Mac G4 with 10.4.1 unable to connect to WPA

Hi all,

I have a wireless netgear router configured for WPA in my home - this is because when I had my old Macbook Pro, I could only get WPA to work with Mac and Windows. It's also the only passkey that I've been able to get to work with my Wii. Anyway, we can't seem to get my boyfriend's G4 to connect - and when he goes into the network setup assistant, it only gives him the options to choose WEP, WEP 40/128 hex or ASCII, and LEAP.

Can we fix this via a software update, or do I need to reconfig my router to WEP? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Tell us a little more about the configuration of your boyfriend's machine. Very old machines may have wireless cards that don't have WPA support.

Here are the requirements for joining the WPA Network,. Maybe the OS or Airport software is a little dated if it is an early G4as cwa107 suggests:-

AirPort Card: When You Can Join a WPA Network

It's a 933 mhz processor G4, 1.5 Gigs RAM, running OS 10.4.11. We've got it showing WPA as an option now, but it only says "There was an error connecting" and then gives the option to re-try or cancel. The Airport version is 9.52. It's a wireless g card, connects fine when there's no encryption set, but as soon as I try WPA or WPA-2 it doesn't work.

***EDIT*** It works fine on WEP, but not on WPA or WPA-2 for some reason.

This was a second hand machine, so we're not really sure on the specifics.

I'm using a Netgear WNDR 3300 for these connections, current firmware.

That card likely doesn't support WPA as that machine was made well before WPA became popular (about 2004). You can get a different adapter from a third party, but unfortunately that one is just not going to work.

Thanks cwa107 - I appreciate the reply. One of the perils of purchasing a used machine - not knowing what the hardware will support.

The 933 is a G4 Quicksilver. They used the older Airport cards which are Wireless B and not G.

I have a Digital Audio (heavily modded) with an Airport Card and I am pretty sure with the latest driver under 10.5 WPA works. I will check to be sure and get back to you.

I just checked my old G4 Powermac. With 10.5 Leopard installed, the old Airport card connects to any of my WPA routers or access points. It did not do so under 10.4 Tiger. I had to use WEP.