Setting up MC-WPA Wireless in Windows XP

Click here for instructions on how to setup Windows Vista & 7

Have you changed your password?

Have you changed your Messiah Password and no longer can connect to MC-WPA?

How to Change your Password

Setup the MC-WPA Network

You will need Windows XP with SP2 (service pack 2) installed to follow these directions.

1. Download the required software for Messiah's Network.
2. Right-click My Network Places and select Properties. This opens the Network Connections window.
3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection and select Properties.
4. In Wireless Networks tab, make sure that the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" checkbox is checked.
   • If you do not see a Wireless Networks tab, or if the "Use Windows" checkbox is NOT checked, then there is probably a third-party wireless management package installed on your computer. These are often bundled with drivers for your wireless adapter. You will need to disable the management software, or uninstall it, to continue.
5. Under Preferred networks, click Add
6. For Network name (SSID), enter: MC-WPA
7. Change Network Authentication to WPA
8. On the Authentication tab, change EAP type to Protected EAP (PEAP). Click Properties. The following window appears.

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   1. Remove the check on the "validate server certificate" option.
   2. Select Authentication Method should say "Secured password".
   3. Click Configure. The following window appears.

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   4. Uncheck Automatically use my Windows logon name and password. Click OK.
   5. Click OK to return to Wireless network properties window
9. Remove the check from the "Authenticate as computer when computer information is available" option.
10. Click OK.
11. After a moment, you should see a Wireless Network Connection bubble display at your system tray, like the one below.
    It says "Click here to select a certificate or other credentials for connection to the network MC-WPA". Click the bubble.
    • If the bubble does not appear, then try one or more of the following:
      • Rebooting
      • Disabling, then reenabling the Wireless Network Connection.

      

12. You should be presented with an "Enter Credentials" dialog, like the one below.
    Enter your Messiah username and password. Leave the "Logon domain" field blank.
    See the note below about important password information.
    • 
13. Now continue to Network Registation

Password Changes

When connecting to MC-WPA, Windows stores the username and password that you used to authenticate to the campus wireless network. Windows will use this stored password when it needs to authenticate to the wireless network in the future, without prompting you each time. When you change your network password using the form on the ITS web site, the password you used to setup your wireless network will also need to be changed. The easiest way to do this is to delete the old password that was stored by Windows when you setup the wireless network. Then, when Windows tries to use the wireless network, it will prompt you for your username and password again.

WARNING: Editing the registry can be harmful to your computer follow the instructions carefully.

If you do not know how to edit the registry, seek assistance.

1. Click the "Start" button then on the right-hand side click "Run..." (or find run in accessories)
2. In the new windows type "regedit" and click OK.
3. Once the Registry Editor opens hit CTRL + F on your keyboard.
4. In the find windows type in "EAPOL"
5. Delete the folder named EAPOL and then close the registry.
6. You can also find the folder manually without using "Find":

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\EAPOL

If you have changed your Messiah password and would like assistance with editing the registry please bring your computer to Student Computer Services at Fry Apartments A3 or call x5901.