HT201735: Mac Basics: Connecting your Mac to the Internet

Learn about Mac Basics: Connecting your Mac to the Internet
Carol Genck
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: OS 10.3.9 connecting to wireless

We had to upgrade our Comcast modem/router to latest system (wpa2 personal?), now the Powerbook G4 running 10.3.9 (seldom used except for internet browsing or older programs needed) won't hook up to our wifi network although Windows 7 and Vista PCs and iMac running 10.6.8 all connected easily. When upgrading I removed the Airport Express router so wifi is just through the new one...so now we have a password but I cannot connect the Powerbook to the internet, it just says there is an error when connecting to the network. I can connect with an Ethernet cable, but not wireless. We need it to be wireless because my spoiled husband is the Commissioner for and needs to keep an eye on his Fantasy Football league while watching TV in the basement (HA!). Can anyone out there help me figure out what is going on, if there is anything I can do to make this work, or is this Powerbook is just beyond help/too old to do this? I took it somewhere else and hooked it into a wifi "Hotspot" and there was no problem at all, it hooked up easily.

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Dec 21, 2014 12:06 PM

Close
Carol Genck

Q: OS 10.3.9 connecting to wireless

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Carol Genck,

    Carol Genck Carol Genck Dec 21, 2014 12:47 PM in response to Carol Genck
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2014 12:47 PM in response to Carol Genck

    Sorry to even have posted the above... in the meantime someone came and helped me; apparently 10.3.9 doesn't support the WPA2 system.  We worked around it by making a "Guest" account with no password so that hubby can access his football league website!  This guest account will also be good for grandkids who come over with their 'technology' so that they can get on the internet only though! "Problem Solved"

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Dec 23, 2014 5:05 PM in response to Carol Genck
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 23, 2014 5:05 PM in response to Carol Genck

    Better would be to put a WiFi ethernet bridge on your computer, and connect it via ethernet.   That will allow you to be hooked up securely by wireless from the computer to any wireless network the bridge can hook up to.  Most wireless routers provide a LAN port you can treat as an ethernet bridge.  Otherwise you are left with keeping your wireless network insecure up to 1500 feet (500 meters) from its transmitter.