If you have not already, you must visit Windows Update to make sure you are fully up to date with at least Service Pack 4.

Service Pack 4 for Windows 2000 include a 802.1x authentication client, however the Service Pack installation process does not enable the client. Enabling the 802.1x client can be accomplished through the Services Management Console using the following steps:

First, open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start menu, selecting "Settings", and choosing "Control Panel." In the Control Panel, find and open the "Administrative Tools" option as seen below.

Once in the Administrative Tools, find and open the Services tool as seen below.

Inside the Services Managment Console, scroll down to the bottom of the list of services until you see the "Wireless Configuration" service as seen below.

Right-click on the Wireless Configuration service and choose properties. This will open the properties window for the Wireless Configuration service, as seen below. In the properties window, change the "Startup type" to "Automatic" to start the service each time Windows starts then click the "Start" button to start the service immediately.

Once you have completed these steps, click "OK" on the properties window and close any other open windows. The 802.1x client is now enabled. Click here to continue to the next step.