Can't get PowerBook/airporte to connect to D-Linke DIR-625

Question

Can't get PowerBook/airporte to connect to D-Linke DIR-625

We've set up a D-Link router in the apartment and everyone else (PC users) can connect fine but me. Mine is a Powerbook with Airport Card. It displays the router network. But when I choose it from the Airport pulldown menu and type in the password, I get a spinning beach ball, followed by a "cannot connect due to error" message. This particular D-Link model appears to use only WPA security (not WEP.) The D-Link setup has several WPA options (WPA, WPA2, WPA personal, etc.) but my Airport pulldown menu shows only one -- WPA. So I'm concerned that the issue may be in the security protocol. Anyone have suggestions with this. Have gone through all the Airport/Network settings to see if there are other options to try regarding security but don't see anyting.

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Aug 16, 2006 7:25 AM

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Answer 1

iFelix

Level 8

35,155 points

Aug 16, 2006 7:35 AM in response to David Chartrand

Which PowerBook do you have, is it a Titanium PowerBook with the original Airport card?

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Answer 2

Aug 16, 2006 7:43 AM in response to iFelix

Felix -- Yes. Well, it was bought summer 2004 with the airport card. So I don't if that's the "original" card you mean. also, I should have added: If it turn off all security, it connects to the DLink fine.

If it's the card, I assume I can run to my local apple store and buy a new one?

(Did I see some note, by the way, about SHORT network names -- SSID names? My son created the network name and it's kind of long. Perhaps I should shorten it. I notice that when I turn Airport ON, there is some delay before the Mac actually sees the network. )

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Answer 3

iFelix

Level 8

35,155 points

Aug 16, 2006 7:57 AM in response to David Chartrand

The original Airport card can NOT connect to a WPA2 encrypted network, you need to use WPA.

"WPA Personal" on the Mac corresponds to plain WPA, with a pre-shared key (PSK) and TKIP encryption, on non-Apple wireless routers. The same alphanumeric password should work on both.

I would also ensure that the SSID has no spaces.

iFelix

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Answer 4

Aug 16, 2006 8:09 AM in response to iFelix

iFelix -- Thanks, again. You said "WPA Personal." When I do connect, I see only one choice in the security popdown menu -- the window that asks for the password. There is an arrow there as though other choices should appear, but all I get is the one. It just says WPA. I know that the Mac recognizes all the others (WEP, etc) What gives? Does the mac somehow know, from hitting the router, there only one security standard is applicable? Why don't I see the other choices in my security screen.?

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Answer 5

iFelix

Level 8

35,155 points

Aug 16, 2006 8:22 AM in response to David Chartrand

Does the mac somehow know, from hitting the router,
there only one security standard is applicable?

Yes

The router will be broadcasting this is a secured network which uses WPA.

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