wireless connection with DSL router

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wireless connection with DSL router

I have a 2wire DSL router/modem from SBC/AT&T. My PC is connected to the router/modem via an ethernet cable. The internet on that is working fine. However, I have been trying to connect my ibook wirelessly. The airport signal shows a strong connection, but when I click on Safari or Internet Explorer, it says "the server cannot be found." I have called SBC/AT&T and they were unable to help. I have tried changing the network settings in system preferences but nothing helps. Usually I am just able to connect to the internet when there is a wireless connection. I can do this at places such as Barnes and Nobles and Panera and even at my old apartment picking up someone elses wireless. When I connect my ibook using the ethernet cable it works just fine. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

ibook, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jul 17, 2006 8:24 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 17, 2006 9:25 PM in response to tayloekm

Welcome to the discussions
You are a little unclear on your post.
The reason is SBC/ATT offer 2 wire Modem Routers in both wired and wireless.
If you have the one that wired it will not work for a wireless connection.
Like you said Mac's have Airport technology that is able to recognize any wireless network if you are in range.
However some are opennetworks while others require a username and password before you can connect
Cheers Don

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Answer 2

tayloekm Author

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Jul 17, 2006 11:18 PM in response to Donald Morgan

Thanks for the help. The modem/router is wireless and shows that it is sending a wireless signal. The ibook is receiving that signal, and the network connection summary states that the computer is connected to the network in question, as well as connected to the internet. However, when I try to open safari or internet explorer the server can not be found for any web page. So, the issue is why can't I use the web?

I have tried numerous things in the network settings and I have tried numerous things with the router/modem. All of them to no avail.

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Answer 3

Jul 18, 2006 9:33 AM in response to tayloekm

Did you happen to try to reset by first shutting off your computer and next pull the power adapter from the back of the modem/router.
Wait at least 5 minutes and then plug back in the modem/router,
You have to wait now until it re-establishes the signal this normally takes about a minute. then restart your computer.
Note; before you do the reset click on Safari and when it tries to open and does it's attempt to load click on the Safari icon upper left and choose PREFERENCES and under the General tab fill out the Default Browser setting to Safari. and be sure you set the Home Page of your choice. Then shut stuff down .
Cheers Don

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Answer 4

tayloekm Author

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Jul 18, 2006 1:09 PM in response to Donald Morgan

I tried all of that and it still did not help.

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Answer 5

Jul 28, 2006 12:18 PM in response to tayloekm

Hi, I have some questions for you also.

1) How does the router assign IP addresses? If it's like most, it's a DHCP server. You'll have to set your Mac up to accept that. Specifically, you'd need to go into System Preferences > Network, and set it up as a configuration there. I'd call it something like "Home - Wireless" and set it as the default location.

2) If it's not DHCP, maybe it's DHCP + fixed address. If you know the address of your router (my guess is that it'd be 192.168.1.something), then you can set up your iBook as DHCP + fixed address, and assign it any number on that subnetwork (i.e. 192.168.1.something besides the router IP). You'll have to avoid the PC's IP too, of course.

When you configure either one of these, make sure that you provide the DNS nameservers. These allow you to find the machines that resolve the address names for the web sites.

I think it'll probably be one of the two above. I'd be really surprised if it was using BOOTP or was totally manual with the protocol.

HTH,
~FifthWheel

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