MiFi 2200 not connecting wirelessly with VISTA

[dannywifi]

Verizon has been ZERO help with this. I've spent hours and hours on the phone to no avail.

Here is the issue:

I can connect to the internet using VZAccess Manager (VZAM) as long as the MiFi is plugged into my laptop using the USB cord.

As soon as I unplug the MiFi, the network is deteced by both Vista and VZAM, but when I try to connect to it using VZAM I get a message stating that VZAM "Failed to conect to the Wi-Fi Network 'Verizon MiFi2200 51E3 Secure.' To make another connection attempt, press the retry button. If you would like to change the access credentials, press the modify credentials button." If I click the modify, it prompts me for my password, but then I just get the same failed message as before. The password I am using is the correct one (it's the password provided to me on the back of the MiFi, as well as validated through verizon's support).

If I try and connect using VISTA, it prompts me for the password, and then as soon as I enter it I get an error message saying "Windows can't connect to the network". If I click on diagnose the problem, I get "Wireless Association failed due to unknown reason".

I'm assuming that there is some type of setting in Vista that is preventing me from connecting to the MiFi, but what it is I do not know. This is the second device Verizon has given me, as the first was doing the same thing when I got it on Wed., and the support technician over the phone deemed it was a defective device and sent me a new one on Friday.

Also, as a sidenote, when I try to connect using my Wii, I get an error code as well.

[dave1812]

I initallly had the opposite problem with Vista--MiFi didn't work when plugged in but worked when it was used as a WiFi unit.  Someone here told me to check Remote Services, and sure enough they were turned off.  Go to Services.msc and make sure everything is turned on that looks remotely (pun) like it MIGHT be related to wireless or networking and see if that gets it working for you.

[dannywifi]

Thanks for the idea, I looked - and everything seems to be in order in that department.

[dannywifi]

**Update**

My wife was on the phone with Verizon for about an hour this afternoon, apparently they now have a department that deals with the MIFI. He told her that when the initial release went out for these MIFI's, some of the devices were defective and the password that was printed on the back of the device was not the password that was actually programmed into the device. He said that we must be "really unlucky" because we got two defective ones. He said he has seen this issue, and the fix is a new device.

I'm holding out hope, but not a ton since we've already been told the "defective device" bit before and it didn't help us. But, this guy apparently did seem really knowledgeable, so who knows.... 

[dave1812]

Sounds farfetched, but maybe that will fix it...

Wish I could remember if a reset (push a paper clip into the hole in the back) reset the password to the one imprinted on the device.  nevertheless, why couldn't they just walk you thru using it with the cable, hit the modem with 192.168.1.1 and set the wireless password there, to anything you like??

After several fruitless calls to tech support, I realized I knew more than all the techs combined and figured out my issues on my own with a little research and head scratching.  The MiFi support SUCKS big time.  Someone on the forum resolved an issue for me with Vista.

Message Edited by dave1812 on 07-13-2009 09:50 PM

Message Edited by dave1812 on 07-13-2009 09:51 PM

[dannywifi]

Apparently, the reset won't do any good because again the password that is supplied on the back isn't the right one. So there isn't a way to get in after a reset to change. Also, the 192.168.1.1 won't work. Internet Explorer won't display the page, I've tried about a million times.

[dave1812]

Right.  If the PC hooked up via a cable to your Mifi, doesn't have a LAN connection to the router, the router page won't come up.  The Mifi, as I'm sure you know functions as a WWAN or WiFi, as well as LAN.

[dannywifi]

**Update**

We received our new MIFI yesterday, and still could not get Vista to talk to it.

I was able to get my Wii connected to it (finally), so there must have been something to the password issue. Once connected with the Wii, I used the Wii's internet channel, and went into 192.168.1.1. I was able to remove the security setting, eliminating the need to type in a password. We live on three acres out in the country, so we don't have anyone close enough to access the MIFI.

I then tried to connect again using Vista but to no avail. This confirms my original thought that there is some setting in Vista that is not communicating with the MIFI.

Any thoughts?

[granbyroll5]

The technician and I used the 192.168.1.1 wirelessly through my laptop using Internet Explorer. She told me it is a wireless server. We accessed my credentials, changed the password, the type of security/encryption and the laptop works (never had a problem) but my desktop wont connect wirelessly at all. It can via the usb cable.  I wish someone could come up with the answer.  How about Novatel who made it??

[drpp62]

Not sure if this will help or not, but I too believe it is a Vista issue.  I have two other CPUS (1 sony laptop and 1 samsung tablet pc), both of which are running XP.  They both work with the Mifi (both the tethered and wifi).  On my other laptop (Vista), only the tethered works.  And I agree, the service from Verizon is terrible.  The guy was nice enough, but after two hours, still no resolution. 

[dannywifi]

Well, I certainly hope that someone from Verizon is taking all of these calls that they are receiving with this issue seriously. I know that I've done quite a lot of surfining around online, and it isn't just a handful of people that are having this problem.

The last I've heard from Verizon is that they can't/won't escalate the issue, as the device is working properly. Once I successfully connected the Wii to the MiFi, they decided that it was an issue with my computer/vista, and therefore not their problem.

Pretty crappy if you ask me.

[granbyroll5]

I know this sounds trite, but I updated my wireless adapter Lynksys for my desktop to the drivers compatible with Vista and It finally worked. I dont have to put in the password anymore since the first time it accepted it and kept it in its memory.  The was for my laptop and now my desktop.  shoowwwee.  I hope this helps.  It has been very frustrating for me to. 2 days on the phone with Verizons ech support, picking the brain of the geeksquad at best buy and contacting Microsoft, Lynksys, etc...

[dave1812]

Not sure if I mentioned this before or not, but Verizon's MiFi support is pathetic, so it doesn't surprise me that you found your solution elsewhere.  Glad you got it working!

[kingmak]

How do you even set up the WiFi to work with the MiFi? Every time I go to 192.168.1.1 I get a "not found" site. Any help?

[dave1812]

The device (PC, Touch, or other browser-equipped device) must already be connected to the mifi, for you to see the router page in a browser.

[Athena]

OK I might have a fix for some of you.

Long version 

I was having the Same problems.  MiFi would connect to my XP laptop but not my Vista.  I would get as far as entering the secure code and clicking connect then the "windows cannot connect" message would pop up. I've done everything the Verizon techs asked me to do and nothing helped. I even went to a local wifi cafe to rule out my wifi not working at all but I was able to connect fine there So then, as a last ditch effort, I wiped my Vista machine clean and reloaded all the drivers and it Still didn't help.  

Since I had already talked to 7 different Verizon techs and 2.5 hrs of phone time in 4 days, not counting the time spent in the Verizon store and on my own time, I decided to go to a different VZ store today during lunch and they just gave me a new WiFi to try.   I knew it wasn't the MiFi since it would detect my XP and office laptop, but I was willing to try anything.  Well... Still the Same thing didn't connect, Same error codes, blah blah blah...... Same story.  

Then by chance a guy I work with, a network engineer (OK, computer nerd), inquired about my MIFi so I told him about it and the long battle with my new friend "MIFi". Next thing I know,  he grabs his laptop( which connected fine) and then looked at my settings and drivers on my laptop.  He download the latest version of my wifi adapter driver (Atheros AR5007eg is mine), uploads a newer version and THEN is able to connect to the MIFi wireless.  In less than 15 mins he had it fixed.

Short Version 

If you haven't udated your wifi adapter software, try it.  My Vista laptop had a Atheros AR5007eg, factory installed.  I'm assuming it was a 2007 version since we purchased it in 7/2007.  The version I downloaded was 7.6.1.204  from 1/2009.  There are plenty of free downloads you can find out there.  Best is to go to your laptop manufactures website and search for driver updates or do a search with your wifi adapter model and Vista in your search.  Just make sure the site you are downloading it from is a site you trust.  There are plenty of free shareware sites out there.

To find your wifi adapter on you laptop: go to Start>Control Panel > Hardware & Sound > Device Manager.  Once in Device Manager find Network adapters and click on the + sign.  From there find the driver with wireless network adapter in the name. Double click on it.  From there you will see tabs at the top.  Click on the driver tab and it will give you what version you laptop has.

Hope this helps someone. I know it's frustrating...

[RudyTX · Accepted solution]

That is correct solution Athena.

The cause is not Vista or XP, the cause is the wireless adapter / driver version being used.  Some adapters may not support WPA security, but in the case of the Atheros AR5007eg  adapter,  it was the driver version.

I was able to connect wirelessly via my Apple itouch and my XP laptop but not using my Vista laptop that also has an Atheros AR5007eg wireless adapter.  I also spent 1 hour with Verizon support and they suggested me to return the device as defective.  I am glad that I decided to investigate a little more before returning it.

Instead of searching manually the net for a newer driver version, what I did is:

- Go to Start - Right Click on Computer -> Manage -> Device Manager -> Network Adapters -> Select the wireless adapter of your computer -> driver -> Let Vista serarch online for updated driver automatically.  In my case it found and automatically installed a 4/2009 driver version.

- Tried to connect tot he Mifi again (via Vista or the Verizon connection manager), and this time that asked for the password (WPA-PSK security password on the back of the MiFi) , it did not fail.

Now, I can connect to the MiFi wirelessly from my Vista Laptop.  SOLVED!

[Athena]

I totally forgot about Vista automatically searching for updates.  I use my XP laptop more and you don't get the auto search for updates via internet.

I just hope this helps others.  I did call Verizon today to tell them that I had fixed my problem since I was suppose to get a call back from one of their techs yesterday and never did. 

[dannywifi]

I had actually tried going to Toshiba's website about 5 times and updated the driver software from their site to no avail. But RudyTX 's suggestion that I let Vista search for the update was spot on.

Finally, I can connect wirelessly to the MIFI.

Thanks Rudy & Athena.

[rtpgkss]

Great stuff and advice I updated my drivers per directions above and fixed my Vista problem for wifi . I had Realtek wireless RTL8187

 with 2008 drivers updated to 6/2009 driver with help from above instructions and PROBLEM SOLVED THANKS!!!

[jdstowe]

Hi. 

 I am experiencing the same problem. My MiFi unit was virtually "plug &  play" connecting to one XP laptop, one Vista Laptop and my iPhone.  However, won't connect to my 32-bit Vista desktop with Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adaptor.  The sysyem "sees" the MiFi but will not connect and provides no useable error message.  The same system has no problem connecting to the WAP from my old home network.

I tried updating the drivers but learned that my drivers are all up to date. 

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.