PS3 won't connect to my Time Capsule

Question

Level 1

13 points

PS3 won't connect to my Time Capsule

Oh, woe is me... my shiny new PS3 refuses to get on my Time Capsule wireless network. It sees the TC by name, but at the end of the process it fails to obtain an IP address and times out.

I've scoured the Net and these discussion boards but am yet to find a solution that works.

One thing I've noticed is that after entering my WPA password, which is now 13 characters long (in line with a suggestion I saw on these boards), the PS3 only shows 8 asterisks, never more. Does that mean anything, I wonder?

Anyway, any help with specific settings on either the PS3 or the TC are most welcome!

Thanks,
adam

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.3), 2GB RAM, 2. Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Nov 23, 2008 12:13 AM

Reply

Answer 1

cosmocanuck Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 23, 2008 12:33 AM in response to cosmocanuck

For reference, here's a list of every step of the onscreen PS3 setup, the messages that appear, and the options I choose - along with a couple of odd things that seem to happen.

*Setting method:* Easy
*Connection method:* Wireless
*WLAN Settings*: Scan
+The name of my network shows up in the list of local networks, at 90+ percent strength; I select it. The security type is listed as "WPA2-PSK (AES)".+
SSID: Correct name is listed.
*WLAN Security Setting:* I select "WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK".
*WPA Key:* Empty box appears. I hit "X" to edit it, and type in the verifiably correct password via the onscreen keyboard.
*WPA Key:* Box filled with eight asterisks ( ******) appears. Odd, as my password is 13 characters! Is this normal behaviour?
Message "Checking network configuration... please wait." appears for 30-40 seconds.
*IP Address Setting:* I select "Automatic".
DHCP: I select "Do Not Set".
*DNS Setting:* "Automatic"
MTU: Automatic
*Proxy Server:* "Do Not Use"
UPnP: "Disable" (I read somewhere this could cause conflicts? Doesn't seem to matter but I select this option anyway...)
The summary of my selected settings appears. I approve it by hitting "X".
I click "Test Connection"
Message appears: "Connecting to the access point"; another message, "Exchanging Key Information", flickers in its place occasionally.
Finally, it says "Obtain IP address: Failed", and at the bottom, "The connection to the access point timed out."

The inevitable, sad ending to this tech-tale...

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 24, 2008 10:10 AM in response to cosmocanuck

cosmocanuck wrote:
*IP Address Setting:* I select "Automatic".
DHCP: I select "Do Not Set".

If you're setting IP address to Automatic, you have to allow DHCP, because DHCP is what sets up your IP address. Try changing the DHCP setting to something other than "Do Not Set."

Reply

Answer 3

cosmocanuck Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 25, 2008 9:17 AM in response to Velasquez.j

I used WEP security, instead of WPA, on my Time Capsule connection, and it worked! Not sure if the security level is so much less that I should be worried...? But for now I'm satisfied.

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 19, 2008 11:07 PM in response to cosmocanuck

I suffered for many days trying to get a WPA (13 character) setup to work with my ps3 until I found this post:

http://forums.macnn.com/92/networking/323056/mac-os-x-internet-sharing-playstati on/

"Apple's AirPort uses a proprietary passkey hashing, which is why you're going to have trouble connecting a PS3 (or a Windows computer) to a WEP-encrypted AirPort network. If you have an actual AirPort Base Station, the AirPort Setup Utility will tell you the equivalent password."

Under the Airport Utility Menu "Base Station" >> select "Equivalent Network Password"
then use the incredibly long *WPA Pre-Shared Key*. This takes some patience to input into the PS3 without a keyboard, but it did work for me.

Reply