Odd, that there is no readily available "How to connect your Laptop"?

[Powerstroke2000]

Never owned a laptop before, and my wife got one for X-mas but this problem of "connection" to my router (wirelessly) is a task I've been working on for a couple of hours now.
I'm sure it would be simple for those that have done this before, but...I'm a newbie at it, so what I think should be simple, just isn't so...or so it appears!

So, what I'm having trouble with is getting the "Security key or passphrase" issue! I went into my PC that is connected to my router, and I've tried typing in the network key (WEP/WPA) into the laptop CAREFULLY at least 8 - 10 times now with no luck. The key I am typing is exactly as shown (printed out) from my PC.
I have no idea what my passphrase is, as this is an old computer, and I have no idea what/if I may have added several years ago when I set this computer/router up.
My network key is a 27 digit number/letter sequence, and I continue to get an issue, saying it is not correct...from the laptop end.

Why the laptop won't take this key (or is it asking for a different key than my "network key"?
It does ask for a security key..not a network key, but this is all I've found at this point. At the very least, with the amount of laptops out there now, I thought I'd find a quick "sticky" to this issue, but again, nothing yet.

Any help on this would be appreciated, as this new laptop will be used mainly for internet/e-mail use. I should also mention, when my daughter comes home and uses her laptop..it seems to connect just fine!

Thanks in advance!

[Powerstroke2000]

It dawned on me, that I should mention too, that my PC has Windows XP (and service packs) and the new Laptop I am trying to connect to the router has Vista.
I don't know if that matters, but thought I'd mention it.

Thanks..

[mattaggie]

There are two passwords to deal with in terms of router/wireless. One is the password to get into the router setup. the other is the password for a wireless device to connect to the router (for things like internet). I am thinking your daughter can connect because she has saved connection on her computer. So after you enter the password the first time, she doesnt have to in the future. So to get the password, go to the router's IP address (for example, Lynksis are usually 192.168.1.1) and view the password or change it. If your router is password protected and you dont know it, you can reset the router by pressing a small button on the back.

[glc]

WEP keys are either 10 character (64 bit) or 26 character (128 bit). It's not possible that you have a 27 character key. It's a hexadecimal key - valid characters are 0-9 and A-F. You also have to know if it's open or preshared.

A passphrase is not used with WEP, except to help you generate a valid key with some brands of routers. This will be proprietary to each brand.

WPA uses standard alphanumeric passwords. You have to match type (WPA-Personal, WPA2, WPA-PSK) and encryption method (AES or TKIP).

In order to read out exactly what you have to use, you need to log into the router's admin interface and look in the wireless security section.

[Powerstroke2000]

Originally Posted by glc WEP keys are either 10 character (64 bit) or 26 character (128 bit). It's not possible that you have a 27 character key. It's a hexadecimal key - valid characters are 0-9 and A-F. You also have to know if it's open or preshared. A passphrase is not used with WEP, except to help you generate a valid key with some brands of routers. This will be proprietary to each brand. WPA uses standard alphanumeric passwords. You have to match type (WPA-Personal, WPA2, WPA-PSK) and encryption method (AES or TKIP). In order to read out exactly what you have to use, you need to log into the router's admin interface and look in the wireless security section.

Thanks very much. I'm thinking my counting was off, and that I have the 26 character sequence.

Where might I find the info regarding the router? Would that be in my computer's Control Panel somewhere? I take it then...the network key ISN'T the security key that is needed here then?
Is it an easy task to change my settings from the current WEP to WAP?

Thanks..

[mattaggie]

you access the router's settings by tpying the IP address into Internet explorer. You can find the default IP for different brands by googling it.

[Powerstroke2000]

Originally Posted by mattaggie you access the router's settings by tpying the IP address into Internet explorer. You can find the default IP for different brands by googling it.

Tried this, and I'm assuming my firewall won't allow it? I just get a page giving me an error message asking me to check with my administrator.

Will have to figure out how to get through the firewall I'm assuming?

Thanks again..

[Powerstroke2000]

Ok, by going to a different site, I found how to turn off my firewall, but I got the same "Network Error" message in my browser window when typing in my IP address in the address bar.

I've since returned to turning my firewall back on. It seems unfortunate that getting this information from your own computer can be so time consuming! I'm at a day and a half now at trying to get this information, just to get a new laptop up and running with internet access wirelessly.

Thanks for the help up to this point folks.

[shadowpr]

What router do you have?

[glc]

I see in another thread that you use Norton. Get rid of it.

[Powerstroke2000]

I finally found a way into my router "administration" and have made the necessary changes, and now have the laptop up and working.

Thanks for your help...much appreciated!