Why does my new Acer aspire laptop ask for a 13 digit WEP key.?

Question

I have just bought an acer aspire laptop and when I try to connect it to my BT home-hub wirelessly,it asks for the wep key as usual.

When I enter it though,it says that I should have entered a 5 or 13 digit key. The problem is that the home-hub only has a 10 digit key on the rear label. I cant understand this at all and the acer help guide is next to useless. I connected to my old laptop using a 10 digit key ok,so does anybody know how I can get it to connect.Any help or advice would be very much appreciated whilst I still have some hair left to tear out.

Answer 1

Just type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your web browser and your login for your router will pop up from there you can find and confirm your wep key

Answer 2

Hi Steven

If you are home, why enable the WEP key. I would understand that a secuere network would be needed if at work but, not in your own home. Disable the wep and log in. It will tell you that oyu are logging in an unsecured area. Answer Yes.

Answer 3

It sounds like your computer is expecting an ASCII string, which is 5 or 13 characters long.

You need to enter a HEX string, which is 10 keys long.

When you type in your key, look for a box where you can choose either ASCII, HEX, or passphrase. Select HEX, and continue.

Answer 4

You're attempting to connect to a wireless internet connection, not the BT hub.  

Answer 5

have you looked on the back of your laptop you may find the wep key on a label there

Answer 6

Actually it is asking you a kind of password that you type when configuring wireless router but not a hub . Wireless connection is only possible through a wireless router . This key it is asking you to enter is called SSID when you are configuring the wireless router .

Answer 7

Call your internet provider, they can help you with this problem.

Answer 8

Ignore the computer guy. You want to KEEP it enabled at home because you don't want neighbors or hackers getting into your network. If anyone is close enough to see it (you would be surprised at the range) and it's unsecured, they can get it.

If you go into your router properties (192.168.1.1 should be it) you can change the key. Your hub might have older security so it might be a good idea to upgrade.