How can I acquire my WEP settings?

[Irene]

I have just acquired an old ~ new to me ~ Dell Latitude D800 laptop.

When I try to connect to the internet, it asks for my WEP 'password'.

I don't know it!! Our local PC dealer set it up.

How can I find the connect password? I know it is about security, but this was in April last year! The other laptop connects quite happily. :(

[Scarecrow Man]

You can't. Not without cracking the password by using software which we cannot talk about here.

You can, however, change the WEP key on the router. The method for doing this depends on which router you are using. Post back which make/model and I can point you in the right direction.

[Irene]

I had real problems seting up the router in the first place!! That is why I took it to the local PC shop.

It is a Zoom ADSL X6

[Scarecrow Man]

Which one?

http://www.zoom.com/techsupport/adsl/adsl_x6.shtml

[Irene]

Which one?

http://www.zoom.com/techsupport/adsl/adsl_x6.shtml

Well, I can't see any colour coding on the back of the modem.

[Scarecrow Man]

You will need to log into your router on a working computer that is connected via a wired connection. The address is generally http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1 or something similar to that. If neither of these work, go to start > run > cmd. type ipconfig and write down your default gateway. Go to a browser and type http://yourdefaultgatewaynumber. I assume it is 192.168.0.1, but it may be different.

Once inside, click the Wireless icon on the Zoom Configuration Manager window. This will open the Wireless Configuration page.

The only thing you will need to change is your Pass phrase. This will populate the fields below with a number/letter combination that is an encrypted version of your above pass phrase. WRITE THIS DOWN. This is your passphrase that you will need to connect wireless. You only need one of them, but you can write them all down just in case.

Once you have saved settings and wrote the configuration to flash, go to your laptop and try to connect. When prompted for a key, enter one of the keys you wrote down earlier and all should be well.

If you are still having problems, you can always set encryption to NONE and connect without a key, but remember this leaves you unsecured, but you will be able to connect while we troubleshoot further.

All of this was found on page 29 - here

SIDE NOTE:

Once you are logged into the router, you MIGHT be able to see the current pass phrase. In this case, just write it down and try connection on the erroneous laptop with that pass phrase. That might work without having to change anything.

[Irene]

Scarecrow Man, you are my star!! :D

You reminded me that I have an icon to connect to the Zoom website.

There it was... WEP code stated on screen, so I copied it onto the 'new' laptop and Bingo it connected.

[Mike567]

could just run this on one of your machines running over wireless http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_key.html grabs the WEP key from the registries, I've used it a few times now.

[Irene]

could just run this on one of your machines running over wireless http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_key.html grabs the WEP key from the registries, I've used it a few times now.

Thanks Mike.

A useful tip. ;)

[homecomputeraid]

Hi Irene,

If you're really concerned with security (if you have neighbours close by, and/or a lot of wireless access points in your neighbourhood) you may consider Wi-fi Protected Access Version 2 (WPA 2) over WEP. Your wireless router and wireless network card will have to be capable of using WPA2 for this to work though.

WEP is a very broken security protocol and is easily crackable using free utilities that can be found on the Internet.

[Irene]

Thanks for the info, Ted.

Networking is a complete labyrinth to me.

Fortunately, I seem to have resolved my recent difficulties.... I think.