Where do I find a WAP key?

[eniacap]

My Sony Vaio laptop (Windows XP home SP2) has stopped connecting to internet via my wirelss router Buffalo Air Station 54G. My other laptop and desktop work OK so no Router problems.

I contacted Vaio support and they told me to uninstall the Network adapter in Device manager, switch off then Vaio re-installs. Next step click on network connection, where the Vaio asks me for a WPA key to enter. Vaio support say this is a matter for Buffalo support.

The Buffalo guidance notes say they don't use encryption. There is a SSID LAN MAC address but no sign of WPA or WEP.

Advice greatly appreciated.

Edited September 3, 2008 by eniacap

[GreyCell1988]

IF ya check your routers manual, it should show you a config router adress to put into your browser, once in there it may ask you, your username and password, if you dont know the username and password, again consult the manual,

 

Once in the routers config, you should be able to check the routers current security settings, and you should be able to get the code in there, if not then you can try changing the security type from WPA, to like WEP or whatnot, and it will allow you to either, set a code, or it will give you one.

 

I believe the routers default config IP is - http://192.168.11.1

and the default username and PW is - User - root, pw - "blank"

 

hope this helps in someway ;)

[Dalo Harkin]

when the pc/laptops that work log in to the router - it should say show key rather than hexed out

[eniacap]

IF ya check your routers manual, it should show you a config router adress to put into your browser, once in there it may ask you, your username and password, if you dont know the username and password, again consult the manual,

 

Once in the routers config, you should be able to check the routers current security settings, and you should be able to get the code in there, if not then you can try changing the security type from WPA, to like WEP or whatnot, and it will allow you to either, set a code, or it will give you one.

 

I believe the routers default config IP is - http://192.168.11.1

and the default username and PW is - User - root, pw - "blank"

 

hope this helps in someway ;)

 

Thanks Grey Cell. The manual does indeed give the IP address and username/pw you gave above.

I typed the 192.168.11.1 into the Vaio browser and of course it couldn't connect to the internet. I got a message that the network adapter couldn't find the network address. It hung for ages seeking to acquire the network address. If the network address is 192.168.11.1 how can I get the adapter to find it?

[eniacap]

when the pc/laptops that work log in to the router - it should say show key rather than hexed out

 

Thanks Dalo - I'm not sure I understand. On the machines which are OK I just double click on Firefox/I.E. and I'm on line - broadband cable permanently connected.

[GreyCell1988]

Hmm, there is a way to actually show the Key in windows XP on the computers that are alreay connecing to it, cant 100% mind on how its done, i know how to do it on Vista however, its basically going into the currently connected network bit and where it shows what security it is, u can put it to show the hexed charecters like Dalo said, trying to find out how to do it on windows xp but cant find anything on google, Dalo can u mind at all?

[Dalo Harkin]

It's not necessary to know what the WEP key is. It's simply stored in the Registry at "Software\Microsoft\WZCSVC\Parameters\Interfaces". So you can export the keys in this registry tree. Note: you have to do something else for handling WPA keys.

 

OR

 

run a tool called "wzcook". Here is the description from the site:

"WZCOOK can be used to recover WEP keys from XP's Wireless Zero Configuration utility."

 

http://www.wirelessdefence.org/Conte..._WinWzcook.htm

[eniacap]

It's not necessary to know what the WEP key is. It's simply stored in the Registry at "Software\Microsoft\WZCSVC\Parameters\Interfaces". So you can export the keys in this registry tree. Note: you have to do something else for handling WPA keys.

 

OR

 

run a tool called "wzcook". Here is the description from the site:

"WZCOOK can be used to recover WEP keys from XP's Wireless Zero Configuration utility."

 

http://www.wirelessdefence.org/Conte..._WinWzcook.htm

 

Many thanks for that advice. I've found 3 WPA keys on the Vaio (in hex) but entering them has not got me up and running. It's still hanging there "waiting for network" or "acquiring network address", so although my original query has been fully answered, it's back to the drawing board

:-(

[Dalo Harkin]

Does it work with an Ethernet cable directly into the Router?

[eniacap]

Does it work with an Ethernet cable directly into the Router?

 

I've just tried that, and it doesn't work when connected directly via ethernet cable. It still can't find the router/address:-(

[Dalo Harkin]

There is a SSID LAN MAC address but no sign of WPA or WEP

read this http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/networking/3422-netgear-routers.html

will be a similar process

[eniacap]

read this http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/networking/3422-netgear-routers.html

will be a similar process

 

Yes the MAC address was given in the manual, but no sign there of a WEP or WPA Key. I think the issue of the Key is resolved. My problem now is similar to the other current thread, my laptop receives a strong signal from the router but doesn't connect:-(

[Dalo Harkin]

Have you read the documentation that the router came with - there can be 101 reasons why routers refuse access - but we need more specific information.

[eniacap]

Have you read the documentation that the router came with - there can be 101 reasons why routers refuse access - but we need more specific information.

 

Yes cover to cover, but didn't see anything to help.

What I find most puzzling is that this laptop has worked OK on this router for a couple of years, and I have made no changes to cause the present problem - no new hardware or software.

[Dalo Harkin]

something somewhere must have changed - they dont just stop working - I am not accusing you - but something must have changed.

 

If the settings in the laptop are changed which I think is most probable as the other PC's work and just this laptop does not - I would check the control panel and check in device manager for exclamations on the network devices.

[eniacap]

something somewhere must have changed - they dont just stop working - I am not accusing you - but something must have changed.

 

If the settings in the laptop are changed which I think is most probable as the other PC's work and just this laptop does not - I would check the control panel and check in device manager for exclamations on the network devices.

 

Everything working normally according to Device Manager. However I've received a message from Vaio support saying exactly what you have just said, so I've done a safe mode restore back to July and now I'm up and running. Honestly I have changed nothing since July on this computer as I use the other 2 more often. Maybe something has downloaded itself unknown to me.

Many thanks for all your help.

[Dalo Harkin]

Glad it's all working - you may have got an update for your network device - even something like that can cause it to just stop working as it would need re-configuring.