"New" laptop doesn't see homegroup

mQ573 · 24 Apr 2017

"Access Error: Unauthorized when trying to obtain Access to this document requires a User ID"

Normally, when you are trying to access a Web resource, you are prompted for your user credentials if any. If you don't provide them after a few tries, you then get that kind of message.
Try accessing the AP from your browser by typing its address (192.168.1.11) in the address bar (not by using the bookmark).

For your TV, before buying a new Ethernet cable, try inverting the connections (and ensure you hear the clicking

)

Sidecar Bob · 24 Apr 2017

I now have access to the AP's page but I still can't connect to it with Wi-Fi. I even went into known networks on my tablet, told it to forget the AP so that it would ask for the login again and still it "can't connect to that network"

I have lots of Ethernet cables but I don't want to fish one through the floor if I don't have to. But I already have 2 cables into the cabinet that all of the entertainment stuff is in, one for the TV and one for the old laptop that I use as a media server. Both of those plus the cable to the computer in the garage (for looking at shop manuals & streaming radio when I work on motorcycles) and the AP are connected to a switch. The shop computer and the laptop are connected so the switch is OK.
I will try plugging the laptop's Ethernet cable into the TV to verify whether the cable is the problem but I would have to move furniture to do that so it will wait until I move the entertainment stuff around in a few weeks (pending a change of furniture).

mQ573 · 24 Apr 2017

I now have access to the AP's page but I still can't connect to it with Wi-Fi.

Can you try connecting to the AP with one of you WiFi equipped machines (not the tablet), selecting the published SSID and using the new passphrase?

If you can't, disconnect the AP from the router (Security oblige), select no security (or WEP if you can't do less) on the AP and see if you can connect to the AP SSID with your tablet.

If you can, it means your AP security settings are too strict for the network card in your tablet.

Sidecar Bob · 24 Apr 2017

Didn't work on laptop either so I set the Encryption to Disable & restarted the AP. The tablet wouldn't connect to it so on a whim I set the AP's Encryption back to WPA pre-shared key and now it connects.

I tried it on the tablet and a laptop and I can switch back & forth between the router and the AP at will.

That is really cool. Thank you so very much

mQ573 · 24 Apr 2017

Are the dancing pink elephants calling for drinks?

And, seriously, never use anything less than WPA if you can't use WPA2