Problem going online after reinstalling XP

[walbrook]

Having installed a new hard drive in my T43, and installed all the software needed to restore it to factory status (8 CDs – many thanks Chris for supplying these!) I find I have just one problem. The internet connection is intermittent.

When I boot the T43 it immediately connects to my ADSL router, signal strength 'excellent' and I can go online. Yesterday I successfully downloaded the Firefox browser and VLC media player. Then I tried to access the Microsoft site to download Service Pack 3 (packs 1 and 2 are already installed). After trying to connect for a while it said the site was not available. So I tried Google. Again a long wait, then 'not available'. While all this was happening I noticed that at intervals a window would open at the bottom of the screen, saying 'Windows was unable to find a certificate to log onto the network Claranet.' Claranet is my ISP, so I phoned them and asked an engineer what this message meant. He said he had no idea.

I have several other computers sharing the router (Windows 8.1, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Linux Mint). All connect flawlessly and none ask for a 'certificate'.

A friend told me he had a similar problem after reinstalling Windows XP, and directed me to this website for the solution:
http://www.tp-link.us/article/?faqid=255

It was OK until I got to step 5:
“Click on the *Authentication* tab and now uncheck the *Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication for this network* box. If the box was checked, then that was why you were getting the “unable to find a certificate to log you on to the network” message because Windows is looking for one, but your wireless router is not setup for certificate security.”

But I found the box already unchecked, and the whole panel greyed out anyway. So that didn't help.

At intervals I find that I can get online and visit sites, then the problem returns. It is almost as if there are two wireless drivers competing for attention – one that connects directly without a fuss, and another that is looking for a certificate and blocking access.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I ran a Linux distro from a CD in the optical drive and it connected with the router and went online without a problem. So I don't think it's a hardware fault.

[RealBlackStuff]

What exact wifi card do you have?
Intel 2200BG, 2915BG, ???
These cards do not have eternal life...

[Think43p]

Not sure if ure problem got solved but when i came across this issue I zeroed in on the windows installer. That was the problem for me. Once I installed the installer I was able to get all the necessary updates.

[jdrou]

A good reason to get the full download of service packs and save them rather than depending on Windows Update for it. If your version is too old it may not be compatible with the current version of Update.
Could be a firewall issue since you have SP2 installed.