i want to add a computer to my wi-fi network but have forgotten the password. How can i reset the password?

Question

There are already three computers on my network. Neither of my roommates remember the password either. I want to add a laptop that I just got from my work. Is it possible to change the password from my computer that is already in the network?

Answer 1

i wouldnt do a complete reset of the router like those guys are telling you to. you will have more work to do that way. all you have to do is change the network password. go to any computer and open the browser. in the address bar type in 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 then hit enter. this should take you to your routers properties. if neither one of these IP addresses work. click start-run-type this cmd-hit enter-type this in the new window ipconfig-hit enter-look where it says default gateway take that IP address and type it into your address bar. once you get to this part you may be prompted for a user name and password to access the router. if you didnt change it the standard ones are user name: admin password: admin or user name: admin password: password. if you changed it you will have to remeber that info or a full reset is the only option. once you are in it depends on what brand of router you have. just look around a little for security settings, WEP or WPA settings. when you find it and change it just go to all the computers and put in the new network key. that should do it. i would make a text doument of the key and keep it on someones computer so you dont have to go through this again. good luck let me know if you need more help.

Answer 2

Wi-Fi use radio waves to send and receive data between the devices on your network. These radio waves and signals travel through the air between the devices and as a result the signals can be intercepted by anyone who is in the vacinity that might have suitable equipment and software. Someone with malious intent could be nearby using a laptop, intercepting wireless signals and stealing data contained within, this is not very common but does happen. Another more common type of threat is where a next door neighbour may be connecting to a wireless signal that has not been secured properly and 'stealing' the Internet access. This means that someone who lives nearby could be using your Internet connection without your knowledge, visiting illegal sites or performing illegal activity online. It is therefore important that you secure any wireless connection that you might have in your home or business. In order to secure a wireless connection, you use encryption. Encryption scrambles the radio signals so that they cannot be intercepted easily. Most home and business wireless routers have an encryption setting and there are two main types of encryption, WEP and WPA. WPA is much stronger than WEP so I'll concentrate on WPA. When securing your wireless connection, you will enter an encryption key. This key is like a password to access your wireless connection. You will know it and give it to people who you trust in your household who will use your wireless connection. The key is programmed into the wireless router and when you want to connect to wireless on your laptop or wireless device, you will enter the corresponding key into the wireless network settings. The wireless router uses the network key to encrypt (scramble) the wireless signal before it travels through the air and your laptop or computer uses the same key to decrypt (unscramble) the signal as it is being received. If anyone else intercepts the signal, they will not be able to use it if they do not have the network key.

Answer 3

Which password are you referring to, the Routers browser setup page, or the password your ISP had you create to use the service? Some Routers require the use of a password to access the ISP service when connecting the modem to the Router. If it is this password, then call up your ISP provider and have them help you with this, as they should know what password you are using, well, at least my ISP does, so hopefully yours works simularily.

Now, if it is the Administrator Password to access your Routers browser setup configuration page, this IS a serious problem and one in which you are going to have to go through some significant steps to fix. When you do the right thing and change create a password, not leave the default which is either none or admin, depending on your Router, then there is only one way to fix this and that is to set the Router back to factory specs by clicking on that link in the setup pages, But you can't reach the setup pages as you do not have the password, so you are left having to phone your Routers manufacturers technical support team and have them reset your Router back to factory specs. Once you have reset the Router you will have to reconfigure your entire network, put all the settings back in, and in order to do this properly you have to remove the Adapters from each comptuer as you install the Adapters AFTER you configure the Router. Once the Router is configured and you have a connection again, then you install the software for the adapters and then slide in the adapter when the setup utility tells you to, not a moment before or problems will occur.

I sincerely hope this is only your ISP password you need to retrieve as this is the easiest problem to solve. If so call your ISP provide your identification information and have them tell you what it is or reset it to something else. Then go ahead and configure the new computer to be added to the WiFi network.

If it is the Routers master password, call the tech department at the phone number provided in your documentation and get started on this issue. While it is a frustrating process to have to start over from scratch, it is doable and taken one step at a time will soon have your network back up and running with the new computer added.

Good luck and have a good day.

Hey, this is a great book for home and small office networks: "Absolute Beginner's Guide to Home Networks", by Mark Edward Soper. Only about 350 pages, it still is chalk full of super information on home networking, wired, wireless, mixed, and home plug, plus it has detailed step by step instruction as illistration with the Linksys as the example but it is easy to transfer to most Router brands, has configuration for routers and adapters, how to built your own cable, how to hook up other items to the network such as game consoles, TiVo, other entertainment modules, T.V, DVD players, and a whole lot more. I used this book when I set up both my office and home networks. It is not expensive and is just a handy book to have, even for those who have moderate skills in this area.

Answer 4

Do you mean the WiFi encryption key? If so, you can reset your router usually a small button that you use a pin to push in to reset it to factory setting then you can go into the configuration and apply a new WiFi encryption key. You would have to reenter the key into all the computer you want to put on the network. If its the router login that you've forgotten, resetting the router will do the same. After doing so read the routers user manual it'll tell you what the login user name and password are.

Answer 5

If it's the administrator password you're talking about, usually there is a reset button that will clear the unit, but you'll have to set up your security and settings and such. You may have to hold the button for a period of time after powering up. Go to the unit's web site and download the manual or read the FAQs for the unit.

Answer 6

Hold the reset button until the router powers down. After this go to 192.168.1.2 (or your manufacturer's specified address) and change the settings to match your needs and set up WPA encryption.