Fix "Validating identity" errors to connect to your network.
Your NETGEAR wireless router lets you connect to the Internet without the hassle of tangled cords and cables. To connect a computer to the router, you must enter the correct password. Occasionally, even after you enter the correct password, the NETGEAR router displays a "Validating identity" error message, and you cannot access the network. Manually creating a wireless network fixes this problem.
"Validating Identity" Error Message
When the NETGEAR wireless router will not connect to your computer, one of three events alerts you to a problem. Most often, the "Validating identity" error message replaces the name of the network you are attempting to access. A second message tells you that Windows could not find the certificate needed to log on to the network. You may also see a pop-up window that continually prompts you to enter the correct login information, even after you have already entered it. If you see any of these errors, manually add a network to correct them.
Fix for Windows 7 and Windows Vista
To add a wireless network in Windows 7 or Vista, click "Start" and "Network." Click "Network and Sharing Center," and then click "Manage wireless networks." Click "Add" and "Manually create a network profile." Enter the router's SSID key, wireless password and security type. Click the check boxes next to "Connect even if the network is not broadcasting" and "Start this connection automatically." Click "Next." Return to the Network and Sharing Center window and click "Manage network connections." Right-click "Wireless network connection." Click "Status" and "Details." If you see an IPv4 address, attempt to connect to the Internet.
Fix for Windows XP
To add a wireless network on Windows XP, click "Start" and "Control Panel." Click on "Switch to classic view" on the left side of the window. Click on "Network Connections." Right-click "Wireless Network Connections." Click "Properties," "Wireless Networks" and "Add." Type the network SSID, and select "WEP" for the network security. Uncheck "Key is provided for me automatically" and "This is a computer-to-computer (ad-hoc) network." Type the network key and click "OK" twice. Right-click on "Wireless Network Connections." Click "Status and "Support." If an IP address appears, you can connect to the Internet.
Disable IEEE 802.1x Authentication
Adding a wireless network manually usually corrects the "Validating identity" error, but if it does not fix the problem, you may need to disable IEEE 802.1x authentication. To do so, click "Start" and type "ncpa.cpl" in the search box. Click "ncpa.cpl" when it appears in the results list. Right-click "Wireless network connections" and click "Properties." Click "Wireless network," "Properties" and "Authentication." Uncheck the box next to "Enable IEEE 802.1 authentication for this network." Click "OK."
