Getting a hidden wireless router to work in Windows 7, installed using bootcamp

[infobleep]

Hi there

I have a 13.3/2.13-CTO White MacBook with 4GB of memory and it has Snow Leopard installed.

Recently I installed Windows 7 x64 Professional Edition onto it using Boot Camp, with a view to later on linking it to a virtual machine. I was able to run the install program without a problem and eventually the drivers, once I resolve one or two issues relating to access the bootcampx64.msi file.

However when I attempt to connect to the local hidden wireless network, as I can do in Snow Leopard and on another PC laptop running XP, I get the following error message:

The settings saved on this computer for the network do not match the requirements of the network.

I entered the details twice, in case a typing error was made, but in both cases I got the same error message. The network, with its name missing, is visible in the list of networks and is within range but when I try to create a named connection, there is simply an x by it. I have reset the router twice but it has made no difference.

I have tried to research this problem but have found nothing that stands out as being a useful solution. I do have an AppleCare contract but I do not know if they support Windows 7.

Is this a problem when using Windows 7 on a Mac with all hidden networks or just some? I've not attempted to make the network visible as I do not own the router, although I do have access to make settings changes. Besides that defeats the point of having it hidden.

Kind regards

Infobleep

 

[balamw]

Is there really a point to a hidden SSID? As soon as you use it anyone can detect it is there.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3576541

More to the point have you read this: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb726942.aspx

Despite the improvements in non-broadcast network support in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, Microsoft recommends against using non-broadcast wireless networks due to the security and privacy concerns described in the “Why Non-broadcast Networks are not a Security Feature” section of this article.

B

 

[infobleep]

Thanks for replying balamw.

Recommended or not, a hidden SSID it is what the person who owns the router set up, so unless I have substantial proof that making it unhidden is the only solution to my problem, I don't really have too much say in the matter.

MAC address filtering is enabled though, so only devices with added MAC addresses can be used, so it's not he only security option in use. Therefore I will run some tests with it temporarily unhidden though to see what happens.

Regards

 

[balamw]

Understood.

NOTE: The Microsoft link I provided does give some tips for making it work in Windows even after it tells you not to in the first place.

Try those too!

B

 

[infobleep]

Hi there

Thanks for peoples replies. The problem has now been resolved. I reinstalled windows 7 again.

When I first installed it I clicked on upgrade where as I needed to click on custom install. So when I then went to do an upgrade install on top it wouldn't work. My intention had always been to clean install, as it's the x64 bit version I'm installing. So reinstalling again, chosing custom install, and it worked. And as a bonus the wireless also worked too.

Having said that, I have had the odd time recently where my mac in Snow Leopard would not connect wirelessly to the router and the only solution was to restart the router, that then correcting the problem.