Disconnecting and Reconnecting
To disconnect from the ad hoc network, right-click the Wireless
Network Connection icon on Network Connections folder and click
"View available wireless networks". Select the ad hoc network name,
and click Disconnect.
Figure: To disconnect from an ad hoc network from the Wireless Network Connection window.
By default, your computer will reconnect
automatically if both computers are within range and the ad hoc
network has been set as the first network on the Preferred network
list. To change this automatic connection especially for security
purpose, open
Wireless Network Connection properties window. On Wireless
Networks tab, under Preferred networks select the ad hoc network name and
click Properties to open the ad hoc network properties window. On Connection
tab, uncheck "Connect when this network is in range".
Figure: To disable automatic connection via the ad hoc network name properties.
Known problems for troubleshooting
- Wireless Networks tab does not appear on Wireless Network Connection properties window. You must enable
Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service
on Windows XP from the wireless utility (configuration
software) that came with your Wi-Fi adapter. But if your adapter can not
work with WZC, use the wireless utility to set up an ad-hoc connection. On both computers, set the same
channel number, SSID, and encryption type. Also enable peer-to-peer
networking or ad hoc mode for each Wi-Fi adapters.
- Can not connect from the second computer to the first computer during ad hoc network setup. This
may be caused by problems in your wireless network adapters. Check
whether the adapter is working properly from the Device Manager.
If you use a USB Wi-Fi adapter, attach the adapter firmly to a USB
connector or cradle.
- The ad hoc network has been connected, but you can't access the
shared resources. This might
happen because both computers need
more time to refresh IP addresses and other setup details. Wait for
a couple of minutes. Check the status details from Network
Connections folder on both computers. To speed up the process, you
can click "Repair this connection" under Network Tasks on Network
Connections folder. You can also ping the other computer through
Command Prompt. Another possible cause is program
blocking by Windows Firewall or other personal firewall software
installed in your computer.
Here is the
solution.
- Common situations that might hinder your ad hoc network setup: non-compatible Wi-Fi adapters,
physical obstructions, range, and interference from other wireless devices or networks.
And although most Wi-Fi adapters support peer-to-peer (ad hoc)
networking, some Wi-Fi adapters were not designed for ad-hoc networking.
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