<Livebox Issues? ~ Where do I enter the WEP Key into Dell laptop?
StevePardoe
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 6:37 pm
Joined: 31 Aug 2006Posts: 14
Hi,
I had a lot of help from here to get my Livebox-4798 and Speedtouch 121g working (USB on a Dell desktop), which they now do, so grateful thanks for that!
I've now tried to add our daughter's Christmas present of a Dell Inspiron 1300 (Win XP, SP2) laptop to the wireless network, and it can see the Livebox OK with a good signal, but when I try to make a connection it gets stuck at the point where it's trying to acquire the network (or sometimes IP) address. I get the little TV icon with a to-and-fro yellow dot. The settings are for automatic IP address, by the way, 'cos that worked on the office network when a colleague was setting up the laptop in the first place. It acquired the office network and connected through to the internet OK.
I find the Speedtouch does need to re-establish the WEP key from time to time, so I wondered whether there is the same requirement with the laptop? I went through a step (on the laptop) which asked for the WEP key (with and option not to hide it) but I can't seem to find that dialogue box again! Can anyone tell me how to get back there, to check and/or re-enter the WEP key? At one stage I even got the wireless link showing it was connected, but it wouldn't actually connect through to the Internet. It all works fine with an ethernet cable to the Livebox.
Another point, I often seem to get a dead-end saying Windows cannot configure this wireless connection and referring me to MS KB 871122.
Thanks, desperate to get it going for our daughter before Christmas!
The message about windows not being able to configure the connection means some other program or software may be set to do so instead. Although if it doesn't say this immediately after you turn on the laptop and it's only happened a couple of times then it's more likely to be just a glitch.
You may be entering the WEP key wrongly. Best thing to do is to log into the livebox config, (192.168.1.1, username and pass both "admin") go into security > wireless connection, copy the key from there so you can paste it in without having to type it.
If it's still not working back in the livebox config go to configuration > advanced > wireless, set it to WEP only. Let the box settle and try connecting again and it should be working. A lot of the time it's the dual security that throws off wireless like this.
In all these make sure you're in pairing mode by pressing 1 beforehand until the connection is made and you've got an IP, after that you don't need to worry about pairing anymore.
The message about windows not being able to configure the connection means some other program or software may be set to do so instead. Although if it doesn't say this immediately after you turn on the laptop and it's only happened a couple of times then it's more likely to be just a glitch.
You may be entering the WEP key wrongly. Best thing to do is to log into the livebox config, (192.168.1.1, username and pass both "admin") go into security > wireless connection, copy the key from there so you can paste it in without having to type it. .
Thanks for the quick response, Elhana!
I've got the WEP key in a text file, so I'm fairly confident that it's correct. My question is really how I enter it into the Dell laptop, not the Livebox. I just can't get (back?) to a dialogue box that asks for it!
Elhana wrote:
If it's still not working back in the livebox config go to configuration > advanced > wireless, set it to WEP only. Let the box settle and try connecting again and it should be working. A lot of the time it's the dual security that throws off wireless like this.
I tried WEP-only (after reading another suggestion on this forum) and the Speedtouch 121g stopped working, so I'm very reluctant to change the Livebox settings if this can be avoided
Elhana wrote:
In all these make sure you're in pairing mode by pressing 1 beforehand until the connection is made and you've got an IP, after that you don't need to worry about pairing anymore.
Yes, I've tried the pairing thing and it's only during pairing that I get the moving yellow dot - once pairing times out the connection icon changes to red X.
So, where in WinXP / Internet Explorer / Network setup do I enter the WEP key?
I've got the WEP key in a text file, so I'm fairly confident that it's correct. My question is really how I enter it into the Dell laptop, not the Livebox. I just can't get (back?) to a dialogue box that asks for it!
Ok, thats good then, I didn't mean you enter it into the livebox, just get a copy of the key to make sure it's exact as although rare the stick has been known to be wrong. This shouldn't be the case though as you've already got a speedtouch adapter connected.
Quote:
I tried WEP-only (after reading another suggestion on this forum) and the Speedtouch 121g stopped working, so I'm very reluctant to change the Livebox settings if this can be avoided
That'll be because you have to set the 121g's software to WEP as well otherwise it wouldn't connect just as you describe.
Quote:
Yes, I've tried the pairing thing and it's only during pairing that I get the moving yellow dot - once pairing times out the connection icon changes to red X.
So, where in WinXP / Internet Explorer / Network setup do I enter the WEP key?
Should be through network connections, right click the wireless and view available wireless networks. Disconnect from anything it's connected or trying to connect to. Try and connect to your livebox and it should ask for the key, twice.
So, where in WinXP / Internet Explorer / Network setup do I enter the WEP key?[/quote]
Should be through network connections, right click the wireless and view available wireless networks. Disconnect from anything it's connected or trying to connect to. Try and connect to your livebox and it should ask for the key, twice.[/quote]
Mmm, thanks again (and in the small hours!) but even after disabling it still doesn't ask for the key, just keeps saying Windows cannot configure this wireless connection. I've also searched M$ website, and this and other forums, to no avail. Must be a big secret ;-(
Have to give up now and get the laptop wrapped, if any other ideas comein from anyone I'll try them tomorrow
Mmm, thanks again (and in the small hours!) but even after disabling it still doesn't ask for the key, just keeps saying Windows cannot configure this wireless connection. I've also searched M$ website, and this and other forums, to no avail. Must be a big secret ;-(
As I mentioned before that means some other software is set to control the wireless instead of windows. Could be a system tray icon next to the clock, seperate on the control panel or just a link on the desktop or start menu somewhere. Should be able to use that to connect but a lot of people find it easier to just turn off that software and use windows itself.
Mmm, thanks again (and in the small hours!) but even after disabling it still doesn't ask for the key, just keeps saying Windows cannot configure this wireless connection. I've also searched M$ website, and this and other forums, to no avail. Must be a big secret ;-(
As I mentioned before that means some other software is set to control the wireless instead of windows. Could be a system tray icon next to the clock, seperate on the control panel or just a link on the desktop or start menu somewhere. Should be able to use that to connect but a lot of people find it easier to just turn off that software and use windows itself.
I've looked for that kind of thing, but utterly unable to find. It's a shame, but I've run out of time now and will try again after Christmas. I do appreciate your efforts!
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