I run WinXP SP2 with an 802.11g wi-fi device to connect to my router/broadband modem. As I want to take full advantage of the WPA authentication/encryption, I use the config tool that shipped with the device instead of letting XP control the device itself.
When I start the config tool it picks up the settings (SSID, WPA-PSK key etc) and the device connects to my router, exactly as designed.
Until recently, if I left the wi-fi device physically connected but didn't launch the config tool, the network connection icon in the systray would just sit there with the red x over it. Again, this is exactly as expected.
However it seems that someone nearby has recently installed a wi-fi router of their own and used the out-of-the-box setup (no security).
Now when I leave my wi-fi device connected without its config tool running, WinXP steps in and connects me to that person's device. I know it's theirs not mine because the SSID is NETGEAR (mine is something totally different). Not surprisingly, I don't want to connect to their network!
Any idea how I can stop XP doing this? I want XP to leave the device alone and wait for me to run the config tool when I want to connect.
I have already disabled the Windows Zero Configuration service. Windows Updates are installed to date.
Thanks in advance for answers/ideas/doco suggestions.
When I start the config tool it picks up the settings (SSID, WPA-PSK key etc) and the device connects to my router, exactly as designed.
Until recently, if I left the wi-fi device physically connected but didn't launch the config tool, the network connection icon in the systray would just sit there with the red x over it. Again, this is exactly as expected.
However it seems that someone nearby has recently installed a wi-fi router of their own and used the out-of-the-box setup (no security).
Now when I leave my wi-fi device connected without its config tool running, WinXP steps in and connects me to that person's device. I know it's theirs not mine because the SSID is NETGEAR (mine is something totally different). Not surprisingly, I don't want to connect to their network!
Any idea how I can stop XP doing this? I want XP to leave the device alone and wait for me to run the config tool when I want to connect.
I have already disabled the Windows Zero Configuration service. Windows Updates are installed to date.
Thanks in advance for answers/ideas/doco suggestions.