SSID Troubles

[Supchaka]

Step one, connect the PC to LAN port on Wireless router, configure it etc, connect to it from another PC thru wireless. Once connected and everything is good, I disable SSID and as soon as the PC or router are reset (whether its minutes or days)I can no longer connect.

I then have to go back in through the LAN, re-enable SSID broadcast and I can get back in with the wireless again. I've tried this on 3 different routers and they all do the same thing. Has anyone had this experience?

[Smokeys]

Set the SSID manually on the wireless computer.

[Supchaka]

I've tried that too once I cant get back in. I'll delete the connection and remake it manually, then it just shows in the preferred networks with an x.

[Smokeys]

Are you using windows XP with its built in wireless settings? Don't. Use the software that came with your wireless card and totally disable windows managing your wireless card.

When you disable SSID broadcasts there is no way that any software can automatically find your AP to assoicate it, so you must manually set the SSID on the client side as well as the WEP key (if any).

[TimDgsr]

what about with a dell truemobile card though? the dell utility doesn't give you any options to set your own ssid, only windows.

[chuckerants]

I have a D-Link Wireless Router/card and you can only access the D-Link utility AFTER you uncheck the "Let Windows Configure Your Wireless" check box.

That check box is at the top of the middle tab in Windows XP Wireless settings.

[TimDgsr]

well, my SSID problem solved itself with a reboot, worked fine ever since. but now my brother's fiance brought her laptop over, and I can't get hers to recognize the network without SSID broadcast on.

[Smokeys]

Debunking the Myth of SSID Hiding (http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/WLAN/wp_ssid_hiding.pdf)

SSID hiding has no real benifit, save yourself alot of headache and don't use that feature.