Airport Card / Connection gone

About two weeks ago, both my Powerbook and girlfriend's iBook lost Airport ability. There was no connection to the Airport Express base station, even though the AE had the normal green light.
Clicking the Airport icon in the top menu bar gave the endless spinning beach ball and froze the Powerbook. Same for the iBook. (Note: In 3 1/2 years my PB has frozen maybe three times.) I have hard-shut-down the PB 30-40 times last weekend trying to resolve this Airport issue.
I have reconfigured the AXBS and now just ethernet straight to the PB for the internet. I can't believe it would be a hardware issue - either BOTH cards dying at the same time. The only thing I can imagine is that there was some sort of update that did them both in, but I can't remember what it could be.
We erased the drive and reinstalled Jaguar, then Panther to the iBook but the Airport issue persists there. I can't mess with the PB because I have too much work to do.
Please help. And, Henry B., you and I have discussed a bit of this before and you were a help, but I'm trying here again.
Cheers,
Jason

Please see my post. This is an option that may help. Here it is copied and pasted
To any of those that are having issues with your airport after the update here is a possible solution. Open the Hard Drive (from Finder) Then open "Preferences" then scroll to "SystemConfiguration" drag it to the desktop, and then restart. After that, Open up "System Preferences" from the apple menu. Go to "Network", you then need to make a new location. You can title it anything that you would like to. Hit "Apply Now". Your airport should be up and running, you may need to restart. You can now delete the "SystemConfiguration" folder that you dragged to your desktop, as OSX has now made a new one.
The reason that you need to do this, is that somehow, the "SystemConfiguration" folder and files became corrupt and something in the X.4.3 causes them to be noticed, thus your airport fails to work. Hope it helps some of you.

Similar Messages

Airport card connected but safari not connected to internet

Running os 10.4.1 on IMAC g5 with airport card.
i am having some wireless network issues. when i try to connect to the linksys router that my airport card locates it tells me that i am connected to the network; but when i try to load a page in Safari it tells me that i am not connected to the internet. Internet Explorer gives me the same message.
i have been able to test my airport card by logging into another (neighbor's) network (just for testing). it received DHCP from that router and assigned a 198.162.x.x. IP address for my computer. i originally had the same issue as far as being connected but safari wouldnt open web pages. i manually plugged in DNS numbers 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 from OPEN DNS.com and Safari instantly loaded web pages.
when i try to do the same on the linksys network my airport card connects but Safari once again will not connect to the internet. I am receiving a DHCP IP address automatically from that router but cannot connect to the internet...
PLEASE HELP ME (it's driving me crazy!)

Oh man... since my last post (all of 15 minutes ago) my iMac now cannot connect to the network at all. The network status menu widget shows it as being connected (sometimes), but it can't actually connect to anything.
Just as an experiment, I turned off MAC address filtering on the base station. Didn't help.

Can an original Airport card connect to an Airport Extreme base station

I have an old iBook G3 10.3.9 with an original Airport card (System Profile says "Wireless Card Firmware Version: 8.70"). This computer/airport card connects fine with an old Airport Graphite.
But it will not connect with my main Airport Extreme 802.11n (1st Generation), running in 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) mode. This Airport is using WPA/WPA2 Personal wireless security. This Airport Extreme works fine with my other computers and devices.
Does anybody know, offhand, whether it is just a setting, or is this completely unworkable?
Thanks in advance for any input.

I cannot remember all the details regarding the older iBooks, but suspect that the wireless card and possibly the operating system that you are using on the iBook cannot support WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption.
As a test....
Temporarily turn off the wireless security on the 1st Gen AirPort Extreme, then see if the iBook can connect to the wireless network that way.
If it can, this tells you that the wireless is at least working on the iBook....but it cannot connect to the WPA/WPA2 network.
The solution might be to use a USB wireless adapter that can handle the higher encryption levels, or connect the iBook using Ethernet.
If the iBook still cannot connect when security is disabled during the test, then the iBook has additional issues that you may or may not wish to pursue.

Airport card connection problems

Running an iMac g4, 800mHz with an airport card installed, firmware v. 9.52. I can connect to an open Linksys network no problem but I can't connect to an encrypted (WEP) Airport Extreme network or an encrypted (WAP) Medialink network. In both cases the routers are w/in about 10 feet of the computer, and line of sight, so it's not signal stength. I'm thinking maybe the airport card firmware? if so, how do I upgrade same?

Word for word the same problem I'm having. I've been days updating (jumped from 10.1.2 in an 800mHz Lampshade iMac all the way up to 10.4.11 to try and fixed the issue.) to no avail. The firmware on the airport card is 9.52, and no additional updates are available. It WILL connect if I completely remove security from the network. But as soon as I try anything WEP or WAP it gives me the same error message about the password not working.
Also trying it on two different routers.
Here's hoping we get a response! If I can get this thing working in the guest room, then we'll be a 5 mac household! (not counting iPad & iPhones).
I know these things are old... but they're still gorgeous and worth using! HALP APPLE!

Original airport card connection to Belkin Wireless G Plus router

I have an iBook G3 with an original airport card in it. The card works because I can acess the internet at school or the local Wi-Fi hotspots. I cannot however connect to my own network at home. The computer will pick up my network but when I try to connect I am asked for a password. I DO NOT have NEVER HAD a password for my network and my PC will connect wirelessly just fine. I have read the manuals for every thing I have and can not figure out why it wont connect. Any suggestions other than getting a new computer?

Already tried that
Is the Belkin running in 802.11g mode?
It needs to be running in 802.11b or 802.11b/g mixed mode for a Mac with the original Airport card to connect.
Has the Mac been able to connect to any wireless network?

Intermittent Airport Card Connections

I have an Airport 'Snow' base station, and a Powermac G4 'Sawtooth', and an iBook G3, both equipped with Airport 802.11b cards. Both computers are within 30' of the base station. Recently, the G4's Airport connection has been working only intermittently. The Airport icon in the menu bar on the G3 lists no available networks to join. On the 3 occasions before this happened, the signal level shown in the 'Internet Connect' app would drop by about two thirds, from its normal 100% strength. After about 2 or 3 days, the Airport card begins functioning again. I had thought originally that it might be interference from one of my neighbors' wireless networks here in my condo; but after downloading and using the iStumbler app and the iStumbler Spectrum Dashboard widget, I can see that my neighbors' networks are all on different channels and frequencies. On the occasions when the Airport card failed to connect or to see any networks, I was also unable to create a computer to computer network with the card. And after creating a network on my iBook with it's Airport card, the G4 failed to see the iBook's network. This all leads me to believe that the G4's Airport card is failing intermittently, and should be replaced. I'm hoping that someone here with more experience can agree with me, or suggest an alternate solution that doesn't include replacing the card. By the way, the iBook and it's Airport card have not been experiencing any connection problems whatsoever.
G4 AGP 'Sawtooth' Mac OS X (10.4.9)
G4 AGP 'Sawtooth' Mac OS X (10.4.9)
G4 AGP 'Sawtooth' Mac OS X (10.4.9)
G4 AGP 'Sawtooth' Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I am in a similar situation and have not yet found a solution. My airport is working intermittently. Right now it has been on the longest for over 4 hours. But when the signal drops, I can take my laptop and go right next to the base station and get no signal! Restarting the base station (snow dual ethernet) and/or rebooting the computer makes no difference. I am leaning towards it possibly being a bad airport card, but would love to know some way of diagnosing it definitively. I don't live near an Apple Store so that's out.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Joan
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.10) airport extreme card

Installed 10.5.5 - Airport Card is gone

To preface this post, I just got my laptop back from the Apple Store concerning another issue with my aiport card. I assumed it was fixed and apparently I was wrong. I turned it on today and everything worked beautifully until I installed 10.5.5. Everything seemed to work for about twenty minutes until my connection dropped out. I restarted my computer and it was as if my airport card had been removed. I restarted again thinking it was a glitch and still nothing. I called AppleCare and apparently people have been having some issues with 10.5.5 (at least I think that's what the girl said). So I have to take my laptop to the apple store yet again and have them give me a new Airport card ... again. I was wondering if anybody else had this particular issue and if they are as infuriated as I am.
Message was edited by: pixelilly

Not really enough info to help - what are you connecting to wirelessly for instance.
First thing to do is Apple Menu/About this Mac/More Info/Network/AirPort Card. Does it show the details in the RH pane. Does it show the 'Current Wireless Network'.
If the AirPort Card is showing OK, then go to System Preferences/Network/AirPort and reselect your network, click 'Accept'. Does it work now.
Try repair permissions using Disk Utility.
Hope this helps.

OS X 10.2 w/ Airport Card Connecting to Extreme Base Station

Hey--
I'm on a G3 Powerbook (w/Firewire) running OS X 10.2 and I installed an Airport Card and I'm trying to connect to a new Extreme Base Station-- and PB can't see the Base station in the Airport Utility. Although my PB does receive the signal from the base station.
I've tried:
- Resetting the base station
- Loaded Airport 2.1.1 software update
- a million configurations
- yelling at it...
The airport card does work, because it connected on another wireless system.
Can someone help me with the definative fix?
Mike

Welcome to the discussion area, stacidesign!
First, you have verified that the PC can connect to another wireless network, correct? If it can, then that tells you that the wireless card is functioning correctly.
You'll have better luck connecting to a newer wireless router if you are able to update the PC to Windows XP SP3. Have you tried this?
It's also possible that the wireless card in the PC can connect to a 802.11 "b" or "g" network, but not to an "n" network. To check that out, you need to use AirPort Utility - Manual Setup to make a change in the radio mode of the AirPort Extreme.
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the Radio Mode selection box
Write down your current settings so you can return to them later if needed
Select this Radio Mode...+802.11n only (5 GHz) -- 802.11 b/g+
Keep the Wireless Security set to "None" temporarily
Update to save changes and allow 30-40 seconds for the AirPort Extreme to restart
Restart the PC
See if the PC can connect now
Please post back on your results
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

IBook G3 optional airport card connection

I have a 2003 iBook G3 with an optional airport card which doesn't connect to a new airport extreme base station. Is it just too out-of-date to make the wifi connection to new base stations? I can connect by ethernet.

The article https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht2594 contains information about the requirements for a connection to a base station with WPA security (if this is what you are using). However, although a plain AirPort card (802.11b) is mentioned there, it appears to be unclear whether it in fact is possible to use such a card with WPA. You may want to study posts in the AirPort communities to begin with.
You may also (temporarily) want to switch off encryption (or use WEP) at an available base station (router) for a test. If one can connect then, you know that the problem is related to security settings.
One alternative could possibly be to use a USB wireless adapter (with WPA/WPA2 capabilities), but these do usually require at least Mac OS X 10.3 (often higher). So, make sure that driver software is available for your system before you buy.
Another option (albeit less portable) could be to connect a wireless Ethernet bridge (such as Netgear WNCE2001 or Linksys WET610n) to the Ethernet port. This kind of adapter does not need special drivers, and can thus be used under almost any operating system.
Jan

Unstable airport card connection

Perhaps I have a buffering problem, if I knew what buffering is. My 9.2 iMac with Airport card was set up as the base station for the household iBook and was itself hard-wired to my DSL modem (Qwest ActionTec). Everything worked fine for months. Recently the local mac doctor redid my setup to make both macs wireless, using the modem as the router. The iBook is still functioning as usual, but my iMac is driving me nuts: the Airport status panel indicates that the signal is strong--and then I see "no network selected." So everything I do online is screwy--slow loading, lost data, etc. What can I do except hardwire again? I can't see anyplace on the modem to change channels--can you tell you're dealing with a no-nothing? THANKS!

See my post about using the WaveLan card out of an old graphite "flying saucer" Airport Base Station. My iMac accepted one as an Airport card. The old ABSes are cheap since they don't work with new releases of OS X any more.

Can the Airport Card just go bad?

My MacBook finds the wireless network from my router but won't join it when i tell it to. I have accessed the internet directly from my cable modem. I have tried accessing other wireless networks at friends houses to no avail. I haven't run the Apple hardware test yet. Is it possible that the internal airport card has gone bad and just isnt receiving the signal from the router?

Hi
Just like any other electronic component, an airport card can go bad. However, it's more likely that you're yet another victim of the unexplained wireless connection problem which is plaguing MacBooks. A quick survey of this forum will find many similar posts to yours
Bob

Do Airport Cards "Die"?

Do airport cards die, croak, kick the bucket after a few years?
My iMac has had the same card for four years.
The iMac detects the card, and the card gets signal from the base station when it boots up.
But five minutes after the computer boots, the connection between the card and the base station fizzles, quits, dies, poof-out.
The iMac still detects the card, but no send/receive is going on.
Could it be that my Airport card has gone to Airport card heaven???

I had thought that the Airport card in my iMac G4 had died. When I had an old base station, I had upgraded to some system update of some kind - that's when the signal began dropping off first on the dark side pc with it's Dell TrueMobile, then on the iBook G3 then finally the iMac started to have problems. I went and bought a Extreme base & new DSL. For a few weeks A-OK. Just did software updates on the iMac (the last being a security update). The signal began going on and off with increasing degredation and loss time. I tried all the standard recommendations (as I did the 1st time with the old base) - still it got worse. I turned on the old base & moved it closer to the iMac & saw signal - so I ethernet'd the old base Wan to the Extreme LAN, & old base LAN to the dark side pc. AAll 3 were happy as a clam for one night -then the signal died on the iMac. For days I tried all kinds of things, checking with iStumbler - Nada - I was sure that it had died. I posted a question about getting USB wireless for the Mac. Duane suggested that I check out Ethenet wireless adapters (he seems to be an excellent poster interested in helping people and solving their problems - Frank does too). I was about to call and order one. I thought that I would LAN out from the old Base to the iMac. Before I did, I knew that the dark side pc would have no connection, so I re-installed the driver (actually the other day I had nuked & rebuilt the dark side pc). Suddeny, for the 1st time in over two years, the Dell TrueMobile maintained a consistent signal. Then i plugged the ethernet cable from the old base LAN to the iMac. Tried to get a web site, then remembered that I needed to go to the System Preferences and include Ethernet in the Network preferences - I onlly had Airport check & at the top of the list. Suddenly I had an airport signal & connected to a site. My son said it was the ethernet, so I unplugged the ethernet. It still worked. Now with iStumbler on the iMac I see both bases, the old and the Extreme - I had seen nothing for days - now I cocnsistenetly see signals maintained at levels that I never experienced over the last two years. All three, iMac, iBook, dark side pc (& an XBox) are all super good & have been for over a day.
I said all this to show how bizare this all seems, but to encourage you not to too quickly give up hope - the Airport card may not be dead after all! If, after you try the various recommendations or the suggested permutations & combinations, and still cannot get a signal - try to get the card checked if you can (Apple store, etc.) Otherwise, consider Duane's advice about wireless ethernet adapters (rather than a USB solution).
I know that I did NOT answer your question - I could be wrong, but I think that in the end, only Apple will be able to really answer the question - but until then, do not give up hope and please consider following the suggestions on some of the super-posters (not said in a derogatory way, but to establish their credibilty), even if some suggestions may seem too obvious, etc.
Gino

Do I need an Airport card, too?

I have a flat panel iMac without an airport card connected to the internet via Ethernet with a 2Wire router. I have an iBook with an airport card.
So .... my iBook connects to my 2Wire network via airport, but I can't get on the Internet and even though file sharing is on on my iMac, I can't seem to access my iMac files.
Is this because I don't have an airport card in my iMac? I thought the wireless router would act as an airport card, but maybe I was wrong! If I do need an airport card for my iMac, where would I find one besides eBay?

Hi,
More things to help anybody else--what OS-X are you using, what version Flat Panel iMac, PPC or Intel, same with your iBook, my wife has a 2001 and they made them up untill recently.
You were right the first time, you won't see Airport because you don't have a card plugged in, the router is now your "Airport" card via ethernet. The computer doesn't see it so it won't bring it up. The same thing happened with my Blue Tooth. One less button to confuse me with i say.
Try looking at your TCP/IP settings on your iMac and see if their the same as your iBook. They should be identical except for the last 2 or 3 numbers at the end of the "IP Address:". Those are assigned by the router to each different computer. So depending on the router both computers should only be 1 or 2 of from each other.
You might try just making another Location and starting over and see what happens. Or if you have another Account boot into it and see if you are having the same problem.
At the very least Boot into your Startup Disk in "OS-10.xx whatever" and repair Permissions. You should boot into it before and after you update anyway.
One other thing, does your computer automatically log in or do you have to type in the passwords and network name because you might be logged into you neighbors network instead. I can go to a wireless motel or truck stop or rest area and there might be a half dozen networks showing and i can connect to half of them (no password needed) but i can't get on the internet.(password needed). Just a thought.
This is a very long shot but what the hey,
I've heard the last few updates in 10.4.x and 10.5.x have been giving every one fits so just for the heck of it, if your not using it as Admin, take a look in your "Accounts" under "Preferences" and click on" Parental Controls" and see if it defauted back. It's a shot in the dark but i've heard of odder things happening.
Good luck
Message was edited by: Jaygyver

New imac 21, airport card anomalies...

hello everybody
just to inform, as here apple ssupport didn't ptopose such "simple`" solution to a kind of network misconfiguration , bad access to web services, aso
1) after a few s=days, a brand new imac 2.5 g intel core i5 was not connecting to te router correctly.
2) when calling apple support, describing the airport icon showing @no airport card connected@,(even if the system info[locations showed a card and even the modem data on screen..) so i had to pack tje machine and travel to such apple center downtown, Polanco, and here in Mexico it's a real pleasure to ride some 2 hours in eavy traffic..
3) arriving there, no airport card problem, and the technician described me a probable motherboard saturation or even overheating situation, i said ok, will go home and see if everything keeps working fine.
4) a few days later, again, no access to web, automatic or personalized network or account adjustments seem fine.. but no way to receive or send mail, web pages crazyly slow, aso...
5) when 24 hours later no way to see nothing, even the airport icon with stripes shows just clear empty grayish icon..
6) calling again ther apple service center, again they ask me to carry the stuff downtown, must be or could be probably a configuration problem, need to be checked there, aso, no way to look for or propose some solution just by calling them aso.
7) calling ip service, we tried for more than an hour to check , trying all options, f.i. using ethernet cable (modem always good, and machine working fine then) we examined all options, accounts configuration, the automatic was not accepting a connection, system showing "Airport connected but no ip address because not attributed, or missing", aso)
8) and when changing from automatic locatoon to the configuration we had installed weeks before to help solve the connection problem , same result.
the directions of ip, router subnet mask aso were correct, changed eventually, no way, nothing was connecting., we tried quitiing such non automatic configuration to avoid possible conflicts, no results.
9) after an hour or so, the technician from my IP offered to quit the airport configuration (even with a green bulb visible that airport config was not connecting, the desktop icon was sometimes greyish, sometimes empty, aso...) and add a new one.
10) at the moment it was created (as "airport 2") ... the automatic configuration looked instantly for another ip adress, and everything works fine now..
SOSO why doesn[t apple support technicians have suchj ideas ? why did the airport icon even show a "not connected{ airport card message ?
I phoned those apple guys around, explained them the solution offerde by phone by the IOP provider, no comment, answer or even a simpe "thanks" for such suggestion , from them, whan the received such info, Hopefully will eb useful for others users, and eventually after a post here. tschuss
Form Mexico city...

Looks like this issue has hit its fair share of people. Spoke to Apple support today about the same issue. Brand new iMac 27' 2.8 quad core with 8gb of ram and I opened the box only to find my airport card was not recognized by OSX. After performing several support steps, the staff let me know that this was indeed a hardware related issue - I am not advocating this is everyone'e issue just mine.
Here is what we did to troubleshoot and determine it was hardware related.
Open system profiler / go to network and look at airport - if all you see is "software versions" your hardware is not recognized. You will need to reboot the system and clear the SMC. To do this do the following:
Unplug everything from your iMac and wait 60 seconds with absolutely nothing connected to it. After that, plug in your power cable and press the power button down, letting it go after 2 seconds. Immediately after the power button is let go - hold down option + apple + p + r you will hear 2 "bong" sounds, then let go of the keys and boot. If your hardware does not show up you will need to boot to the OSX install DVD to get a "clean" install of OSX.
Boot to OSX DVD
Insert DVD
Shut down system
Power on system - hold down C key until you hear a chime then let go. System will boot to OSX install.
Once you pass all the prompts by selecting defaults, you will come to "Install MAC OSX" asking you to select the disk where you want to install. DO NOT CLICK INSTALL. Open Utilities / System profiler. If you still do not see anything under Airport other than software, your Airport card is bad or at the very least not showing up in the OS. If you do see the airport card there, you will need to reinstall the OS to have it recognize the card.
Hope that helps!

Powerbook G4 - Will Not Recognize Airport Card (Wireless)

Hi all,
I've had my Powerbook for about 3 years now. I upgraded to 10.4 sometime last year.
Last week, my Powerbook stopped recognizing my airport card. I see a small dent in the back corner of the laptop's base so I am thinking my toddler got a hold of it.
Anyway, everything else appears to work fine. What can I do t get it to recognize the airport? Does the card need to be replaced or could something have come loose? If so, how can I access the card?
All help is appreciated!

could be loose AirPort card connection.
guide on card removal/installation:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-12-Inch/Airport-Extreme-Card/53/ 4

Airport Card / Connection gone

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