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I just bought a new netgear wndr3700 router and am trying to get my g.f's laptop up on it. I can set the wireless pc card to full wpa2 protection but it can't seem to connect. It sees the router but the connection fails. I tried setting it up with windows network setup but was told I had to the netgear setup to get full encryption. So I set it up but it just won't connect.

I was wondering if there is an encryption limit with xp?

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Short version: yes — Windows XP can use WPA2-PSK (AES), but only when XP has the WPA2 updates (included with Service Pack 2 and in SP3) and the wireless adapter plus its driver actually implement AES/CCMP. What suggested — that the adapter/driver is the usual culprit — is exactly right, and ’s driver update is the typical fix. (news.microsoft.com)

Why that matters: WPA2 (the 802.11i implementation) uses AES in CCMP mode for frame encryption, so a client must support AES/CCMP in hardware or via its driver to join a WPA2‑AES network. Many modern routers (for example the WNDR3700) offer WPA2‑PSK [AES], but the client card still needs compatible firmware/driver. (techtarget.com)

If this happens again, practical checklist:

  • Confirm XP’s Service Pack level (Right‑click My Computer → Properties).
  • On the XP laptop open Device Manager, note the wireless adapter model under Network Adapters.
  • From another machine download the latest XP driver for that exact adapter from the laptop or chipset vendor, copy it by USB, then use Device Manager → Update Driver → “Install from a list or specific location” to point at the driver.
  • If an update seems to “stick” but the old behavior returns, uninstall the device/driver first and then install the new package — Windows can keep precompiled PNF/INF remnants that force the old files; a complete uninstall before reinstall often fixes that. (learn.microsoft.com)

If the vendor no longer supplies XP drivers for that chipset, the reliable workaround is a small USB Wi‑Fi dongle that explicitly lists WPA2‑AES support, or moving the laptop to a supported OS.

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Member Avatar for jak0b

I don't think the limits are with XP, but rather some of the old network adapters (or possibly the drivers).

commented: Thanks - it would have taken me days of bumbling to get to drivers, I am kinda slow sometimes +11
Member Avatar for GrimJack

Hah! thanks, now I have to figure out how to get drivers to the laptop. Well, I have this laptop, I should be able to get the drivers from here to there with a thumb drive. Will let you know if that was it (and close the thread)

Thanks.

Member Avatar for GrimJack

thanks that was it

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