Setting up the home wireless network (my pc, one other and occasionally a laptop) and getting online with the Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC with a 1M cable broadband connection was dead easy, but recently the download and ping times have been slower than dial-up. My ISP said it was nothing to do with their broadband service and then I found that 'Paul', whoever he is, had folders all over my shared network places! I can only assume he's using a lot of our bandwidth. I've deleted his folders and try to turn the wireless off whenever possible - but every time I reconnect it's fantastically fast for a while and then slows right down, maybe when he gets online again....

When I originally set up the wireless network I was assigned a WEP key, which I copied to the second pc - but when I view available networks mine still says 'unsecured'. I've tried to change the NAT to 'shared' instead of 'open' which was the default, but it won't save the changes. I've tried to set passwords but it only offers me the option of my log-on password. I've tried to set up a new wireless network but it still doesn't offer me any new security options.

Can anyone suggest how I can get Paul to butt out and leave my bandwidth alone?! Thanks...

Hi and welcome to D-A-L


what wireless router are you using?

you're using WEP what are you using 64 bit or 128bit?

re assign your key to 128bit using this site http://www.andrewscompanies.com/tools/wep.asp

set it to
Encryption WEP
key lengh 128bit (26 Hex Chars)
set as Hex
then put the key generated

(make a note of the key you'll need it)

Thanks for response, brain_damage.

It's an Actiontec 54MNPS wireless router on an Ethernet LAN.

The WEP key I already have was assigned using the Network Setup Wizard and is 26 characters. I printed out the settings at that time - it gives the WEP/WPA key but next to Key Provided Automatically (802.1x) is has 0 and no Key Index is given.

My problem is, on the main pc it gives me no option to change the keys. Right-clicking the Authentication tab for the LAN connection only offers me authentification via Smart Card or Certificate, EAP (which only offers me the chance to tick the box next to my Windows password; I can't make up a new one) and something called MD5 Challenge.

On the second pc, the network is called ACTIONTEC (unsecured network) even though it used to have the name I'd called it. The authentification tab on that pc gives me the option to change WEP keys and so on, but doesn't seem to save the info and doesn't ask for any authentification when anyone logs on.

It seems to me that I have to change things on my administrator's pc but I can't find the right place to do it - have tried via the device manager system too but again there's no option to improve security. I've read loads of stuff about better encoding, password, WPA or WEP, enabling 802.1 security etc etc but don't know where it's all supposed to happen!

Sorry for immense wordiness....

what's the homepage of the router?

it may be on the bottom of the router

www.actiontec.com
mine's a GT701-WRU
but even on that site it talks about WEP and WPA etc but not how to actually change them...

Just found out that I need to type what I think is an IP address for the router into my web browser which should bring up the window for me to make changes. BUT it asks for a WebAdmin user name and password which I can't remember setting and every one I try - I only have a few variations - doesn't work, so I can't open the router settings. Aaaaaaaargh!

have a look on the bottom of the router it may have the password and user name.

have you got any paperwork with the router?

I have an old router here and the user name and password are both admin

nope - no usernames etc on the router itself, and i just had installation disks so no paperwork. the manual talks about changing the username and password from within the configuration screen - but that's the screen that's blocked by this username/password pop-up... i tried admin/admin but to no avail.

try: username: admin password: [leave blank]
also: username: admin password: password