Unable to enter 128-bit WEP key in Windows XP wireless configuration

[Krishnakumar B]

Hi,

I am trying to set up a Wireless network at home and want
to enable 128-bit WEP encryption. I have generated the key
on the router and have managed to hook up a Mac OS X
machine and it works. When I try to connect the Windows XP
SP1 machine, I am unable to enter the 26 characters long
key as the passphrase dialog box will not accept more than
24 characters. If I still go ahead and press TAB, I get a
pop-up dialog box saying that I should enter a 10 character
passphrase or a 26 character passphrase. It's very wierd.
Has anyone seen this before ?

Please let me know if there is a work-around.

 

[Barb Bowman [MVP-Windows]]

are you using the built in features of XP to configure your network?

 

[BGZ]

I am having this exact same problem.
you can enter a 26 bit key but it won't work. Enter the
first 24 characters and the the window will appear to fill
up then enter two more characters. Although it appears
that it's not allowing you to enter the last two
characters since the characters only show up as dots, they
are being added to the key and you can confirm this by
highlighting the 24 visbile 'dots' and deleting them. Now
the window will appear to be blank, but if cursor back
twice in the window the last two characters or 'dots' will
be visible.

My problem starts after this though, when I try to connect
after entering the key, the I get a red X on my NIC icon.
Then I get the 'wireless network avaiable' icon and when I
click that I get window showing my wireless connection
with my 'key' already 'dotted' in but for some reason it's
been reduced to 10 characters. I can re-enter it time and
time again to no avail. this where I'm stuck. let me know
if you can get past this point.




Windows will size it down to a 10 character key

 

[BGZ]

Figured the damn thing out...xp does not support 128 bit
encryption this is per microsoft:

Note Some wireless vendors advertise the use of a 128-
bit wireless encryption key. This is the addition of a
104-bit WEP key with another number used during the
encryption process known as the initialization vector (a
24-bit number). Also, some recent wireless APs support
the use of a 152-bit wireless encryption key. This is a
128-bit WEP key added to the 24-bit initialization
vector. The Windows XP configuration dialog boxes do not
support 128-bit WEP keys. If you must use 152-bit
wireless encryption keys, disable the Wireless Zero
Configuration service by clearing the Use Windows to
configure my wireless network settings check box on the
Wireless Networks tab of the properties of the wireless
connection in Network Connections, and use the
configuration utility provided with your wireless network
adapter.


long live bill gates

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Figured the damn thing out...xp does not support 128 bit
encryption this is per microsoft:

Note Some wireless vendors advertise the use of a 128-
bit wireless encryption key. This is the addition of a
104-bit WEP key with another number used during the
encryption process known as the initialization vector (a
24-bit number). Also, some recent wireless APs support
the use of a 152-bit wireless encryption key. This is a
128-bit WEP key added to the 24-bit initialization
vector. The Windows XP configuration dialog boxes do not
support 128-bit WEP keys. If you must use 152-bit
wireless encryption keys, disable the Wireless Zero
Configuration service by clearing the Use Windows to
configure my wireless network settings check box on the
Wireless Networks tab of the properties of the wireless
connection in Network Connections, and use the
configuration utility provided with your wireless network
adapter.


long live bill gates

I wouldn't give up yet, BGZ.

Windows XP's built-in Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service
supports 128-bit (104 + 24) encryption. It doesn't support 152-bit
(128 + 24).

But you don't need to use WZC. There should be a utility program,
provided with the card, that you can install and use to set up
non-standard (e.g. 152-bit) encryption.

What's the make and model of your wireless network card and access
point or router?
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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