Existing wireless Network (not set up by me) add new mac to it

I have little or no experience.
A college computer science major (not available) set up a wireless network for my childrens emacs about 2.5 years ago. Using Netgear WGR614V2 router to a cable modem. has worked flawlessly.
I just received a macbook Pro and in spite of trying to get it added to the network I can't seem to get it.
I took the computer to starbucks and it accessed the network instantly, so it works fine.
I need help in getting the computer to communicate with the router so that it can access the cable to the internet.
I can see the various setting for the existing network by looking at the configurations on the emacs, but don't know how to set enter these to the new computer.
I know you geniuses can do this in seconds. Please help Regards Jim Svarz

Jim,
I know how weird all these networking woes may seem to you. We all started as newbies
Let's start afresh with the very basics:
What we need to find out in the first place is:
The name of your wireless network (this is also called SSID)
If encryption is turned on for your wireless network (the most common names for wireless security schemes are WEP & WPA)
If any other security measures (such as MAC address filtering, etc) are set for your wireless network that prevent your MacBook from joining in.
All of the above information/settings is stored in your Netgear WGR614V2 router. (It's also displayed on your eMacs, but let's start with the router so you can get an overall picture of how your network works).
If this is the correct model of your router: http://kbserver.netgear.com/products/wgr614v2.asp, I'm flicking through its manual to help you set you get up and running faster.
Now, grab a pen & sheet of paper, sit in front of any eMac that works fine and place your MacBook next to the eMac. The next steps are following the instructions according to the router's manual.
From the eMac:
Open Safari
In the address bar type: 192.168.0.1 (and press Return)
You'll be asked for a username and a password, (Again according to the manual) the default ones are username:admin and password: password
Assuming that the guy that setup your network didn't change the default ones, you'll be able to see (log-in) the router's configuration pages.
Let me know if you can log-in to your router to continue to the next step(s)
Macs running 9.x, Macs running 10.4.x, SGI workstations running Irix 6.5.x

Similar Messages

Joining time capsule to existing wireless network

I want to back up my computer to time capsule
My time capsule was previously set up as my own wireless base station, with ethernet cord plugged in.
I'm currently staying in a house with it's own wireless router/network, and I just want to use the time capsule to back up through the house network, not as its own base station. How do I join it to the existing wireless network and set it up for time machine backups?
thanks

Are you able to log onto to the old wireless network that the Time Capsule is providing and open AirPort Utility - Manual Setup?
Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
If yes,
Click the Wireless tab just below the row of icons
Write down all of the current settings for safekeeping.
Then, make these changes:
Wireless Mode = Join a wireless network. If you do not see this choice, hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the selection box
Wireless Network Name = Name of the network you want to join
Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal
Wireless Password = Wireless Password
Confirm Password
Click Update to save settings. The Time Capsule will disappear from AirPort Utility, so close AirPort Utility. After 30-40 seconds, the Time Capsules should have a green light.
You'll need to reset Time Machine so it can find the Time Capsule
Open System Preferences (gear icon) on the dock
Open Time Machine
Click Select Disk
Click your Time Capsule to highlight it
Click Use for Backups
That should get you going.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Joining an existing wireless network with airport express

Ok, am almost to the point of throwing my AX across the room
AM trying to join an existing wireless network, its from a 2Wire gateway
one of three things happen
it won't find the AX in the first place
it recognizes it, but i can't connect to it
it goes through the configuration and when it restarts the AX, it can't reconnect to either the router or the AX and it fails. if this happens i can't reconnect to my wireless network without deleting it and re-adding.
it doesn't show up in my available wireless networks at all
protected via WEP, and i have tried using all the security options.

The directions are in KB 302153, AirPort Express: How to join an existing wireless network in client mode.
Are you using MAC address access control in addition to WEP?
Turn off WEP and see if that makes a difference?
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.
Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108058
WEP is now considered not to be secure and therefore it is advised you use 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.
iFelix

Setting up Time Capsule for backup only on existing wireless network

I have a wireless network already set up with a NetGear wireless router. Cable plugs into router, router connected via ethernet cable to my Power Mac G5 desktop, plus 2 PC laptops in the house also connect wirelessly to the home network via this router.
I want to set up Time Capsule as an external hard drive to back up all three computers -- I don't necessarily need to use it as a wireless router although i'm not opposed to that if it's easier to do it that way.
When i try to set it up using AirPort utility, i get the amber flashing light. Airport utility is able to discover the device, and then always asks if it's OK to switch networks. I've tried both "switch" and "don't switch"; either way when i try to set it up, AirPort utility stalls out on "Reading Time Capsule Configuration"; eventually giving me the error msg: "Base Station Error: AirPort Utility was unable to find your Apple wireless device."
All i want to do is mount it as an external hard drive so i can use Time Machine for backup, and be able to use it to also back up the PC laptops wirelessly. I need help in the following three areas:
1. How should I be physically connecting my devices if i want to do this? Which cables go in which ports? There is only one ethernet port on the back of my G5. The G5 can connect to the router either wirelessly OR via ethernet cable. I've tried G5-->Time Capsule-->Router, G5-->Router-->Time Capsule, Router-->G5 PLUS Router-->Time Capsule, and I've tried every variation on the regular ethernet and WAN ports. What's the right way to do this.
2. If i'm not setting up the TC as a Wireless Router, is AirPort utility even the right tool for setting it up? it seems to be confused by the two wireless networks and won't let me get past that point. Am I supposed to click "Switch" when it asks me to switch networks? Is there a way to just mount it as an external drive and bypass the AirPort utility setup entirely?
3. Once i get it set up so it's visible as an external drive and usable for Time Machine backup, how do i then make it available to the other PCs on the network so they can back up to it also?
Thanks for your help.

sarah,
You already have an existing wireless network.
You do not need to plug the Time Capsule into anything except power.
Set the Time Capsule to "Join an existing wireless network"...
That is all you need to do.
Then all the computers should see the Time Capsule.
If you can't see "Join an existing wireless network" in the choices, hold down on the option key and then click on the choices.
Give that a try.

Setting up TC on an existing wireless network

Hi,
I have searched for an answer without any luck.
In my house my only access to the internett-network is wireless(landlord hogging the router). I have no option to connect my TC via ethernet to the router. I was told in the shop that I could set up the TC to acess the existing wireless network via AirPort-utilities. Keep my wifi internet going and add TC so i can back upp my iMac and MBP on the same network.
When I get to the step where I get to choose an existing network and then click restart, the TC just dont get recognized again by APU.
So, is it possible at all to configure my TC to connect wireless to my wifi?
T

There I had listed my wifi and choosed it. Only to find the TC not restarts properly again...?
Chances are, you did not provide the TC with the correct security settings to "join" your network.
Do you know the exact type of wireless security setting that your existing wireless network is using?
It might look something like one of the following examples.....
WPA-PSK-TKIP
WPA2-PSK-AES
WPA2 Personal
WPA/WPA2 Personal
If the settings on the TC are not matched up exactly with the settings on your wireless network, the TC will never join the network correctly.
Post back if you need more info about this type of configuration.

I have a mid-2010 iMac and just purchased a 2TB TC, can't join existing wireless network with AC standard so attached to iMac via ethernet with TC wifi turned off. How do i access TC now? not showing up in disk utility or on desktop. working fine with TM

I have a mid-2010 iMac and just purchased a 2TB TC, I just found out that it can't join existing wireless network with new AC standard so attached to iMac via ethernet with TC's wifi turned off. How do i access TC now? not showing up in disk utility or on desktop. It is working fine with TM. My cheeper seagate drives etc kept crashing, so i didnt trust cheeper back up options anymore. Connected those drives to TM via firewire and could see the drives and access them.
Also, I didn't want to bridge TC with my new fios router that I paid 100 dollars for, to get N speed and also paying 10 dollars more a month for fast speed. I heard that bridging slows down everything and then there can be port issues with mail etc. I connect to the internet via airport only and it is pretty fast. Getting over 50mbs downloads and over 30mbs uploads. Plus everything in my home it connected to my fios router, airport express for music streaming, two apple tvs, vuezone camer system. I really didn't want to monkey around too much with my system. But are there other options to connect the new TC. Can't find info anywhere for this and called apple who gave me the info above. after hanging up, i see that i cant access my TC and I am wondering if i would have to reset it to turn wifi on again to make changes to the drive, turn off blinking light or repair it in disk utility if it should become corrupted.
For other with similar issues i did solve some other problems: when i connected it to my ethernet port on my iMac wifi stopped working. Found that I had to turn off the ethernet in the system>network screen, but then TM didn't see the TC so i restarted after changes and then it saw it.
Now a rant. I can't believe in this wireless age that Apple would make a product that cant join a wireless net work. The apple rep said i could return it and look for the previous TC that would join an existing wireless network. Are we going backwards?
Thanks!
lennydas

Ok... it is getting a bit clearer but there are still some questions.
I connect to the internet via airport only and it is pretty fast.
I was assuming airport in this statement in your first post meant the TC or the Express.. but I now realise we are still in the mass confusion stage where apple calls everything wireless an airport. So what you mean is the airport internal card of the computer??
Also, I didn't want to bridge TC with my new fios router that I paid 100 dollars for, to get N speed and also paying 10 dollars more a month for fast speed. I heard that bridging slows down everything and then there can be port issues with mail etc.
I think this is mistaken.
Putting the TC in bridge mode plugged into your FIOS will not slow the network.. nor will it cause mail or port issues.. in bridge the TC is just a fancy WAP and switch plus the network hard drive.
If the computer is close it will be faster than the FIOS.
You can run both wireless networks with different names.. so it is clear which is which. But you can also setup roaming so the computers themselves pick which is the best wireless.
I tried extending the wireless net work and tried joining wireless network, but the TC kept crashing and I had to keep resetting the TC. the Apple support person said these, extend wireless network and joint wireless network, are no longer a connection option with the new TC because of the new AC protocol.
Thanks again!
You cannot extend to a non-apple wireless router.
You cannot use join a wireless network because when you do the ethernet ports will be cut off.
But that has not changed.. I don't think Apple support is correct.. there has been no change with the AC model.. it is simply a fact that apple routers do not work in join wireless mode other than as a dumb client. The same applies to AC as to the earlier version.. but I have asked another person to check this.
Join in the express is the only apple router that still allows an ethernet connection.
For now you best use of the TC is bridged to the FIOS. Wireless you can sort out between several options.

HT4623 When I joined my wireless network I set authentication required to on and di not eneter a username or password. I then went into safari and as requested entered my username and password. Now,however the iPod is remembering my credentials. How do

When I joined my wireless network I set authentication required to on and di not eneter a username or password. I then went into safari and as requested entered my username and password. Now,however the iPod is remembering my credentials. How do I clear my credentials?

Go to Settings>Safari and Clear History, Cookies and Data
Also go to Settings>Safari>AutoFill and Make sure that Names and Passwords are OFF and Clear All.

We bought a time capsule then the wifi has a problem since it does not identify the existing wireless network and it says that its need to have an update firmware. The existing firmware is 7.3.1, does it have an newest update firmware existing now?

We bought a time capsule, 1TB, then the wifi has a problem since it does not identify the existing wireless network and it says that its need to have an update firmware. The existing firmware is 7.3.1, does it have an newest update firmware existing now? Does APPLE do not provide latest firmware for this item?

How old is that Time Capsule? The fact that it still have firmware 7.3.1 suggests that it's not the latest model. The latest firmware available for my two-year-old model is version 7.5.2. Apple does provide firmware updates. You just have to let the Time Capsule download and install them. Use AirPort Utility to do that.
Regarding your Wi-Fi problem, please explain what you mean by "it does not identify the existing wireless network".
By the way, you've been misled by poor field labeling on this forum into typing a large part of your message into the field intended for the subject. In the future just type a short summary of your post into that field and type the whole message into the field below that.

Connecting a wrt54g to an existing wireless network

Hi,
I'm wondering if it's possible to create a second wireless network by connecting a wrt54g to our existing wireless network?
Our main router is upstairs, connection in the downstairs office is terrible, plus it's being used by a team that would like their own network anyways. Can I plug the wrt54g into the main router, assign it a static external IP and create a second wireless network?
thanks

great thread toomanydoughnuts, thanks! all the hours I spend googling for an answer are such a waste when I can post a specific question and a human being answers me back :-)
I see that what I was trying to do is possible but before I start let me ask your opinion.
My initial goal for a seperate network was to give Router 2 a static external IP and connect our server to router 2 so external users would always be able to access it at the same address in case Router 1 ever had an IP change (I don't have constant access to router 1 and am not supposed to be fiddling with it!)
The secondary goal was to improve the wireless signal for those of us downstairs and I figure having Router 2 down there would provide a nice strong signal.
I have realized now that dyndns can solve my issue with Router 1's IP changing (even if it's once a month it's an issue for remote users accessing our server). Dyndns will re-point our host name to the new IP if it ever changes.
But I still have the issue of a very weak signal in the downstairs office.
Because I'm seeking the simplest, easiest to manage solution as I'm far from a network guru, do you think a better option may be to get a repeater or something like that for our downstairs office to just boost the signal from Router 1? If so, any recommendations?
thanks in advance for your time
Oh, and if I did go the route of setting up Router 2, could I give Router 2 a static external IP address?
Message Edited by tiphanai on 10-06-2009 07:13 AM

Can't connect to existing wireless network

I have a Qwest wireless modem (model 2701hg-d) and am trying to set up the Airport Express (AX) to use already existing wireless network wirelessly (ie without the ethernet cable). Is this possible? Do I need a wireless router instead?
In order to set it up I have the AX plugged into the modem via an ethernet cable. I have reset the AX and then run the Admin Utility. Once it recognizes the AX I then go to the Airport tab and select 'Join an Existing wireless Network (wireless client)' and then enter in the Network Name exactly as it is spelled in my modem configuration. I check the 'Internet' tab and it says connect using: Wireless Network and the 'Network' tab is grayed out. Then I hit update and the admin utility no longer lists the AX and the AX light is blinking amber. Not sure what is going on. I am using v6.3 of the firmware. I have read the posts extensively and am wondering if my modem is not capable of handling this?

Hi
Not exactly certain if your situation is like mine, but you could check out this previous post:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=917767&tstart=0
If you are trying to achieve wireless bridging then I don’t think APX will work with that particular router.
HTH

I am unable to join my existing wireless network with new AirPort Express

I am unable to join my existing wireless network with new AirPort Express.
I am using a DLink DI-524 Router, Windows 7 (64), and the AirPort Express.
AirPort Utility will not recognize the AEX wirelessly, it will only recognize it when it is connected by Ethernet. I can then configure the AEX and verify that the settings stick once disconnected and then reconnected. However, even after that, it will not recognize the AEX once disconnected from the Ethernet cable.
I followed the suggestions of several other threads on these forums. But I am unable to get the AEX to work.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the discussion area!
It's almost always a security setting that causes problems when the Airport Express (AX) tries to join a third party wireless network. The AX usually does not "join" correctly and that's why you can't see it on your wireless network using AirPort Utility.
Using an ethernet cable is still the more reliable way to configure and adjust the AX, but if you are want to try to configure it using wireless, you must return the AX back to factory defaults as follows:
Power down the AX
Hold in the reset button +and keep holding it in+ as you plug the AX back in to power
Release the reset button after 10 seconds
When it is set to factory defaults, the AX broadcasts a wireless signal with a network name like "apple network xxxxxx" where the "x's" are either letters or numbers. You must look for this network by clicking on the fan shaped Airport icon at the top of the screen. If you don't see this network, then click Join Other Network to search that way. Unless you connect to this network, you will not be able to configure the AX using wireless.
Do you know the exact security type that your D-Link router is using? That is the key element in the process.
Open AirPort utility, click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab to establish a name for the AX, device password and adjust time zone settings
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode....Join a wireless network
Wireless Network Name...must exactly match your D-Link wireless network name
Enable ethernet clients if you want the port to be active (your D-Link must be compatible with ProxySTA for this to work)
Wireless Security...exact setting of the D-Link network. WEP security causes a lot of issues. Try to use WPA/WPA2 Personal, which is far more secure.
Wireless Password...must match the D-Link network
Click the Music icon to enable AirTunes
Click Update to save settings
Any luck?

WRT54GC config to connect a wired-printer on existing wireless network

Hello everyone,
I hope someone can help me with the following issue :
- I have an existing wireless network at home, set up with a wireless router/dsl connection
- I now have been given a wired-printer, and I'd like to connect my printer to the existing wireless network, using a WRT54GC device.
I have been trying for a while, and I believe but can't manage to configure the device do this, and didn't find this in the forum yet.
As anyone already done this successfully ?
Thank you

What is the make and model of your printer? What type of connections does it have -- ethernet port? USB port? Parallel port?
If your printer has an ethernet port, you can wire it directly to your router.
If your printer has only a USB port, you will need a printer server such as the Linksys WPS54G, WPSM54G. These devices will allow you to use the printer as a wired or wireless printer. Both of these devices support USB 1.1 and USB 2.0
I do not recommend the Linksys PSUS4 (wired print server with 4 port switch), because it only supports USB 1.1

Hi I am hoping to add my 2 TB time capsule to my existing wireless network using cisco dpq 3925 modem. I have two mbp one running Yosemite and the other os 10.7.5

I have a time capsule 2TB model 1409. I would like to connect it to my existing wireless network (using a cisco DPQ 3925 modem). I have two mac book pro one running Yosemite and the other OS 10.7.5. The best I can do is to connect the TC to the Modem via ethernet. Have one of my MBP connect to the time capsule using a ethernet cable and have the TB set to bridge mode. In this configuration, both mbp and the iPad can detect the TC but when I try to connect it to the wireless network, using the same network name and password, the light flashes amber and I cannot detect the time capsule again.

Correct..
The best I can do is to connect the TC to the Modem via ethernet.
The TC does not connect to non-apple routers by wireless.. well. It is possible but so poor a method that Apple seem to have eliminated it in the setup wizard.. I would take that as a good thing..
If you cannot use ethernet you have two choices..
Use another apple router that is plugged into the Cable modem.. eg a second hand Extreme Gen5 or the latest Express.. the Extreme is both cheaper and better.
Or you can use a set of EOP (homeplug) adapters.. but they cannot be guaranteed to work so you should buy from a place that allows returns.

Connecting to existing wireless network ?

Hi, having a little problem setting up my Time Capsule and connecting it to my existing wireless setup.
I have followed all the onscreen instructions and make it all the way through to the end HOWEVER the Time Capsule will not restart and after a bit I get the following message coming up
"The settings for this Apple wireless device have been successfully updated, but there was a problem re-joining the wireless network or finding the Apple wireless device. You may need to select your network from the AirPort menu and try again"
If I try to rescan for apple wireless product the airport utility is unable to find any - I have to reset the TC and try all over again - now done it 4 times without success
Any advice on where I'm going wrong ?
Andrew

All sorted, ended up connecting the Time Capsule by the ethernet cable to the BT Home Hub (updated the firmware) then ran through the set up procedure as per connecting the Time Capsule to my "existing wireless network". Used the WEP password as per BT Home Hub, after this was done and setup was complete the TC restarted (no error messages this time round) then disconnected the ethernet cable and selected my BT Home Hub wireless connection that my TC has been added to. Can then use the Airport Wireless Utlility (that came on the CD - best to show in menu bar so don't have to keep going to utilities) and can then open TC to use hard drive etc.
All is well, got there in the end
In my case anyway the setup using ethernet cable worked.
Hope this helps!

Extend Existing Wireless Network

I am trying to extend my existing wireless network. I think I have it set up correctly, but I have a question about it. I initially had the network set up with a 2WIRE modem (AT&T) and an Airport Extreme. It has been really sluggish as of late, so I re-positioned the modem and AE (out of entertainment cabinet) and now it's more out in the open.
After doing that my Macbook which I use upstairs was running pretty fast, but the iMac which is downstairs and on the same level as the modem/AE was running very slowly. So, I thought I'd extend the network using an Airport Express. I think I have it set up correctly, since everything seems to be working just fine, BUT the question I have is...does the Express HAVE to be plugged int the modem in order to extend the network?
I thought the whole point of using the Express to extend the network is that you could have the Express in between the modem/AE and the computer - on the same level of the house or another level, or at least in another rom on the same level.
I hope I've explained my situation well enough for anyone to be able to provide assistance. Everything is working fine, but I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that I've done things correctly
and maybe a better understanding of how extending a network really works.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Julie

Hello Julie
To extend your wireless network I suggest you do the following;
Take the express and extreme into the same room. Ideally, plug the extreme into your modem using an ethernet cable and have the express hooked up to power on its own in the same room.
I would reset both device to their factory defaults and start over. To reset the devices to factory defaults, unplug them from their power source, hold down the recessed reset button while plugging them back into to power and continue to hold the reset button until the one LED begins to flash rapidly.
Do this with the extreme and the express. Now open airport utility, select your airport extreme and set it up from the start using the continue button and answer all the questions. Once the extreme is setup, you should see a large green checkmark. See the mac you set it up with can connect to the internet.
If you are on the internet through your extreme's wireless network you're almost there.
Step 1. Using airport utility select the airport express and click continue. The key here is to ask the express to join an existing wireless network when the question arrises.
This should do the trick for you.
Alternate to step 1. If you want to you can skip step 1 above and select your extreme using airport utility, go to the Base Station menu and select Manual Setup, click the Airport icon from the manual setup window, click the Wireless tab and put a tick next to "Allow this network to be extended". This will instruct the extreme to allow its wireless network to be extended. Update your extreme after turning on this option and give it about one minute to update itself.
Now, using airport utility, setup your express to using the continue button and instruct it to join an existing wireless network when the question comes up.
So you have two options, either should do.
Hopefully this was not too difficult. Airport utility will still see the two airport routers but from your airport menu you will always see only one network because the extreme and express behave as though they are one large network.
Consider unplugging the express now and moving it to the other floor. After you take the express upstairs, give it a minute and if it is in range of your extreme it will assume a green light, if on the other hand it continues to flash amber it's possible that it's too far from the extreme. In this case consider plugging the express into a wall socket nearer to the express.
Does this help?
Most of what I explained might be better explained by Apple, see page 43 of http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf. The steps on page 43 are what you would do with your extreme - to extend its wireless network.
Let me know how it goes.
If your devices are under 90 days old you still have complimentary phone support. If you have an AppleCare protection plan on your mac one of your devices are covered for hardware support and the 3 years phone support. If you are eligible AppleCare will be able to walk you through this.

Existing wireless Network (not set up by me) add new mac to it

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