Help! Wireless network question

[shovelheadroad]

Hey computer gurus...I have a question regarding adding a computer to my wireless network at home. The router is security enabled, and I can't for the life of me remember how to recover the network key from this laptop. I'm running vista on this one. Can someone tell me how to find my network key?

[103rapesAday]

Hey computer gurus...I have a question regarding adding a computer to my wireless network at home. The router is security enabled, and I can't for the life of me remember how to recover the network key from this laptop. I'm running vista on this one. Can someone tell me how to find my network key?


Need to clarify a few things, when the security was setup on your router do remember what type of security you setup (WPA, WEP, PSA-key, etc)? If you can either post here or pm us what model of router you have so we can check the manual to help you better.

[shovelheadroad]

Need to clarify a few things, when the security was setup on your router do remember what type of security you setup (WPA, WEP, PSA-key, etc)? If you can either post here or pm us what model of router you have so we can check the manual to help you better.

Yes, it's a WEP key. Here's the thing...I got the key from the primary computer which is cabled to the router...I looked around and somehow came up with the area in the primary puter that actually has the wireless key, and just copied it manually to this laptop.I've forgotten how I did it now...damn, there used to a wizard that did all this for you on xp...

[103rapesAday]

Yes, it's a WEP key. Here's the thing...I got the key from the primary computer which is cabled to the router...I looked around and somehow came up with the area in the primary puter that actually has the wireless key, and just copied it manually to this laptop.I've forgotten how I did it now...damn, there used to a wizard that did all this for you on xp...

Does your router allows you to log into it and save the settings? If it does then you should be able to save this to an usb pendrive and when you insert the pendrive into the two laptops when setting up your connection it should allow you to browse directly to the file to use the WEP key. Will it allow this option?

[Holychinese]

Check ur router brand ,there should be a default IP for the set up page.
e.g. a D-link router is 192.168.0.1
so u check urs,and go to the comp with cabled to the router
open a browser and type in that IP
then u will be in the setting page of the router which u can see and change the password

[shovelheadroad]

Thanks for all your help guys, but i figured it out. If anyone else wants to add a computer to their secure wireless network...go to your primary computer's MY DOCUMENTS--click on MY NETWORK SETTINGS...and your router's WEP/WPA key is there. just enter it into your new puter.

[jtbrand1]

if you want to secure a wireless network then i suggest using a wpa encrypted key , you can make your own online here http://www.yellowpipe.com/yis/tools/WPA_key/generator.php
after that, copy it and save it to a text file and save that text file on a usb stick, then use that wpa key on each wireless computer you have that you want connected wireless to your wireless network, some wireless routers have the option to clone the mac of addresses of each pc, you can do that if you don't want cooncast (aka comcast) seeing that you have more than 1 pc online it's also good for extra security.

[White_Is_Right]

if you want to secure a wireless network then i suggest using a wpa encrypted key

If you want to be really secure, then just turn off the Wi-Fi, and only use it on an as needed basis.

Also, if the device itself isn't portable, there's no good reason why it should use wireless. For example, servers, desktops, and anything that isn't portable should use CAT5e or CAT6.

For laptops and PDAs/Smartphones, Wi-Fi makes sense.

Personally, I don't run Wi-Fi 99% of the time. I do have an AP, but I only turn it on when my father visits, so he can use his laptop. I don't have anything portable and Wi-Fi capable, so I have no need to run it 24/7.