Atheros AR5007 802.11b/g adapter on Compaq Presario A931NR + Belkin Basic Router F7D1301 v1 (01)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Definitely a good idea to do an image backup, since you are going to perform some intermediate troubleshooting.

Why are there so many sp's for the same device...

There are several driver releases for these devices. Some are initial releases for a specific device as it comes into being, and some of the driver releases may not be specifically for one device.

As you saw from the list of supported adapters, these drivers I need you to install are kind of a 'one size fits all' driver.

So, the sp's are changed for adding both new equipment to the pot, as well as updated driver releases, which address one fix or another, or add some new support if the wireless chip on the card's circuit board can make use of it.

I know you don't believe me (yet), but it doesn't matter what computer these are applied to. What matters is the hardware and operating system the driver was written for. That being the list of supported wireless adapters you see on the release notes for the driver file.

I have installed HP drivers on Dell computers and visa versa, and never have had an issue--as long as the driver was for the specific piece of hardware installed in that machine.

Now, I do not understand what disconnect happened with the Atheros model 5006, 5007 and 5009 adapters and moving to newer 'N' type routers and the security issues.

You see...I learned from you and your esteemed colleague who has posted here, that these new routers must have some kind of different WPA2 security configuration, than an older Wireless G router has.

I and many others, have the 5007 card. I had one in my HP dv6810us, and when I had my Linksys WRT54G wireless G router, I ran that notebook on WPA2 personal AES security with no issues at all. That is how I know the 5007 wireless chip supports that level of security.

When I wanted to try out a new wireless N router, I purchased a Linksys E2000 router. I had the same issue you two folks had. It wouldn't connect to the internet. In my situation as in most others, it allowed a local area connection, but would not under any circumstances, connect to the web.

I did not investigate further into the matter like you both did, and try other security settings like WEP security or no security. For me it was WPA2 Personal or bust.

I rooted around, and found that I was not alone in this mess, and that drivers were released by Atheros to the various PC manufacturers back in 2010, which reportedly fixed the issue.  So, I found the latest driver at the time, installed it, and bingo, I am fully up and running on WPA2 Personal security with my Atheros 5007 WLAN card.

Ever since that time, I have taken up the cause to help others that have these finnicky Atheros wireless cards.

If you look a the "sticky" posts at the top of the notebook forum wireless section, you will see my post referencing this problem.

My favorite response to that post was from the person who signed up just to thank me for posting the solution to this problem.

Once I have proof-positive that your issue is resolved, I am going to edit that post and add the information I have gleaned from both of you regarding the cards working on no security or WEP security, but not on WPA 2 security, as one of the symptoms.

I think the specific problem you are facing is...since you did experiment with other security settings, it may be more difficult to reverse those.

I never changed the security setting on my router or the wireless card, so the driver was a simple install and click and connect.

That is why I want you to undertake the rather draconian method of making sure you are starting from scratch regarding disconnecting the current connection, and even going so far as to uninstall the card in the device manager, and remove the drivers, and then making absolutely sure the latest driver is installed before making the network connection using WPA2 security (Don't forget to first set your router's security to WPA2-Personal AES before attempting the procedures on the computer.    )

I expect nothing less than a happy ending to this saga.

Best Regards,

Paul

[bjm_-_]

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@sm09 wrote:

What I meant by that is : Some ppl(like myself) tend to hardcode the router's ip and dns under TCPIP > IP4v if the computer is not able to "Obtain an IP address automatically". This is available under Wireless networks > Properties settings.

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@ sm09

I enable Belkins Firewall > MAC Address Filtering. I added the MAC address of the WiFi client to the router Firewall MAC Address Filter thereby restricting which computers are allowed on the network.  I have the wired and wireless MAC address filtered.  My WAN Connection Type is Dynamic & my WAN > DNS is Automatic from ISP.. 

@ Paul 

Thanks for pointing me your "sticky" posts at the top of the notebook forum wireless section referencing this problem.  .

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[bjm_-_]

Hello Paul

Um...,  to make sure I dot all the I's and cross all the T's....

What about "Disable" the device.

Do I "Disable" the device at any point between steps 2 and 4

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

No, you do not disable the device, but you uninstall it by right-clicking on it in the device manager and selecting uninstall.

You want to delete (or disconect from your current network connection before uninstalling the card and driver.

What we are looking for here is a do-over.

You want to begin just like you first did when you unboxed your new router. Set it up with WPA2-Personal AES security, but this time, have the latest wireless card driver installed and be able to set up a brand new connection from scratch.

That would be to follow the network connection steps of connecting to your wireless SSID, selecting the type of security, and then entering the security passkey and hopefully connecting with no problems.

Oh, and I had initially turned on MAC filtering too and added my MAC addresses. It worked fine until one day, I have no idea what happened but nothing would connect. So, I had to reset my router and I just left the mac filtering off. It has worked fine ever since.

I also have a habit of forgetting to enter a mac address to the list and then can't figure out why the darn device won't connect. 

So, I have discontinued using mac filtering. But I do have my SSID broadcasting turned off.

Paul

[bjm_-_]

Hello Paul

Do Over Done

Network Name (SSID) :   
Wireless Security :  Configured
Network Authentication:  WPA-PSK + WPA2-PSK
Data Encryption :  AES
Network Key (PSK) :   

Atheros AR5007 802.11b/g WiFi Adapter
Version:   9.2.0.458
Date:       10-3-2011
Provider:  Atheros Communications Inc.

MAC Filtering Enabled & SSID broadcasting Disabled

Please select the "Accept as Solution" button on the post that best answers my question.

Thank you for holding my hand

Regards

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome!

I knew you could do it!

Another happy forum member. 

Now I will edit my sticky to include the valuable info you all provided.

Best Regards,

Paul

[bjm]

Hello (again) Paul

Having a re-think regarding MAC Filtering.  Since, you offered that you no longer use MAC Filtering. 

I was wondering about this perhaps dated information.

>> Take into consideration that MAC information is not encrypted. As s a result MAC filtering is a good deterrent against casual intruders.  However it is very easy to Hack it.<<

Any insight regarding MAC Filtering [..] it is very easy to Hack it.

Does enabling MAC Filtering open a window to hackers ?

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I think that if you have mac filtering set, then it is just one extra layer of security to keep most hackers out.

In other words, since you have it set up to permit only those devices with the mac addresses on your list to access the network, then I would not change it.

I also read it was fairly easy to hack by folks that know how to clone mac addresses. But in order to clone a mac address, they first need to hack through your WPA2- security. And that isn't gonna be easy.

However, let's consider that a professional hacker isn't going to be parked outside your house for hours trying to hack into your network to see your family photos.

1. Someone lurking around your neighborhood for a long time will bring suspicion upon themselves.

2. The risk of getting caught is far greater than the return.

Our wireless security is set up to keep neighbor's off our bandwidth and does provide a decent level of security from most cyber intruders.

You have set the highest level of security that I know of:

1. Broadcast is disabled

2. WPA2-Personal AES security is set (which is more secure than TKIP)

3. MAC Filtering enabled.

That is like having 3 deadbolts on your door.

The only reason I quit my mac filtering is that I have so many wireless devices on my network, that it was a PITA to keep track of them and when I have had to reset my router, it has become a bain to enter them all.

While I do have my router configuration backed up, there have been times when the router would not work if I imported the settings. So, I had to build them from scratch.

I'm thinking I had some 30+ devices in that table?  And then I had not kept a list of what mac address went to what device. I am sure I had addresses in there for devices I got rid of.

Additionally, there is nothing on my PC's that if compromised, would either embarass me, or cause me to have to deal with identity theft, etc.

Then there was that time when I had a severe network issue that to this day, I have no idea what happened. I am blaming it on sunspots. 

That is when I decided after reading that WPA2-Personal security is very tight (for my needs) and having mac filtering enabled, was not necessary.

Certainly it was a good thing to have if you have open security or WEP security.

So, in summary, I would leave it be, unless you end up having connection issues like I did, and you only have a few devices in the table.

If you do have connection issues, try disabling the mac filering first. I have not had one issue since retiring my mac filtering list. 

Not to mention having forgotten to add an address and being confounded as to why my new device wasn't connecting!

If I didn't have so many devices and not had that unknown network issue once before, I would have mac filtering enabled.

One can never be too secure.

Best Regards,

Paul

[bjm]

Hello Paul

Your information / comments / insight,,,,as always, is most appreciated !

Respectfully submitted

bjm alias bjm_-_   ( depending on which HP Passport I grab )

Somehow, during my travels.  I've picked up a few HP Passports

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.