I need help!Cant find my WEP!!

penguinpoppers

Ok heres the problem,I got netopia wireless router from eircom then changed companies to gaelic broadband.
I was trying to connect my ps3 to the internet but couldnt find the WEP.
Because im such a genius (and a bit of a technical retard) while looking for a way to get the WEP from my laptop, i deleted the WEP written in stars e.g. ********
So emm... how can I fix this?I wrang eircom and they said they dont deal with WEP's. Someone told me that the numbers on the bottom of the router would be the WEP but when i enter them it says to enter a 5/10 digit password with letters from a-f or something.

Please help me!!(i think its kinda important to add that I was at a friends house so its his internet i ****ed up....oops) ((oh and keep in mind im slow....very very slow)) THANK YOU!!!

irlrobins

Simplest way to recover WEP is to reset the modem (causing it to return to it's original factory settings), then log in via the web browser (http://192.168.1.254) and set a new WEP.

penguinpoppers

Ok ill give that a try, Could I just find out how I reset the modem please?

irlrobins

Should be a pinhole at the rear of the modem. Stick a paper clip in it for 5-7secs and it should hard reset it.

penguinpoppers

Hey again, Thanks alot for the help.
One last question is this:When you say 'log in via the web browser' and set a new WEP, how do i do this? Do I just click on internet explorer and this will come up?
Thanks again.

irlrobins

Open internet explorer, type http://192.168.1.254 into the address box and press enter.

You'll get a screen like this

Enter eircom@eircom.net for the username and broadband1 for the password.

http://broadbandsupport.eircom.net/ will give you guides on how to setup WEP after that.

-annex-

You really shouldn't use WEP. It's a flawed system and can be cracked in a few hours with a packet sniffer. Recommend you change to WPA to be safe.

penguinpoppers

ok cool.im gunna give that a try this weekend so. Ill post again to let you know how it went. Youre a life saver mister!! THANK YOU!!

Oh and to -annex-,thanks for the suggestion but to be honest i was unable to find and use my WEP do i think anything else is a bit out of my league. Maybe in the future ill give it ago...after i find out what all the other terms are e.g. IP,DNS,WEP,WPA,UnDp,LAN,...sigh* i have a long way to go...

MarkR

WPA is easier to use then wep as the code you enter can be a lot shorter and still be a lot more secure. Use combinations of letters, numbers and symbols that while familiar / easy to remember by you shouldn't be easily broken.

sirpsycho

I would just connect your laptop into the router via the rj45 cable(similar to a phone line but with a thicker connector at each end) and open up 192.168.1.254. then go to the wireless settings and create a new WEP code. write it down and use that.

penguinpoppers

sirpsycho wrote: »

I would just connect your laptop into the router via the rj45 cable(similar to a phone line but with a thicker connector at each end) and open up 192.168.1.254. then go to the wireless settings and create a new WEP code. write it down and use that.

What if there are 2 laptops using the same router? would the password be changed on both?
As regards the cable:would this be like the 'ethernet' cable that I got with my ps3?

sirpsycho

Hi,

The router is where the password is created/stored, so any devices (laptops) that want to use the router must have the password on them if you want to use the wireless connection.

Yes, any ethernet cable will do fine to connect the laptop to the router.

penguinpoppers

Hey, i was reading over the posts so i'd know how to do it during the weekend and it just occured to me to ask whether it will make a difference that im not with eircom anymore even though im using the router they gave me?As in do i still go to the page http://192.168.1.254 and use the username eircom@eircom.net?
Sorry for making something this easy so difficult!!

sirpsycho

To find out what ip address you need use:

Start -> Run -> type cmd

This will open up a black window. Type ipconfig

Look for "Default gateway" and this will be the address to open up to connect into your router.

I dont know about the usernames/passwords but did your friend's isp send out any usernames/passwords? You might not need to change anything else if the connection was working before because the router should have saved the username/password that was working. (Dont reset the router because this will clear the current username/password). If you're asked you will need to dig out the info the isp sent out.

penguinpoppers

sirpsycho wrote: »

To find out what ip address you need use:

Start -> Run -> type cmd

This will open up a black window. Type ipconfig

Look for "Default gateway" and this will be the address to open up to connect into your router.

I dont know about the usernames/passwords but did your friend's isp send out any usernames/passwords? You might not need to change anything else if the connection was working before because the router should have saved the username/password that was working. (Dont reset the router because this will clear the current username/password). If you're asked you will need to dig out the info the isp sent out.

The problem isnt getting the ip address I have that.Its just the WEP as in the password I need. If I reset the router it will delete the username/password and I should be able to make new ones,is that correct? There is a preset username still set on one laptop but the password is writeen in stars i.e. ******** so I cant find it out. Going with the advice given in this thread,the general idea im getting is that i meant to reset the router. I think im gunna give that a go tonight

sirpsycho

Before you reset it (there should be no need to reset it imho), how about at least giving this a go. Enter the ip address of the router into internet explorer and look for security / wireless settings on the menu. you should be able to find WEP and the current key. it will appear as text too and not ********. The you can just copy and paste it.

After you login look for a screen like this:

penguinpoppers

Hey all,I just wanted to let u all know that I did find the WEP.
I didnt need to reset the router and by using the etherenet cable I found the page ye sent me to.To be honest it was really easy because I had your instructions.
Anyway thank you very much!!