Wireless Password

[draftermatt]

So today I got a new (used) lap top. Windows XP Pro, (SP 3) Compaq, nothing fancy, it was my sister's old lap top.

Problem though, we have no idea what the wireless password is. It's saved on my wife's laptop as an 8 digit password, and it connects automatically.

My desktop (hardwired to the router), I know I used to be able to crack open the router and change settings and the like, but I can't find anything on their about netgear being installed like I used to see.

I remember when we moved here and were having trouble with Comcast (later dumped) I didn't set it up at first. Then when I did I don't remember what I did.

Anyway, because it shows up on my wife's as 8 digits we put in what we figured it is, but the lap top says it has to be 5 or 13 digits or 10 or 26 hexidigits. Which begs the question, if it is in fact 8 will I be able to connect it at all?

I was able to connect and surf using my neighbor's unsecure, and right now it's plugged into the router and how I'm posting here. So it works in that regard.

So two questions:

1. Anyway I can determine what the password really is?
2. If it is, in fact, an 8 digit password then will I be able to connect it at all?

Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to connect my Wii to the wireless (never bothered to before) using the 8 digit and see if I at least know the password.

Any help or clues will be greatly appreciated. I hate to call Netgear as I've had it problem free for well over 2 years now, so they'll likely charge me for the call.

[Naaman]

In a worst case scenario every router I've seen has a physical reset button that will take it back to factory settings, this should be detailed in the manual. If you don't have it you can grab it from here. It's normally a good idea to grab any firmware updates as well, most of them are to increase the security of the product

[lordlundar]

Anyway, because it shows up on my wife's as 8 digits we put in what we figured it is, but the lap top says it has to be 5 or 13 digits or 10 or 26 hexidigits. Which begs the question, if it is in fact 8 will I be able to connect it at all?

So it's asking for the WEP/WPA/WPA2 passcode then?If so, then it should be listed in your router's info settings when you access it.

Access it. (it's usually something like 192.168.0.1 in your browser's address bar or something similar) put in the router password, then go into wireless security. It should tell you what security mode it's running in and the passcode. Enter that in when it's asked for when you try to connect with the laptop.

[Lachrymose]

Also, this seems to be the default to get into the router from 192.168.0.1 unless you changed it:


Username = admin
Password = password

Edit: Also, just in case 192.168.0.1 doesn't work, from a computer that's already connected to your router, you can go to Start, Run and type "cmd" without the quotes and click OK to get to a command prompt. From the prompt type "ipconfig" without the quotes and look for the line that says "Default Gateway". This is your router's IP address. Type that address in your browser.

[alcaholjunkie]

There are several default user/pass combinations, including:

admin/admin
*blank*/admin
admin/*blank*
admin/1234

There are a couple of other common default passwords, but trying them usually get you in. ^_^

(note: netgear usually does use 192.168.0.1, some makers use 192.168.1.1 and if it's one modified by ISP, can be anything but running "cmd /k ipconfig" will get you it)