unable to get wireless adapter to connect with router

S

skid

Geek Trainee
I have run into a networking problem that I need some help on. First, my equipment:
My desktop running windows XP pro, connected to internet by wired Ethernet to a Linksys WRT54G Router,
My other computer, is a laptop running windows ME, which I am trying to connect to the router with a Linksys WUSB54G Wireless adapter. When I try to connect to the router, I get the message "cannot associate with the access point".
The router is set for WPA security. The laptop adapter does not have a setting for WPA and is set for WEP security. I think that may be where my problem is, but don't know how to fix it. I have tried disabling security on the laptop, but when I try to connect to the router, it goes back to WEP.
If I change the security settings in the adapter to PSK security and encryption to AES, I can connect to the router access point, but can go no further - I can get out on the internet.
I have spent hours today with Linksys tech support with them not being able to help. I have removed and re-installed both the adapter and router and reconfigured. I checked for and downloaded the latest drivers, but nothing seems to help. I tried disabling my ZoneAlarm firewall, but that didn't help either. Any suggestions on how to solve this problem would sure be appreciated.
Skid
 
Are you saying that your router is using WPA encryption and your laptop is using WEP? That won't work, you need both devices to be using the same security protocol for them to associate. If your laptop doesn't support WPA, then set your router for WEP and and use a 128bit encryption strength. Then use the same encryption key with your laptop with WEP.
 
Well, I was wondering if my problem might be with those security settings. The problem is my router didn't give me a chance to select the security setting. It just had me set a passphrase and set up the security level on its own. Do you have any idea of where I can get into the settings to change the security settings? It is a linksys WRT54G Version 5.
Skid
 
Make sure you've got a connection to the router, wireless or through a wired ethernet port it doesn't really matter, although it might be better to do it through wired.

Then look on the bottom of your router and it should give you info on adminstrating the router, like typing in ip address e.g. 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.x. Once you have that info as well as the default admin username and password, go to the router's ip address in your browser and it should ask you to login. Type in details and you should be able to change settings.

I don't have a linksys router, but usually its under wireless security, or security settings. And then from there you can choose WEP encryption and the key. Don't forget to write down the key, you'll need it for all computers connecting to the network. Once you've changed the correct settings reboot the router through the reboot option on the page. If you have XP SP2, then its easy to change wireless settings, you should change connection type to WEP and type in your key. Do this with your laptop aswell.
 
I just wanted to thank you for your help and pointing me in the right direction. I followed your instructions and have the laptop up and running on the wireless. I had been working with both SBCGlobal and Linksys support for 2 days without them being able to help. Your response did the trick.

Skid
 
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