How to enter a WEP key with a non-Apple access point

Feb 25, '04 09:14:00AM

Contributed by: SallyShears

Summary: With a Apple brand access point, it's easy, but with non-Apple access points it's hard to enter the WEP key. The menu-bar drop-down seems to be broken. Use Internet Connect instead; here's how to do it:

  1. Set up the router. You'll want a WEP key. Turn on WEP... 128bit... Generate a key which will be 26 hex digits. Select and copy it to a safe place; you don't want to have to type this. Don't forget to change the router password! Also, I recommend giving the router a name (SSID or "Wireless network name") which doesn't identify the brand. I name mine SeaTac, Heathrow, Kennedy, OHare, etc.
  2. Now try to connect wirelessly... I could select the acces point in the menu-bar drop down, but I could not enter the 26 hex characters for the WEP key. In particular, I could not paste! I think the drop-down menu is broken, so we'll have to do it another way. With Internet Connect.
  3. In the Airport dropdown, select "Open Internet Connect"... Then select the access point from the list. You'll get a "requires password" dialogue... Pick "WEP 40/128-bit hex"... Paste the 26 char key in the "Password" block... Click OK. Now you should be connected.
  4. The next time, do the same thing, but check the box "Add to Keychain"
  5. Save the SSID and 26 character WEP key in a text file somewhere so you can find it. Also, don't lose the router password you've set.
I did this with Apple's Airport Software 3.3 in an Aluminum 15 PowerBook with Airport Extreme card, a Netgear 814v2 router, Panther 10.3.2, with all updates.

Comments (8)


Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20040217145342387