You cannot reconnect to a wireless network that uses a hidden SSID after you manually disconnect from that network on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer (907405)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, when used with:
    • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
    • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. A Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)-based computer is configured for wireless network connectivity. You manually disconnect from a wireless network that uses a hidden (non-broadcast) service set identifier (SSID). In this scenario, you cannot reconnect automatically or manually to the wireless network that uses a hidden SSID. Additionally, the wireless network that uses a hidden SSID is no longer displayed in the Wireless Network Connection window.

Notes
  • You can access the Wireless Network Connection window by right-clicking on the wireless network connection icon in the notification area and clicking View Available Wireless Networks.
  • You can reconnect to the wireless network that uses a hidden SSID if you remove and then re-create the SSID profile for that network in the Preferred networks list.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows XP SP2 installed on the computer.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformSP requirementService branch
Ndisuio.sys5.1.2600.262614,59208-Mar-200501:39x86SP2SP2QFE
Netshell.dll5.1.2600.27671,705,47203-Oct-200520:28x86SP2SP2QFE
Wzcdlg.dll5.1.2600.2767383,48803-Oct-200520:28x86SP2SP2QFE
Wzcsapi.dll5.1.2600.276752,73603-Oct-200520:28x86SP2SP2QFE
Wzcsvc.dll5.1.2600.2767474,62403-Oct-200520:28x86SP2SP2QFE
Xpsp3res.dll5.1.2600.276721,50430-Sep-200523:29x86SP2SP2QFE

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

After you install this hotfix, you can configure the computer to automatically connect to a specific wireless network that uses a hidden SSID. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl, and then click OK.
  2. In the Network Connections window, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.
  3. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box, click the Wireless Networks tab.
  4. Under Preferred networks, click the SSID profile name for the wireless network that uses a hidden SSID, and then click Properties.
  5. Click the Connection tab, click to select Connect when this network is in range, and then click OK.
  6. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box.
  7. Close the Network Connections window.
For more information about standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/26/2006
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbWinXPpreSP3fix kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbpubtypekc KB907405 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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