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cybrscot

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Maybe somebody here will know the answer,
I've been trying to figure out my Belkin Wireless G router for 2 days, (says 3 minute install on the box, NOPE) (because I was getting an error during the cd automatic install process that said, "the new set was not created") anyway, I had to manually connect and go to the routers GUi and mess around.

Finally, I got my MacBook, iPod touch 4G and wife's VAIO to work with no security enabled.
Today I wanted to enable security, 128bit WEP. On the GUI, I can either enter the HEX, or enter a password that will generate the HEX for me. So I entered a password that I can remember, the GUI generated the long HEX, and I wrote it down.

At first nothing would connect, then I powered down the iPod and back on and it wouldn't connect with my password. BUT....next I entered the HEX into the iPod instead, and it connected.

Then the MacBook, I rebooted it also, than played around with the Network Pref's a little, and finally got to a password box to join my network. Again, my password didn't work, next I entered the HEX and it connected.

Then wife's VAIO (I'm starting to see a pattern here) so I didn't even try the password, but opted for the HEX, and it connected also.

My main question is this, when I go to a restaurant or coffee shop, I've never entered a HEX to log on to a security enabled network. They always just give me the password and it works.

Why with my Belkin Wireless G, do I need to enter the HEX? Nobody can memorize the HEX, so do I need to leave my password sitting around on my desk? My wife can't remember it, I don't think she even wants to type in a 26 digit HEX every time she turns on her laptop. (neither do I either) Why isn't the text password that I used to generate the HEX working?

Thanks
 
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