Have read the user's manual that came with the router? Which make and model router is it? WEP and WPA are two methods for encrypting the wireless signals between the computer and router so that someone cannot easily intercept the signal and steal information across the airwaves or break into your network. WEP is an older, less secure method and WPA is newer, more secure method. Both should be disussed in your user's manual.
You will not find either a WPA or WEP key under your router because they are user configured. You should be able to access your router through a web browser such as Internet Explorer. The router probably has a DHCP server running on it (it assigns all computers connected to it an IP number) so find out what the IP is and connect to it.
-you can find out the ip by making sure your laptop is connected to the network, typing "cmd" in the run box on the start menu and then entering "ipconfig", the ip of the router will be the one entitiled "default gateway" enter this number in the browser (my router is 192.168.1.1 so I type this is the address bar on Internet Explorer.)
You should then either connect to the router, or be asked to enter a user name and password, these will be in your manual and you can change them.
To set up wireless security browse through the settings ( i cant be more specific because i cant see the interface it uses) and configure them. I would also recommend WPA over WEP as a security protocol because it is much more secure, i would also urge you to set up a MAC filter on the router too.
You will need to configure windows to use the protocols you have told the router to use, dont worry if you mess it up because you will be able to connect directly to the router with a cable if you go wrong, then you can start over...i say this because that is the case with all routers I have used.
I hope im not being to patronising or confusing, I will happlily help you if you need any more help.
Good Luck
Chris
Message Edited by cmjkeegan on 03-20-2005 01:36 PM
volcano11
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March 19th, 2005 18:00
cmjkeegan
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March 20th, 2005 11:00
Hello Dawn,
You will not find either a WPA or WEP key under your router because they are user configured. You should be able to access your router through a web browser such as Internet Explorer. The router probably has a DHCP server running on it (it assigns all computers connected to it an IP number) so find out what the IP is and connect to it.
-you can find out the ip by making sure your laptop is connected to the network, typing "cmd" in the run box on the start menu and then entering "ipconfig", the ip of the router will be the one entitiled "default gateway" enter this number in the browser (my router is 192.168.1.1 so I type this is the address bar on Internet Explorer.)
Message Edited by cmjkeegan on 03-20-2005 01:36 PM