will upgrading my OS fix the following problem...

Question

will upgrading my OS fix the following problem...

The problem: I want to log into a WPA2-encrypted wireless network. I have a 1ghz G4 powerbook with an older airport card that runs at B speeds only, which is fine. Speed isn't the issue. It's the WPA2 that's an issue. I'm running 10.3.9 and will happily upgrade to whatever the next version is that's coming out soon if I can expect WPA2 support.

My husband is running 10.4.something and he is able to use our WPA2-encrypted network, but he's got a newer powerbook with a newer airport card, so I don't know if it's the hardware or the software that matters.

1ghz powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jan 29, 2007 12:45 PM

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Answer 1

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

Jan 29, 2007 7:52 PM in response to Vicky Bilaniuk

I don't know when WPA support was introduced, however I believe that WPA2 uses AES encryption, which was introduced at 10.4.2. See this Apple note: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301722 .

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Answer 2

Jan 29, 2007 9:43 PM in response to Vicky Bilaniuk

Vicky, I think you will find with the Original Airport Card you will only be able to use WEP.
Don

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Answer 3

joeuu

Level 5

5,089 points

Jan 30, 2007 12:00 AM in response to Vicky Bilaniuk

Hi Vicky,

Maybe I can help break the tie by citing the article BGreg points to, which states:

Improves WPA2 wireless encryption support for AirPort Extreme cards.

The newer card is not that expensive if you don't mind.

Joe

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Answer 4

Jan 30, 2007 5:13 AM in response to joeuu

I was hoping to avoid buying a newer card because I don't want anything in the pcmcia slot. If I could upgrade the airport card itself, that would be fine, but I don't think I can.

It's sad, really. This is the one and only thing that's starting to become a problem with this powerbook. I have no need to upgrade the machine in any other way. It works and satisfies my needs perfectly fine in every other way except that I really want WPA2/AES. Does anyone know of any third party software that could do what I want? I didn't think this would be hardware dependent as I was recently able to flash a bridge so that it would support WPA2 (although I think it was originally able to support WPA, if that matters at all).

If I have to buy an expansion card, then I will, but if I can go with a software solution, I would much prefer that.

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Answer 5

joeuu

Level 5

5,089 points

Jan 30, 2007 5:57 AM in response to Vicky Bilaniuk

This would not be the kind of card you are thinking of. The airport extreme card would fit inside your battery bay, replacing the airport card that is already there.

Edit: Sorry Vicky, looks like the cards are not interchangeable.

Joe

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Answer 6

Feb 2, 2007 9:21 AM in response to joeuu

Yeah I'm pretty sure my machine is just a tad too old.

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