WPA2 protected wireless network - Problems on reconnect

I have just changed ISP, and the router I have been provided with is WPA2 capable. My previous router was only WPA capable.

All computers in the house, including my main desktop use WiFi to avoid having to recable.

Being security minded, I set up the new router to use WPA2-Personal / AES, and created a new profile in Vista (SP1) as my main network connection.

This is where the problems start. The connection is hit and miss. When initially setting up the profile I have to try 5 or 6 times before the connection set up correctly. Although Vista is making a connection, for some reason it keeps thinking that the 'new network' is a public network, and listed it as an 'Unidentified Network (SSID)'. No internet access is permitted.

Customising the network to make it private does not let Vista see the internet. You have to totally delete the Wireless Connection, and repeat the setup until an attempt actually works (no obvious reason why an attempt works or doesn't, it seems random).

Now I have got it such that it automatically connects most times on restart. However, if I do anything during the session to alter the router settings, or of the PC goes to standby, on restart I have the same problem with Vista identifying the WiFi as a 'Public Network' and not permitting internet access.

I have an XP laptop connected to the same router, which has no problems reconnecting automatically.

Anyone have any ideas how to make the Vista machines automatic reconnect more reliable? It's driving me up the wall. I thought SP1 was supposed to make WiFi connecting easier!

Router: Thomson Speedtouch 780
Wireless Card: Linksys WMP54GS
Firewall: Norton Internet Security 2008

Does your linksys card support WPA2? Did you update the firmware?

Haven't touched the firmware on the adapter (it's not possible is it?!), but the router has been updated with the latest version of my ISPs firmware.

The Linksys adapter is running on Driver 4.102.15.61 which is the latest one made available via Vista Windows Update. This made the WPA2 options become available, so presumably WPA2 is supported by the card (otherwise I wouldn't be getting any WPA2 connections at all!).

Just to be clear, I can get it to work with WPA2. It's just that Vista has a problem recommencing when the connection is broken mid-session (either by an interruption due to a change on the router, or due to a change on the wireless adapter, be that a power cycle, restart or other interuption).

The only difference i can see between XP SP2 and Vista is that in XP, the btoadcast flag in DHCP discovery packets is set to disabled and not in Vista, therefore it is possible that your router does not support the DHCP broadcast flag.
If it is the case you cannot obtain an IP address.
There is an issue for it in the registry, i have to consult my datas for that but not until tomorrow in the morning (it's 2.25 AM here)

Sidney1st,

I did some Googling after you mentioned the 'firmware' and found that, although Linksys haven't released firmware more recent than 4.102.15.61, the Broadcom chipset that is used in teh device has a later driver 4.170.25.19 for Vista.

Found a copy of this and, fingers crossed, my problems seem to have gone :D

All hail Google!