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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The next time, do the same thing, but check the box "Add to Keychain"
- 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.
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