I found out this morning around 4AM that my old Belkin router actually works just fine. The problem is Windows XP, not the router. Windows XP doesn’t natively support WPA2. A little quote from Neosmart:
The only problem? Windows XP isn’t compatible with WPA2-secured networks without a special update for WPA2 encryption support. That’s understandable, after all, WPA2 didn’t come out until after Windows XP SP2. But the problem is, it’s not even on Windows Update! Windows Update, always quick on the mark with the monthly Malicious Software Removal tool and other recommended updates surprised us by not showing the littlest inkling that there was an update as important to security as WPA2 available for download. It’s been available for manual download – only with Genuine Advantage validation – from Microsoft since May 2005… That’s a long time to be waiting! ((Direct Download Link: KB893357))
So, I didn’t know that I had turned on WPA2 and that XP didn’t support it. I know I had turned on WPA on my router because I knew that WEP is worthless, but I guess I must have tried WPA2 also. After turning on WPA2, I couldn’t connect to the network. Quick conclusion? Something’s wrong with the router. So I dropped $40 on one and I didn’t have too. Hurray.