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Lv 4
? asked in Computers & InternetComputer Networking · 1 decade ago

How do I find out my network wireless security key to connect?

I have a Linksys router set for wpa - personal for the security type. I used the driver to set the security keys and I had it install in a flash drive to set up any PC to connect if I allow a certain PC to join the network if I install it with the flash drive. The new PC I just got, has a 64 bit Operating system (desk top) Windows 7 Home premium. All other PCs that I have connected with no problems were 32 bit (if that matters unsure)I have installed a wifi wireless adapter card (internal pci d-link). I turned the PC on and had the flash drive connected to the usb connection. It started to do what it normally does to get the PC to connect to the encrypted wireless network. It Then gives me an error message saying it needs to have the radio button turned on. Ok, This is my problem and this is what I don't understand. This is a desk top PC and I have no Idea how or what to enable to have this setting connect to my network. This desk top pc don't have a radio button to Enable, but it does pick up the signal for my network so I know the pci wireless adapter card is working and it displays all the wireless networks around me (neighbors as well). This PC is a Systemax, 3.0 processor, 4gig ram, 360 gig hard drive, and (os) Windows 7 Home premium. Can some one help me with this problem to have it connect wireless. Thank you.

PS. I do not have the driver for the router so I do not want to reset the router. It will make the router be insecure and It would be open to any one who wants to connect (don't want). This router is a linksys WRT 54G. If you know how I can get this driver, this may help me as well. I really appreciate for the feed back if you can help me thank you.

Update:

The router is not were the radio button is. Let me explain further. I have 4 PCs connected to the router already. The new desk top PC is what I have a problem with. Desk top PCs don't usuly (or from what I know of come with a radio button (like a laptop).

Update 2:

A driver can be any peace of software (DISK) that makes (helps) two different hardware's communicate to each other. This driver that I installed that came with the linksys router, Setup a program for the encryption and made my PC and router communicate to eachother. If you install a peace of hardware to your PC. Your PC is not going to reconise it right away. You need a disk to set up a IRQ. So yes it does have a particular driver.

Update 3:

Thanks for the help with the feed back but What I really want to know is why my Desk Top is displaying that it needs to have the radio button turnd on when a I connect my flash drive with the router settings are already stored in it for me to connect?

Update 4:

desktops don't have a radio button. Laptops do but a desktop? My flash drive has the keys to enable the connection. I really don't feel like taking this tower down stairs to have it connect to the LAN connection.

Update 5:

I did the IP config. I knew that utility already but Ipconfig /all only helps to veiw the ip address, mac and enabled and disabled settings. This is not a utility to inable a radio button.

3 Answers

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  • John Smith
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Look at the bottom of the router and its there.

    JS

  • The Phlebob
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    First, routers don't have drivers. They talk IP, HTTP and HTML with their computers. Resetting one, although it will give you headaches setting it back up again for your network, will not prevent the router from working.

    Second, If the encryption key isn't on a label on your router, the likeliest place to find it is in your router's admin pages. Exactly where in those pages varies from brand to brand.

    Basically, to get into the admin pages, do this:

    1.On a computer connected to a wired port on your router (wireless access to the admin pages should be turned off as a security risk), enter the router's local IP address in your browser's address window.

    2.Poke around, especially under wireless security, until you find the encryption key. Copy it down EXACTLY. Copy-and-pasting it into a text file (Wordpad is generally best because it's on almost all Windows machines) is even better, as it can be copy-and-pasted from there into whatever needs it. When you see it, you'll understand why this is a good idea.

    To find your router’s IP address in Windows:

    3.Click on the Start->Run button.

    4.In the text box, type

    cmd

    and press Enter.

    5.A black "DOS box" will pop up. In it, enter

    ipconfig /all

    A bunch of gibberish will fill the box. Next to "Default Gateway" an IP address will appear. This is your router's IP address.

    Hope that helps.

  • Billy Bob
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    You will need to log in to your router. Most linksys routers are 192.168.1.1. All you have to do is type that in your web browser address bar. You will receive a box where you will have to log in to the router with a username and password. Once in the router, find the Wireless section and click on it. From there you will see a tab that says Wireless Security and you should be able to see your password there.

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