Here’s a solution that might help if you are having trouble connecting to wireless networks with Vista on a MacBook using Bootcamp. 

MacBook owners regularly report problems with their wireless network adapter under Vista.  On my 13″ black MacBook (about 2 months old), the wifi works great after a clean Vista install until I install the Apple Bootcamp 1.2 drivers and run Windows update.  I’m not sure which is causing the problem but the end result is I get a new wireless network driver with which I can see wireless networks but I cannot connect. 

To fix the problem:

  • Uninstall the Apple Atheros drivers (there are two) from Uninstall a Program (via Control Panel).  [FYI: My adapter is being report as an Atheros AR5008X]
  • Go to Device Manager (click the Start marble and type ‘device man’) and expand Network Adapters. 
  • Right-click on the Atheros adapter and select Update Driver….  
  • Click Browse my computer for driver software. 
  • Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer. 
  • In the Manufactuer list, select Atheros.  In the Network Adapter list, select Atheros AR5008 Wireless Network Adapter.  Click Next.  Click Close.

Worked for me.  YMMV.