Setting up Mac Book Pro for WEP to my router

If possible you should change the security method in your router to WPA2 rather than WEP. WEP is an older technology and not very secure. WPA is better and more Mac compatible. Netgear routers support WPA and WPA2 security.

If you must use WEP for some other reason then be sure that when you enter the WEP password to log into the network that you precede the password with a "$" (dollar) sign. See AirPort Express- Difficulty joining third-party network that is using WEP and AirPort for Mac OS X 10.3 or later- Using different types of wireless security (WEP and WPA).

To setup your computer open Network preferences in System Preferences. Select the Airport port from the list. If Status says OFF, then click on the Start button to turn on the Airport Extreme card in your computer. In the Network Name drop down menu look for the network name you use for your Netgear router's wireless network. Click on the Advanced button. In the network listing box double-click on your wireless network which will open a dialog in which you can select the type of security you have configured in the router and enter your password, then click the Add button.

Click on the TCP/IP tab, set the Configure IPv4 drop down menu to DHCP. Initially set the Configure IPv6 drop down menu to OFF. Click on the Apply button.

Besides the good advice already given (switch to WPA if you can and for WEP preceed any hex keys with $).

Another WEP trick is for a 64/40bit WEP key use a password that is exactly 5 characters long. For a 128/104bit WEP key use a password that is exactly 13 characters long.

This is because the Apple WEP conversion of a password to a hex key is totally different from what Microsoft used, and every other router except Apple's uses the Microsoft password to hex key conversion algorithm.

However, the one exception is a 5 character password does not need to be converted for a 64/40bit WEP key, and a 13 character password does not need to be converted for a 128/104bit WEP key.

Hi there i am having a similar problem with my MacBook. My home network (contolled by my dad) is WEP 64bit secured with a 10 character hexidecimal key. No matter what i do i cannot get the airport card to connect to the network. It has a hidden SSID and is access controlled. The MAC address has been entered into the access control list but to no avail. None of the solutions i have looked up work. I cannot change the security type because it is not my network. What is my solution?

Hi Richard

it would be best if you inform your dad that

a)WEP is not secure and should not be used. WPA/WPA2 is easy to setup on a router and is more compatible with most computers.

b) MAC address filtering also is not secure spoofing MAC addresses is easy.