Trouble with wireless on original G4 PowerBook

ltrumble

Registered
My PC laptop having suddenly died, I decided to try to get my PowerBook G4 (Titanium, about a 2002 model) up on wireless. My experience in setting up a PC network via wireless is Ok. My experience in setting one up on a Mac is nil.

I was successful in running the Belkin "Quick Start" process and am successfully connected through the router to the cable modem out to the 'Net via the built-in ethernet. However, after hours of trying all the instructions in about 5 different sources (including MacWireless' own instructions for the card and Belkins for the router), I still cannot get access via wireless.

I named the wireless ("homewarren-g") during the Belkin setup routine and left the default channel of 11.

However, no matter how I try to designate a specific network to connect through (or use "automatic") when I turn on the "Airport" card, the "homewarren-g" never appears in a drop-down to select. Even when I type it in, things appear to try to connect, but I almost always get in informative error: "there was an error connecting to "homewarren-g". On occasion, it has appeared that there is a connection made to "homewarren-g", but it appears as a computer-to-computer connection and doesn't actually allow me out to the 'Net.

I've gone into the System setup and the card does appear to be recognized by my laptop as an "Airport" card. So the laptop knows it's there.

My setup is simple:
Cable modem connected to router
Router connected to Mac via network port (built-in)
Wireless card in PC slot.

Machine: PowerBook G4 ("original" Titanium from about 2002)
OS: 10.3.9 (also able to run 9.2 and Windows XP via Virtual PC7).
No other computers or routers connected.

Router: Belkin F5D7230-4 (Wireless G Router)
Firmware: updated from 6.00.4 to 6.00.10
"Show SSID" is enabled.

Wireless Card: MacWireless.com, 802.11g Wireless CardBus PC Card
 
Check your Belkin router to see if it tries to hide itself to other computers that are not setup in it's wireless settings.
 
Try changing the wireless channel, there could be interference from other sources on channel 11.
If you are using encryption, check to make sure both can use the same mode. WEP/WPA etc.
Also if you use Little Snitch, check to see that you haven't denied something necessary for connection.
 
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