I decided to make this as in other forums people are always asking the same thing "Wheres my WEP key, my mummy never gave me a WEP key" so here it is, to try and stop those questions here.

MOST IMPORTANT!
Read the manual that came with your psp. Thats the little small grey book. It tells you how to get to the wireless settings on your PSP but more importantly tells you to turn the wireless on, your psp has a switch to turn wireless off (and save battery). The manual will tell you how to turn it on.


Q: When I scan for a wireless network is says it cant find one?

A: First off. Wifi is not everywhere and not magic. Unlike your mobile phone network which covers 99% of the country WiFi is local. A wireless network only exists within 50-100 feet of the Wireless Access point/Wireless Router. If you have a wireless router such as a Linksys WRT54G or a Belkin with a couple of aerials sticking out then chances are you have a wireless network. If your thinking "Wireless what now" then you prolly dont have a wireless network. YOU NEED A WIRELESS NETWORK TO GET ONLINE WITH YOUR PSP be this your own or a hotspot. It could also be because your SSID is hidden, if you have a wireless network and you thought you set it up refer to the manual about SSID broardcast.


Q: So what do i need to get online then?

A: A wireless access point or router that supports the 802.11b standard. Linksys, buffalo and Belkin all make excellent ones for the home. What you get totally depends on your home network. I have NTL with one of those silver modems. All I have is a Linksys WRT54G router that plugs into that silver NTL modem then all my PC's connect to the Linksys via cable and the laptops and PSP connect via wireless, total home network.


Q: Whats a hotspot?

A: This is just a wireless network available to the public. Places such as Starbucks offer them although you can expect to pay a fee. If you have your own wireless network unless your into charging yourself money its free. To find out how to connect to a public hotspot speak to the owners of the network or the staff. They will also advise you of any fees and how you pay them.


Q: Wheres my WEP key, is it on my keyring?

A: Nope, your WEP key is really just a password to connect to your wireless network. Normally you set this when you install and setup your wireless network. However some routers such as those provided by BT are already WEP enabled and you can find the WEP key (password) in the documentation or underneath. NOTE: not all WEP enabled routers have the key underneath. Some networks are completely open meaning you scan for it and connect, thats it


Q: I think my wireless network is open, what can I do?

A: Secure it with WEP or better yet WPA. Without these anyone can just connect to your network and start leeching off your internet connection, often you dont even know. If you just opened your router, plugged in and turned everything on chances are its open. Refer to the manual to find out how to enable WEP or WPA (more secure). NOTE: If you do enable WEP ensure you use Key 1 (this makes sense when you see the config). The PSP cannot make use of any other key but key 1.


Q: I have a Linksys WRT54G router but my PSP will not connect using WPA.

A: First you need firmware 2.00 to make use of WPA. Second there is a bug with the newer 4.xx.xx firmware ont he Linksys WRT routers. Downgrade to v3.03.6 and WPA will work just fine.


Q: Now I have setup WPA the downloads in Wipeout no longer work

A: Fear not as I have the solution. Now your using WPA older games such as Wipeout no longer work online... Boo but if you still want to download updates through your PSP browser (the cool one built into firmware 2.00) just bookmark
and hey presto, you can now download through the superior built in browser AND maintain your WPA encryption.


Q: Cant I get online using a USB cable?
A: No way no how, you NEED a wireless network.


Q: Cant I just scan and use whatever wireless network I find?

A: Technically yes, legally no. Here in the UK that is classed as theft of services. If you scan and find a wireless network and its not yours using it could get you in trouble if the owner finds out and seeing as most wireless access points log activity it is possible they can trace it back to you and seeing as the range is likely to be as far as the next door neighbour its either you or the other guy. Seek permission from the network owner if you are going to do that.



Q: I got a network access code leaflet in the box, dont i just scan for a network and enter that to get online?

A: Fraid not, all that does is let you register a nickname or somthing via
for online games. It dosnt actually get your PSP online.


Q: Can you recommend a router to get online with?

A: The only ones I have experience of are Linksys and in particular the Linksys WRT54G. Its made by Cisco so its a good device. Easy to configure as its all done via a web browser. Has firewall, DHCP server and supports the B and G wireless (802.11b/g) so good for all. You can get one for under 50 notes too.


Q: Whats the range of wireless. Why does a wall affect it?

A: Depends on your router. Normally 50-100 feet. The distance quoted on the box is the MAXIMUM you can hope for if the PSP is within line of site for the router, the weather is good (I kid you not) and the PSP is not set to powersave. For the technical, Wireless is just radio waves, part of the electromagnetic spectrum (light). Unlike your mobile phone which can penertrate metal, concrete and brick Wireless is low power and cannot, much like when you go under a bridge and your radio stops. Wireless routers are also not allowed to be powerful enough to broadcast long distances. If you have your PSP in a house with walls expect to get about 7-10 meters distance not the full distance quoted in the specs.


Q: How can I secure my wireless network?

A:

1) First install firmware 2.00 on your PSP, this allows you to use WPA encryption, much more secure. For the following refer to the manual for your wireless access point/router.

2) Next, change the SSID from the default, if your the default its easy to guess your network name.

3) Now disable SSID broadcast. Stops people accidently finding you.

4) Enable WPA encryption. Make sure its Pre Shared Key and TKIP.

5) Enable MAC address filtering and enter all the MAC address's of your wireless cards including your PSP.

6) Change the admin password on your router. By default its password and if you havn't changed it like the 3 networks within range of me its going to be admin.


Gaming


Q: Why cant I find any players when I goto multiplayer?

A: Most games only support Ad-Hoc, this means the other PSP MUST be within 50 feet of you. Ad-Hoc means direct PSP to PSP. To play online with others around the globe the game must support infrastructure and to date very few support this. Some say they do but its a misprint. Wipeout, RidgeRacer, Lumines are all Ad-Hoc only. Search the web, there is a lot on this and a list of Infrastructure games.


Q: I heared you can play ad-hoc games around the world.

A: Yes you can but its not for the faint of heart. Team XLink have done this using their own tunneling software. With this you can play ad-hoc games with anyone around the world but be warned. You need to know a bit about home networking and may need to have multiple network cards, depends on your setup and not be asking "whats tunneling". Advanced users only, I have not even been able to get it working so good luck. Take a look at the site. They have images of the various setups you can try.