I then turned the broadcasting back on and it connected no problem. Any ideas what's wrong? I'm stumped and I hate broadcasting this network!