> On 2 Aug 2006 02:06:24 -0700, polaris8***@gmail.com wrote in
> <1154509584.679928.12***@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>:
>
> >hi all .. i have spent the last 5 hrs trying to setup wep security. my
> >laptop is a dell inspiron 700m with an on-board intel 2200bg wireless
> >adapter. the router is a belkin 802.11b wireless/4 port, model # is
> >F5D6231-4_v2. running win xp, sp2
> >
> >i have done the same steps over and over and even gone thru many help
> >forums but i cannot find a solution to my unique problem.
> >[SNIP]
>
> 1. Make sure all devices have the latest firmware.
> 2. Enter WEP keys manually in _hex_.
>
> --
> Best regards,   FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas      FAQ for Wi-Fi:  <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
>            Wi-Fi How To:  <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems:  <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

> polaris8***@gmail.com hath wroth:
>
> >hi all .. i have spent the last 5 hrs trying to setup wep security.  My
> >laptop is a dell inspiron 700m with an on-board intel 2200bg wireless
> >adapter. the router is a belkin 802.11b wireless/4 port, model # is
> >F5D6231-4_v2. running win xp, sp2
>
> Make sure you're using Intel Proset 10.x.  Much better than XP
> Wireless Zero Config or earlier versions.  Unfortunately, the
> F5D6231-4 only supports WEP.  You really should be using WPA as WEP is
> easily cracked.
>
> >i connect wirelessly to the router. factory default settings. i go to
> >the encryption settings and there are 5 options (disable, 64 manual, 64
> >auto, 128 manual, 128 auto)
> >the difference between what i see and what the manual says is that when
> >i write a passphrase (64 auto or 128 auto) i do not see any keys being
> >generated. the boxes where hex keys should have been visible are all
> >greyed out. so the only option is to enter a key manually
>
> This is not the currrent problem but methinks you should know about
> this...  There's a problem with WEP.  Different vendors have different
> ideas on what constitutes converting an ASCII WEP key to a Hex WEP
> key.  If you use an ASCII key, chances are high that it won't work
> because of different ASCII -> Hex conversions.  There are also some
> routers that generate garbage for the Hex key if you use strange ASCII
> characters.  Stay with Hex keys and it will always work.
>
> >then i go to wireless network properties, select my ssid, click on
> >properties->association, select open and wep, uncheck "setup the key
> >automatically" and then enter my key
>
> Don't bother.  Setup the WEP key manually.
>
> >the wireless network is disconnected. however when i do a site survey
> >my ssid still shows as an unsecured wireless network. if i go back to
> >the wireless properties ->association the settings are back to open and
> >disabled
>
> No clue on that one.  Sounds like you're stuck on defaults.  Can any
> other settings be saved or is it just the WEP configuration?
>
> >when i login back to my router ( i was disconnected earlier), the
> >encryption is back to disabled.
>
> Did you save the settings?  You probably did, but I thought I would
> ask anyway.
>
> I have the exact same Belkin router sitting in its box on a shelf in
> my office.  I don't have the heart to inflict it on a customer.  As I
> vaguely recall (not sure), it had a problem with the internal web
> server as the web pages had too long an expire time.  Instead of
> reading the web page from the router, the browser was reading from the
> browser cache.  Clear the browser cache or force a refresh with
> <shift><Reload>.  Try with a different web browser or different
> machine.  If that's not it, then it's simply not saving the settings,
> which implies a broken Belkin router.
>
> >this is truly bizzare. i am ready to toss the belkin router since i
> >think it is the problem
>
> That's only one reason why mine is on the shelf.  I suggest you buy
> something that does 802.11g and WPA encryption.
>
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann     je***@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
> 150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

>thank you all for the posts. the comment on wpa duly noted and i will
>look for a replacement router with wpa capability.
>
>but ....... the real culprit turned out to be the browser .. firefox
>1.5.0.5
>
>few minutes ago i decided to use IE instead and lo and behold the
>"greyed out" boxes are no longer there in the router web page. it was a
>breeze to setup wep.
>
>i am so used to using firefox that i did not think that it could be a
>source of the problem.
>
>amazing.