Wireless access with G3 Lombard

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Wireless access with G3 Lombard

I'm trying to resurrect my old PowerBook and maybe use it for wireless internet access. It's running OS 9.2.2 and I have an Orinoco Gold wifi card, but I can't seem to connect it to my recently purchased Airport Extreme Base station. It can see the network when it's installed, but I get no signal.

I'm wondering if the security on the base station (WPA/WPA2) is not compatible with the wireless card? Or if it's the OS? I'm hoping not to have to upgrade this computer to OSX.

Thanks

PowerBook G3 Lombard, Mac OS 9.2.x

Posted on Aug 27, 2007 9:31 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 27, 2007 9:43 PM in response to Dctrgary

It should work, but setting up the encryption has been complicated.

Start with this document and the additional ones it references:

58521- AirPort: Compatibility With Earlier Macintosh Products

This document makes me think the older cards do not do WPA, and the silver can only do the shorter version of WEP.

108058- Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)

There is a Source Forge solution to the software for Mac OS X, if you do end up there.

Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

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Answer 2

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

Aug 27, 2007 9:55 PM in response to Dctrgary

Dctrgary,

I don't have an answer regarding security settings or compatibility. You may find your answer, however, over on the AirPort Extreme Discussions.

Are you running the latest AirPort 2.0.4 for OS 9.2.x?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120120

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Answer 3

Aug 28, 2007 4:57 PM in response to Dctrgary

"To join a WPA network, a Macintosh computer must have:
• an AirPort or AirPort Extreme card (see Note)
• Mac OS X 10.3 or later
• AirPort software version 3.3 or later for the AirPort Card (available via Software Update)
• AirPort software version 3.2 or later for the AirPort Extreme Card (available via Software Update)

AirPort Card: When You Can Join a WPA Network

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Answer 4

Dctrgary Author

Level 1

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Aug 28, 2007 10:13 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant,
That's pretty much what I suspected. I can still connect to the internet using an ethernet cable, but to go wireless I would have to go with WEP (or unsecured).
Gary

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