Airport Extreme Card in G5 and Fickle Signal from AEBS

Here's the deal:
AEBS rocks. Got the MacBook Pro and it SCREAMS, even on one bar in the signal strength menu. No complaints.
Put the G5 Tower in the next room and installed the AE Card. Signal is anemic and unreliable. When I reset and restard either the G5 or the AEBS, the signal will go full-strength and then pare down to one and then nothing. All in about 20 seconds.
Here's the weirdest part: If I take the metal panel off the G5 the signal will go full-strength. If I put it back on, zip. Off, full-strength. On, zip.
Do I have the card installed incorrectly?? I double-checked and confirmed that it can only go in one way, so I know that's not the issue. I hooked up the little wire (grounding wire?) to it; was that wrong?
Any adivce would be greatly appreciated.

Figured it out. It's one of the early G5's and I needed to plug in the little antenna that came with it, but that I'd never used. All good.

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Airport Extreme card receives low Wi-Fi signals

My 12" PowerBook constantly receives a lower and slower Wi-Fi signal compared to my PC co-workers around me. Sometimes I will recieve no signal and not be able to log in to the internet while everyone else has a very strong signal.
Some people have stated that this is a known problem with this model. Others have said I could "scratch my case" to improve my signal.
Does anyone know of a tutorial or instructions on how to "scratch the case" for a better Wi-Fi Connection?
12" PowerBook 1.5 Ghz 1.25mb RAM
12" PowerBook 1.5 Ghz 1.25mb RAM Mac OS X (10.4.9) Mac OS tiger

Tesserax wrote:
Sorry, but no. You cannot extend the wireless network created by OS X's Internet Sharing using an AirPort (or any other router for that matter).
I kind of figured this was the case, but wanted to make sure.
I guess it's only possible to use the AP Express to extend, say, another Express or Extreme, eh? Thank you for the prompt response.

Airport Extreme card in new and early MacPros

Can I use the Airport card from a new '09 Mac Pro in an earlier model?
My guess is that they are the same. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
Thanks.

I believe it will work in an earlier model Mac Pro, but not necessarily anything earlier than that.

Wire bracket in iBookG4 - can't clip in airport extreme card

The airport extreme card is installed and works but I can't put back the keyboard because i can't get the clip to sit back in the slots. Others too have tried. Any ideas please or should I just use pliers? Thanks.

The airport extreme card is installed and works but I
can't put back the keyboard because i can't get the
clip to sit back in the slots.
Check that you inserted your AirPort Extreme card
"completely".
Check that the antenna cable isn't under the bracket.
dan

Airport Extreme Card wont connect to D-Link DIR-615 (wireless N router)

Hi, I got an old Mac G5 that has the airport extreme card in it and can't connect to the internet through with my D-Link DIR-615. I tried a couple options on a MAC but didn't work. I have a Laptop running Windows Vista and had no problem connecting. I'm using WPA for security and my password has 31 characters. Do you guys think That I have to change the length of my password to 26 or even less? Is there any guide that you guys may know that cuold help me on this issue?
Thanks a lot.
Masrocha

Password
40-bit hex
40-bit ASCII
128-bit hex
128-bit ASCII
LEAP
This would be telling me that your G5's AirPort is NOT "seeing" the D-Link's wireless network as encrypted with WPA, but with WEP instead. This typically can be caused by either the D-Link's current configuration is incompatible with the AirPort card or that there is something amiss with the AirPort card itself.
BTW, My D-Link has WEP, WAP-Personal and WAP-Enterprise
Ok, we will want to stick with either WEP or WPA-Personal.
We now have two choices: 1) Continue to troubleshoot additional configuration changes to the D-Link to try to get WPA to work with your G5, or 2) Switch to the lower strength encryption: WEP.
Which would you prefer to try?

External signal booster for Airport extreme card

I'm trying to find a solution to boosting the signal receiving capabilities of my Apple 15" Powerbook G4 with an Airport Extreme Card.
I live in an area that receives several WiFi non-encrypted signals, which my Airport can detect (weakly), but I need to boost the signal that the airport receives.
Let me make this clear, I am not attached, or connected to ANY router, or DSL system, I am only receiving open WiFi signals.
I need to find a signal booster, or directional antenna. (I’d rather not crack open the Power Book to attach the hardware).
I’ve looked at several 3rd party options i.e. Linksys, Netgear, Hawkings, D-link, most do not support Mac ( so often)
I currently use a Hawking Tech directional PCI wireless card 802.11 B/G mixed mode. It works well enough with Mac, but it is often buggy, and yes I do turn of Airport when I use it. But I’d rather use the built in Airport with an external booster. I’m open to suggestions, Mac or 3rd Party, though the ‘Pringles can’ doesn’t work. thanks
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Hi mkupman:
Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Here may be a few options for you! http://www.quickertek.com/

Mac Pro and Airport Extreme Card

I have a new mac pro and installed the airport extreme card. I cannot see my network but the system tells me the card is on. Any suggestions? I can connect with a direct ethernet connection.

I bought a mac pro last year and went for the wireless option with it. You know the upgrade. Anyway it came as a seperate item and i had to install it myself. It doesn't look anything like the one pictured here, well it just doesn't have a cover like it. So anyway i can't pick up any outside networks and when i share the internet connection with it i have to put my psp right next to the case to get a profoundly amazing 12% signal, Any ideas?

Can't Connect to Internet using AirPort Extreme Card and DLink Router

I have tried just about everything, but I can't seem to connect my MAC OS X 10.3.9 to the internet. I am using the Airport Extreme Card and no networks show up. I am trying to connect to my DLink router. I was told by DLink that it is compatible with AirPort Extreme cards, but the guys at Best Buy were unable to connect to their wireless routers, other than their Mac Router. Please let me know if you have a solution! Thanks

dannabee, Welcome to the discussion area!
What Mac do you have?
Do you have iMac G5 or a Power Mac G5?
Did you install the AirPort Extreme card yourself?

I have a Apple Power Mac G5 Dual 2.3 GHz/6GB RAM/500GB HDD/Superdrive PowerPC Desktop and just bought an Airport Extreme card for it. The card is recognized but will not see the in-house network. This is a pre-intel computer. Do I need an antennae?

I have an Apple Power Mac G5 Dual 2.3 GHz/6GB RAM/500GB HDD/Superdrive PowerPC Desktop and just bought an Airport Extreme card for it. The card is recognized but will not see the in-house network. This is a pre-intel computer. Do I need an additional antennae? If so, which one because my research is confusing me about what is supposed to work with this computer.

Please check out the following Apple Support article to see if your particular Power Mac model supports an external Wi-Fi antenna.

Can't get security to work - Airport Extreme card and Netgear router

This apparently is not as simple an issue as I expected, so I would appreciate some help.
I just got dsl and a Netgear WGT624 wireless router to connect my wife's iBook G4 with AirPort Extreme card. I used a wired-in pc to set up the router via the web interface and can connect the iBook to the web wirelessly as long as I have security disabled. When I attempt to set WEP or WPA the connection fails.
Initially, I assumed I just was missing something in the AirPort setup, even after looking through all the documentation I could find. I upgraded yesterday from 10.3.3 to 10.3.9, just to see, but had no improvement.
If I select "WPA-PSK(TKIP)" in the router, it asks for a password, which I also then enter to login to the selected network via Internet Connect. I get "there was an error joining..."
If I select "WEP" with 64 bit and shared key options, use the same password to automatically generate the assorted keys, I am not sure what to enter to login. I have received incorrect password messages or no response at all.
I would appreciate any further direction or suggestions.
Thanks
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.3)

One of the problems with WEP is that the actual standard relies on a 10 character HEX key for 40bit WEP and a 26 character HEX key for 128bit WEP.
In order to make things easier for people, vendors use certain algorithms to convert simple alphanumeric passwords (or passphrases) into HEX keys, thus enabling people to use simple memorable WEP password rather than lengthy HEX keys.
The problem is that different vendors use different algorithms to generate the HEX key and therefore a ASCII password on an AEBS will be hashed differently on a Netgear client and vice versa.
One thing is a 13 character 128 bit WEP password will be hashed by all vendors in the same way (if you use 40bit WEP then a 5 character password is required).
Though sometimes not even that works and the HEX key must be used regardless.
AirPort: Joining an encrypted wireless network
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106424
Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108058
WPA
"WPA Personal" on the Mac corresponds to plain WPA, with a pre-shared key (PSK) and TKIP encryption, on non-Apple wireless routers. The same alphanumeric password should work on both.

Installing AIrport Extreme card (which one? and WHERE?) in Dual 1.8 G5

I'm having an incredibly frustrating time trying to check out this (used) G5 which I thought, up until yesterday, might replace my G4 MDD. (Never mind that any topic I run a search for on the support.apple website returns NO results. Is it my antediluvian 10.3.9 and Safari 1.x--newest possible for that OS? But I digress...)
I keep running in a circle of Google search results that keep bringing me to a .pdf showing an AE card installation on a single processor G5. While not vividly clear in the illustration, the architecture seems to be different. I don't see the same "landmark" components here as in my G5. My Apple Support search difficulties have frustrated a search for a manual for this model.
Also I'm just now learning of the necessity of the Rube Goldberg-ian additional antenna that seems to be required. (As it sits, the G5 is about 3 feet away from the base station, but I guess I'll have to play along anyway and get one.) Having used an Airport card on a pre-Cambrian white iBook G3 >>>without any bloody antenna<<<, I find this too depressing to be laughable. ("...strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." --NASHVILLE, 1975; Robert Altman, dir.)
I'm under the assumption that this beast came BEFORE the late 2005 makeover that necessitates the Airport and Bluetooth combination card. Please correct if I'm wrong about this.
The card I bought on eBay is Model A1026 EMC No. 1951 (thinking an Airport Extreme Card is an Airport Extreme Card is an Airport Extreme Card...ain't that rich!)
Computer is YM425(XXXXXX) 1.8 GHz DP/256MB 400 80GB/SD/G5200/56K
I did the installation of the Airport (after having uninformedly bought an AE card first) card on the iBook, but I can't begin to see where one goes on the G5 desktop. I don't even see the connector cable that goes in the back of the card.
I feel like my good intentions have landed me at Alice's tea table while hardly being on the cutting edge of anything. I'm a sheet of paper's width (see below) from just jettisoning this thing back to Craigslist whence I fetched it.
(Although I've long waved the banner of "Think Different" superiority, I'm beginning there's not a sheet of paper's width of difference between the respective byzantine frustrations of Planet Jobs and Planet Gates. At least I didn't make the pricey leap all the way into the MacPro rabbit hole...)
To sum up: which AE card, where does it go, what else isn't Apple telling me and are there any specific links?

Hi, and a Warm Welcome to Apple Discussions and the Power Mac G5 Forum!
From the details you have given, your G5 requires the Airport Extreme! card
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore?productLearnMore=M8881
The installation instructions are here
http://www.info.apple.com/usen/cip/pdf/g5/apec_c.pdf
The antenna cables and connectors are pre-installed in G5s. The Airport Extreme! antenna connector, with the brass tip, is shown clearly if you click on photo #4 here
http://tersus.no/bluetooth/
(They are the Bluetooth instructions - the photo is for identification only)
You will need an antenna
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86413
which should have been in the G5 packaging (originally) - but can usually be picked up on eBay - or here
http://www.mac-pro.com/Airport-Extreme-External-Antenna-for-Power-Mac-G5-Tower?s c=2&category=7286
if not.
There is a G5 manual here
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/PowerMacG5_UserGuide.pdf
Please post again if you have any questions. Good Luck.

AirPort Extreme card and Netgear

I hope someone on this group list can help. I've been around the web (MacOSXHints, etc.), and on the phone with Apple (for hours) trying to find a way to link my brand-new iBook G4 to the Wintel office system. They've got a Netgear wireless router (MR814v2) and Windows 2000.
Here's the thing: my iBook G3, with an AirPort card, can pick up the network's broadcast, and I can go surfing the web & connect with our printer over Apple Talk. My G4 with an AirPort Extreme card can recognize the presence of the router, but is unable to surf it's airwaves. I've already tried connecting directly via ethernet cable, and this works - but won't be an option for day-to-day. Per some hints on the web, I've gotten the IT guys to upgrade the netgear's firmware to 5.03, but it STILL doesn't work. Apple says it's a Netgear problem, but the IT guys won't change the router (my D-Link at home works great), and they are loathe to tinker with the settings (esp. because they've set it up to have a dedicated line for electronic billing submissions).
So, has anyone encountered this problem yet? Any good work arounds? Thanks, all.

Thanks for the welcome, Duane. Yes, the network does have an access control list, but the while the router is picking up the MAC number on my G3, it can't seem to see the G4, though the G4 can see it. Is the suggestion that I convince the ITs to manually input my MAC Address? Maybe that's a go, if we can do it manually.

Airport Extreme Card missing after Leopard and Login & Keychain Update

After these updates the network prefs showed no Airport card installed, even though it had been there seconds earlier. This was buried at the bottom of a posting for a similar problem. Just wanted to make it easier for others to find.
"I'm having the same issue with an iBook G4 1.2Mz model. Having successfully installed Leopard (5 user license version) on my Macbook, I installed it on the G4. At first this worked until software update installed Login & keychain update 1.0 and Remote desktop client 3.2.1. When the iBook reset the airport extreme card wasn't there. The icon in the menu bar states No Airport card installed."
"Some users have determined that an artifact left over from Mac OS X 10.4.x interferes with wireless connections after Mac OS X 10.5 is installed. The issue can be dealt with by finding and removing the AppleAirPort2.kext file from your Extensions folder, located here:
Macintosh HD:System:Library:Extensions"
That fixed it for me.

Ezz wrote:
Ok, I just installed the Login & Keychain update 1.0 from the software update and after rebooting my Airpot card does not get recognized anymore. This really ***** Apple!
Anyone else encountered this problem? Any known solution yet?!
Message was edited by: Ezz
Judging by the amount of posts it must be isolated. Mine works fine. Did you repair permissions ?
" Keychain-Administration or Privilege Issues after Upgrading to Leopard:
If after installing Leopard as an upgrade or archive and install you experience any issues with not getting mail, can't run Disk Utility, can't login as administrator, can't print or anything that entering existing User name and/or passwords requires, you are not alone and Apple is working on it now.
The fastest method of determining if you have been bitten by this, open System Preferences, click on Accounts and verify that you are the Administrator as opposed to Standard, and that the checkbox asking if you want this user to be an Administrator is checked. If you are Standard, and the box is unchecked and/or greyed out, you have a situation most likely, whether you know it or not, yet.
Further verification can be done in the Accounts window by clicking the lock to make changes, entering your name and password and being denied access.
Apple says the best thing to do right now is not to try too much voodoo and wait until later today for a solution, hopefully. I was told to close the lid and walk away until Apple calls me back.
The good news as I write this on my old reliable Pismo, is that I have a bootable Carbon Copy Cloned 10.4.10 complete back up on an OWC external FW disc. Thanks Mr. Bombich! I just hope I don't have to use it.
Post from xlr8yourmac.com
William

2Wire and the Latest Airport Extreme Cards

After searching the MacBook and Airport forums, I know a lot of folks out there are experiencing this. I purchased 3 MacBooks, two new White 2.0 GHz C2D and one refurbished 1.83 GHz. I can't get the new ones to log onto the 2Wire network. The refurb has no problems. A 17" PowerBook has no problems.
The software for the refurb and one of the 2 GHz MacBooks are all up to date. Those two were set up in another location and were logged into another home network. I'm getting suspicious about the firmware loaded into the MacBook's AP cards.
The 2.0 GHz MacBook Airport Extreme firmware version is 1.0.27p3. I don't know what the 1.83 GHz firmware version is because that one is far away with its recepient (I'll have to call him and find out). My PowerBook and G5 Airport Extreme cards both use the same version: 405.1 (3.90.34.0.p18).
Does anyone out there know if there are any differences between the Airport firmware loaded in an older MacBook (MA254LL/A or FA254LL/A) and the current ones (MA700LL/A)? If there is, it looks like the the current models are incompatible with 2WIRE wireless networks. Apple, what did you folks tweak between the original MacBooks and the current (late 2006) ones and can we please get an Airport firmware update that either regresses back to that or fixes this issue?

Opus_Maru, Welcome to the discussion area!
There is no way for the user to directly affect the version of firmware being used by the AirPort Extreme card or the built in 802.11g wireless capability. The firmware is updated silently and without any notice when an AirPort Software update is applied to the Mac.

Setting up airport extreme card and airport extreme base station

I have an ibook G4 about 3 years old with osx10.4.10 recently installed. I have recently bought an airport extreme card and have also bought an airport extreme base station.
There seems to be a problem with the set up of the card. It does not seem to find any wireless networks at all, including the base station. The base station seems to be working as I went through setting this up with Apple phone support and we managed to do it by connecting the laptop to the base station with an ethernet cable.
I think the problem is with the card. I think I need to reinstall and set up the card again from scratch, but can't figure out how to do this -aiport utility and airport setup assistant don't seem to help here as they take you straight to the stage of setting up a base station. I seem to remember when I originally installed the card for the very first time (before attempting to set up the base station) that it did find other wireless networks, so I don't think there is a physical problem with the card.
Any suggestions on getting the card working appreciated.
Many thanks

Hello bblairlondon. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
First, verify if OS X "recognizes" the card, by using the System Profiler utility. Select the AirPort Card option under Network in the column on the left. The "Wireless Card Type" should be "AirPort Extreme (nxnnnn, nxnnnn)."
If no card appears, I suggest that you double-check your AirPort Extreme Card installation by using the following Apple Tech article: iBook G4: CIP Instructions
If the card does appear, then try the following ...
Reset the PRAM
o Shut down the computer.
o Turn on the computer.
o Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
o Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
o Release the keys.
(ref: Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM)

Airport Extreme Card in G5 and Fickle Signal from AEBS

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