Cannot wireless connect to cable modem

T

tcct

Registered
my flat screen imac is running the panther. i have a windows-based wi-fi laptop connected to the net via a motorola sbg1000 cable modem.
problem: i have been unable to connect to the net using the imac. i set the mac to (under network) location = automatic, show = built-in ethernet, and configure IPv4 = using DHCP. it doesn't even detect the IP address / subnet mask / router address.

what's wrong?
 
How is the iMac connected? Does it have an airport card installed or do you have it plugged into your wireless router/base station? We'll be glad to help. We just need some more information. Tell us more about your set up starting from the cable modem, including any routers/hubs, and then the connections to the computers.
 
tcct said:
my flat screen imac is running the panther. i have a windows-based wi-fi laptop connected to the net via a motorola sbg1000 cable modem.
problem: i have been unable to connect to the net using the imac. i set the mac to (under network) location = automatic, show = built-in ethernet, and configure IPv4 = using DHCP. it doesn't even detect the IP address / subnet mask / router address.

what's wrong?
Click to expand...

Right, your settings here are for an ethernet connection from the router/hub to your iMac (not wireless). Open your Network pref pane (should open to 'show network status'. Does that tell you that Built-in Ethernet is active, and that you are connected to the Internet? If not, what DOES is say?
Have you restarted your iMac (you shouldn't have to, but do it anyway) Open System Profiler (Click on the Apple Menu, choose About This Mac, then click on the 'More Info' button) then click on 'Network'. Should show about 9 entries in the bottom right part of window. Is the bottom item Ethernet Address, and does it have an entry of any kind? Should be a set of six character sets, separated by colons.

One thing that may work, check in your Sharing pref pane, making sure that Firewall is turned off (click on the Firewall tab, make sure it states 'Firewall off" Your router has built-in Firewall, and that will interfere with your internet connection on your iMac, if the Mac's Firewall is turned on also.
 
Thank you for your replies. My iMac comes with an airport extreme card.
At network pref pane (with show network status): it says airport is turnedon but not connected to a network, and internal modem is not setup. nothing about ethernet.
And at system profiler (network, built-in ethernet): it does show my ethernet address (the other 2 lines being interface = en0 and type = ethernet).
Firewall is off.

What else can I do?
 
tcct said:
Thank you for your replies. My iMac comes with an airport extreme card.
At network pref pane (with show network status): it says airport is turnedon but not connected to a network, and internal modem is not setup. nothing about ethernet.
And at system profiler (network, built-in ethernet): it does show my ethernet address (the other 2 lines being interface = en0 and type = ethernet).
Firewall is off.

What else can I do?
Click to expand...

I think you're almost there! Forget any mention of Ethernet, you are not using it! (Ethernet and Airport are completely different connections-you want Airport)
If your computer has an AirPort Card installed and you don't see the AirPort icon in the toolbar of Internet Connect, the AirPort port may not be selected.

To select the AirPort port:

Open System Preferences and click Network.
Choose Active Network Ports from the Show pop-up menu.
Select the AirPort checkbox and click Apply Now
Reopen Internet Connect, click the AirPort icon and then choose an AirPort network from the Network pop-up menu.

Also - -
You can display the status of your AirPort connection in the menu bar. You can use the AirPort status menu to switch between AirPort networks, turn your AirPort Card on or off, open Internet Connect, or create a Computer-to-Computer network.

To display AirPort status in the menu bar:

Open Internet Connect and click the AirPort icon in the toolbar.
Select the checkbox.

Four signal bars appear in the AirPort status menu. The more bars that are black, the higher the signal quality.

All of this info comes from your Help files in Panther (you can't get at most of them without an internet connection)
 
Thanx DeltaMac.
I did as you said. But on choosing the network, an error message popped up "There was an error joining the selected airport network".
I suppose the reception is ok where the imac is sitting as I do get the network name, and my laptop can connect with good reception from the same location.
 
You may need to update the firmware of your base station or install the most up-to-date airport software onto your imac.
 
I tried to install the airport cd, but it said that my software is up-to-date.
My 'base-station' is a motorola sbg1000, which came with my local cable online provider. No firm-ware update that I am aware of.
 
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