Problem with a wireless router

[Mathew]

I am trying to hook a laptop up to a wireless router when I disengage the security key on the router it hooks up fine. But when I engage the security key it will not connect I have been able to connect a second laptop. Any ideas why this is happening and what can I do? The make of router is belkin and the laptop is hp.

 

[Mathew]

Yes I mean the WEP key I know I need to enter the key into each laptop I have hooked up one laptop with no problems but the second is not able to connect. Any ideas?

 

[falconinternetlimited]

Just a thought. I once had a laptop that didn't have the allow me to enter a longer than 9 key WEPpassword and I had an 18 key security password on the network. I put it down to deifferent standards supported by the network cards. The laptop was fairly older than the rest of the machines on the network.

Rupert

 

[Peter Jolley]

Hi,

I had the same sort of problem. You could try these two things?

1. Ensure that all the properties in the wireless connection window in the XP Settings are the same as your Access Point (AP) properties. Or,
2. Ensure that the network card properties are the same as your AP settings.

For me it was 2. On the network card (Ralink) properties I had to enable the WAP and input the access key code (password) that were on my AP .

After this mine has worked fine.
Good luck.

 

[Ravenfire]

Make sure that you have up to date drivers - even if its a new product it may not have the latest driver. I found that was the problem with mine and since I have updated it works fine.

 

try banging it really sharply aganst the desk, usually makes me feel better anyway!

 

[ICTSouth]

Being in the industry I've seen this a few times - the Linksys WAG54g (older model) being the common one.

If you're not planning on having many guests on your network then within your wireless security you should be able to allow physical mac addresses, rather than WEP keys.

Sounds like a crazy one, but try changing the wireless channel, I've found this is was a solution the other day!

Let us know how you get on.

 

[confused]

ok, bin wep, use wpa. Not only is it less troublesome (such as the issues you have here) and as mentioned, some of the linsys were renowned for it, wpa is more secure.
I wouldnt bother trying to "secure" your network with mac address filtering if it were me, but of course, theres wep key grabbers, mac spoofers and all the rest, but in reality how many people are going to sit outside your house (or next door) trying to access your system? probably none, but possibly.....

 

[ICTSouth]

Good advice.

 

[Subbynet]

Personally I would always include Mac Address Filtering.

I live in a normal road and I can pick up no less than 3 of my neighbors. I don't know them from Adam and considering my network contains details of my life/business I'd always make sure it stays safe.

 

[confused]

But you can spoof a mac in about 2 minutes flat....