Inspiron Pro Wireless support 128b WEP?

Question

When setting up my net I could get the laptop to perform WPA encryption. Unfortuantely, my wife's PC could only do WEP so I had to change to that. However, I cannot seem to get the Inspiron 600M to recognize WEp 128b, only 64b. My router generates either a 10 or 20 hex key. The 10 character hex string is recognized when I select Open and WEP (wireless networks, configure, network auth. = Open, data encryption = WEP) from the network controls, but if I try 128b at the router, the Laptop gives me the following error:

The network password needs to be 40 bits or 104 bits depending on your network config this can be enetered as a 5 or 12 ascii characters or 10 or 26 character hex

I don't even see how you can get 26 hex chars from 128b encryption. I find it hard to believe that it could support WPA but not 128b WEP. Am I missing something?

johnallg · Answer

If any of the keys are generated using a Passphrase, this could be getting you - not all Passphrase routines are created equal.  Try entering the same key in all equipment using the one for the shortest length - make up the key from 0-9 and A-F HEX values.  See if that gets you going.

Eriol · Answer

I can try that though only the router is the only one that generates a key based on a passphrase.  Plus it appears to balk at the length, not that it is valid or not.  But will play with it.  Thanks.

johnallg · Answer

Use HEX digits 0-9 and A-F and enter exactly the same string in all (router and wireless cards) places.  It should work fine then.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Inspiron Pro Wireless support 128b WEP?

Was this post helpful?