How do I find out what my network key is on my home wireless network?

Question

I just bought a new laptop and a network card for my 2nd computer. I have had a wireless network set up in windows but not that I am trying to connect to my network on the other computers, its coming up that I need the Network key. Where do I find this on my main computer?

For all those that have responded.When I did a search for wireless networks, I found the one I already have set up at home. The only thing that it was connected to was my Tivo and my main PC. But I have it set up as a secure connection so when I try to access it, it is asking for me to enter my netwrok key or WEP or WPA key. It has been so long since I established this key that I have no clue what it is any longer.

Answer 1

What kind of Router are you using? I actually just got duone reseting my router and I can walk you through it if you need help. My yahoo ID is taransdaddy. Hit me up and I will help ya. If not try 168.192.1.1 hope you remember your password...lol. If not you can always reset start over its not that hard.

Answer 2

If you are being asked for a Network Key,it is due to your attempting to connect to an available wireless network, which you access via the Network connection folder, or by right clicking on your connections icon in the notification area and then selecting View Available Wireless Networks, at which time a dialog box which shows all the available wireless networks in your area. If the connection you are attempting to hook up to has an lock icon in the upper or lower corner of the window with the name of the network, that means it is locked with encryption and it could be WEP, WPA, or WPA2.

When you click Connect, at the bottom of the Available Wireless Networks folder, and it is a secured connection, you are then asked for a key. If you don't have the key, you can't hook up to that network, simple, period. Unless you know how to break the encryption.

Now, if somebody setup a Wireless connection, and you have no use for it, and it is causing some sort of interference in your viable connection, then you need to remove that network connection, and remove all related hardware and software, including the drivers for the adapter used for the wireless connection.

If you do not want to use that wireless connection, and your settings are all messed up, do what I said above, then reconfigure your wired conneciton by running the Network Setup Wizard once again.

If you are attempting to access a key to a locked (secured) wireless network belonging to a neighbor, don't. It is illegal, and immoral. I doubt you are doing that, but I just answered a question from somebody who asked how to fix a Wireless connection he was "borrowing" from his neighbor. He was having issues connecting, getting a "Little or no connectivity" error. lol

Again, it really sounds like somehow your old wireless network configuration is messing up your wired connection. It is best to get rid of all that wireless stuff you are not using, and then simply run the Network Setup Wizard again, to straighten things out. Once you do it should stop asking for a key.

Browse this page for troubleshooting answers:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/default.mspx

Answer 3

You need to give more information. Did you setup wep or wap security if you did and do not remember the code you will need to reset the router. If you have router it's not setup in windows or any os. It a device you connect to connect to the network or internet. I run a mac and 2 laptops and a PC desktop. all wireless. So you will need ether remember the or reset the router.

Answer 4

Typically, your router has an IP address on your network (often it is in the range 192.168.?.? - see below). Typically the router has a small web server built into it that you use to configure it. So, on your existing computer, fire up a web browser and try:

http://192.168.0.0/
http://192.168.0.1/
http://192.168.0.50/
http://192.168.0.100/
http://192.168.1.0/
http://192.168.1.1/
http://192.168.1.50/
http://192.168.1.100/

Your router's manual should tell you how - if you have lost this go to the maker's web site and look up the model number, you can probably find a PDF of the manual.

As you go into the configuration screens, somewhere buried in there should be the encryption key.

Answer 5

Look in the installation instructions for the wireless router

Answer 6

I have not found a place where you can do that. I usually re-install the wireless router that works just fine.

Answer 7

it should just be on the wireless router