New MacBook owner, AirPort will not connect to AOL wireless.

[neonhamster]

Hi all

I have just been converted to Apple after 10 years of owning Windows based systems. My first mac arrives on Thursday, a MacBook 13" 2.16Ghz 120Gb.

My other half owns a MacBook Pro and has been coaching me on the differences & wonders of OS X. However, one problem we have yet to find a solution for is that he cannot get AirPort to connect to my wireless network. He can connect via a network cable to the router but not wirelessly.

His laptop also runs Windows Vista, and when logged into this he has no trouble connecting to the network, with 100% signal. I don't want to buy a mac and then have to swap back to Windows to connect to the internet!

I am connected to AOL Gold using a Netgear DG834G router. The soon-to-arrive MacBook is new, so running Tiger. I know that AOL is not an ideal internet provider, but I cannot change provider so I need to find a way around the problem.

The network is currently on WEP 128bit security. We tried connecting with no security at all and we still couldn't get a connection. Airport sees the network, but will not connect to it, no matter how nicely we ask!

I hope one of you clever clogs can help me out!

Many thanks in advance

Katie

 

[slashd0t]

One thing I would ensure is that the firmware on your NetGear DG834 is up to date as well as the latest drivers on your new macbook. When you tried connecting with no security, did you remove the security settings on the NetGear router as well? I know there are some compatability issues with Macbooks and certain wireless routers, however, I believe if you ensure all of your software is up to date you should be ok. Failing this, you may have to revisit your local Best Buy and purchase a new wireless router that plays well with both mac and PC (Dlink and Linksys are both good options).

Best of luck to you!

 

[cwa107]

Try the Wireless Networking FAQ link in my signature.

Also, you refer to AOL as your Internet Service Provider. Are you using dial-up? I'm confused, because typically wireless routers are used with a high-speed connection and AOL does not provide high-speed services. Their software can work over an existing high-speed service, but these are usually provided by the cable or DSL provider. They may have you convinced that you need their service to connect to the Internet, but that is simply not true.

 

[neonhamster]

Hello all. Thanks for the replies!

We have a fix, strange though it is. AirPort will only detect my network if my router is using WPA security. It does not connet if the network has no security, or if we use WEP. Very strange, but hey, I won't complain as I am now typing this from my shiny new macbook!

I am in the UK and using AOL broadband. The package in my area goes up to 8mb, so not too bad speedwise.

Katie

 

[cwa107]

Hello all. Thanks for the replies!

We have a fix, strange though it is. AirPort will only detect my network if my router is using WPA security. It does not connet if the network has no security, or if we use WEP. Very strange, but hey, I won't complain as I am now typing this from my shiny new macbook!

I am in the UK and using AOL broadband. The package in my area goes up to 8mb, so not too bad speedwise.

Katie

Macs seem to prefer WPA or WPA2. You are better off using WPA regardless of the situation, anyway.