What is a WEP key and where do I find it?!?!

QUICK! I've only gotten to this step twice, and I have no clue what to do now!!

 

OK. Now I'm connected to the network, but in the upper right hand corner of the network, it says "limited or no connectivity". What's that all about? I am trying to type the IP address into the address bar, but that doesn't seem to be working. Now what?

 

WEP, it's a key that you created when u set up ur router.
try reading those tutorials from the link below. they're helpful

 

A WEP key is basically a special key set up to protect access to your wireless network so that other people can't access it without knowing the key. For starting off, and if you are setting up the network yourself than it's best to ignore it and turn off the option on the router. Once you get set up than you can start playing with it. As for the ip address you just have to enter the ip address of your router, and the router should be configured with the ip address supplied by your DSL or cable company. If you're just networking than it doesn't matter as long as all computers are set up with the router's ip. Finally make sure thay you are using the right network type probably access point or some other phrase like that. Setting your computer to find any or defauly will help, but sometimes you many need to specify your network name. Your computer should scan automatically to find the router if that's the case.

 

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n100684.asp

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,316202,00.html

hope these help....however if your really worried about people using your access point, WEP is not for you, dont broadcast SSID and also either use WPA (if supported), as well as filtering by MAC address....

 

I'm so confused. I don't even know what SSID, WPA, WEP, and MAC stand for! All righty. I'm connected to the network, but I don't have internet access! Even when I plugged a cable from the router to my laptop, I still didn't get a connection! I think I'm missing a step. Before I plugged in the cable, it said "Local Area Network: cable unplugged". So then I plug in the cable, go to the internet, but I don't have a connection!

Why would I even have to plug in a cable anyway?? I THOUGHT THIS WAS WIRELESS!!!

 

reading the sticky posted up top would be very useful for u

 

It seems like everytime I try to view the links, my computer freezes or it never stops loading the image.

 

Rikkitikkitavi89,

Basic install of a wireless router to get internet:

1. Connect DSL/Cable modem to WAN port on back of router
2. Connect Cable to notebook from router (port 1-4) (Do this before using wireless)
3. Open Internet Explorer and enter the routers configuration page (usually it's something like 192.168.x.x, but it depends on the router), but if you can't even get to this page, then you may need to hardware reset your router (usually a button on the back, front or bottom, get info from manual)
4. Once you're in the router's config page, configure the WAN section (generally, it's the section where you enter your internet username & password (if it's DSL), plus any additional info needed)
5. Enable router mode or DHCP (this is what gives each connected computer an IP address) and set number of address available
6. Save your settings and exit

This is generally all that's really needed to allow you to surf the web via LAN. There might be additional tweaks that might need to be done, but that completely depends on your router.

To get wireless access, just goto the wireless section and:

1. Enable Wireless function
2. Enter an SSID name (generally the name of your wireless network)
3. Select type of wireles (eg 802.11b, 802.11g, etc...)
4. Select Channel (choose anything for now, you can tweak later)
5. Leave SSID Broadcasting ON for now
6. Leave all security/encryption disabled for now
7. Save
8. Goto your notebook's wireless cards setup
9. Add a new WiFi Connection
10. Enter the same info you just setup for your router's WiFi setup (SSID)
11. Change WEP to disabled and save settings
12. Refresh connections list and in a few seconds/minutes you will have connection to the wireless & internet

After you know it's working, go back to the router and:

1. Enable the WEP (64 or 128Bit) or WPA encryption. You'll be asked to enter a passphrase (text) or a combination of alphanumeric characters. Make sure you write down the same sequence as you'll need this for your notebook as well.
2. Choose a Key number from 1 to 4 (this is the slot# where the system will look for the key)
3. Goto your notebooks wireless setup again and this time change the Data Encryption option to WEP/WPA, System Type to Preshared Key
4. Enter the Alphanumeric sequence into the available slots and then choose the same key # (1 to 4).
5. Save and you should be set.

If you can't get connected after this, there's either something wrong with your router or your LAN/WLAN cards on your notebook (doubt both will be inoperative). If it's not the hardware, then it's most likely a setup problem. In this event, you're gonna have to do a search on the internet on how to setup a router (goto the manufacturers website, they have full instructions). Even call the router's manufacturers support line for help, they'll guide you through step by step.

-Vb-

 

very nicely detailed venombite......

 

Thank you Mtrivs, I just hope it helps Rikkitikkitavi89 get his/her notebook up and running correctly.

-Vb-

 

Anything to help!

 

Thanks guys! Awesome help. =)