Joining a non broadcast wireless network

[Josh]

On my mac this is retardedly easy. I can't figure out how to do it with my girlfriends XP laptop. I opened up the connection window and added the network to her preferred list of networks with the correct name, password, and security info. The fucker still won't join.

I kind of hate this. Can anyone give me the scoop?

[Sinista]

On my laptop there is a switch on the front that needs to be on in order for the internets to work. Did you check for something like that?

[YellerDog]

I have this problem. I blame 'old, retarded wifi card'. I would love if that turned out to be not the answer, though.

[Josh]

The magic internet switch is not the problem. The problem is I can not figure out how to join a wireless network that is not broadcasting its information to the world.

[Dyne]

Turning off broadcasting isn't a security measure at all, but if it makes her feel better:

Turn on the SSID broadcast. Connect with the XP laptop. While connected, disable the SSID broadcast and see if the system will stay connected and reconnect after a reboot. It sounds strange but I've fooled several machines doing it this way.

Or read up on the issue here. Middle of the page for XP.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb726942.aspx

[Josh]

I was hoping you'd show up in this thread eventually. Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

[Netwurked]

What Dyne said plus:

Repair your wireless connection but right clicking the wireless connection icon by your clock and clicking repair.

Or manually create the Wireless connection.

[Wildkat]

I've always had issues turning off SSID and being able to reconnect. I just leave it on now and add the mac address filtering.