FIX: A device that is running Windows CE 4.2 cannot connect to a wireless access point that supports WPA-PSK authentication by using a 64-hexadecimal-digit network key (904938)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows CE .NET 4.2

SYMPTOMS

A device that is running Microsoft Windows CE 4.2 cannot connect to a wireless access point (WAP) that supports Wi-Fi Protected Access Phase-Shift Keying (WPA-PSK) authentication and that is configured to use the following:
  • WPA-PSK authentication
  • Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) encryption
  • A 64-hexadecimal-digit network key

CAUSE

The Windows CE networking code that manages WPA-PSK authentication allows for 64 hexadecimal digits to be entered. However, the key length is not correctly calculated.

This problem occurs because the miscalculated key length produces an encrypted key that is incorrect.

RESOLUTION

Software update information

A supported software update is now available from Microsoft as Windows CE 4.2 Core OS QFE 904938. To resolve this problem immediately, click the following article number for information about obtaining Windows CE Platform Builder and core operating system software updates:

837392 How to locate core operating system fixes for Microsoft Windows CE Platform Builder products

Prerequisites

This software update is supported only if all previously issued software updates for this product have also been applied.

Rebuild requirement

After you apply this software update, you must perform a clean build of the whole platform. To clean the platform, click Clean on the Build menu. To build the platform, click Build Platform on the Build menu.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this software update.

Software update replacement information

This software update does not replace any other software updates.

File information

The English version of this package has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. 
   Date         Time   Size       File name
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Path: Signed
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,125,440  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-armv4.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,125,440  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-armv4i.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,167,424  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-mipsii.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,167,936  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-mipsii_fp.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,180,224  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-mipsiv.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:52  8,180,224  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-mipsiv_fp.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,110,592  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-sh3.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,108,032  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-sh4.msi
   05-Aug-2005  21:51  8,045,568  Wincepb42-050805-kb904938-x86.msi
The English version of this software update has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time                      Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------

   Path: Lib\Armv4\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:07                  1,085,814  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Armv4\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:07                    836,268  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Armv4i\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:08                  1,086,940  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Armv4i\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:08                    837,232  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsii\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:08                  1,108,858  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsii\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:08                    874,842  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsii_fp\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:09                  1,109,174  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsii_fp\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:08                    875,202  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsiv\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:09                  1,126,952  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsiv\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:09                    886,130  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsiv_fp\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:09                  1,127,024  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Mipsiv_fp\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:09                    886,230  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Sh3\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:10                    979,106  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Sh3\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:09                    788,356  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Sh4\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:10                    978,466  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\Sh4\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:10                    786,876  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\X86\Debug
   28-Jul-2005  18:07                    964,928  Netui.lib

   Path: Lib\X86\Retail
   28-Jul-2005  18:07                    757,134  Netui.lib

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

WPA-PSK authentication uses a TKIP encryption network key. The Cisco 1200 wireless access point requires that the key contain exactly 64 hexadecimal digits. However, other wireless access points accept ASCII characters for the key.

This problem does not occur if the network key is coded in ASCII characters.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/25/2006
Keywords:kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbpubtypekc KB904938
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.