Totally lost with my router connection logic.
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Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Totally lost with my router connection logic.
I'm really lost with this. I'm in the aforementioned friend's shed with a system running on XP. It is linking to a Netgear router and seems to work well. However, my Sony laptop does not . . . and it's my only link to reality apart from breaking into here every night
Modern-ish Vaio running Vista.
Sony worked at daughter's house in London over long period. Hauled it to deepest Essex and it does not connect.
Signal is 5 Bars. Shows NETGEAR. However . . .
"The setting saved on this computer for the network do not match the requirements of the network."
It shows no other signals in the area. Edit: Brief low-power signal came on a moment ago, but went again.
IT NEVER ASKS FOR A PASSWORD.
Momentary flickering messages when cursor touches blue band (the one with NETGEAR showing as only signal.)
WPA 802.11g SSID Netgear.
I'll post this now for fear of losing it, then edit.
Went to manual-select and got list of existing routers it would link with. Deleted the only NETGEAR listed. It then asked for a password. 'admin' entered. I believe this to be correct, and indeed, it shouts no-go if I try another one. Great hopes I solved it but right back to square one. Well, perhaps not. It tells me I might have the incorrect security type. WEP was set I think. Toying with that now, but freeeeeezing after living in 90f temps.
Modern-ish Vaio running Vista.
Sony worked at daughter's house in London over long period. Hauled it to deepest Essex and it does not connect.
Signal is 5 Bars. Shows NETGEAR. However . . .
"The setting saved on this computer for the network do not match the requirements of the network."
It shows no other signals in the area. Edit: Brief low-power signal came on a moment ago, but went again.
IT NEVER ASKS FOR A PASSWORD.
Momentary flickering messages when cursor touches blue band (the one with NETGEAR showing as only signal.)
WPA 802.11g SSID Netgear.
I'll post this now for fear of losing it, then edit.
Went to manual-select and got list of existing routers it would link with. Deleted the only NETGEAR listed. It then asked for a password. 'admin' entered. I believe this to be correct, and indeed, it shouts no-go if I try another one. Great hopes I solved it but right back to square one. Well, perhaps not. It tells me I might have the incorrect security type. WEP was set I think. Toying with that now, but freeeeeezing after living in 90f temps.
Last edited by Loose rivets; 19th May 2011 at 23:30.
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: is everything
Easiest first step is to delete that particular wireless connection on your computer, and start again. Control Panel, Network Connections, right click on the wireless adapter and select Properties, then Wireless Networks, click on your wireless network name and delete it.
Alternatively, switch off network security on both sides and see if you can connect, and if you can then check that the same network security settings are used on the laptop as are required by the router.
I assume there's no MAC filtering being used by the router, though I don't think you'd get that error message.
Alternatively, switch off network security on both sides and see if you can connect, and if you can then check that the same network security settings are used on the laptop as are required by the router.
I assume there's no MAC filtering being used by the router, though I don't think you'd get that error message.
Last edited by Bushfiva; 19th May 2011 at 23:56. Reason: LR edits faster than I type. Just sayin'
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Yes, just beat you to it B-F. But I am just stabbing in the dark, and 
cold. I (obviously) have little knowledge of these things.
There is a list of five routers we regularly go to on both sides of the Atlantic, and all of them fire up on arrival.
I'm greatly indebted to my friend and don't want to put him to too much trouble, but the idea of getting security out of the way for a while is tempting. I'll chat to him tomorrow.
I feel sure there is just one setting awry, at least, that's before I messed with it!
cold. I (obviously) have little knowledge of these things. There is a list of five routers we regularly go to on both sides of the Atlantic, and all of them fire up on arrival.
I'm greatly indebted to my friend and don't want to put him to too much trouble, but the idea of getting security out of the way for a while is tempting. I'll chat to him tomorrow.
I feel sure there is just one setting awry, at least, that's before I messed with it!
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 175
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From: UK
I am not sure if I have read this correct so forgive me if I am wrong.
You say you are trying to use the password 'Admin'. Are you sure this is the correct password. Those are the usual passwords for the router settings home page. But you need to log onto the network before you can access that page.
If it is WEP protected the password will be either 10, 26 or 58 characters long depending on the encryption used.
I personally prefer WPA security because the password can be a lot more flexible (and WPA is less crackable).
Stick
You say you are trying to use the password 'Admin'. Are you sure this is the correct password. Those are the usual passwords for the router settings home page. But you need to log onto the network before you can access that page.
If it is WEP protected the password will be either 10, 26 or 58 characters long depending on the encryption used.
I personally prefer WPA security because the password can be a lot more flexible (and WPA is less crackable).
Stick
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
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From: Earth
Loose rivets,
Have you tried the old paperclip trick ? (i.e. factory defaults reset).
Stick Flying,
I'd personally put that statement a little more bluntly ....
There's no excuse for running WEP these days. It's a lousy excuse of an "encryption" protocol .... so lousy that you might as well just leave your network unencrypted.
WPA (preferably WPA2) with (for the home user without the luxury of RADIUS etc.) a good password of reasonable length is the only way to go.
Yes there are potential weaknesses in WPA/WPA2 ..... but compared to WEP it's chalk and cheese, especially if you take care to avoid a brute force dictionary attack when implementing it in it's pre-shared key form (i.e. typical home user setup) which is the most common way in for lazy script-kiddies.
Have you tried the old paperclip trick ? (i.e. factory defaults reset).
Stick Flying,
I personally prefer WPA
There's no excuse for running WEP these days. It's a lousy excuse of an "encryption" protocol .... so lousy that you might as well just leave your network unencrypted.
WPA (preferably WPA2) with (for the home user without the luxury of RADIUS etc.) a good password of reasonable length is the only way to go.
Yes there are potential weaknesses in WPA/WPA2 ..... but compared to WEP it's chalk and cheese, especially if you take care to avoid a brute force dictionary attack when implementing it in it's pre-shared key form (i.e. typical home user setup) which is the most common way in for lazy script-kiddies.
Joined: May 2009
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From: YMML
I've been similarly frustrated - apparently strong connection but no connectivity, caused by using the wrong key. "Admin" sounds rather like what would be used for the router itself as opposed to the wireless connection.
Can you access the router from another connection? Open a browser & type in the IP address for the router (Google the router model for the default if your friend doesn't know) - you'll then be prompted for a username & password, again Google the defaults if it's not known).
Click on "Wireless Settings" & you'll get a page that should show the WPA key, if that's what is being used.
You could also get Windows to reveal the key on a known good laptop: WirelessKeyView: Recover lost WEP/WPA key/password stored by Wireless Zero Configuration service
Can you access the router from another connection? Open a browser & type in the IP address for the router (Google the router model for the default if your friend doesn't know) - you'll then be prompted for a username & password, again Google the defaults if it's not known).
Click on "Wireless Settings" & you'll get a page that should show the WPA key, if that's what is being used.
You could also get Windows to reveal the key on a known good laptop: WirelessKeyView: Recover lost WEP/WPA key/password stored by Wireless Zero Configuration service
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
From: Bracknell, Berks, UK
Easiest first step is to delete that particular wireless connection on your computer, and start again. Control Panel, Network Connections, right click on the wireless adapter and select Properties, then Wireless Networks, click on your wireless network name and delete it.
Alternatively, switch off network security on both sides and see if you can connect, and if you can then check that the same network security settings are used on the laptop as are required by the router.
I assume there's no MAC filtering being used by the router, though I don't think you'd get that error message.
Alternatively, switch off network security on both sides and see if you can connect, and if you can then check that the same network security settings are used on the laptop as are required by the router.
I assume there's no MAC filtering being used by the router, though I don't think you'd get that error message.
"Manage Wireless Networks" (on the left), and then find and delete your existing record of the wireless connection with NETGEAR as an SSID. Then you can find the wireless again and enter the wireless password when prompted, and it should work from there.
This is discounting the fact that some wireless NIC manufacturers aren't so great with their drivers btw.
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Well, I'm going to get back into the world again after a very distressing few days.
I tried both a MAC number and serial number from the router - the former was not accepted, but although the SN was, it still didn't connect.
I can't do anything that might mess up the links my pal has - I impose on him so much already.
I did notice that the computer I'm on - which is next to my laptop - said something about Windows not controlling the link to the router, and one would need the proprietary software. Something like that. Seems like a clue.
admin gets NETGEAR included on the list of network connections.
on the router there is the statement - password: password
I really don't have anywhere to put that other than the place I just put admin. Putting 'password' there, produced an instant objection to it's brevity.
Yes, I'm removing the NETGEAR from the list between my futile actions.
Pal was fairly sure it was WEP. Tried others over the loooooong night t'other night.
Connection Properties says: Connect using Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
one of the items says: mode set to 6. 802.11a/b/g
Means nowt to me of course.
"Admin" sounds rather like what would be used for the router itself as opposed to the wireless connection.
<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>
I can't do anything that might mess up the links my pal has - I impose on him so much already.
I did notice that the computer I'm on - which is next to my laptop - said something about Windows not controlling the link to the router, and one would need the proprietary software. Something like that. Seems like a clue.
admin gets NETGEAR included on the list of network connections.
on the router there is the statement - password: password
I really don't have anywhere to put that other than the place I just put admin. Putting 'password' there, produced an instant objection to it's brevity.
Yes, I'm removing the NETGEAR from the list between my futile actions.
Pal was fairly sure it was WEP. Tried others over the loooooong night t'other night.
Connection Properties says: Connect using Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
one of the items says: mode set to 6. 802.11a/b/g
Means nowt to me of course.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 175
Likes: 5
From: UK
It sounds like all you need is the WEP security key. It is a string of characters which unfortunately you will need your friend to supply you. It is accessed via the router management page. It is not the MAC number nor the SN.
You will almost invariably not need any software to access the router and almost all modern routers have the software installed in them for the management side.
Stick
You will almost invariably not need any software to access the router and almost all modern routers have the software installed in them for the management side.
Stick
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
I suppose he might just have forgotten the key. Frustrating - I kind of hint I'd like some help as he flies past doing ten jobs at once.
When I talk of sheds in garden, there are several - some containing mills and lathes (5), and some, electronics kit. He is a total Fred Dibnah replacement, except he works at micron accuracy. All hobbies.
BTW - what is the key index? ( 1-4 )
When I talk of sheds in garden, there are several - some containing mills and lathes (5), and some, electronics kit. He is a total Fred Dibnah replacement, except he works at micron accuracy. All hobbies.
BTW - what is the key index? ( 1-4 )
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
I don't belieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve it!!!
Armed with your assertion that all that was required was the key, he moved something from about one foot from my arm and pulled out a piece of paper. Yep, a long string that wasn't his wife's name - or any of the dog's, and it just b worked. Oh my.
Now to see if I can get it to reach from my flat to the router which is in a plastic bag on the wall of a very full garage.
Wibble, says it all.
Thanks everyone.
Armed with your assertion that all that was required was the key, he moved something from about one foot from my arm and pulled out a piece of paper. Yep, a long string that wasn't his wife's name - or any of the dog's, and it just b
worked. Oh my.Now to see if I can get it to reach from my flat to the router which is in a plastic bag on the wall of a very full garage.
Wibble, says it all.Thanks everyone.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,133
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From: Bracknell, Berks, UK
The default username and password for administrating a Netgear device is:
username = admin
password = password
This just gets you into the admin webpage which allows you to alter things....including the WIFI password.....which is the thing he's written on that piece of paper.
This is where you were going wrong.
username = admin
password = password
This just gets you into the admin webpage which allows you to alter things....including the WIFI password.....which is the thing he's written on that piece of paper.
This is where you were going wrong.
Thread Starter
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Mmm . . . where I was going wrong was B/ having a friend that is a genius, but forgot he'd put in a vast password, and A/ (yes, this way round) not being able to remember things I'm told about hooking up routers. Everything works for a year or three, then needs a modicum of knowledge. A year seems like a week to me now, but not for things that are designed to be misremembered.
There is some logic in there somewhere.
There is some logic in there somewhere.
