Wifi encription issue

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Milts

24 posts

Geek

#18127 28-Dec-2007 17:01

Hi guys,

I'm staying with some friends who are on iHug broadband and have been using their wifi router (Dlink DSL G604T) for months, without any issues, but it's unsecured (anyone can log on) so I said I'd secure it while I'm here. I logged on to the router and followed the standard instructions to set up WEP encription, 64 bit, entered a key etc etc.

Once I did that I rebooted the router (remotely, from the web form) after which I lose my net connection because it's encripted. So far so good.

However when I look for wireless networks and then try to connect it asks for the key, and I put it in (no typos, I copied and pasted an then when that didn't work tried typing it out), and once you do that it sits there saying "connecting" for about 5 minutes before giving up, and not letting you connect at all. As soon as you unplug the router (which resets all encription settings) I can log in fine again.

I know my network card supports WEP, I've set it to connect to WEP, and two laptops and one desktop are all unable to connect once the encription is on. Anyone have any idea as to why?

I tried calling ihug support, who sent me to Dlink support who sent me to telecom support who took 30 minutes to decide they didn't know what the problem was, so I'm running out of ideas :(

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#102111 28-Dec-2007 19:18

Neither IHUG or Telecom would have anything with this. Most likely it's a problem with the d-link router. Check that there's an updated firmware for your hardware. Also try using WPA instead of WEP.

foobar

186 posts

Master Geek

#102168 29-Dec-2007 11:06

As Mauricio said: This has nothing to do with your ISPs, it's all in your local setup.

I actually have the very same router and used WPA, not WEP. I was able to connect without any problems from my Ubuntu laptop. When I booted it into Windows XP, it couldn't connect, though. Same symptoms as you had described. Since I don't really use Windows, I didn't pursue it further. I'm sure that I must have made some mistake in setting up the Windows side of things, because surely they wouldn't produce a router like that, which can't work properly with Windows.

Assuming you are using Windows, to see if it is a Windows issue (requiring more configuration?) or an issue with your wireless setup in general, I would recommend booting from a Ubuntu (or similar) Linux Live CD. If you can log in there then without a problem, you know you have to fiddle with your Windows install. If you can't log in then it is something with the router.

ChrisGNZ

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#105716 19-Jan-2008 21:00

If updating your routers firmware doesn't help, then come back with some more details.

Are you using Windows XP with Service Pack 2?
What is your client-side wireless hardware?
Are you using Windows to manage your wireless connection or a 3rd party wireless connection manager?

If all your clients are WinXP with SP2 then, as mentioned by others, WPA is a better option.

Spyware

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#105718 19-Jan-2008 21:22

Milts: Hi guys,

As soon as you unplug the router (which resets all encription settings) I can log in fine again.

Unplugging the router shouldn't reset anything. Dlinks require a (advanced/system?) save and reboot to initialise settings. Change the settings on a machine connected via wire not wireless.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

Panq

42 posts

Geek

#105719 19-Jan-2008 21:34

I've had problems with various cheap routers rejecting WEP encryption keys typed as ASCII, but accepting them when you type in the hex key. Doesn't seem to apply to WPA though, which you should definitely be using anyway.

Also, why would a router reset when you unplug it? Doesn't it have a reset button? A brief power outage unsecuring your wireless network is a huge design flaw.

ajobbins

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#105724 19-Jan-2008 22:10

Definately go with WPA (Or better yet WPA2) if your clients support it. WEP is very easy to crack in only a few minutes using brute force. Also go with AES encryption over TKIP if your clients support it.