Error joining the airport network

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Level 1

4 points

Error joining the airport network

I've looked over previous forum questions to try and sort this problem out, but it's still not working. Here's the problem...

-Just moved to UK from USA and set up desktop (powerpc G5) running Mac OS X 4.11.
-I am also using my laptop (macbook), which is connected to the internet just fine
-I tried connecting to the internet with my desktop, but it's not even recognizing all the other wireless networks that my laptop sees. Sometimes it sees my network and sometimes it doesn't
-If it sees my network, I click on it and type in the WPA Personal password. Sometimes I click on the 'remember password in my keychain'
-I press 'OK' and then I get an error message that says, "There was an error joining AirPort network..."

-I then go to 'Open Internet Connect'. The airport power is 'on'
-If my network shows up in the drop-down menu, I try the password again, but I get the same error message
-The Status says: Not associated with any network. Status not available.

-I close that and go to System Preferences, Network
-I have the location set at Home and show 'AirPort'.
-By default, join 'Preferred Networks'
-I scroll down and click on my network and click 'Assist me'
-I click on 'Diagnostics', 'Home', 'Airport'
-No networks are shown in the box so I click on 'Use closed network'
-I type in network name and password and click 'add to keychain'
-Error message:
Unable to join Airport Network
This computer was unable to join the AirPort Network you selected. You may have entered an incorrect password or network name, chosen the wrong type of wireless security, or you may be out of range of the base station.
-I have checked the password and network name and it's correct. I've tried WEP and WPA personal for security. I can't be out of range because my laptop is working just fine!

-After looking on the forums, I have restarted my computer in safe mode, after which it didn't even recognize any airport hardware.
-So I restarted my computer again, this time normally
-My airport was recognized again and I made sure it was all on. I went through the above sequences again and came up with the same problems
-I also did a repair keychain but that didn't help either

Sorry this so lengthy, but I figured if I detailed out what I've tried, you might be able to narrow down the problem quicker. Look forward to a response!

Thanks!

Dual 2 GHz PowerPC G5, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Dec 10, 2008 10:29 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

141,060 points

Dec 10, 2008 8:46 PM in response to Demelza

When you moved, whatever device your Airport's WAN port is connected to most likely has to log your Airport's MAC address to recognize it. This is supposed to happen automatically but at least in my case the change caused problems. It manifested itself in being able to use one and only one wireless client, which in your case is evidently your Macbook. No other computer on my network could even communicate with the Airport even though I had done absolutely nothing with it or any computers. Performing a "reset" of the Airport running Airport Utility on the operative computer didn't fix things. Finally a "hard reset" proved successful. Of course you'll have to reconfigure the Airport from scratch. Hopefully this will work for you.

Until you get everything sorted out, simplify things by temporarily disabling all encryption on your wireless clients. Unplug everything from the Airport except its power cord.

After the hard reset, power everything down. Reconnect the Airport's cables. Sequentially power up the WAN device (cable modem or whatever assuming you can get to it), the Airport, followed by your computers.

Hopefully this will get you somewhere. If not, post back and we'll see if we can figure out something else.

By the way update your profile too - you're not using 10.4.6 anymore.

Message was edited by: John Galt

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Answer 2

Demelza Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 11, 2008 8:35 AM in response to John Galt

I tried the hard reset as you suggested, but nothing changed.

However, I did pick up on your comment about the MAC address so went into where you can change some of the settings and changed the IPv4 address to the same numbers that's on my laptop. I now seem to be getting a signal through my airport (although I do have to type the password in each time), but I can't access any webpages and I'm also getting a warning message saying that the IP Configuration that I typed in (the same one as my laptop) is in use by... and it gives me a series of numbers and characters. Is this because I'm using the same one as my laptop? How do I get the airport AND webpages to show up? I'm probably missing something really simple since I haven't really done this before!

Thanks

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

141,060 points

Dec 11, 2008 10:46 AM in response to Demelza

Start by setting Configure IPv4 to "use DHCP". The AE's IP address should subsequently be assigned by the router.

Demelza wrote:
.. I'm also getting a warning message saying that the IP Configuration that I typed in (the same one as my laptop) is in use by... and it gives me a series of numbers and characters. Is this because I'm using the same one as my laptop?

Most likely. That's why you should configure the Airport to distribute IP addresses using DHCP.

I tried the hard reset as you suggested, but nothing changed.

Are you quite sure you performed the hard reset correctly? One way to be sure is that your network name will have reverted to a default one ("Apple Network xxxxxx").

Instructions for resetting the Airport Extreme.

How does the Airport connect to the internet? Cable or DSL modem? LAN?

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Answer 4

Demelza Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 12, 2008 3:12 PM in response to John Galt

I set the IPv4 to DHCP as you suggested and the internet started working. I wanted to see if it would last before confirming that everything is set to go and was hoping to confirm that tonight. However, I have just tried connecting again and I'm getting the message that says there was an error joining the airport network.

I'm not sure if I did the hard reset correctly because I don't have the airport extreme (as far as I know!). What I did was unplug the cables from my wireless reuter, pressed the rest button on that and turned everything back on (can't remember each of the steps now, but I followed what you said with the wireless reuter that I have). Is this what you were talking about or something else? Sorry, I'm new to this and not sure if I've understood right! If I would have the airport extreme - where do I find it? If it's a separate unit, then I know I don't have it.

What confuses me is that sometimes the internet works and then it doesn't!

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Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

141,060 points

Dec 13, 2008 6:15 PM in response to Demelza

Demelza wrote:
I'm not sure if I did the hard reset correctly because I don't have the airport extreme (as far as I know!).

Oh. The Airport Extreme is Apple's all-in-one wireless router. Yes it's a separate unit. If you don't have one of them you'd be better served by posting your message in the Getting Online & Networking forum.

In general, OS X negotiates very successfully with any wireless router. I have solved some problems by completely turning off IPv6, but beyond that, it tends to work without complaint on any wireless system I've come across.

What confuses me is that sometimes the internet works and then it doesn't!

Ask your ISP just what specific network settings are required for your computer. It would be helpful to verify that can connect using an Ethernet cable first - assuming you can get to the wired network you're using - before proceeding to troubleshoot your wireless connection.

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Answer 6

Demelza Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 16, 2008 2:34 AM in response to John Galt

Thank you for your help!

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