MacBook G3 won't connect to wireless network

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook G3 won't connect to wireless network

Hi.

A few weeks ago I treated myself to a new MacBook Air and decided to pass on my old but rarely used MacBook G3 to my young nephew so he could use it for school work, etc. I managed to find an Airport card on ebay and installed it without any trouble. When I try to get online, however, I am constantly told that the password for my Router is incorrect.

Although I've been using Macs for over twenty years I'm pretty much a moron when it comes to computer jargon so please feel free to speak to me as you would a five year-oldmif you have any suggestions or advice. What I can say with absolute certainty is that the operating system is Mac OSX 10.1 and my router is a Netgear DGN 1000SP.

Many thanks.

Posted on Nov 12, 2015 11:03 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

82,815 points

Nov 12, 2015 2:17 PM in response to JohnGlasgow

There is no such thing as a MacBook G3. It may say iBook G3 on the frame of the machine, or just iBook, or Powerbook. That's what the machine is actually called.

The iBook G3 and Powerbook G3 do not support the Airport Extreme card, which supports 802.11g and faster and more secure wireless standards and WPA2 encryption.

As such, if you want the iBook G3 or Powerbook G3 to connect to the wireless router, you'll have to get WiFi ethernet bridge and connect the iBook or Powerbook via ethernet to it.

It would help if you went to the Apple menu (the Apple logo in the upper left corner), and selected About This Mac to find out more about the Mac in question and what it is.

Mac OS X 10.1 is really an old operating system and is barely about to work well with internet sites. If indeed you have a G3, you may have little choice but either to maximize at Mac OS X 10.3.9, or 10.2.8 depending on the age of the Mac. See my FAQ to identify the machine better, and find out what will run on it:

http://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6413

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Answer 2

JohnGlasgow Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 13, 2015 1:26 AM in response to a brody

Hi.

Thanks for your reply. You're absolutely right, of course, there is no such machine as a MacBook G3. I was on a call while writing my post and clearly got distracted.

My old laptop is, in fact, an iBook with a Power PC G3 processor. The card I installed was a basic Airport card and not an Airport Extreme. I double and triple-checked this was the correct card for my model before I bought it and the card works fine up to the point where I'm asked to provide the password for my Wireless network. It has no problem locating the router but just won't accept the password - telling me it's incorrect, which it isn't. The exact message I get is: 'The password you have entered is not correct for the selected AirPort network'.

I'd considered the possibility that the operating system was just too old and that I should probably upgrade. The problem is, how do I upgrade when I can't connect to the internet to download a later version of the OS? If that's even possible.

I've seen other posts on Mac forums with more or less the same problem and one of the solutions offered is switching my router to Mixed mode. I've had a look at my router and there doesn't appear to be any facility for doing this. Then again, it might help if I knew what I was looking for.

I'll try your suggestion of employing a WiFi ethernet bridge and see if that does the trick.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

82,815 points

Nov 17, 2015 4:44 AM in response to JohnGlasgow

Well 10.3 and 10.4 are only available on an installer disc, so the lack of internet should not matter.

A WiFi ethernet bridge would give you access to the internet by giving you a wired connection on the outside to bridge to your wireless network.

Note, the iBook G3 came in models with and without Firewire. Without Firewire you are limited to Mac OS X 10.3.9, whereas with Firewire you can have 10.4.11 as your maximum install and would need a 10.4 installer disc.

See both these articles for the requirements of each:

10.3 system requirements upgrading to and beyond

10.4 http://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2541

You will only be able to connect to 802.11b wireless networks with that card you installed. 802.11g networks that need to maintain at least 54 Mbps as opposed to 802.11b networks which only maintain 11 Mbps will slow down and be less secure if they attempt to use your 802.11b card. Not to mention they can only use WEP or the earliest version of WPA encryption, and not the full WPA2. As such, that's why I recommend a wireless bridge, as you won't be causing a detrimental effect to either the speed of your existing wireless network, or its security. Even Apple's Airport Extreme base stations can function as a bridge, as their LAN port will plug into your iBook G3. Non Apple bridges like http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-WET54G-Wireless-G-Ethernet-Bridge/dp/B00008W MBT can also be used.

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Answer 4

a brody

Level 10

82,815 points

Nov 17, 2015 5:05 AM in response to a brody

The other thing I need to say, is the reason you are likely not able to authorize your password is the card uses the wrong kind of encryption, and thus won't be able to speak the password to the wireless network you have.

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