Router keeps losing WEP key!

[Paul Stanway Jr]

Hi,

I've got a Microsoft Wireless G router. I have setup a 64 bit WEP key to secure my network.

PROBLEM!!!!

The software in Microsoft Broadband networking keeps losing the WEP key!

When surfing, all of a sudden web pages will not open either in Firefox, Netscape or Internet Explorer.

When this happens, I open the MS Broadband Networking and I go into
Tools -> Adapter Settings

I then notice that it shows "incorrect network key" blah blah blah...

So when I open the Adapter settings tab I see my WEP key is missing.

Under the "Microsoft Wireless Adapter Settings" I click on the Configure button. It opens the "Adapter Settings box.

I select my SSID (ie MSHOME) under the "Preferred Networks" and click on the PROPERTIES button.

Under the MSHOME properties... I have included a picture...

Question?

How do I keep the box UNCHECKED that says "This key is provided for me automatically"

Note:

"Network Authentication" is OPEN
"Data Encryption" is WEP
My network key is filled in.

HELP!!!! :(

Thanks in advance to all for your replies.
P.S.
Thanks to all for reading this long posting!

[networkguy]

Is windows mananging your wireless network or is their software installed on your PC from microsoft that does this? I know for example with my Dlink wireless setup, there is software installed on one of pc's with a PCI wireless card and it manages the wireless settings, not XP.

How long has this problem been happening or is this a new problem with a new setup?

NG

[Paul Stanway Jr]

How do I tell if windows is managing my wireless network... Who is "their"???

On the XP taskbar.. the far right-hand side (I believe it is called the tray area), it shows the "Microsoft broadband" networking icon.

So... I would have to say that it is Windows Microsoft Broadband networking is managing my network connection.

This problem has been happening for a few days now every since I turned on WEP encryption. I wanted to make my wireless network more secure. I didn't want to just rely on ip filtering as a way to secure my network.

HELP!!!

[Thaiwoo]

Normally you have to setup the WEP on the router which you can do with the included software, or do you go directly into the setup with http;//192....... ?

Anyhow in there you can set the WEP encryption to 64bit and add the password / code. Then save the settings. I only use one of them at the time when I had a similar MS router.

On the wireless PC all you need to make sure you connect and then enter the corresponding password / code. Nothing else should be needed.

[Paul Stanway Jr]

Normally you have to setup the WEP on the router which you can do with the included software, or do you go directly into the setup with http;//192....... ?

Anyhow in there you can set the WEP encryption to 64bit and add the password / code. Then save the settings. I only use one of them at the time when I had a similar MS router.

On the wireless PC all you need to make sure you connect and then enter the corresponding password / code. Nothing else should be needed.

I first setup the router's WEP key using the url http://192..... Once I have created a WEP key I enter the WEP key into the router's software, save and then log off of the router.

I then go into my pc and/or notebook computer and using Microsoft's Broadband network software on the computers, and enter the WEP key that I made up and entered into the router (using the http://192....). This is how I setup the WEP key.

Now what I have changed the router's software late today. I changed the software to use both 11b AND 11g instead of just 802.11g. I'll have to find out if changing the router to use both 802.11b/g will fix the router disconnect problem.

[Paul Stanway Jr]

Hi,
I am still having problems with my pc losing the WEP key. I will be able to surf for a while and then I get a message on the tray area "Unable to connect to wireless network".

I then have to open Microsoft Broadband Networking software. Go to the Adapter Settings and reenter the wep key again!

I have to do this SO often that I even have a notepad document open at all times that has the wep key in it. I just copy the wep key from the notepad document and paste the copied key into the adapter settings tab where you enter and confirm the WEP key password.

WHY, does the wep key stop working?

When I open the WEP key password area on the adapter settings tab, there IS something filled in (all hidden of course). However, I just paste in the copied WEP key from my notepad document (overwrite the password field). I click OK. Then I am able to surf for a while.

After some time, the same thing happens again where I get the message on the tray icon (Broadband Networking Utility), "Unable to connect to wireless network"....

Any ideas why this happens? Doesn't happen with my fiancee's eMac!
It does not happen on my Gateway Laptop (running XP home).

Note:
My C drive is a 20gig drive and I have a lot of stuff on it.
It only has about 200 meg of free space. Would the lack of free space on the drive cause so much problems?

(I have three 20 gig hardrives in the computer and the system is set to use all three as virtual drives.)

Thanks in advance to all for your replies.

[Steven]

Ok, so you have all the drivers up to date, and your routers firmware up as well? Try changing the WEP key to 128bit. I would recommend WPA or WPA2 rather than WEP. After browsing the web for only 10 minutes, i found a program than can crack any WEP protected network. WEP is just too easy to crack, WPA is a little harder.
PS: if your router dosen't support WPA, sometimes just updating the firmware will add support.