Can't connect when using WEP key

[Debbie25]

Can't connect when using WEP key (Sorry for the double post)

I have a Netgear FM114P wireless router and I'm able to connect just fine as
long as I don't set a WEP key.

I have tried both 64 and 128 and the connection will just scroll and will no
t connect.

I get no error message.

I have my wireless connection set to DHCP

Does anyone have an answer for this one.

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[leet6thgrader]

Maybe your software wants the actual WEP key (AB:12:CD:34:EF:56) instead of the WEP passcode (uberleet6thgrader) or vice versa?? Because my mommys laptop did that.

 

[Debbie25]

I believe I put a 64 bit wep key on this router at one time before and just entered the 10 digits when it asked for the code to connect.

As for the 128 bit. I entered a phrase and and then tried putting in the key it gave me.

So are you saying when the phrase it converted put in the digits like AB:12:CD:.... instead of AB12CD:.....?

I can try that but still wondering why the 64 isn't even working.
I'm running a firewall program.
Could it be because the routers firewall could also be enabled?

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[meanman]

if you use windows connection wizard i think you have to put the key in but if you use the software you got with your wifi card i think you put the passphrase in

 

[Debbie25]

I go into the Router's settings and create the WEP key and then double click on my wireless connection to view my router. Click on it and say 'Connect', then it asks me for the WEP key.

For the 64 bit I put in my own 10 digit set of numbers in the Key1 field and then use that same number in the field when my connection asks for it.

For the 128 bit I enter my phase then generate the key, then I put that key into the field when asked.

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[leet6thgrader]

When I was setting up the living room computer, Windows SP2 firewall blocked all internet coming from the router (it was wired). Try turning it off, mister.

 

[dragon2309]

Maybe your software wants the actual WEP key (AB:12:CD:34:EF:56) instead of the WEP passcode (uberleet6thgrader) or vice versa?? Because my mommys laptop did that.

Please dont give out false information, it does more damage than saying nothing at all, firtly, there isnt such a thing as a WEP passcode, passcodes are used in WPA security environments. The correct term is a WEP key. Secondly, the example you gave "AB:12:CD:34:EF:56" is a MAC address, its the physical address of a piece of hardware (NIC) and has nothing whatsoever to do with WEP encryption.

So are you saying when the phrase it converted put in the digits like AB:12:CD:.... instead of AB12CD:.....?

NO! you cannot convert a WEP key into anything else. It is what it is and it most definitely would not convert into a MAC address, see above for an explanation.

One thign to check is that you are in the right "format" (for want of a better word) you can either have ASCII or HEX WEP keys, make sure your software and your router are set to the same.

dragon2309

 

[Debbie25]

OK, so this is exactly what I'm doing....
I go to IE and type 192.168.0.1 for my router setup.
In the wireless area I enable the 64 bit WEP key
type in 1234567890 [not the real set of numbers]
I then go and double click on my wireless icon in the systray and go to 'View connections'.
I see my router and click 'connect'.
When it asks for the WEP key I enter the same numbers I entered in the router settings without any spaces.

It will just sit there and scroll searching but never states it is looking for an IP address then the scroll window disappears and I'm still not connected.

The same thing happens when I try with the 128 bit.
In the router settings I go to 128 bit WEP key
Enter my phrase
Click on 'Generate' and then take the key it gives and put it into the field when my connection asks for the WEP key.

I have done this before and it has worked just fine in the past but not sure why it is not now. I have used this router before but just switched back to it from using another one.

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[dragon2309]

You say you can connect without using a WEP key, so it won't be firewall related, a firewall won't block anything to do with WEP encryption, if it let's traffic through in one instance it will do the same for another.

Is there another wireless card or adapter you can test this out on, say a wireless laptop or even purchase a USB wifi dongle from ebay for cheap to test it out.

We need to start to narrow it down as to where the problem is. Judging by the current symptoms I'm leaning more towards a dodgy network adapter in your PC, router seems fine enough...

dragon2309

 

[Debbie25]

I'm on a laptop using a IBM 2915 internal wireless card.

I finally got it to connect on 64 bit by rolling back the wireless drivers.
They were 10/06 and now they are 1/06.

I would rather be 128 bit but not sure if I want to take the chance.

Thanks for all your help,
Debbie

 

[Motoxrdude]

To tell you the truth, 128bit isn't anything special relative to 64bit. If someone wanted to get on your network without your permission, the only difference between 64bit and 128bit is about 5 minutes. There isn't really a point.

 

[dragon2309]

glad to hear that... out of interest, do you know the chipset that the laptop motherboard uses??

and i say go for it, whack it to 128, in theory it should be fine.

dragon

 

[Debbie25]

Chipset INTEL 915GL