Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I set up WEP on Linksys Wireless NICs?

A: To set up WEP on a Linksys wireless product, you will need either the Passphrase (Microsoft® Windows 9x, Windows NT® 4.0, or Windows 2000) or the actual WEP key from your Access Point.

Microsoft® Windows 9x, Windows NT® 4.0, or Windows 2000

There are two different ways of configuring WEP, depending on which utility and which version of your product you use:

Configuration Utility

The Wireless USB Network Adapter Configuration Utility dialog box will have tabs across the top which look similar to the following:

If the utility that came with your wireless hardware looks similar to what is displayed above, continue with the next step. Otherwise, see the WLAN Monitor area.

  1. Click the Encryption tab.

  2. Enable Encryption to the same level as you have set on your Access Point.

  3. Once you have enabled the encryption, input the proper Passphrase. Keep in mind that the Passphrase is case sensitive. Click Apply, and then click OK.

    Note: Some versions of this utility do not have a Passphrase. If so, input the key manually.

WLAN Monitor

If the utility that your device came with looks similar to the following graphic, you are using the WLAN Monitor.

If it does not look similar to the above graphic, please see the "Configuration Utility" area above. Otherwise, follow these steps:

  1. Click Profile Settings.

  2. Select the proper profile (usually titled Default), and then click Edit.

  3. When the new area opens, click Advanced.

  4. In the Advanced dialog box, select the proper level of encryption (64-bit or 128-bit).

  5. Once you have enabled the encryption, input the proper Passphrase. Keep in mind that the Passphrase is case sensitive.

  6. Click Apply, and then close the utility.

Windows XP

  1. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.

  2. In Control Panel, double-click the Network Connections icon.

    Note: If you do not see the Network Connections icon, click Switch to Classic View, located on the left side of the Control Panel.

  3. In the Network Connections window, double-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, and then click Properties.

  4. In the Wireless Network Connection Properties window, click the Wireless Networks tab.

  5. In the Preferred Network area, click the preferred network that you wish to modify, and then click Properties.

  6. Click to clear the Data encryption (WEP Enabled) check box.

  7. Click to clear the The key is provided for me automatically check box.

  8. Paste the WEP key into the Network key: field.

    Note: With Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed, you will not need to complete steps 6 and 7. You will just need to repaste the key into the Confirm network key: field.

  9. Under Key format, change the option to Hexadecimal digits.

  10. In the Key length: area, choose the proper setting. 104 bits (26 digits) = 128 bit WEP, and 40 bits (10 digits) = 64 bit WEP on the Access point.

    Windows XP without Service Pack 1 (SP1)

    Windows XP with Service Pack 1 (SP1)

  11. Click OK, click OK again, and then click Close. Your WEP is setup under Windows XP.