Trouble Connecting to the Internet

Category: Geeks r Us

Post 1 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 16:08:42

Lee gave me an XP machine, with the idea that I would use it for experimentation (trying out unofficial updates, various software, etc.) It refuses to connect to the internet, either with built-in wireless, with the usb wireless adapter (with drivers installed), or with ethernet! On wireless it attempts to connect to my network without even asking for my authentication key! I deleted it as a preferred network, readded it, and changed a few settings, but nothing seems to work. It also keeps switching back to open instead of WPA, though I might have resolved that issue. The adapter works correctly on my XP desktop and on my Windows 7 machine. I'm not sure how to turn wireless off on the latter (I used the adapter because the built-in wasn't working for a time). I'm going to try dialup, but my guess is that it will work properly.

I have been using XP practically since it was released and have never encountered anything like this. Does anyone have an idea of what's going on and how to fix it? Thanks.

Post 2 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 16:53:11

what version of XP is on that system?

Post 3 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 19:48:25

I just looked earlier today, and believe it or not, it's actually Service Pack 2! I guess he never updated it.

Post 4 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 19:49:15

I forgot to add that it's also XP Pro.

Post 5 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 19:52:26

Can you connect it hardwired to update it? that could be your problem. that its SP2.

Post 6 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 20:13:55

No. It won't do anythin, even while connected to ethernet. However, I found Service Pack 3 on majorgeeks.com, downloaded it onto the Elitebook, put it on a flash drive and am now installing it into the XP laptop. It seems to be working well. If I can get online, I will then install Service Pack 4, assuming I can find the proper one and not one with Malware. *smile*

Post 7 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 20:34:20

there is no survice pack 4.

Post 8 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 21:04:05

I posted that because I knew someone would ask. You're right. There isn't one from Microsoft. But an unofficial one has been compiled and should be available. I wrote about it here on The Boards, and am looking forward to trying it. In the meantime, I'm very excited because the update worked and I am now connected to my wireless network! Thanks so much for suggesting that!

Post 9 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 21:07:07

well your using it on a test box, not your main one so if shit happens its not so biggie right? so what exactly does this service pack 4 fix? i'd like to ead about it.

Post 10 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 21:09:53

Try the links in the other thread. They explain everything. *smile* It's under Geeks are Us.

Post 11 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 21:12:31

what thread am I looking for?

Post 12 by Eleni21 (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 21:15:21

It's called Unofficial Service Pack 4 for XP. At the moment, it's near the top of the list of threads.

Post 13 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 04-Oct-2014 21:18:55

oh I just saw it. lol. thanks.