Wireless security settings

[Andrew Swift]

Could someone please help with my wireless internet conection.

I am in France and my ISP is SFR and I have their router called a Neuf box.

I have two computers set up wirelessly with it and have had no problems. I am trying to set up another. Initially on this machine the wireless dongle wouldn’t work with windows and I have bought a new one which has set up fine and can see the neuf box.

I have started the set up disc and partway through it throws a wobbly and says the security settings on the computer are WPA and they must be WEP what ever this means.

I cant change anything on the neuf box, could anyone advise how I can change the computer to WEP. I am using Belkin wireless not the WZC connection, would this make a difference and how do I turn it on if so.

Many thanks

Andrew

[Newsreader]

I would start by turning on WZC for sure.

Start > Control Panel > Adminsitrative tools > Services.

Scroll down the services list and doulbe click Wireless Auto Config (XP) or Wired Auto Config (Vista).

In properties (local computer) box change Startup type to Automatic. Click Start > OK.

Go to the service labelled WLAN AUto Conifg, double click, in the Properties box change startup type to Automatic. Click Start > OK.

CLick on File > Exit

[Newsreader]

Just been looking at the Belkins online and it seems some of them support WPA or WEP, but not both. This is the encryption method the network uses to keep it secure form unwanted computers logging into your network.

You need to know whether your network is currently secured using WEP or WPA, then get a dongle that matches. Does the router have a label on it showing a WEP or WPA key? that's the easiest way to find out. If not, have you got the original email / letter from SFR giving you your key, or it would have been in the documentation that came with the router.

Failing that, on one of the PCs that are already connected, right click on the 'connected' icons in the system tray bottom right, click 'connect to a network', and it will show your connection. Hold the cursor over it and a box will display showing the security type, WEP or WPA. You need to get a dongle that matches that :)

[Andrew Swift]

Thanks for that, I will turn on the Windows system and try it. The daft thing is I have exactly the same dongle on another two machines and they work fine.

Thanks

Andrew

[Newsreader]

In that case once it's set to WZC and auto start it should be fine. If it's still giving problems go through the adapter and connection settings on one of the other machines and copy them exactly, step by step, to the new machine.

[Andrew Swift]

Still giving problems, now hacked off with it - tomorrows another day!
Vin calling

Thanks

Andrew

[Andrew Swift]

What adaptor settings?

Thanks
Andrew

[Newsreader]

What adaptor settings?

Thanks
Andrew
Your USB stick is a network adapter - control panel > device manager > network adapters > right click on the USB device > properties.

[Andrew Swift]

Thanks, will do.

Andrew

[Andrew Swift]

Well I have it working, I dont know how, it isnt working through the secured router it is onto the SFR website (so it is through the router but not properly) where I had to enter my username and password and it has picked this up again after a restart. So as its only for my daughter and she doesnt use it all that much I am happy to run with this as I have spent enough time on it.

Thanks for your help.

Andrew