Sally Thompson <me2@privacy.net> hath wroth:

>2. Set the encryption on the router to WEP rather than WPA when I want to use
>the notebook, and then switch back. I believe from my reading that Win98SE
>would work with WEP?

Windoze 98SE didn't have any native wireless support.
Encryption support comes with the wireless device.
What model and hardware version Belkin do you have?

>I can set up WEP on the router OK, but I'm not sure what
>I would have to set up on the Belkin settings.

Not much to setup on the Belkin. Just setup a profile in the wireless
client manager (or whatever it's called) and tell it to use WEP.
However, methinks the switching back and forth between WEP and WPA is
going to get old very quickly. I would do whatever it takes to make
everything use WPA encryption.

>3. I have found some downloadable *WPA software* from McAfee:
><http://www.wirelesssecuritycorp.com/wsc/public/WPAAssistant.do>
>which apparently enables a Win98 computer to use WPA. Is this a good idea,
>and does anyone know if it would work, or is there a better way?

WSC works. After the trial period ends, the remaining software allows
the use of WPA. I used it for WPA on one of my antique WinME laptops
until recently (when the hard disk blew).

The other wireless client manager that adds WPA (and 802.1x
authentication) is Funk Software (now part of Juniper):
http://www.juniper.net/customers/sup...oducts/oac.jsp
However, this costs about $50 after the 30 day trial.

>The notebook doesn't have to connect wirelessly, but with no Ethernet slot in
>the notebook I believe there is no other choice, unless someone can advise
>otherwise.

What maker and model laptop do you have?

Duz the notebook have a PCMCIA slot? If so, you can plug in either a
wired ethernet adapter or a wireless PCMCIA card. Verify that the
slot is either 16 bit PCMCIA or 32 bit CardBus. A 16 bit card will
fit in either slot, but a 32 bit CardBus card requires a CardBus slot
in the laptop.

Same with a USB port. However, be advised that if it's only USB 1.1
instead of 2.0, you'll be limited to about 11Mbits/sec connection
speed.

>Incidentally, the Belkin card registers (beeps on turn-on) and is shown in
>the taskbar, and its little green light is on. If I look at the card
>properties, it shows: Belkin 11Mbps Wireless Notebook Network Adapter. If I
>go to Start-Programs-Belkin PCMCIA WLAN Utility and select Belkin PCMCIA WLAN
>Monitor my Router SSID is shown but I get an Authentication Error with a
>message to Check Encryption Settings when I try to connect to the network.

Yep. That's what I would expect from a WPA encryption failure.

Hint: You'll get less general answer if you kindly supply the makers
and model numbers of your hardware.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558