QUESTION My wife's laptop and my internet radio happily talk to our Belkin N modem router on our wireless network, but my Windows XP PC insists on first connecting to a nearby unsecured BT network when waking from Hibernate mode. Sometimes it refuses to connect to our own network until I reboot the router. Anthony Hampson
HELPROOM ANSWER When your computer enters Hibernate mode it switches off the wireless card; on wake up it seeks out the networks it regards as the most accessible. Windows XP isn't the most wireless-friendly operating system, and it has problems correctly starting up hardware when waking from Hibernate.
These issues have been fixed in Vista and Windows 7. As XP is no longer supported, you should consider upgrading the operating system (assuming your hardware is up to the task). You can get a copy of Vista Home Premium for just £45 at amazon.co.uk.
In the meantime, change your settings to make your own wireless network the default, with no other networks available for connection. Open the wireless connection settings, right-click those you don't want to use and select Disable.
Next, open the Control Panel and go to Network Connections. Right-click your wireless card and select the Wireless Networks tab. In the box marked 'Preferred networks', ensure your home access point appears at the top by highlighting it and clicking the 'Move up' button as necessary. This will force Windows to look only to the preferred connection, ignoring the wireless connections you've disabled.
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Comments
DonM said: On the contrary my laptop with XP connects with ease whether Im home or on the road My wifes laptop with -7 doesnt know what to do when were traveling Requires prompting getting a list selecting much more of a pain
tvhawaii said: Windows 7 -is- a better way but whats below is unforgivableYou can get a copy of Vista Home Premium for just 45 at amazoncouk
Windows7Lover said: Er Windows 7 is better than XP I bet youre one of the people that still use IE6 because you are afraid of change
Matt Egan said: No-ones promoting anything This is a legitimate problem from a reader solvedSent from Samsung tablet
anonymous said: This is not a problem with XP but with how poorly you have configured your computer If you have it set up to connect to any unsecured wireless network available the problem is with you Stop blaming Windows XP and falsely advertising Windows 7 as a better way