DescentBB

WEP settings problem

I'm trying to configure my WEP settings and can't get it to work properly.

I have a Westell 327W Wireless router/modem and I'm using Verizon DSL.

My router settings on the Internet say I can use 64,128 or 256 bit and gives me the following explanation:
*WEP keys are 5, 13, or 29 text digits or 10, 26, or 58 hexadecimal digits for 64, 128, or 256 bit keys respectively.

After setting my router I try to set the wireless network on my laptop. I either don't get on at all (Page can not be....) using 256 bit key or get the following message when trying to use 128 bit.

"The network password needs to be 40 bits or 104 bits depending on your network configuration. This can be entered as five or 13 ascii or 10 or 26 hexadecimal characters"

Also, should the "Network Authorization" be open or shared?

Set WEP on laptop first, then use the key it generates on the router setup. I was setting up my WPA key today and remembered I had to do it that way.

Can you use WPA instead? It's more secure.

I used a key generator, changed my laptop first and all is secure.

I have wpa settings on my laptop but not on the router and I can't find any updates for it.

Thanks for the posts.