I am pulling my hair out trying to get a laptop connected to my cable wireless modem. I have one laptop that is working just fine.

The second laptop is running Windows XP. When I select "Connect To" the computer recognizes that the wireless signal is there but will never connect to it.
Sometimes I get an on-screen advisory that Windows can not find a certificate. This laptop is set up to connect to a broadband connection at the office which works fine. My home wireless is currently set as the default.

I have tried all the Wizards I find with no success. The HEX WEP key on the modem is only 20 characters and the system seems to need a 26 character key.

Help :confused:

Have you tried switching to WPA/WPA2 as the security protocol. It is highly recommended over WEP and it may solve your problem. Of course, the cable wireless modem would have to support it but if it is a recent model it should. If not, then contact your cable company about switching to a modem that does support WPA/WPA2.

I think that's the problem. However, when I switch to WPA, it "later" goes back to WEP. How do I get it to stick?

Had the exact same problem with a laptop in the past. After a lot of trial and error I learn that I needed to update the driver for the network adaptor.

Sort of a chicken/egg problem. Can't get on the internet to update the driver but if I could, then it would be working and wouldn't need to update it. LOL

Why can't you connect to the route using an ethernet cable temporarily while you update the drivers and then try and connect wirelessly once the updates are complete?

However, if I can find the either net cable I can do it hardwired can't I. Little slow today. LOL again.

What does the message "Windows can't locate a certificate" mean re this problem?

Is this while attempting to install the driver? If so, it means the driver is not WHQL certified. This is often the case for beta/pre-release or unofficial drivers.

If you're confident in the source and reliability of the driver, then go ahead and install the driver anyways (you should be able to "ignore" the warning).

From reading the original post I believe he was getting the 'certificate' message when trying to initiate the wireless connection between the laptop and wireless router.

It might help if you tell us what make and model of wireless router you are having trouble with.

Try this solution to the certificate error problem.

http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/windows-was-unable-to-find-a-certificate-to-log-you-on-to-the-network/

If that doesn't work the link below is a google search query for errors pertaining to wireless networks and certificate errors on Windows XP.

http://www.google.ca/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=error+Windows+can't+locate+a+certificate+when+connecting+t o+wirless+network&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&ei=bvxXTo--PKnA0AHa0p3UDA#pq=error+windows+xp+cannot+locate+a+certifica te+when+connecting+to+wireless+network&hl=en&cp=31&gs_id=16&xhr=t&q=error+Windows+xp+cannot+locate+certificate+when+connecting +to+wireless+network&pf=p&sclient=psy&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=error+Windows+xp+cannot+locate+certificate+when+connectin g+to+wireless+network&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=f0a847c89b17909a&biw=1102&bih=1064&bs=1

Sorry for the delay. I have been away from the PC. Message shows up when I am trying to connect to the internet.

Cable modem is a Motorola SBG6580 from Comcast Cable. Works fine with this laptop. - just not with the other.

I haven't had time to look for a new driver.

I looked and the IEEE 802.1X block was "checked". Problem is that even though I uncheck it and set authentication to WPA, they both revert back (checked & WEP) when I try to connect to the wireless modem. Something is setting them back.

Guess if I'm trying to set up as WPA them the IEEE 802 box doesn't come into play. Too bad I don't understand these authentication modes.

Two different driver scans say I have the latest driver. Guess it could be currupted.

Tried the fix it procedure but didn't help

Well I gave up, logged on to the cable modem and set up a GUEST connection. It is encrypted just like the primary but for some reason, the "problem" laptop connects to the internet just fine as a guest. Still bugs me that I can't connect through the primary interface but I'ii leave well enough alone. Thanks for all your suggestions.