Problems connecting new macbook to my w/less n/work

[Three6ty]

Hi,
After much deliberation I finally bought a new macbook today. My first venture into the mac world. I love the machine so far, bar one thing. I cannot get it to connect to my wireless network. I am using a Linksys WAG54G ADSL Gateway. In the past I have successfully connected 2 windows pc's, xbox 360, PSP and a DS with absolutely no probs. I have 128 bit wep encription on the gateway.
This is driving me nuts Anyone have any ideas on how to get my macbook connected up? Or do I need to go out and invest in a new gateway/modem?
Any help very much appreciated.
Cheers, Rich

 

[Deleted member 27989]

Without you saying what the problem is it would be hard to help....I'm connecting up to a Linksys and no problem whatsoever....So state the problem you are encountering.....

PS. Don't bother usng wep encription, it really is not worth the bother....Go to WPA key or nothing....Especially when you learn about KisMac and see how easy it is to crack a WEP password....

 

[jont]

You'll probably find that the password entry settings on the mac are set to ascii and your router password is set in hex - can't remember offhand which setting to change but that has been the simple problem before ... don't worry - it will work fine !!

Jon

edit - its in the drop down menu when you go to 'other' in the network list ...

 

[Three6ty]

Hi,
The problem is that the mac keeps telling me either the password is incorrect or there was an error connecting to the network. I know my password is correct having used it on several other machines. I have been up half the night trying to resolve it. I tried changing to WPA and still get the same and even tried turning off all security altogether and still no joy. Scouting round various groups inc the apple support forums there seems to be many problems with connecting macbooks to wireless networks dating back over a year and there is still no fix. I could go out and purchase a new w/less box but it may do the same. There seems to be no definitve list which one's definately work.
I did hook it up with an ethernet cable last night and all was fine.
I'll keep plodding away this morning. Hopefully a nights sleep may give a fresh solution to it.
Cheers, Rich

 

[Deleted member 27989]

I've got a Macbook and no problems at all, I also roam across quite a few other networks...

As jont says it could be a normal character vs hex problem, but I doubt that since you have connected all those other devices...As you see the network, you do don't you? It is most likely also not a channel problem, but I would set it to automatic anyway (Internet Connect - Airport - Network - Create Other)...Have you set the correct bit length for the password that you are using? I mean does it match what you have set on the router? And also are you doing capitalisation correct?

But the very first thing to do, switch off any layer of security and get it to work, then step for step bring in layers of security so you can see where it is....

Alternatively you can just crack the WEP password using the aforementioned tool and connect like that But personally I would just remote all security and do it based upon mac address, less overhead and most secure of them all....

 

[Three6ty]

I've got a Macbook and no problems at all, I also roam across quite a few other networks...

As jont says it could be a normal character vs hex problem, but I doubt that since you have connected all those other devices...As you see the network, you do don't you? It is most likely also not a channel problem, but I would set it to automatic anyway (Internet Connect - Airport - Network - Create Other)...Have you set the correct bit length for the password that you are using? I mean does it match what you have set on the router? And also are you doing capitalisation correct?

But the very first thing to do, switch off any layer of security and get it to work, then step for step bring in layers of security so you can see where it is....

Alternatively you can just crack the WEP password using the aforementioned tool and connect like that But personally I would just remote all security and do it based upon mac address, less overhead and most secure of them all....

Hi,
I have tried every setting going this morning and still can't get the macbook to connect. Turning off all security makes no difference.
Could you please explain about doing it based on mac address. One of the few things I have not tried. Many thanks.
Cheers, Rich

 

[jont]

without sucking eggs, etc ... if you switch security off and reboot router with nothing else logged in to it ... the macbook can 'see' the linksys can it ?

With security off what does the message say when you try and log on ?

Have you a specific channel set on the linksys ? The mac defaults to looking for channel 11 which IIRC is sometimes different to the windows default channels ? ... go to create network and change channel number ...

HTH in some way - will be around for a bit longer if not !!

Jon

The MAC address authentification can be set up once we've got the bl**dy thing connected ;-)

 

[raigraphixs]

i dont own a laptop, so is wireless wrking straight out of the box?

I would set it up wired first. Al least you know the macbook works.
Sort that out and then introduce the wireless after.

- Can see the router page in your browser (when your wired)
- Put your wireless on, turn off all security.
- System Preferences - Network - Aiport is that got a green light?
- Show up in Airport menu next to your clock top right

 

[Three6ty]

without sucking eggs, etc ... if you switch security off and reboot router with nothing else logged in to it ... the macbook can 'see' the linksys can it ?

With security off what does the message say when you try and log on ?

Have you a specific channel set on the linksys ? The mac defaults to looking for channel 11 which IIRC is sometimes different to the windows default channels ? ... go to create network and change channel number ...

HTH in some way - will be around for a bit longer if not !!

Jon

The MAC address authentification can be set up once we've got the bl**dy thing connected ;-)

Hi,
The mac sees my gateway but when I try to connect it either says incorrect password or There was an error joining the airport network. Obviously I only get the password message when security is on in the gateway. I have tried wep and wpa and I know the passwords i put in are correct. Arrrggghhh
Channel no. is on 11 on gateway and mac.
Cheers for all help so far, Rich

 

[raigraphixs]

Is it ok wired?

Also be advised if you are running OSX version 10.4.10 on your Macintosh, that there are wireless connectivity issues with staying connected or even being connected at all wirelessly. Unreliability on the part of the Macintosh could be confounding your problem.

.

 

[jont]

Let me get this right - it won't join even when there is no security on ? ... that is strange ?

with the wep - you tried both wep-ascii and wep-hex settings on the macbook ?

 

[Three6ty]

Let me get this right - it won't join even when there is no security on ? ... that is strange ?

with the wep - you tried both wep-ascii and wep-hex settings on the macbook ?

Hi,
Right, Partial success. I have managed to connect to the gateway with no security enabled. Don't ask me how. Obviously I now need to get the security back. I tried to connect to the gateway through the mac using 192.168.1.1 but it says unauthorised access. On my windows pc a box comes up for putting in username and passsword for the gateway. This does not come up on the mac. The pc was switched off when I managed to connect the mac if this helps?
Now to get the scurity fixed lol
Cheers, Rich

 

[jont]

been reading a few old posts across the net and you may need to put $ in front of your wep passkey when entering on the mac (but not the PC) ... might be worth a try - I would have expected linksys to fix something like that in a firmware upgrade but who knows ?

Jon

 

[Three6ty]

been reading a few old posts across the net and you may need to put $ in front of your wep passkey when entering on the mac (but not the PC) ... might be worth a try - I would have expected linksys to fix something like that in a firmware upgrade but who knows ?

Jon

Hi,
Tried that one already. No good. I can now connect the mac with security off and while the pc is off (Strange) I need to access the gateway from the mac and change the security settings from there if possible but cannot. Any ideas?
Can I just say many many thanks for all the help so far. It is very much appreciated
Cheers, Rich

 

[jont]

Rich

Thread here made interesting reading: http://garrickvanburen.com/archive/how-to-set-up-a-linksys-router-with-mac-os-x ...

Might be a few more things to try - does sound strange though - a little concerned about how un-mac-friendly linksys seem to be but they are old posts ...

Jon

 

[barongreenback]

Change the channel - from memory I found with an old Belkin router that 13 worked the best.

 

[Three6ty]

Change the channel - from memory I found with an old Belkin router that 13 worked the best.

Hi,
Tried that one to. No good. Many thanks for the suggestion though.
I have got to be honest, having been at this for around 10 hours now I am getting tempted to go down PC World and get an airport express. They have one in stock and I have a ADSL Router upstairs for it to plug into.
I am reasonably up on this sort of thing. I run a network of several machines at work with no probs, but this one has me absolutely beat now. Never had any probs at home either. I have read about 15 different topics on various forums with similar probs and not one of them has found a solution.
I'll plug away a little longer before I spend the money that was intended for the extra ram I was going to buy
Cheers, Rich

 

[barongreenback]

I have my speedtouch plugged into an airport express. Wireless n is excellent (set the region to Ireland for the full benefit).

 

[captainH]

That's a coincidence. I received my new Macbook on friday and had exactly the same problem as you. My first ever Mac and after about 5 hours trying everything I was ready to either

a) chuck the damn thing out of the window

or

b) box it back up and return for a full refund

so much for Mac ease of use I thought. All my other wireless kit works faultlessly. Then I finally got it working. I spent a long time trawling through old posts to try and see any solutions. In the end it came down to three things that fixed it:

1) $ in front of the hex WEP key on the Mac side

2) software update - there is a special wireless update to fix certain bugs in OSX 10.4.10

3) The final thing that allowed me to connect was a power cycle of my router. Everything else was connecting fine but the Mac would not until I rebooted the router (it's an Ozenda by the way).

In fact thinking about it maybe steps 1 and 2 were not even necessary but it all works fine now so I'm starting to enjoy Mac ownership.

Good luck. I know how frustrating it is.

 

[jont]

... tempted to go down PC World and get an airport express. They have one in stock and I have a ADSL Router upstairs for it to plug into...

Damn sight prettier to look at too !! ... I'm amazed at how linksys can find so many lumps and bumps and aerials to put on their kit - and the gaming one is horrendous http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...nksys/Common/VisitorWrapper&lid=3266539789B02
Anyway hope you get a working solution Rich ...

Jon

 

[Clem_Dye]

Slightly OT, but I had fun and games trying to update the firmware on my Linksys router via my MAC Mini. Using either Firefox or Safari browsers, the upload would start OK, then I'd get a blank screen. Power cycling the router showed that the update hadn't taken place.

In the end I had to use my wife's Windows Vista box and Internet Explorer to get the firmware update working - the blank screen on the Firefox and Safari browsers on the MAC turned out to be some sort of OK button (as I recall) that actually kicked-off the firmware update process.

I've had other fun and games with my Linksys router and, through dealing with the company it seems clear to me that they are very Windows-focussed, in spite of what their documentation might say. I doubt if I'll be buying their products again as a consequence.

HTH


Clem

 

[Three6ty]

Hi,
Went out and got an airport express. Works fine on both pc and the new macbook. I also now have the added advantage of conecting it to my amp and pumping my itunes to it over wireless and connecting the printer so I can wirelessly print from pc and mac.
I have connected the express to my linksys via ethernet as it was already on the sideboard and set up and it all worked fine. Thought I'd try it before digging out the old dsl router.
So finally up and running. Now going to spend this evening doing what I wanted to do last night. Learn my way round the mac and get all my stuff transferred over. Happy days (Hopefully)
Cheers, Rich