Gateway with a password less then 8 characters

Hmmm, only info I have, & doesn't seem related, is...

Fix for 8-char password limit in OS X

Benefits of installing the Microsoft User Authentication (UAM) module

• Allows passwords up to 64 characters (No 8-character

limits.).

• Allows case sensitive passwords.

• Strong 128 bit NTLMv2 encryption.

• Note: Minimum install for this module is for a PowerPC G3 running OS X.1 or X.2. You will need your Macintosh admin password to do this installation.

http://www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/mac/OS-X-8-character-password-limit-fix.cfm

Can you describe the problem better?

It doesn't show up in a list under the Airport/Wifi icon?

Is this what you've tried... click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.

Can you connect an Ethernet cable to it so you can get in & change the Name/SSID?