How do I change the WEP key index in XP home ?

[Baron Samedi]

Some time ago I set up a home network and chose WEP key index 3. I set
up a few PC and laptops including one that runs Microsoft XP Home.

Now I have a device that won't let me specify the WEP key index - it
just takes the first. I can change the router, the Linux PCs, the XP
Pro - but I have searched high & low and cannot see how to change the
WEP key index under XP home.


Can someone please help? I know that this ought to be obvious, but ...

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Some time ago I set up a home network and chose WEP key index 3. I set
up a few PC and laptops including one that runs Microsoft XP Home.

Now I have a device that won't let me specify the WEP key index - it
just takes the first. I can change the router, the Linux PCs, the XP
Pro - but I have searched high & low and cannot see how to change the
WEP key index under XP home.

Can someone please help? I know that this ought to be obvious, but ...

There's no difference in the built-in wireless networking support
between XP Pro and XP Home. Perhaps the difference that you're seeing
is due to the particular wireless network card in the XP Home
computer.

Does your XP Home computer use a utility provided by the wireless
network card vendor (Netgear, Linksys, D-Link, Belkin, etc) to
configure the network? If so, there should be a way to change the key
in that program.

Does your computer use Windows XP's built-in wireless networking
utility to configure the network? If so, there's no way to specify
more than one key or a key index. Just specify the new key when XP
asks you to enter one. If it tries to connect to your wireless
network without asking for a key, remove your wireless network from
its list of known networks first:

1. Open the Network Connections folder.
2. Click the wireless network connection.
3. Click "View Available Wireless Networks".
4. Click "Change advanced settings".
5. Click "Wireless Networks".
6. Click your network in the list of preferred networks.
7. Click Remove.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Noble Edward]

There is a way:

1. Open Network Connections > Properties > Wireless Networks

2. Select the desired SSID > Properties > Association

3. Uncheck 'The key is provided for me automatically' check box

4. Increment the desired key index!

Thats it.

 

[Barb Bowman]

WEP is unsafe. You REALLY should be using WPA2 or at least WPA. what
router and what wireless card do you have?

There is a way:

1. Open Network Connections > Properties > Wireless Networks

2. Select the desired SSID > Properties > Association

3. Uncheck 'The key is provided for me automatically' check box

4. Increment the desired key index!

Thats it.

--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com