Need help hooking up to my wireless router

Question

I am totaly new to the wireless world.  I just bought a lynksys Wireless-G WRT54G wireless router.  I hooked my new Dell XPS400 via the wired connection and my son's Dell inspiron notebook up via wireless.  My daughter just got back from Hong Kong with a Toshiba computer and it sees my wireless network but it is asking for different information than my son's computer did.  All I had to do with his was give the Key code and reboot the computer and he was able to get right on.  Her computer is asking for the 'Network Name (SSID)', 'Network Authentication' and 'Data Encryption', none of which am I sure what it wants.  The only block calling for a key # is grayed out.   Is there anyone who might can give me some guidance on this?   Thanks

dj_cool · Answer

It appears that the wireless configuration on the new system is being managed by the wireless card's utility on that system.   You will have to check which card is there on that system and use the utility. If you are unable to figure out, just call Toshiba and they would be able to work it out.   Just so that you can try:   SSID: This is the name of your network. (Check on the other systems which are already connected. See which network they are connected to by double clicking on the Wireless icon near the clock)   Network Authentication: This is normally set to 'Open' on linksys routers.   Data Encryption: This should be WEP if you have a 5 or 10 charactered 'Network key'.     Once you select these options, the Netowrk Key box should get enabled for you to enter the key.

klbf · Answer

hi to add, if you can see other wifi access points eg your neighbours wifi network i would go with wpa over wep... wpa passphase can bee up to 63 digits and is far more secure than wep 128bit or 256bit

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ccpolarbear1 · Answer

Okay.  I got the name of the network.  However, I have the key code and it is WEP 128 bit encryption and it is 16 character.  Something is not matching here.  Any further advice?   Thanks

klbf · Answer

wep uses 4 passphrases, you choose one which is being used at any one time

what isn't matching? the passphrase or some other setting?

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dj_cool · Answer

There are 2 possiblities if you have a 16 charactered key.

1. The router has WPA encryption (Key can have anything between 8-63 characters)

2. The key is not the actual key but the passphrase.

The best way to confirm and eliminate all confusion is to log into the router interface and check it there.

If you are not confortable doing that, just call the router company or visit their website.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Need help hooking up to my wireless router

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