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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Airport Card

whimsygirl - Jul 22, 2008 - 11:13 am

I am unable to join a WAP network using the password. (I know that the password is correct and connectivity possible because my boyfriend connects with the PC I am writing on right now.) I threw out all the prefs and so on, but my system still sees itself as connected by the full signal strength showing and it says that it is connected. I decided that a full overhaul of my system was necessary (because of other issues) and so i reformatted the whole thing, doing an erase and install from disc (I am running OS 10.4), when I came to the step to join a network I didn't have the password handy so I continued with the setup with the idea that I would join later. However, when I did, the same problem exists. Is there such a thing as restoring the internal airport card to factory settings? Or what is it I should be doing that I am not. (By the way, even the geniuses at the local apple store could not solve this with two visits.)

DeltaMac - Jul 22, 2008 - 6:54 pm

Were you able to connect at an Apple Store with no problem?
Or, did you also fail to connect to their network?

I suppose you mean WPA, and not WAP. Hopefully, not WEP, which is not a form of wireless security.
You say that you are connected, with full signal strength showing.
What is not working, then?
If you attempt to connect, then go to your System Preferences/Network pane. Click on the Show drop-down, and choose Airport.
Click the TCP/IP tab.
What number is showing next to IP Address: ?

Can you connect to your wireless network if you turn off security, just as a test?

- Dale

whimsygirl - Jul 22, 2008 - 8:57 pm

You're right. It is WPA I am attempting to connet to (typo). I was able to connect to the apple store initially, but with all the monkeying around; haven't been able to since.
When I am connected it is indicated that I am connected to the wireless network, but I am, in fact, not able to connect to the internet.
Now, after all has been said and done, there is no IP address showing next to the TCP/IP tab, which I am sure is part of the problem, however, when I attempt to connect, it still tells me that I am connected at full signal strength, in any location I visit, but now I cannot connect anywhere at all. I tried entering the IP address of the wireless network, but that didn't do anything at all. (I also have the IP address of the router, and tried plugging that in, but it doesn't help in the matter at all.) Diagnostics can't help me with this problem either. I can get as far as green lights for built in ethernet, network settings and ISP, but that's it.
Turn off security? Firevault is now off, and I'm having the same problem, but I'm not sure what other security settings you might want me to turn off.

DeltaMac - Jul 22, 2008 - 11:19 pm

So, if you go to your local Apple Store, you can - or cannot - connect to their wireless network?

If you can't, the 'genius' should be able to sort it out. If you can connect to that Apple store wireless network, then it's something about your own router that is causing the difficulty. So, turn off the security on your wireless router, so you don't need to enter a password to connect.

whimsygirl - Jul 23, 2008 - 1:12 am

I connected once but not the next time at the apple store.
so why is it that the pc can connect no problem to this network but it is of such issue for my mac? and i am connecting wirelessly to my landlord's wireless and i am not about to ask him--a very busy man-- to start monkeying around to troubleshoot for me. it just doesn't make sense.

i ask again: is it possible for the airport card to be reformatted or restored to factory default settings? can you do such a thing? we are surmising that the airport card is trying to create it's old connection and thinks that everything is OK.
i've made two visits to the apple store and they can't seem to sort it out. so are we working on the notion here the third time lucky will fix it?

DeltaMac - Jul 23, 2008 - 7:25 am

You can delete your network settings files - from your main Library/Preferences folder. Find the folder named SystemConfiguration, then delete any files with Network, Airport, or NAT. Trash those files, then restart your Mac. Go back into your System Preferences/Network. All network settings will be reset to defaults. I like to drag the Airport to the top of the list. Change your wireless network, so it's at the top of the list of Preferred networks.
If it still doesn't complete the connection, then your Airport card needs to be replaced, or you will need to use some alternate hardware for your wireless connection. Go back to the Apple Store for their amazing evaluation. If you can't connect there, then your card is still bad.

- Dale