Can't Connect to WiFi, but I see my SSID

[Ramtrap]

I have an Alienware M17 from a few years back that I've gotten out and setting everything back up to factory settings, but I'm having a hell of a time connecting to the internet.

I can see my SSID, and it's asking for my WPA password, but it won't connect. No other wireless devices have any issues. A landline obviously works fine. I don't think it's the adapter card (otherwise it wouldn't show me all available networks, right?) but wonder if I'm even able to connect to WPA. I've downloaded drivers for the Broadcom 802.11 ac Network Adapter, but no dice. Is there a way to determine whether or not this card supports WPA encryption at all? Would hate to go back to WEP for this one device (and likely won't do that).

Am I better off just getting a USB wireless adapter that supports WPA? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

 

[Solandri]

WPA has been deprecated. Its encryption is old and modern computers have become fast enough to brute-force crack it in a matter of days.

WPA2 is what you're supposed to be using now. There is WPA2 enterprise, which links with a login server of some type. And WPA2 personal, which uses a pre-shared key (simple password). I assume you've correctly set up the router with WPA2 personal, since you say other devices connect fine.

There's one other gotcha though. WPA/WPA2 is how the initial encrypted connection is established. The encryption is too slow for regular traffic though. Instead, an AES key is encrypted with the WPA/WPA2 protocol and shared with the client. From then on, all communications is encrypted with AES.

Unfortunately, at the time WPA was first made, not all WiFi devices supported hardware AES encryption/decryption. So an alternate method was made - TKIP. This handles the encryption/decryption like AES, but does it in software.So WiFi routers in WPA/WPA2 mode have three encryption options. AES, TKIP, and AES + TKIP.

• 
  ■ AES - this is what the router should be set to. Some really old devices will not be able to connect in AES mode (they don't have hardware AES built in). They will only work in TKIP mode. These devices should be replaced, or used only with open hotspots.
  ■ AES + TKIP - this covers all your bases so offers maximum compatibility. But you shouldn't use it because TKIP has been cracked.
  ■ TKIP - you shouldn't be using this. It used to work with all devices. But since TKIP has been deprecated, some newer hardware does not support TKIP. Only AES.

So my guess would be your laptop's WiFi only supports AES, not TKIP. And your router is in TKIP mode. My second guess would be that you've got an old router which only offers WPA, not WPA2. And your laptop's WiFi only works with WPA2. This is very rare, but I've run across one such device.

First thing I would try is to turn all encryption completely off at the router. Make it an open hotspot and confirm the laptop can connect. Next, configure the router for WPA2 Personal with AES + TKIP. and set a password Confirm that you can connect with a password. This should work no matter your device's WiFi (unless it doesn't support WPA2). Finally, you can switch the router from AES + TKIP to AES-only mode.

 

[Ramtrap]

I guess maybe I spoke too soon, because all the troubleshooting is telling me the mobile broadband device is not communicating or the adapter isn't working. I've reset the adapter. I've done the above. No dice. When I plug in another wireless adapter usb, it gives three low-tone "do-do-do's" and won't install the driver. Any idea on whether it's worth it or not to try and replace it, or just go with another USB adapter?

 

[Ramtrap]

A restart and I got the drivers to install for the wireless card I have and now I'm connected. So I guess there *is* a problem with the internal wireless adapter. Bummer. Thanks very much!