While trying to start a wireless network using Setup Wizard in auto
mode I am instructed to use a Flash drive. Later in the procedure I am
instructed to plug the Flash drive into my wireless access point
(which I assume means my router). My router is a Linksys MRK54G and it
does not have a USB socket.

I then tried a Manual Setup. The first computer (of three) produced
four codes. I added the first code into the other two PCs and now I
have wireless connection to the 'net and e-mail. However I am still
unable to share some files. I have an in-depth series of steps from a
MS forum which should get me to fully share my folders/files but I
don't want to perform these steps until I am sure my network is
properly set up.

My Question. Have I set up my wireless network correctly using Manual
Setup? Unlike Automatic there did not appear to be any way to involve
the router. If my manual setup is incorrect, what should I do?

Many thanks,

Peter.

It appears you are trying to use WEP encryption which is not very
good. Some would say hopeless.

On the router, select WPA2-PSK if possible or failing that WPA-PSK

WPA & WPA2 give much better security than WEP and the key exchange is
much more user friendly.

Once you have made the change to the router and entered a passphrase
(use one which is about 20 characters long) enter the same information
on the pc's in the wireless properties.


Jim.

Hi
While the idea of the of AutoSetup via Flash drive is a good generic idea it
is useless when the 3rd party manufacturers to not adhere to any agreed upon
setup process. Thus it is better to configure the Wireless manually (It is
pretty easy too).
The general idea is describe here, but you have to read the Wireless Router
manual since every Router has its own menu structure and sometime uses
different verbal terms too.
Wireless Basic Configuration - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
Wireless Security -  http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
--------------------------------------
From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even if
it is Off)
MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can be
easily Spoofed).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
-------------------
The three above are Not considered safe.
Safe Starts here at WPA.
-------------------
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).
Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.
Note 2: If you use WinXP bellow SP3 and did not updated it, you would have
to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft.
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357>
The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless
Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with
your Wireless hardware.
All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass
phrase.
Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible
of one of the Wireless devices.
I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the
max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of
WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.
If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can
do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the
device with a better one.
Jack (MVP-Networking).



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