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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Wireless Networking
mikesf - Aug 17, 2005 - 12:08 pm
I just received a Powerbook from my work (Woohoo!) and I am having trouble connecting to my wireless network at home. I have admin privileges on the laptop and a linksys wireless router (B&G). When I go to the AirPort icon, my home wireless signal is listed. I click on it, and it asks for the WPA password. I type in the passwork, hit return, and a message pops up saying "There was an error joining the AirPort network". I cannot figure it out! Help!
skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 1:57 pm
mikesf - Aug 17, 2005 - 2:08 pm
Unfortunately the article was not helpful because the wireless security is WPA, which is not covered by the article. Any other suggestions?
skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 2:20 pm
Verify that you have the proper Airport software version installed. If the powerbook uses a standard Airport card you need Panther and Airport Software version 3.3 or higher. If the powerbook uses an Airport Extreme card you need Panther and Airport Software version 3.2 or higher.
Here's another article perhaps more germane:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107938.
Here's another article perhaps more germane:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107938.
mikesf - Aug 17, 2005 - 2:45 pm
I am not sure how to figure out which version of AirPort software I have. My Powerbook is a G4 with OS X Version 10.3.9
Where do I go to find out the version of AirPort software?
Where do I go to find out the version of AirPort software?
skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 2:53 pm
System Profiler (Utilities folder.)
mikesf - Aug 17, 2005 - 2:59 pm
On the list of "Extensions" I have four options:
AppleAirPort (version 3.2)
AppleAirPort2 (version 3.2, loaded="no")
AppleAirPortFW (version 3.4.3, loaded="no")
AppleAirPortFWAP (version 3.4.3, loaded="no")
On the list of "Applications" I only have
AirPort Admin Utility (version 4.2)
AirPort Setup Assistant (version 4.2)
When the tech lady at my work gave me the powerbook, the wireless worked. It can even see my home network (it is listed when I click on the AirPort icon at the top). Thank you so much for your help!
AppleAirPort (version 3.2)
AppleAirPort2 (version 3.2, loaded="no")
AppleAirPortFW (version 3.4.3, loaded="no")
AppleAirPortFWAP (version 3.4.3, loaded="no")
On the list of "Applications" I only have
AirPort Admin Utility (version 4.2)
AirPort Setup Assistant (version 4.2)
When the tech lady at my work gave me the powerbook, the wireless worked. It can even see my home network (it is listed when I click on the AirPort icon at the top). Thank you so much for your help!
skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 3:13 pm
How is your Network preference pane configured? Open Network, be sure you have the Airport port at the top of the list. Set the Location drop down menu to Automatic. Set the Show drop down menu to Network Port Configuration. In the list move Airport to the top followed by Ethernet, followed by Internal Modem. Check those three ON, uncheck all others. Click on Apply Now button, then reselect Network Status in the Show drop down menu. Select the Airport entry and click on the Configure button. Click on the TCP/IP tab and set the Configure drop down menu to DHCP, click on Apply Now button. Click on the Airport tab and set the By default, Join drop down menu to Automatic, then click on the Apply Now button. Return to the TCP/IP tab and see if you've pulled a valid IP address from the router. (If you get an IP address starting with 169., then you do not have a valid IP address.)
mikesf - Aug 17, 2005 - 3:26 pm
I followed your directions exactly, but when I checked the TCP/IP window, there was no IP address at all. There are two DHCP options next to "Configure IPv4":
"Using DHCP" (which is what I selected)
"Using DHCP with manual address" (which I didn't use)
There is also a button at the bottom that says "Configure IPv6"; is that anything?
And do I have all the right software? I have gone to Software Update a couple of times, but there is no mention of AirPort software being available.
Again, thank you for your prompt responses!
"Using DHCP" (which is what I selected)
"Using DHCP with manual address" (which I didn't use)
There is also a button at the bottom that says "Configure IPv6"; is that anything?
And do I have all the right software? I have gone to Software Update a couple of times, but there is no mention of AirPort software being available.
Again, thank you for your prompt responses!
skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 4:09 pm
Your using the correct one, DHCP. You do not need to configure IPv6.
Oh, yes, you do have the right software installed.
Are you sure that when you checked your Network settings that after clicking the Apply Now button (which should go dim) and waiting a little while, that no IP address appeared at all?
Oh, yes, you do have the right software installed.
Are you sure that when you checked your Network settings that after clicking the Apply Now button (which should go dim) and waiting a little while, that no IP address appeared at all?
mikesf - Aug 17, 2005 - 4:18 pm
The screen is still open, no IP address. Here's exactly what the screen says:
Location: Automatic
Show: AirPort
(TCP/IP highlighted, of the four options)
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
IP Address:
Subnet Mask:
(across from Subnet Mask) DHCP Client ID: (blank)
Router:
DNS Servers:
Search Domains:
IPv6 Address:
That's it. No IP Address anywhere.
Location: Automatic
Show: AirPort
(TCP/IP highlighted, of the four options)
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
IP Address:
Subnet Mask:
(across from Subnet Mask) DHCP Client ID: (blank)
Router:
DNS Servers:
Search Domains:
IPv6 Address:
That's it. No IP Address anywhere.
skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 4:29 pm
Something is amiss, then. Are you close enough to the router to be sure you can get a signal? Sometimes being out of the room can be a problem if the facility has walls made with material that blocks the signals. Also, check that your Airport card hasn't somehow popped out of its slot and that the antenna is properly connected.
Also, if you can, connect the computer via Ethernet cable to the router directly and see if you get a proper connection.
Shut down the cable/DSL modem, the router, and the computer. Then in sequence turn on the cable/DSL modem and wait until the status lights indicate communication with the ISP; then turn the router on and wait until its status light indicates communications with the modem; last turn on the computer and check the Network pref to see if you are now pulling a proper IP.
Also, if you can, connect the computer via Ethernet cable to the router directly and see if you get a proper connection.
Shut down the cable/DSL modem, the router, and the computer. Then in sequence turn on the cable/DSL modem and wait until the status lights indicate communication with the ISP; then turn the router on and wait until its status light indicates communications with the modem; last turn on the computer and check the Network pref to see if you are now pulling a proper IP.
mikesf - Aug 17, 2005 - 4:43 pm
The wireless card is internal, so it didn't fall out, and there's no antenna. Anyway, the computer notices that the network exists, it just can't connect to it.
Ethernet works fine.
I tried shutting everything down and restarting, just like you said. But there's no listed IP address. I have no idea why.
Ethernet works fine.
I tried shutting everything down and restarting, just like you said. But there's no listed IP address. I have no idea why.
skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 6:45 pm
Have you tried turning off security on the router so no password is required? Have you checked Sharing pref pane to see if you've got a firewall turned on?
I'm sort of stumped at this point. Seems more likely some problem with the router or the router's configuration.
I'm sort of stumped at this point. Seems more likely some problem with the router or the router's configuration.
mikesf - Aug 18, 2005 - 9:30 am
I think I have it solved. I found out that there have been a number of mac people who have had the same problem with this specific router (linksys wrt54g). I updated the router firmware and then changed a couple of the router settings, and the internet turned on for both laptops. Now I just hope it works at work again!
Again, thanks for all your help!
Again, thanks for all your help!
skapp - Aug 18, 2005 - 12:52 pm
Just in case: I found this hint just this morning.
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...5951&lsrc=osxh
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...5951&lsrc=osxh
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