Member Avatar for SJOS

I have a PSP and I am the admin for a wireless network. I am trying to find the current WEP key because I have a WPA encryption but my PSP says the network is WEP, and thus asks for the WEP key. Anyway I can find the current key? (I have a netgear g and b router running Windows XP professional, and my other computer is running Windows XP home.?)

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This thread describes a classic mismatch between what a handheld Wi‑Fi client supports and how the access point is configured. Posts from and point to the same root cause: the console is asking for a key type it understands while the AP is running a different authentication mode. The usual culprits are Enterprise (802.1X/RADIUS) setups or a WPA/WPA2 mode the handheld firmware does not support.

Practical diagnostic sequence:

  1. Inspect the router's wireless security mode from its admin interface. If the AP is set to WPA‑Enterprise (802.1X), many consumer handhelds will not authenticate; switching to WPA‑PSK (Personal) with a static passphrase resolves that incompatibility.
  2. Confirm whether the AP is using TKIP or AES; some older clients accept TKIP but not AES.
  3. Check the handheld firmware: older firmware releases often lack WPA support; updating to the latest official firmware can add compatibility.
  4. If the client only supports WEP, consider creating a separate, isolated SSID for legacy devices or temporarily using WEP while keeping sensitive devices on WPA/WPA2.

Key-format notes that often trip people up: WEP keys are either 5 ASCII characters (64-bit) or 13 ASCII characters (128-bit), or the equivalent 10/26 hex digits. WPA‑PSK expects an 8–63 character passphrase (some UIs also accept a 64‑digit hex PSK). Entering hex when ASCII is required (or vice versa) will prevent association.

Security caution: WEP is insecure and should not be left enabled on the main network. Resetting the router, as suggested by , will work to clear settings but is overkill if the admin UI can be changed; a safer option is an isolated guest SSID for legacy devices. These checks explain the typical fixes that match the resolution reported later by .

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Member Avatar for aamg37

did you forget the key? just changed for a new one or if you can't logon into the router just reset it and re-do the settings.

Member Avatar for SJOS

That would work if the router had a WEP key. What I am saying is the PSP says that it is a WEP key, but the router has the key set as WPA, which resets the key every sixty minutes.

Member Avatar for SJOS

Ok, I figured it out. If you need help with such a thing, post here, but I am often busy, so no promises.

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