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RickS

Apr 11, 2008, 12:07 PM

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Problem Connecting Laptop to WEP-enabled Network

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Possibly someone can help... I am trying to connect a wireless laptop to my home Prodigy Infinitum DSL network with a 2Wire Modem/Router, which is WEP enabled. It won't connect even after I key in the Encryption Key. I have used both the default Key in the Router and have changed the Router to use a user-provided key in the router. HOWEVER the laptop WILL connect just fine if I Disable WEP on the 2Wire router.

What it says to me after I connect using the Key is: "Acquiring Network Address", then "Connected" immediately followed by "Limited or No Connectivity". It states that the "Network didn't assign a network address to the computer". All attempts to "Repair" are unsuccessful saying that it 'Failed to renew my I.P. Address".

But when I disable WEP encryption I can immediately have access to the Internet so I know my PC has been given a good IP address (DHCP). When it is in WEP enabled mode I CAN 'talk' to the router just fine.... just can't get to the Internet. I have turned OFF my laptop XP Firewall to no avail. I have no other type of Firewalls installed. This laptop connects to other WEP disabled routers here and in the States... I just have never had/tried to connect to a WEP enabled network.

Color me baffled!

(This post was edited by RickS on Apr 11, 2008, 12:09 PM)

Brian

Apr 11, 2008, 1:48 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1213 views)

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Re: [RickS] Problem Connecting Laptop to WEP-enabled Network

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WEP is a very dated and more vulnerable form of encryption. If WPA is available on both your router and laptop card, you should use it instead. Try this:

Change router configuration to disable encryption. Linksys routers have address 192.168.1.1 Your's may be different.
Then go to control panel, network connections, wireless connection. Delete all preferred networks. Then go to view wireless networks and connect to your router. You should receive an ip address and be connected to the internet. If so, go back into the router settings and set to highest level of encryption. That should work.

Brian

RickS

Apr 12, 2008, 1:39 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1186 views)

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Re: [Brian] Problem Connecting Laptop to WEP-enabled Network

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Thanks, Brian. I had pretty much done those things but still could not get anything to work. But I tried it again.... to no avail. As I mentioned I had previously changed the router setting to use a "Custom Encryption Key" instead of the default key and that also did not work. But, like all things computer, I later went back in and took another fling at a custom key and VIOLA, it worked! Having worked in computers all my life, I know that one just takes it (these anomalies) in stride and doesn't fret about the 'why'.

I am also aware that WPA is the newer and stronger encryption but I actually am working on a friend's modem/router and I don't like changing too much that is not mine. The probability of someone even attempting to use their wireless (due to their location) is remote, and hacking into WEP is even more remote.

Thanks again.

Rolly

Apr 12, 2008, 2:40 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1183 views)

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Re: [RickS] Problem Connecting Laptop to WEP-enabled Network

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I leave my wireless router open and on 24/7 and have never noticed any outside activity on it.

Rolly Pirate

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