Laptop wifi encryption problem

[pally01]

Today I installed a WRT 54 GL router onto family's network. The install went fairly well except for my attempts to encrypt the signal. I tried WPA & WEP and could not get connected with a laptop (unless encryption is shut off). Two other desktops are wired into the router and connect no problem.

I know the encryption p/w must match exactly, as well as the encryption method, and I checked/double checked and can not see the error.

The laptop is an Acer aspire 5630-6760 and is running Vista Home Premium. Any assistance welcomed.

[kilgoretrout]

Have you been able to successfully configure any other encrypted wireless networks with your Acer? If not, it's probably an issue with your vista driver for your wireless card. There are a lot of people reporting problems with their wireless cards on vista and it's usually a driver problem. You may want to check and see if there are any updated drivers for it.

[pally01]

Originally Posted by kilgoretrout Have you been able to successfully configure any other encrypted wireless networks with your Acer?

Hey Kilgortrout. Thanks for the reply.
I had this notebook connected to my own network a while ago no problem at all. My network is WPA encrypted and I had no troubles. I try the same thing with the familys' network and I can't even get a WEP encryption working. As soon as I encrypt it, I get a red X through the SSID beacon. Nothing so far has changed that.

I just checked on the ACER site and saw no relevant drivers for this model notebook.

[cmillar6]

I have seen this problem before and its usually because the keys don't match, even if you have typed in the encryption p/w correctly if your router is broadcasting key 2 and windows is set to accept key 1 the connection will fail. Check settings in both router and windows to confirm keys match.

[hooah]

how do you check the settins? I am having the EXACT same issues, not that Im trying to hijack the post, I just and very frustrated, I have an acer too

[pally01]

Originally Posted by cmillar6 I have seen this problem before and its usually because the keys don't match

Are you referring to the channel? If not, I'm not certain I know what you're referring to.

[glc]

In a Linksys router, when you choose WEP, if you enter a passphrase it generates 4 keys. You should use the FIRST key in the laptop. When you choose WPA, you use a passphrase in both the router and laptop, and it may be case sensitive.

For simple troubleshooting, set it for 64 bit WEP, and do not use a passphrase. Manually enter a 10 digit hex key in KEY 1. To keep it simple, use your 10 digit phone number.

[pally01]

OK. I know what you mean regarding the WEP key. I did notice that in my Linksys journey so far...

I went to the Linksys website and used the Advisor program to see if that could help. It was able to get the laptop connected wirelessly using WPA encryption. However, after about 10 minutes, I started seeing the connection come and go. After a few more minutes, the laptop could not connect again. The signal was 3 bars or better the whole time.

Are dropped connections a problem with WPA? I'm wondering if I should just go WEP and be done with it?

[cmillar6]

WPA really slows down my connection which is why I refuse to use it, I just stick with WEP. Although people frown upon WEP it will keep you pretty safe. People looking to steal a wifi connection will shy away from any encryption whatsoever (WEP or WPA) and just look for an unencrypted connection which sadly are still plentiful. It is easier to crack a WEP key but it still takes a long time and most don't have the knowledge or patience to do so.

[glc]

Update the firmware on the GL to the latest Linksys release, do a hard reset, and reconfigure it. See if that helps.

[pally01]

Thanks for the replys, folks. I really, really, really appreciate this forum and the assistance I've received since joining.

Cmillar6: I had heard that WEP is fairly easy to break too. That's why I hoped to use WPA. I hadn't heard that WPA slows down connections however. Perhaps I should stick with WEP too.

GLC: I checked the firmware on the GL and it is a few revisions outdated. I've never updated firmware on anything and I'm uneasy about bricking the router. I read the "How To" for updating firmware and it seems easy enough. Any pitfalls to watch for?

Hard reset: that when I unplug the router for 30 seconds, press/hold the reset on the back and then power up the router again?

[glc]

1. The only beware is do NOT update the firmware over wireless, and do not interrupt the process.

2. You can also log into it and restore factory defaults.

[pally01]

Thanks GLC. I'll be performing the update in a few hours. Hopefully my next post is "Done!!".