US MacBook in UK, Belkin 54g Router

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US MacBook in UK, Belkin 54g Router

Hi.

Here's a quick summary, which may I believe indicate the problem without having to read the "story" version -

New MacBook (Feb 07) having problem with Belkin 54g router in UK. Mac knows it's there, but won't connect to it. Router DOES work with older Mac (G4 non-Intel) and PC's.

Do I understand there is a firmware problem, and if so, what is the latest please?

Thank you.

Long version:

I've been using my (US bought - Feb 07) MacBook with Wifi all the time with no problem in the US.

I've just got back to the UK, and had problems connecting with 2 of the 3 wifi networks I've tried. One was GNER trains, the other is my friend's.

He works in IT and is mystified. My MacBook knows there is a network and the name of it, but no bars appear in the "signal strength" indicator at the top of the page. Furthermore when you select the network, it can't join it and gives the an error message.

We've checked security (there is none on network) so it's all very strange. Other people's computers work fine with the wifi here, as does his. Their older G4 I-Mac works fine.

I'm hoping there are no generic issues with using a US Mac in the UK and Europe?

Any help is much appreciated (I'm not techie).

Thanks, Si

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.9), Feb 07 120GB MacBook

Posted on Jun 10, 2007 3:35 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 10, 2007 4:12 AM in response to Si-Co

Hi,

if possible - check the channel the router uses. US hardware is locked to channels 1 through 11, while european hardware can use channels 1 through 13.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58567

--
Martin

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Answer 2

si3000si

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Jun 10, 2007 4:15 AM in response to Si-Co

im using a us bought macbook in the uk (june 07 model) and am having no problems connecting to wireless networks over here
have been connected to several networks in the us during my stay before coming over here. when i first turned on my mac in the uk in connected with out an problem to the available network.
dont no if this will help much with your problem,sorry i cant suggest a soloution as im ony new to macs this being my first and am still learning.

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Answer 3

Si-Co Author

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Jun 10, 2007 6:00 AM in response to Si-Co

Thanks guys.

Checked and it's 11.

We've tried fiddling about and changing the settings on it too, but still no joy.

I did a few searches on here and a LOT of info came back. Seems there might be a firmware problem with the latest Apple Airport cards?

Thanks, Si

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Answer 4

Jul 5, 2007 5:11 AM in response to Si-Co

Hi everybody, was there ever any resolution to this issue? I just arrived in the UK and am working here for several months--as it turns out I'm having an almost identical problem. I can't even detect the wireless router my roommates set up, and typing in the name of the network doesn't work either. I tried performing a software update to be sure I had the latest version of the Airport software installed, but the update didn't help.

It was interesting to hear about the two extra channels that are used in the UK, and in the back of my mind I hope fixing the problem is as simple as that, but I doubt it will be. The router is a Belkin wireless 54g. I use a similar model back home (although I had some unrelated problems with that as well). Does anybody have any additional feedback? Thanks!

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