I've tried every Open or Shared Wep 128 bit option in my linux gui on my new dell inspiron mini..(just got it yesterday.. really responds well as far as the default desktop applications so far!). Laptop attempts to connect but comes back and asks for key again displaying passphrase which has already failed. I believe in about or help menus - Gnome is mentioned that is probably my version of desktop.

do I need to convert my home or work wep keys to hex as that and passphrase options are the only ones that will take 26 character? tried that with a conversion tool but failed %XX%xx, etc..

I should be able to do this via the wireless option by default I would assume. It sees wireless networks no problem multiple at work and home.

Any help would be appreciated as I'm desktop support for Microsoft environment and have limited linux experience.

Can you connect if the password request is disabled?

I'll try tonight when I get home. thought about turning off encryption to test yesterday. thanks for the suggestion!

it's working without encryption at home
I'll try wpa config's but would like to get open wep working as this is still very common at other locations.

You could also try copying and pasting the key from the router to the system. See if connections works after that.

interesting.. I just installed ubuntu 9.04 on a dell e6400
network manager come up with limited choices one being the 40/128 and it took my 26 character text string. it's working! I'll see if I can upgrade my dell mini when I get home..