Router and new tablet conundrum.

twopenny

Exasperated!

Part 1 = Got a new tablet and tried to connect to my router but it requires a password that is 8 characters or more long.

My very old router only has 4.

Is there a way to change the original password supplied with the router?

Part 2 - I have a new one still in the box which is twice the size and that has a long password.

But apart from the hassle of installing a box bigger and chunkier for 4 rooms - if I did use it would all my very old gadgets connect to it?

Laptop 18yrs old, Kindle 7. The laptop is essential.

I only really got the tablet for email checking (energy companies now use this) and MSE forums both of which upgraded and I can't get on my old kindle since a couple of weeks ago.

May not be able to reply till tomorrow as I have to log into my laptop to read but would be grateful for any help.

Neil_Jones

1) Yes.  Log into it and change it that way.  How?  Well depends what router you have/

2) Most likely yes.

twopenny

Log into what Neil. the router?

I've no idea how I would do that.

I took it to a community centre where the techi help (to get my settings etc sorted) the wifi there automatically connected. No password needed.

It just picked up the local wifi and clicked on connect

ZyxXEL _DO4A is on the back. 

It's ancient but small and light which suits my little place.

Flugelhorn

Can try this:

"To log into your router's admin panel, open a web browser, enter the router's IP address (often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), and use the default username (usually "admin") and password (often "password" or found on a sticker on the router). "

Vitor

OPs message isn't making sense. No standard Wi-Fi protocol in common use today allows a password as short as 4 characters.

twopenny

I don't have a router admin panel.

Password is 4 characters. The router is maybe 12 yrs old or more.

I went to the internet and sharing page on the Control Panel but it only offers home groups and shareing etc. It won't allow me to copy and paste.

Tried print screen but I can't  copy straight to here. I'd have to photograph and camera is not with me at the mo.

Vitor

It's possible that "ZyxXEL _DO4A" is the WiFi name (SSID) and it was setup with no encryption so any device can connect.

On the new tablet, try setting the Security Type on the WiFi connection to 'None'

PHK

Please can you tell us the make and model of the router. (I think as a non technical person you have some misunderstandings) With the make and model we can tell you exactly what to do. 

Ayr_Rage

With an 18 year old laptop and a 12 year old router I'd certainly be worried about my security.

What OS is the computer running?

The router is very likely to be running software that is not capable of using the latest security protocols and newer devices may reject connections to it.