JFCGTR

Q: Older laptop PC can't connect to Airport Extreme (newest gen)

So I've got an old Dell XPS M140 laptop I've repurposed as a file server & utility machine. It's running Windows 10 32 bit pretty well, but it will not connect to my Airport Extreme.

 

It has an Intel 2200BG wifi card and Windows installed the proper driver. It 'sees' the network and goes through the process of connecting, but then ultimately fails and gives 'can't connect to network' message.

 

Anyone know any tricks to get an older Intel B/G card to communicate with the AE?

 

The AE is just set with factory defaults and works flawlessly with the myriad of iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TVs we have in the house. It even works perfectly with a couple of Windows machines, but no go with the Dell laptop.

 

Anyone with suggestions for settings on the AE or the Dell/Intel 2200 so that they'll connect would be greatly appreciated!

Posted on Sep 9, 2016 8:06 AM

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Q: Older laptop PC can't connect to Airport Extreme (newest gen)

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  • by Tesserax,Apple recommended

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 9, 2016 9:11 AM in response to JFCGTR
    Level 9 (54,452 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 9, 2016 9:11 AM in response to JFCGTR

    If you temporarily disable wireless security on the AirPort Extreme base station, can the Dell laptop connect (& stay connected) to the wireless network now?

     

    If it does, try using the WPA/WPA2 Personal option for wireless security on the base station. See if the laptop can still connect. If not, the issue is going to be the laptop's wireless card may not support wireless security beyond WEP ... which I strongly do not recommend that you reduce your security to. Instead, you may want to consider getting an updated USB wireless adapter for the laptop that supports the latest (currently WPA2) wireless security type.