Dell Connection Problems to Airport BS

Question

We've heard it all before - I can't connect to the Airport BS with a Dell D600 laptop running XP(SP2)when I have the encryption on the Airport set to either WEP128 or 40.
Before anyone tells me to run to the iFelix site, I have and I can't get through step 1 as the Dell won't even acknowledge that there is an available network.
If I use the Dell 1350 WLAN access tool (instead of the XP wireless wizard), it sees my SSID, but when I type in the password (yes I used the admin utility to get the HEX version), it still will not connect. I've tried both 40 and 128 bit words - no luck.
If I make the network completely open - no encryption - all works well.
I'm also running an iBook and a new MacBook off this same Airport Base station. No problems at all.
Can anyone help me figure how to hook up?
Airport Extreme   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   Dell D600 PC XP (SP2)

Answer 1

Before anyone tells me to run to the iFelix site, I
have and I can't get through step 1 as the Dell won't
even acknowledge that there is an available network.
This is because the native support is turned off.
Turning on Wireless Zero Configuration
http://tech.ifelix.net/2007.html
It may require you uninstall the Dell WLAN tool.
Create a System Restore point so that you can revert the system back if required.
If I use the Dell 1350 WLAN access tool (instead of
the XP wireless wizard), it sees my SSID, but when I
type in the password (yes I used the admin utility to
get the HEX version), it still will not connect. I've
tried both 40 and 128 bit words - no luck.
I agree with Duane use WPA, as it should work.
One of the problems with WEP is that the actual standard relies on a 10 character HEX key for 40bit WEP and a 26 character HEX key for 128bit WEP.
In order to make things easier for people, vendors use certain algorithms to convert simple alphanumeric passwords (or passphrases) into HEX keys, thus enabling people to use simple memorable WEP password rather than lengthy HEX keys.
The problem is that different vendors use different algorithms to generate the HEX key and therefore a ASCII password on an AEBS will be hashed differently on a Netgear client and vice versa.
One thing is a 13 character 128 bit WEP password will be hashed by all vendors in the same way (if you use 40bit WEP then a 5 character password is required).
Though sometimes not even that works and the HEX key must be used regardless.
AirPort: Joining an encrypted wireless network
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106424
Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108058
WPA
"WPA Personal" on the Mac corresponds to plain WPA, with a pre-shared key (PSK) and TKIP encryption, on non-Apple wireless routers. The same alphanumeric password should work on both.