FYI - I only found 1 reference in 2 other forums on this board.

For users who want to use WPA security with their wireless network card, these 2 Windows XP patches are needed for proper WPA support.

If you are reinstalling your OS, these should be included as part of doing the post-install updates.

Windows XP Support Patch for Wi-Fi Protected Access Q815485

Update for Microsoft Windows XP: KB826942

V.B.- Thanks for the Links.I was surprised my 3 month old 8600 with Dell 1300 Wireless card did not ship with WPA supported access.When calling Linksys I was told that my Dell card only supports WEP security but that was more than fine for a "home" user.I disagree! If I download the 2 links and select WPA thru Linksys set-up will I be good to go? My connections are awesome now so I am afraid to change anything!

Your wireless NIC and your wireless router (or access point) both need to support WPA in order to use WPA.

Recommendation: Install the patches. Update the NIC drivers from Dell (if needed), and try to configure the NIC. If it allows you to get to the WPA configuration then you're all set (assuming the router/AP also is WPA).

Aren't these patches supposed to be installed thru standard windows update?

To my knowledge, they are still considered 'bolt-on's to XP. When Microsoft adds functions to the OS that are not needed by everyone, they become optional components that need to be manually downloaded and installed by the user.

Windows Update does not say: "Oh by the way, you need these...".
If the WPA patches are present on your system and there are updates available for them, then Windows Update will include the updates in its list of fixes.

(Yes, there are 1 or 2 exceptions to Windows Update like media player and .net framework. Microsoft thinks everyone in the world should have them installed)

Odd .. I've never manually gone and downloaded these and I use WPA on my wireless network.

What is the diff between WPA AND WEP?

WEP is weak in that it is now easily breached. WPA is better, although not perfect. It is recommended that even with WPA, a pass phrase of at least 20 characters is the users best defense against being breached. Read the write-ups in the links I posted. If you are confused about the term: "Wireless Zero Configuration service" then here is a link that explains it a little better - with pictures. There is a lot of other WPA information out there. I just don't have the inclination to revisit it.

If you turn on WPA, turn off broadcasting your SSID on your router and enable MAC address filtering on your router the you shouldn't have to really worry about anyone breaking into your network.

goes without saying.... A couple of other things.

In an urban/suburban setting you'll very likely be able to see 3-5 home networks where the SSID is being broadcast, all on channel 6. You'll know who owns which SSID because they named them using their last name. Be a little creative in naming your connection. Even with broadcasting turned off the first thing one would try is something familar. Also for best throughput, pick a channel that's not in use or, if you can't avoid it, a channel your client (with your wireless router/AP turned off) is not getting a strong signal from.

Also every two or three months or so, review your network. If your selected channel becomes popular with your neighbors, then select a new channel. It is also recommended as a good security measure to regularly change your connection's pass phrase.

Good advice. It also doesn't hurt to have a sense of humor when naming your network.

The best one I have found was 'bitemekid'. Can you say honeypot.

Yes I can: http://www.honeypots.net/

I wound up calling my network "Solar System" and named my home networked computers after planets. Earth, Mars, Venus etc etc..