Help with WEP Encryption

[Hans Crump]

Hi,

I have an Linksys router (802.11g) that is connected to a desk top computer
via ethernet cable and via wireless connection to a laptop. I can get the
internet connection and the LAN connection to function OK as long as I don't
enable the WEP encryption. After enabling the WEP encryption, I enter the
net key in my laptop computer to connect, but I get a message that says
network connections are available, but I don't seem to be able to make a
connection. The network and internet connections are not enabled.
Sometimes I get it to connect, but I can't figure out why, but when I
reboot, the monitor icon in the system tray has an X through it and entering
the network key and hitting connect just gets me the same old message:
"Network connections are Available". There is also a box with
iee.....something... network authentication ?? Not sure what that's used
for. There is no Help in the window to find out.

I have a firewall enabled on the laptop. Could this be a problem? The
laptop is working OK with internet and LAN connections when the firewall is
enabled as long as I don't enable WEP encryption. When I hit the repair
function in the connection window, I get a message that says that I
couldn't renew IP address. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hans Crump

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi,

I have an Linksys router (802.11g) that is connected to a desk top computer
via ethernet cable and via wireless connection to a laptop. I can get the
internet connection and the LAN connection to function OK as long as I don't
enable the WEP encryption. After enabling the WEP encryption, I enter the
net key in my laptop computer to connect, but I get a message that says
network connections are available, but I don't seem to be able to make a
connection. The network and internet connections are not enabled.
Sometimes I get it to connect, but I can't figure out why, but when I
reboot, the monitor icon in the system tray has an X through it and entering
the network key and hitting connect just gets me the same old message:
"Network connections are Available". There is also a box with
iee.....something... network authentication ?? Not sure what that's used
for. There is no Help in the window to find out.

I have a firewall enabled on the laptop. Could this be a problem? The
laptop is working OK with internet and LAN connections when the firewall is
enabled as long as I don't enable WEP encryption. When I hit the repair
function in the connection window, I get a message that says that I
couldn't renew IP address. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hans Crump

To find out whether the laptop's firewall is the problem, un-install
the firewall and then try to connect to the wireless network. Your
router has a built-in firewall function that protects your computers
from undesired incoming traffic from the Internet, so it's safe to
un-install the firewall.

Make sure that all of the wireless settings are exactly the same on
the router and the laptop: WEP key length, WEP key, key index, etc.

Download and install the latest firmware and drivers for the router
and the wireless card.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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