iMac G4 can't join WPA network

Question

Level 1

9 points

iMac G4 can't join WPA network

I have an old iMac G4 running 10.4.11 and I'm trying to connect it to an airport express WPA network. What I get is the message: "there was an error joining the airport network." My Powerbook g4 has no trouble connecting (nor does a macbook pro and an ibook g4.)

I understand that the original airport card (not "extreme") in the iMac can't do WPA2, but that it should be able to connect with WPA. I set up the airport express with the option "wpa/wpa2" which logically seems like it would cover the situation. (And there is no option in the airport utility for WPA alone, that I can see.) Several knowledge base articles and discussions citing them recommend making sure the airport software is updated to 3.3 or later, and I believe it is (3.4.9 according to the Software/Extensions/AppleAirport version listed in "about this mac.") Another suggestion I've seen is to retry holding down the control key after the first fail: I've tried that and it has no effect.

Anyway, it seems like this should be possible. Any idea what I'm doing wrong, or what I can try in order to make it work?

TIA

Posted on May 27, 2011 1:41 PM

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Answer 1

May 29, 2011 10:12 AM in response to drankf

Exactly which form-factor and speed iMac G4 are we talking about there?

Are you certain it has Airport Extreme card, and not "original" Airport card? If original, it would require your Router to do 802.11b/g compliant mode.

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Answer 2

drankf Author

Level 1

9 points

May 29, 2011 10:39 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks.

The iMac is an old FP 800 model (the "anglepoise" one -- 800 MHz PowerPC G4.) It has the airport card that came with it, which is the original airport card I'm sure.

The router is just an Airport Express unit, model A1084, which specs list as 802.11b/g.

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Answer 3

May 29, 2011 11:32 AM in response to drankf

OK, so the Router is capable of 802.11b/g,

But is it configured that way?

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Answer 4

drankf Author

Level 1

9 points

May 29, 2011 11:55 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks, that did it!

It was configured to be "802.11g/b compatible" but when I switched to "802.11g only" it worked.

Thank you so much.

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Answer 5

drankf Author

Level 1

9 points

May 29, 2011 12:10 PM in response to drankf

er, sorry, that should have read "802.11b only" as I'm sure you've gathered. I can't believe I got it to work! Thanks again.

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Answer 6

P'Kaay

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2014 3:41 PM in response to drankf

How Did You Configure It Or Whatever .?

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Answer 7

Allan Jones

Level 9

77,774 points

Jul 20, 2014 6:51 PM in response to P'Kaay

P'Kaay,

Did you notice this thread is over three years old? I doubt the OP will ever see your question.

Please start a new thread and be sure to show your iMac model and submodel, your mac OSX version, and what kind of router you have. I suspect the settings were changed by accessing the router through a browser. However, some routers (NetGear among them) require special software to change their configuration. So giving us an much info as you can is important to getting this sorted.

NOTE: THis forum is for iMacs made between 1998 and 2005. If yours is newer, pleas repost in the forum for Intel iMacs here:

iMac (Intel)

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