Appleboy45
Level 1 (32 points)
Classic Mac OS

Q: iBook G3 with OS X 10.1 Puma Won't Connect to Wi-Fi

So I bought the second Snow iBook G3 Apple made. It runs OS X 10.1 Puma. It did have an AirPort card and it does detect networks so I know it's not broken. But I can't get it to connect to my Xfinity gateway. It doesn't detect it on available list. My gateway, according to the manual, supports wireless B, G, and N and according to MacTracker, the original AirPort card supports wireless B. However, the security is WPA/WPA2 according to my MacBook, and that I have one of those crazy long passwords that Xfinity gave us. Whenever I type in the password, it says it isn't the right password (Even though it is) and that it will shorten the password when I hit okay. Could this be because I am running OS X Puma which is an old operating system? I don't plan to keep Puma on it. The only reason why it's on there is because it's what was available for the time. I plan to upgrade it to either Panther or Tiger. Do any of the OSs work with my crazy long password and Wi-Fi security?

Posted on Jul 30, 2016 11:23 PM

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Appleboy45

Q: iBook G3 with OS X 10.1 Puma Won't Connect to Wi-Fi

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  • Helpful answers

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Aug 1, 2016 12:22 PM in response to Appleboy45
    Level 6 (14,399 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 1, 2016 12:22 PM in response to Appleboy45

    The best wi-fi security level that may be supported by antique OS X could be WEP.

     

    Or None at all. So if you use the antique non-secure OS X on your local wi-fi network

    you should consider setting up a second base station for that purpose so your newer

    Macs with WPA+ are not compromised, is best idea. - Or run via Ethernet if possible.

     

    Tiger OS X 10.4.11 was the level where certain hardware in wi-fi allowed WPA or at

    least better than WEP. And Panther OS X 10.3.9 didn't.

     

    Perhaps someone else may add comment or better offer a reply to suit your needs.

    Good luck in any event!

  • by racerhomie,

    racerhomie racerhomie Sep 25, 2016 3:23 AM in response to Appleboy45
    Level 1 (91 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 25, 2016 3:23 AM in response to Appleboy45
    • Upgrade the OS
    • Use Ethernet
    • Use WEP password on Network,better than nothing I guess

    These are your options,I would go with 3 if I REALLY needed wireless on this thing

  • by Jan Hedlund,

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Sep 25, 2016 8:02 AM in response to Appleboy45
    Level 6 (9,894 points)
    Sep 25, 2016 8:02 AM in response to Appleboy45

    The article AirPort Card: When You Can Join a WPA Network - Apple Support contains the requirements for WPA (not WPA2) security.

     

    One alternative way of connecting wirelessly to a base station with WPA or WPA2 requirements, even with an older operating system, would be to use an appropriate external wireless Ethernet bridge instead of the AirPort card. Wireless Ethernet bridge devices can be found from several suppliers (Netgear WNCE2001 and Linksys WET610N are merely two examples). A wireless Ethernet bridge (connected to the Ethernet port of the computer) does not normally need extra drivers. A number of Wi-Fi range extenders (such as TP-Link TL-WA850RE) also include similar wireless adapter functions.

     

    A wireless USB adapter with support for WPA/WPA2 could, in principle, be another option. However, these adapters need special driver software, and it is difficult to find devices that work under Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4. Also, the speed through a USB 1.1 port will be limited.