[Neshi]

Alright, so I had network problems all of a sudden. Couldn't get internet through wireless and the problem windows gave me was not being able to communicate with the DNS server?
I didn't know how to fix it, so I deleted my wireless driver and restarted the computer. Driver got re-installed but then I realized, I don't know the network key.

My flatmate has got a Mac and claims she can't look it up, and doesn't remember the key either.
I know I can do a hard reset of the modem, but I'd rather not.
Is there a way to retrieve this key somehow?

[Tyrsonswood]

Mine is printed on the bottom of my modem and I never changed it..... Did you check?






Wait.... Your roommate is a girl?

[Neshi]

I haven't written it down on paper and taped it to the bottom of the modem, otherwise it wouldn't have been a problem.
Neither is there a factory installed WEP or WPA security key setup that has been printed on the bottom of the modem.

yes, I've got a girl and a guy as flatmates.

[Tyrsonswood]

Mine's factory installed.

[Tipstaff]

Try WirelessKeyView.




The problem with Windows (or in this case a good thing for you) is that even if you delete the adapter, or clean out the list of preferred networks, the list is still stored on your computer. This program will show you all the networks it has connected to, as well as the key to that network in both HEX and ASCii. Just copy the key, and when connecting to the wireless network just paste it in.

Of note: even if you use WPA/WPA2, which is password related, it's still a HEX key in the end (or rather it's ASCii translated to HEX... something like that). So, even though you are using a password Windows, and the router, will accept the HEX key value.

If that doesn't work you can always use your roommates MAC. Just have her to the Keychain Access Utility (which hopefully she knows the password to, or at least never made one for). Just follow THIS article on Apples site, and you should be good to go.

[Takaharu]

If you know the password to access your router (not the wireless password, the admin password) you can access/change the wireless password through the web interface if it has one (the majority do), connecting using a network cable.
Open the command prompt and type ipconfig then press enter. Next, open up your default web browser and type in the address shown next to "default gateway". This should bring up the web interface for your router. Unless you've changed your DHCP settings it'll likely be 192.168.0.1

[Judas]

apparently this is only effect your own machine?

Could potentially need a router reboot (not reset) OR your adapter blew it's transmitter?

Keys remain like tipstaff said. Should be able to wipe the driver and auto reconnect.. i do this quite frequently on a number of shitty laptops that have poor wireless adapters that for whatever reason... randomly just quit working even after reboots and such.... like the driver is corrupt or something.

[craig5320]

My Win7 install forgets the wireless key from time to time, usually when I change the port my USB wireless adapter is connected to.

Access the router config on a machine that still can connect, it's usually shown in plain text so no need to change it. Or if you're still having issues as someone already said use a wired connection direct to the router and access the admin panel that way.

[Judas]

hmmm i have the most frequent calls from XP users... i've only had 2 people with windows vista/7 come in with an issue with forgetting the key.... (and it's usually due to their own actions OR and update that occured or something of a combination of both)

[Neshi]

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Try WirelessKeyView.




The problem with Windows (or in this case a good thing for you) is that even if you delete the adapter, or clean out the list of preferred networks, the list is still stored on your computer. This program will show you all the networks it has connected to, as well as the key to that network in both HEX and ASCii. Just copy the key, and when connecting to the wireless network just paste it in.

Of note: even if you use WPA/WPA2, which is password related, it's still a HEX key in the end (or rather it's ASCii translated to HEX... something like that). So, even though you are using a password Windows, and the router, will accept the HEX key value.

If that doesn't work you can always use your roommates MAC. Just have her to the Keychain Access Utility (which hopefully she knows the password to, or at least never made one for). Just follow THIS article on Apples site, and you should be good to go.

I already found an article on this, and apperantly you can do it manually as well, by just looking for the key in the registry. going to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WZCSVC\Parameters\Interfac es

But this directory is not in my registry... so I don't know what to do. My only other way of accessing internet is at university, where they have blocked sites like that. I even tried the use of proxy to access these sites, but they've blocked that as well. So I can't download that program.

Originally Posted by Takaharu

If you know the password to access your router (not the wireless password, the admin password) you can access/change the wireless password through the web interface if it has one (the majority do), connecting using a network cable.
Open the command prompt and type ipconfig then press enter. Next, open up your default web browser and type in the address shown next to "default gateway". This should bring up the web interface for your router. Unless you've changed your DHCP settings it'll likely be 192.168.0.1

I guess that is my best bet. I'll try that as I get home.
thanks for the replies guys.

[IvanV]

Did they also block Cnet? If not, you can download from there, or I could email it to you or put it on RapidShare or a similar service, if there's one that's not blocked?

EDIT: Added it to this post as an attachment, just change the extension from txt to zip (had to change to a supported file type, hope Craig doesn't mind).

[Neshi]

thanks!
I have already done a hard reset and changed the key, which is now saved as a text file on my pc.
There is just a minor problem now, I am not getting an internet connection.
When troubleshooting, it says: DNS server not found.

I have it set to obtain the IP and DNS automatically... this was the problem I had which made me reset my network driver. I don't understand, the problem came into existance after I took the laptop to school and connected to the internet there. Then came home and I got the DNS problem. Before that it has worked fine.

Just reading about OpenDNS, i'll try out there servers.. that might alliviate the problem.

[Neshi]

Turns out the modem has to be logged into. There is a username/password before there is internet access. Now, where did I leave that information..

[craig5320]

Originally Posted by jamesblunt2000

same problem with me anyone who can help me out for this i also lost the key

You need to login to the router admin panel and retrieve it, you will need to connect via a lan cable unless you have a pc that still has wireless access.

If you don't know how to find the admin panel or the password then drop your router make into google and search "admin panel access".