linksys security help

[thefazza]

Hi having trouble with setting up wireless access for my PC, would really appreciate some help.

I successfully connected my linksys router with cables then managed to connect wirelessly using my linksys USB card, all with security settings disbled.

Then I tried to be clever and set up security. I went to the IP address in web browser to change the settings and enabled the security and was expecting to put a key code in but wasn't asked for one. When I closed the browser the internet connection was lost. I tried to configure the usb card to connect to the router but it asks for a key code they I don't have.

I now can't get back into the router setting as I have no connection. What shall I do? Is there any other way of viewing the security settings for the router? Should I just try going back to using the wires and trying to set the security again? If so how do I set the keycode?

any help would be appreciated

[Druchii]

Well, if you want to totally reset your wireless router simply holding the reset button in usually works, hold it in for around 30seconds and all should be reset.

Are you sure you weren't asked for a keycode?
If not then i'm not sure, why not try MAC address filtering instead?
Which Linksys router is this btw ?

[thefazza]

Thanks for the reply - I will try resetting tonight

my router is the Linksys WRT54G. I think I could enter a keycode on the initial setup but I chose to disable the security settings. I'm pretty sure when I set up the security through the web browser there was no keycode entry point. Is Mac address filtering set up in the same place? and can my linksys usb card use it?

[Aragorn]

When you enable the security (WPA) on the WRT54G, it will by default generate it's own Pre-Shared Key (PSK), which is a long Hex string, shown on the wireless security screen.

The general idea is that you enable the security via a cabled PC, and copy the PSK via paper, cut&paste, USB key, etc to each of the clients.

In your situation, just login to the admin page via a cabled PC and copy the PSK. Input this into the wireless PC connection.

I wouldn't bother with the MAC filtering as it's very easy to overcome.

[thefazza]

Thanks Aragorn

Looks like I'll have to get the cable out againand connect my PC to the router.

I must have just missed the PSK in the admin page of the wireless security screen. (Is the admin page simply the IP address typed into the web browser?)

[Aragorn]

Yes - you just put the ipaddress of the router (usually 192.168.1.1) into your browser. Default password is, iirc, admin.