iBook G3 Clamshell (M2453) - Wi-fi Issues

Question

iBook G3 Clamshell (M2453) - Wi-fi Issues

Hi,

My iBook G3 Clamshell is not connecting to my Virgin Media Super Hub...

It has OS X 10.3.5 installed and is running on 512MB Ram...

Everything works perfectly when I disable the security settings on the Hub, but it will not work when they are reinstated.

I believe that the iBook's Air Port card is 802.11.b and the Hub is 802.11n.

Would this be the issue? Virgin is also running on Fibre Optic...

It works FINE when using ethernet via the Hub!

Can anyone help?

iBook, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Sep 10, 2012 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 10, 2012 9:29 AM in response to David Regan Apple Boy

Hello and welcome to the Support Community

Your Virgin Media wireless router will have been set to WPA2 security encryption. Your Airport card in your iBook is not comparable with this encryption type. If your running Mac OS X 10.3 then security encryption would need to be change to WEP in order for this to work. This is what I had to do with my BT Home Hub when using my iBook's

I'm not sure how easy it is to change the encryption type on your Virgin Media hub, but for BT it was simply done via the URL admin page. You may wish to consult your Virgin media Hub guide or call them.

Best of Luck

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Answer 2

Sep 10, 2012 9:51 AM in response to Knucklesmac

Hi!

Many thanks for the prompt and helpful response!

Here's the settings for the Hub...

Clearly, WEP is not available!

If I disable the security settings, my iBook recognises the network - but obviouly, I need security in place...

So even by changing the setings on the iBook, it won't matter?

Is there anyway around this at all? Could I run an old Airport Base via my Hub and connect to that?

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Answer 3

Sep 10, 2012 11:32 AM in response to David Regan Apple Boy

Hello,

The later iBook's would work fine with the WPA setting. Sadly you can't change the iBook Airport card to a later Airport Extreme. You could by an original airport base station and run that using Ethernet to your Virgin media hub if it will allow you to do so. It maybe wise to check what is required for an airport bases station. Don't buy a new airport extreme or express base station, as that will not work with your iBook. You need the original one. Best place to buy one of those is on eBay.

I hope this helps

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Answer 4

Sep 10, 2012 12:01 PM in response to David Regan Apple Boy

Having looked at this further, you can setup a guest network and set it to WEP.

Check out this link from Virgin giving you further details on setting up a guest network.

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Up-to-100Mb-Setup-Equipment/Superhub-Frequen tly-Asked-Questions/td-p/247081

All the best

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Answer 5

Sep 10, 2012 5:01 PM in response to David Regan Apple Boy

Actually, an original AirPort Card is supposed to work with Mac OS X 10.3 (or later) in order to access a WPA network:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2594

Note that you do need AirPort software version 3.3.

It just won't work with WPA2.

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Answer 6

Sep 10, 2012 5:44 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

Well...

I have changed some of the settings of my Hub as suggested by Knucklesmac...

My main settings are still on WPA auto at 2.4GHz.

I have managed to (with a struggle) set up a Guest Wireless Network (SSID2)...

This is set to WEP with 64bit encryption... I had to 'trick' the settings into doing this by firstly changing the primary Hub settings (SSID1) to WPA-PSK (TKIP) as stated in the link Knuclesmac sent...

I have also lowered the wireless mode from 144Mbps to 54Mbps...

My iBook is now recognising both the SSID1 and SSID2 settings at full strength!

HOWEVER -

If I open Safari, the iBook will NOT load a page and displays the message 'Safari can't find the server'...

Anyone have any further suggestions? So near, yet so far!

PS - My main iMac is still set to running on SSID1 and opens the internet as usual...

😕

I am no expert on any of this - so am somewhat confused!

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Answer 7

Sep 10, 2012 6:02 PM in response to David Regan Apple Boy

Back to running the hub at 144Mbps...

All ok re iBook seeing the SSID2 from the Hub. However - it's still not loading web pages...

Airport signal at full strength. Software is version 3.4.

Machine running Mac OS X 10.3.5 with 6GB HD and 512 RAM

Main iMac running fun as per usual..

Have restarted everything - no change though...

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Answer 8

Sep 10, 2012 8:46 PM in response to David Regan Apple Boy

What browser are you using?

Try an old version of Firefox (if you haven't already done so). You may have to download it on the iMac and transfer it over to the iBook.

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Answer 9

Sep 11, 2012 8:43 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Hi Ronda,

I still think there's an issue with the wi-fi connection, as the clock and date aren't automatically correcting themselves as they should...

I am taking another look at the Hub...

Many thanks!

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Answer 10

Sep 12, 2012 11:28 AM in response to David Regan Apple Boy

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