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How do I set up a wireless wifi access point for my Sony PSP?

Hey Dave! I have a Sony PSP and was wondering if I buy a wireless base station how do you set it up and are there any programs that i have to install?


Dave's Answer:

There's nothing you have to install, but you're right in thinking that you need to buy something and do some configuration.

First off you really need to have broadband of some sort for this to work, whether it's a cable modem connection or DSL from your telecom provider. Without that, most access points just can't function (with the notable exception of the darn expensive Apple Airport base station, which has a built-in modem and can work with dialup services last I checked).

If you do have that higher speed network connection, odds are very, very good that you have it configured like this:

  cable or DSL line into your house
    connected to
      special modem
        connected to
          your computer directly via an Ethernet cable

When we move into the world of wireless networking and wifi, you're going to have to change that configuration because the access point / base station has to be in the loop too. Here's how I have mine set up:

cable --> cable modem --> wireless access point --> my computer via Ethernet cable

Wifi base stations (access points, they're the same thing. Just multiple names to confuse us. "802.11" is the same thing too, for that matter) come with cables, so that's not an issue. Further, you'll find that the wifi base station will also likely serve as a DHCP server, so you'll have a new level of protection from nefarious hackers trying to sneak into your computer with cracking software.

What I personally recommend is that you get a wireless access point that's also a router so that you can plug more than one computer into it. They're only $10 or $20 more expensive, but give you expansion space, the ability for friends to plug an Ethernet cable in and use your network while you are too, and generally improve the flexibility of the system.

I have an eight-port router built into my Linksys base station and I have eight different Ethernet devices plugged in, believe it or not. Three computers, a network-based printer, a VOIP interface that lets me use my Vbuzzer Internet-based telephone line with a regular phone, and more. Very helpful!

So what exactly should you buy when you're ready to purchase a base station and set up a wireless network? I recommend that you get an 802.11g system, which offers much higher speed (and complete backwards compatibility) than the older 802.11b network. The latter is more common, but the "g" protocol is really the up and coming system and hopefully that's what'll be in the next generation Sony PSP when released later this year too. The 802.11b access points are probably a bit less expensive, however.

Digging around Amazon.com, here are a few exemplary units:

  • Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless-B Cable/DSL Router - Currently $47 with free shipping, this is a slower 802.11b access point device, but does include four Ethernet plugs in the back of the unit, which is good flexibility at a very low price.
  • D-Link DI-524 Wireless 54Mbps High Speed Router - How about this? With the current set of rebates, this 802.11g higher speed access point is actually cheaper than the slower Linksys device. In fact, if you go through all the hoops, it should end up costing you a paltry $19.64 for this device. Cool! This unit has the same standard four Ethernet ports as the Linksys, a built-in firewall for security, and is small enough to tuck behind your desk and forget about.

There are, of course, a zillion different wireless base stations you can buy, these are but two. I have Linksys equipment and have had very good results with them, but there are definitely other vendors who have top-notch equipment on the market too.

Once you get hooked up, you'll want to decide whether you want to leave your wireless network open and password-free, or whether you want to add a password. There are two basic types of password security for wireless networks: WEP and WPA. The former is less secure, but more commonly supported with older wireless devices, while the latter is still not perfectly secure but pretty darn good.

The advantage of a password is that neighbors and random folk driving past your house can't suddenly pop on and be part of your local network (which is obviously quite dangerous). The disadvantage is that it's a hassle and you need to remember your password, often a fairly cryptic 24 character or longer encrypted key. Further, if you want to add a password you'll also need to install some admin software on your computer and fiddle with the new access point, which can be a hassle.

My recommendation nonetheless? Add a password to your new wireless network. The added security is well worth the extra effort.

Okay. So, buy the right device, hook it all up, set up a wireless password, and you should be able to get up and running with your new, modern network configuration, hook up your Sony PSP to the Internet, and simultaneously work on your PC or Mac without any conflict.

Good luck!

Note: This Q&A was written by Drew "flyboy" Crouch of the AskDaveTaylor editorial team.


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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics , iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help   (Article 6376, Written by )
Tagged: psp internet, sony psp, wifi, wifi access points, wireless networking
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Reader Comments To Date: 44

Charles said, on March 29, 2006 5:12 PM:

I have ACTIONTEC and my connection to obtain the IP address keeps on timing out what do I do?

Jared said, on July 3, 2006 2:56 PM:

My problem seems to be my dad configured my wireless router with too much protection plus he uses aol. Is there any help anyone can give me?

malcolm mason said, on December 25, 2006 11:30 AM:

i do not know how to hook up the web or the url with my psp. I am 13 years old and please tell me how to hook it up thank you very much.and i have aol dail up not wireless.

Joshua Troche said, on February 9, 2007 1:58 PM:

i scan for internet on my psp but it cant find an access point and i dont know what to do so im hopeing u can help me

Kyle said, on April 2, 2007 9:02 PM:

My IP address keeps on timing out what do I do?
I really need help.

petar said, on May 19, 2007 4:12 PM:

u cant use dial up to get ur psp online. sorry :-(

evan sickles said, on July 1, 2007 9:54 AM:

i need help on how to get internet on my psp can you help me please

fadi said, on July 5, 2007 12:01 PM:

what game on psp has most online people and were does this mesage go to cuz i asked a queshtin last time and i didnt get my asnswer?????? i wonder

salman said, on July 24, 2007 10:10 AM:

I have an NDS, may connection was fine until one day, I got a code error, so I went to nintendowifi.com, it saif something about a WEP key, you see I'm using familie's comp, and I don't know the WEP key, how can I know it ?

gilberto said, on July 27, 2007 11:32 AM:

ummm... the wep key...i dont know it and im trying to find out what it is... oh and its a used psp so i dont even have the manual... so its sorta hard for me. im trying to reconfigure it for my couzin.. itbe nic if you can help. thanks.

big D said, on August 23, 2007 1:22 AM:

hey dave what this IP ADDRESS thing...and the WEP KEY...CAN YOU HELP ME???..my psp is used so i dont have the manual...

oyinlola said, on September 16, 2007 3:55 PM:

my psp sees the network but keeps asking for wep key pls help.

nathan said, on October 23, 2007 4:11 PM:

after i scanned for connections i get a wireless 1 with no password and later when i try testing it, it keeps timing out? what do i need to do??

Daniel said, on October 29, 2007 10:06 AM:

Hey Dave..i have even emailed the psp spot..ya kno tha main website and they wont hit me back....my psp wont get on tha web..the ip address keeps timing out...it used to work now all of a sudden it wont....please help me out man....what can i do?

p.s im close to the router and i know the wep code....

moose said, on November 25, 2007 8:39 AM:

can i just click on one thing for this wep key
?

julian said, on December 1, 2007 8:05 AM:

My IP address keeps timing out, what do I do?

ravi said, on December 15, 2007 12:14 AM:

dave y doesnt my psp internet workit just keeps saying connection wit server failed a dns has occured

chris said, on December 31, 2007 5:46 PM:

what happens if you forget your wep key

tony berry said, on January 2, 2008 2:40 PM:

My step son has a new PSP. His father has a LYNKSYS G-router @ his home, so do I.
The PSP works fine @ his father's home yet will not connect in mine. My laptops work fine throughout our home, however his PSP does not. I have no security setting set up on mine. How can I make him have access in both homes and make both of us happier?

Adam.H said, on January 8, 2008 10:34 AM:

Hi Dave

I have a PSP, but like every one else i have problems with the SECURITY SETTINGS - mainly the WPA - PSK -(TKIP) code - Any help?

I use Livebox - 4278 if thats any help?

GERYN said, on January 28, 2008 8:57 PM:

I CAN'T GO ONLINE ON MY PSP BECAUSE ITS KEEP ON SAYING ERROR. WHAT'S WRONG?

Gene said, on February 6, 2008 2:29 PM:

How do I find my WEP key for my lynksys router?

rose said, on April 22, 2008 9:15 AM:

I am going back to dial up from wireless. What do I have to do to accomplish this on my computer

leazy said, on June 1, 2008 7:08 PM:

dave tell me how to download free videos off the internet with a usb

tyler said, on June 2, 2008 5:31 PM:

yeah i have this problem i just got my psp and i have a dsl or watever and so i tried to do the internet thing and i have did the ssid stuff and all that but its saying my access point was not detected..can someone help me that?

Nathan said, on July 22, 2008 6:07 PM:

i have a problem when i test my connection i get
something that says
"a connection error has occurred.a connection to the access point could not be established.check the security settings for the network and try again."

im not completely sure what the heck this means can you please explain this to me in simpler words please!?!

Kevin P said, on November 4, 2008 12:55 AM:

Hey dave i have the same question as this "i have a problem when i test my connection i get
something that says
"a connection error has occurred.a connection to the access point could not be established.check the security settings for the network and try again."

im not completely sure what the heck this means can you please explain this to me in simpler words please!?!"

Just want to see if you can help me out, i downloaded the newest firmware through the psp website and through usb just don't know how to set it up, my wireless works for my ps3 just fine, Thanks, Kevin.

Derek said, on November 10, 2008 12:20 PM:

Dave,
I actually hvan X360 console, and im trying to connect it to my wireless netwrk, but im sure it links the same way as the PSP, PS2, and other consoles mentioned n help topic articles.
i hv the same problem every1 else mentioned... i cant find the WEP key on the network. iv seen articles on net how to dial n to router interface, which didnt work. i hardreset router, tried to relog in, didnt work. one site looked like it even found my info for me, and listed it in box (i think it turned out to be example of what to look for), but the WEP key didnt login for me.... i even read two of your postings on the matter, one refering to other... so if you could, please help me!!
How do i get my own WEP key for network? my brother is the admin of cpu, but disnt live at home. the cpu is actually mothers, not mine. but the XBox 360 im tryin to log on w is mine. brother is being neglegent in awnsering, so i took upon myself to search net for awnsers. can you help?

Lisa Taylor said, on January 29, 2009 6:19 PM:

I thought the wep was located on the back of the router box I have gateway and it's a 10 digit number I have used it for my printer and it worked fine. Now my Ps3 is a different story. I am using a mac laptop so the instructions glen gave in the earlier post were useless as i don't know how to change them up for my mac. All this computer wireless crap is hurting my head. It's a love hate relationship definitely. your site is cool, just ask dave and taylor just happens to be a cool name too.
thanks for all the info
lisa

Dave Taylor said, on January 29, 2009 9:47 PM:

Hi Lisa. Nice last name. :-)

There's no way that a WEP could be printed on the back of any sort of wireless unit because it's an optional password that someone has to *set up* for it to be in place. When they set it up, they enter a word, a phrase, a number, or something similar and that's the "WEP password".

So you really need to use a computer and connect to the wireless device through its administrative management software then figure out how to get to where you set the password and see what it's already set to. That's what you would then need to enter in the PSP itself.

nicholas uzusaki said, on April 9, 2009 11:10 PM:

PLEASE i beg of you help me!

My psp is a 3000 version 4.21.
i cant go on the internet or play with my friends on wi fi. The psp cant find the acsess (i kno i spelled these wrong) point or it keeps timing out
WHAT DO I DO?

vf said, on July 24, 2009 12:22 AM:

hey i got a window xp home edition and a motorolla modem from at&t can my computer give a connection to my psp

shivareddy said, on September 12, 2009 9:16 AM:

hi when im opening web from my mobile an error is occuring saying that dns not set whts the problem in my phone i want to know pls help me....
and when i connect an usb it was not connected it is coming but only once when i connect it for second not cmg pls send the answers for two questions plzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ugur said, on December 8, 2009 5:56 PM:

hi to all,
can anyone explain how to share LAN connection via WLAN usb adaptor at a PC with XP Pro installed?

Erica said, on December 25, 2009 8:47 PM:

I do not have the same problem like everyone else. I know what my wep key pw. My problem is that i can't log onto my wireless connection b/c the security settings are not supported. They are as follows:

WPA2-Personal
Encryption: AES

How do i make it compatibable with the PSP. I tried configuring the network settngs manually under both wep settings and the Wpa (under both encryption types but it just won't connect. Please help me out. I have tried everything.

David N. said, on January 18, 2010 2:49 PM:

Hey Dave, okay, my psp cannot for some strange reason connect to my WPA password protected network, i know the code but still nothing. My DSi and xbox 360 and PS3 work perfectly though, all are wireless. What can i do?

alex said, on March 6, 2010 5:01 PM:

The singular issue that many of the responders to this post have is the lack of information on working with wireless Access Point MAC address controls. I have a NETGEAR Router, 802.11g, that has WEP encryption enabled and even though I entered the correct pass code and followed this step-by-step to the T, I could not get a connection.

After digging around a little more, I found a control panel for "Wireless Card Access List" on my router where I physically entered the MAC address of my PSP and viola, connection!

Please add some dialouge to the top of this post or as a secondary step so future readers can get to the workaround sooner that reading though this cumbersome page.

Henri said, on March 8, 2010 6:22 AM:

HI ALEX March 6th 2010!!! Nice to hear from someone with a solution for the same problem :D What I would like to know is: where did you "dig around" to find the control panel on your router, please? I work on a MacBook, btw. Thanks!

©onner© said, on March 13, 2010 10:50 AM:

How do I get internet on meh psp?
it doesn't work.

joshu doyle said, on August 9, 2010 2:11 PM:

i ty and get my psp on lone but it says secuaty not suported help!!!!!!! sos a bout the spelling im disleck

Robert cole said, on September 17, 2010 1:23 AM:

I am trying to set up a ps3 that's downstairs to a router that's upstairs using wireless.I have made a connection 4 times now and then told to download an update and then lost it.Each time I try again it's telling me it can't find a port ,ip number trouble ect.Can you give us an idiot proof. Run through to set this up or I am near to binning it.I have called Sony and they are not to helpful as I purchased the machine in the Uk and brought it to Denmark

Marissa said, on March 16, 2012 12:53 PM:

stop freaking talking and give STEPS!!!!! lol cause i dont understand half this stuff....

Panico said, on March 29, 2012 5:27 AM:

Hy dave help me plz my psp is virsion.6.0.1 nd i dnt wana cönect it says the signal is week or the ssid is incorect. I realy need ur help

Panico said, on March 29, 2012 5:41 AM:

Hel me dave my psp hs virsion 6.0.1 it say signal week or ssid is incorect what must i do?

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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