Solved Unable to connect to Internet

[BJC1992]

I'm writing this on behalf of my grandad. He has a HP Compaq nc6320 (originally a Windows XP laptop now running Windows 7).
It has previously been connected to neighbours Wi-Fi no trouble. But now he has got his own broadband set up a few days ago with Vodafone.
When I go to connect it wants an 8 digit code, which I don't have. When I contact Vodafone they've never come across this. I can connect other devices such as my phone without any issue, its just the laptop that's the problem.
Is it just a case of a 20 year old laptop isn't compatible with the new WiFi 6 fibre. Is it just time for a new laptop, or is there a way around it?

 

[townsbg]

Sounds like it's something specific to their system. Maybe see this? https://www.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone-uk/forms/unlock-code-request/ Sounds like they don't want you using other networks once you're signed up with them. Please take a screenshot so we can see if this is something they installed compared to a windows prompt.

 

[BJC1992]

I also took the laptop home to see if it would connect to our internet, we are with TalkTalk and it does something slightly different by asking for a security key, which again I don't have. So wherever I go its not as simple as just putting in the Wi-Fi password. The screenshot below is what happens when attempting to connect to the Vodafone Internet.

 

[townsbg]

It's looking for a pin on the modem. There isn't one there? If not you'll have to get it from them. I don't know of a work around and I'm not familiar with them at all.

 

[MisterEd]

It looks like the router is trying to connect to the laptop using WPS. WPS can ask for a 8-digit PIN or security key. The purpose of WPS is to allow easy connections of nearby devices that are assumed to be trusted. Sometimes if the router supports WPS you press a button on the router to start it. Once you do that you start WPS on the device. Within a minute they will automatically connect. You will have to check with the manual for your router for how to use WPS with it.

A WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) security key is either an 8-digit PIN used to bypass manual password entry, or the actual physical push-button used to pair devices. It is typically found on a physical sticker on your router or in the device's wireless network settings.

I sometime use WPS to initially connect my printer to the router. It does not use a PIN but only supports the automatic method starting WPS on the router and WPS on the printer. It is not hard once you have done it a few times.

Does your router have a WPS button? If so you may be able to press it and start the automatic connection process without have to use a PIN or security key.

BTW, my router has 3 Wi-Fi bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz.

Each band supports 3 Network Security Modes:
* WPA3-Personal
* WPA3-Personal-Transition (Default)
* WPA2

Most new computers, phones, and printers use WPA3-Personal.

I also have a 20 year old laptop that came with Windows XP. The laptop only supports the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. At first I couldn't get it to connect. The way I solved that was to force the 2.4GHz band to use the WPA2 security mode.

BTW, the laptop was upgraded to Windows 7. I liked it that way but eventually settled on Windows 10 because that works best on the Internet. I just have to live with the laptop being slow with Windows 10.

 

[BJC1992]

I managed to get it sorted. I had to access router settings and enable compatability mode, and it basically creates a different username and password that I would click in the wifi menu as this is a wavelength older devices can connect to. The router does have a wps button but I didn't need to press it on this occasion.