IBook G3 & Airport Express, weird behaviour

Starting a few days ago, roughly around the time when I installed Security Update 2009-004, my old iBook G3 (OS 10.4.11) has been acting very strangely; basically it seems to be a lot less sensitive to WLAN signals than it used to be and fails to find or erratically drops connections.
Previously, it used to have no problem at all connecting to my Airport Express from anywhere in my apartment, but now it can only see my network when it is in the same room as the Airport station, and not more than about 9 feet away from it. What's rather strange is that the signal strength indicator in the menu bar is constantly and erratically changing, even when I am not moving the iBook or the Airport station at all.
My PowerMac G4 and my iPod touch both receive stable signals from the same Airport Express station with no noticeable loss or instability of signal strength, so my guess is that the problem is with the iBook, not with the Airport station. Both the PowerMac G4 and the iPod touch also see other wireless networks in the vicinity that the iBook used to see, but is now suddenly unable to detect.
Can this be caused by a software issue that can be fixed, or is a hardware issue more likely? I am quite puzzled by this odd behaviour.
Message was edited by: horstp

My PowerMac G4 (about 9 feet away from Airport station) detects three networks:
my own network, channel 6, 88% signal, 52% noise.
network 1, channel 1, 71% signal, 51% noise
network 2, channel 11, 62% signal, 44% noise
My iBook G3 detects only my own network:
if iBook is immediately next to Airport station: 76% signal, 59% noise
if iBook is 1 yard away from Airport station: 52% signal, 50% noise
if iBook is in same location as PowerMac G4:
20% signal, 8% noise - then 62% signal, 50% noise - then 18% signal, 8% noise (changing frequently)
When I moved the iBook further away from the Airport station with iStumbler running, the iBook froze. When I restarted the iBook, the Airport menu was gone, and the iBook now claims it does not have an Airport card installed.
It seems that the problem just got a lot worse.

Similar Messages

Cannot connect iMac to iBook via Airport Express

I've been using the Airport Express for 5 months with no problems. Internet and printer are routed through AE, which is accessible by either the iMac or iBook.
In either machine's Finder, there is a referenced alias (Network folder) to the other machine. Here, I can select "connect", which connects me to the other machine.
Problem - At present, the "connect to server" connection only works on the iBook. When I select it on the iMac, the spinning beachball appears after about 30 seconds, then another panel appears - FTP File System Authenticaion", which goes absolutely nowhere. Have never seen this before. In the past the "connect to server" panel appeared, and connection was made with no problems.
Not sure why the iMac is not recognizing the iBook, i.e. the "Connect to Server" panel is not appearing?
Here is what I have done - (no change in problem):
Restarted both machines
Unplugged Airport Express and restarted
Attempted to delete the iBook's alias on the iMac - won't allow me - don't have sufficient priv)
Checked Airport settings - nothing new noted
File Sharing is "on" for both machines
Appreciate any feedback. Thanks

Yes it is possible that the two machines are creating a Computer-to-Computer network and are not going through the Express.
To delete the Alias you may need to login with the Admin User.
Will
1GHz G4, 15" PowerBook, Airport Network, 1G iPod Mini Mac OS X (10.4.5) Updated - Get Started with iWeb (WillG4PB.com)

HELP: My ARD 3.1 cannot control iBook on Airport Express network

I use my ARD 3.1 on my Intel iMac OS 10.4.8 fine to control machines in my network and several out of network that are NOT using a router.
My sister's iBook, Mac OS 10.4.8 is giving me headaches as I cannot connect to it via ARD. She has everything in the top section checked in System Preferences>Sharing>Apple Remote Desktop>Access Priviledges and her firewall in Sharing is turned off with Apple Remote Desktop checked. She does not have VNC checked.
We have accessed her Airport Express via the Airport Admin Utility and in Port Mapping, we individually added 3283, 5900, 5988 under both public and private port and hit update and restarted the iBook. Note that she is the ONLY machine on her network that is password protected, so the end of her Private Address showed 201.
Then in ARD, I went to Scanner, pulled down to Network Address and typed in her external IP (69.xxx.xxx.xxx) which we easily obtained via the widget iStat. I know her admin user name and password for the iBook and entered it.
However, when I try to connect, I get an error message "Connection failed to cpe-69-xxx-xxx.xxx.nyc.res.rr.com"
Something so little has got to be off. Help! I've done so much reading on this, but I'm stuck.
Thanks so much!

You kinda lost me. Her private address is static since she is the only one on her network, right?
I have no idea what bridging is.
24-inch iMac, 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8) I work at www.mactown.us. Check us out!

Connect PC to iBook via Airport Express: Possible?

My girlfriend has a Dell laptop and I have a newer iBook G4. Assuming we are both accessing wifi from some central router, isn't there a way we can "connect" our computers to access each others stuff? (Is this what an ad-hoc network is?).
I know that Bluetooth works for doing this with large files, but neither of us have it (I bought my iBook about a month too early! :)).
Forgive my ignorance if this is a silly/previously asked question.
Thanks,
Daniel

An ad-hoc network will allow your computers to wirelessly connect directly without going through the router.
If they're both connected wirelessly to the router, you should still be able to access each others' computers, assuming you don't have the built-in firewalls set up to block file sharing. You have to set up file sharing on the computers, making sure to enable Windows file sharing on the iBook.

IBook not connecting to AirPort Express, other computers work

I have not been able to connect our iBook to Airport Express, however our two other computers are able to access the network. I can connect to the network however I am not able to surf the web on the iBook. Oddly, if we take the iBook elsewhere - like a coffee shop - it can connect.
I did a hard re-set of the Airport (paperclip while plugging in). The iBook can see the base station within the Airport setup utility but is unable to connect. Our other computers can still access the new Apple jf83j39 network.
Suggestions?

Welcome to the discussions forums blajer.
Well, that is really weird.
Try creating a new location:
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, and click Network.
Choose Edit Locations from the Location pop-up menu, and then click Add .
For each network connection setting, enter the same settings that your other computers are using. For example, click TCP/IP > configure IPv4 "using DHCP" etc. DNS > Make sure the DNS Server(s) fields are empty or are in greyed-out type. Try turning OFF IPv4.
Click Apply and wait a moment. Does anything change? What does your IPv4 address show now?

Airport Express via ethernet... impossible?

I have:
Power G5 without airport and osx 10.5.1.
I have adsl modem router (192.168.178.1) and I connect internet well with PowerG5 (192.168.178.21) and a ibook (192.168.178.20) all with a ethernet home lan: it works fine!
I have also a airport express connected to ethernet lan and pluged into my audio system (A).
I gave to airport express static IP (192.168.178.25) ... and disabled wifi (I do not need)... and, remember, ibook works fine with it.
The ibook can easly and fine connect via ethernet to airport express and listen itunes with my audio system (A).
BUT...
With my PowerG5 it is impossible!!!
I try to "ping" airport express from PowerG5 and network utility sees it.
But utility airport and itune do not sees it.
WHY???!!!
In my PowerG5 network prefs are same as ibook (just, obviously, different IP) but, so I think is Leopard, ibook sees airport express but PowerG5 not!!!!!
Ahhhhrg!!!

no firewall...
also... if I directly connect G5 to airportE via ethernet it sees it but if I try to connect to airport using ethernet home LAN it does not work anymore... I have a router (as I wrote up) maybe some conflict with that? ...mmh, I don't think because also the ibook it's in the same ethernet home LAN and it connect with airport.

Airport Express Base station: iMac and iBook

I just purchased the Airport Express Base Station. I have an iMac with an Airport Extreme card and an iBook with an Airport card.
I can connect to the internet with the iMac but not with the iBook. The iBook is not even recognizing the airport.
Which is weird because when I first set up the Airport Express Base Station I was able to connect to the internet with my iBook. Then I set up the iMac as a base station, went back to the iBook and couldn't connect to the internet again.
So my iMac can connect to the internet but not the iBook??????

Then I set up the iMac as a base station...
Why did you do that if you have an AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS)?

Wireless iBook not connecting to Airport Express

As in previous discussions i've seen, all of a sudden my iBook which i have used for quite some time now without any major problems will not find my airport express wirelessly, i am using a router and the same connection for my desktop (hardwired) and the desktop works 100%, i've even replaced the cable from the router to my Airport Express and when I take the very same cable that goes from the router to the AE but plug it straight into my iBook it works 100%, but when plugged into the "AE" the iBook is not finding it, or actually it does come up in the list of available wireless ports (I live in new York city so there's a bunch on there at any given time) but it does find mine automatically as it used to, but when I try to connect to it when i find it in the list, it says "There was an error joning the AirPort network"... if i hit 'try again' several times it it will evntually (somrtimes after 3 tries othertimes after 30 tries)... but even after it says in the menue bar that I am connected with 100% strength, nither iTunes Air tunes finds the AE connection nor Safari (which says "You are not connected to the internet.")
At the browsers suggestion i then go to the network diagnostics and run through the prompts, until it gets to the 'Select AirPort network" window and nothing shows up.
Then i tried the AirPort Admin utility and it does not find my base station either.
My connection to the internet is 100% without the AE, so obviously something is wrong with my iBook airport card or the AE itself.
Yesterday I uplaoded the newest software 6.2 then reset the AE and actually it worked 2 sessions, then I got back on later in the evening and was having all the same problems...
so I read on these discussions that going back to 6.1.1 was what was helping others, well so far it has made no difference here.
that said the signal that it did find after trying again and again and that does show up in the pulldown signal menue drops off eventually... and all this while still not being able to connect to the internet or airtunes wirelessly. and again all the while my connection on my desktop (hardwired through the same router) works 100% (I have verizon DSL and it's pretty great.
THE AIRPORT EXPRESS GREEN LIGHT IS ON as well.
I have not done a 'hard 5 second re-set" of the AE becuae i thought it might be difficult to imput all the settings all over again, since i did not set it up myself originally... is this my only choice? can some one give me any other ideas? thank you.

Glen,
I feel your pain buddy - same issue here. I have a PG G4 running AE as well. I have internet through Comcast which is coming from the wall, into the modem, and then to the AE. I have faced similar problems as you at least twice in the past three days. Tonight I went to check my e-mail after reading for a couple hours and my drop-down showed a check next to my network, the AE status light was green, and it looked fine. However, when I went to check e-mail I was not connected and same thing with internet. I finally launched Airport Admin Utility and my base station did not show up in the source list - hmmmm?
I am a little concerned about this myself because it is frustration. If you push the reset button on your base station while it's still plugged into power and hold it down for five seconds it will go through a "hard" reset (keep in mind this is not the same as a "factory default" reset). Have you done this before? It takes about 45 seconds. When done and the status light is back to green, you can join the Apple network _______ (some strange numbers) from your airport drop down and then launch Apt. Admin Utility. When you double click on your base station from the admin utility it will come up with a list of profiles. It will allow you to select your previous saved profile from a list. Click on your previous profile, click OK, and the AE will reset with your previous settings. This has gotten mine back up and running, but it's a littl disconcerting that it's happened so much
Any other thoughts out there? Anyone else having these problems and have suggestions for troubleshooting?
-JB

HELP ibook g3 OSX 10.2.8 no longer detects airport express wireless network

my ibook G3 OSX 10.2.8, airport admin utility software 3.1.1 no longer can detect the airport express wireless network (powerbook G4, OSX 10.4.11, airport admin utility 4.2; airport express, WEP protected, to DSL modem). i just installed an ipod driver update on the ibook, and wireless networking went down on restart. any help greatly appreciated!

you name it : com.apple.airport.adminutility.plist
delete it and do as advised.
This isn't harmful, because it is only a preference list, so it will be created brandnew as soon as you re-setup the Airport stuff.
Mac OS X ( especially Jaguar ) has a tendency to corrupt some plists out of the blue, it is more or less harmless and can be fixed with recreating them plus permissions-repair.
Hint : repair permissions more than one time, it ALWAYS finds something to fix in Jaguar.
You cannot destroy something with these actions, because it is Unix maintance so usual routines.
A tool like cocktail or Onyx ( google them, onyx is freeware ) can help you run such ( and more ) routines on a scheduled base.
Always remember that OS X is no longer "the Mac OS", it is Unix with a nice Desktop, the critical things run hidden in the background, so it has to be treated like any Unix/Linux sort of OS, even if from the outside everything looks nice and kosher..
Best wishes from Germany

My Airport Express is not detected in airport radar on iBook

Hi,
I am hoping that someone can help me with this. I am at loss as to what to do next!
My Airport Express has been working fine since I returned from holiday a week ago. However, I tried to select my airport express network from my airport radar on my iBook last night and it did not detect it. It detects other networks but not mine!
My network is not protected (secure) yet as I could not install the airport setup utility that came with the Aiport Express Base Station as you need Mac OS X 10.3 or later and I only have 10.2.8. I am waiting to upgrade to Leopard in October (in the UK) so I can install the airport setup utility. Until now, my airport has been working fine. I initially set it up by copying and pasting all the settings from the ethernet tab from (system preferences-network) into the airport tab and it worked fine.
I know that the airport express is working fine as it is permanently green adn I can connect to the internet via ethernet if I plug the ethernet cable into the iBook.
I thought last night that someone had used my unsecure connection and created a secure network behind a password for themselves. However, this cannot be the case as I have PDA and it detected my connection from Airport Express (I recognised its name) and it connected immediately.
Why will the radar on my iBook not detect my connection from Airprt Express? Please help!
Emily_1981

Please refer to the information already posted above:
If you see A1084 or A1088 there, your older Express is not supported by the newer version of AirPort Utility that you have.
If you have another Mac running Leopard or Snow Leopard, or a PC, then you could use that computer to administer the older Express and it will work on the network along with the AirPort Extreme.
If the Mac running Leopard or Snow Leopard or PC does not "see" the A1084 Express, you will need to "hard reset" the Express by holding in the reset button for 10 seconds and waiting a full minute for the Express to restart. Then, reconfigure the Express again.

Wireless iBook + Wired PC to Airport Express?

Is it possible to use my Airport Express for a wireless network with my iBook while at the same time have my PC connected with a wire through a switch to the Express? I have everything hooked up and the PC recognizes that it is connected to the Express, but won't connect to the internet. Any ideas? I'm hoping to figure out a way to make this work without having to make my PC wireless (because of cost).
Thanks for your help! (And why won't the world just fall under my plan/desire for everything to be Mac friendly?)
iBook G4
Also thought I should mention that the problems start with entering a password (which I reset twice, didn't help). I get the "bad peram error (-4)". I saw that someone else was helped through this problem by downloading new express setup software, but I'm not sure I can get connected to the internet at all...so if you have any other ideas, let me know.

No it is not possible to configure your network in this way.
You will need to purchase another piece of kit a router or a wireless adapter for the PC.
iFelix

Can I? router - powerbook(ethernet)- airport express(sharing)- ibook(ethe

Can I network in this fashion? router -> powerbook(ethernet)->airport express(sharing)-> ibook(ethernet)
I have only two computers and I am trying to avoid buying a discontinued overpricd airport card
Any help would be great

peebook,
Can you explain your current setup a little more please. I think that this is what you have.
- A router (Wired or wireless? How many ports?)
- A powerbook with an Airport Extreme Card
- An old iBook (Would require an Airport Card)
- An Airport Express
If you have a multi port router, you could go from the router to the Airport Express and the iBook, and then use the Powerbook wirelessly?
Will

Newbie: Airport Express, DSL internet, G4 iBook, and me

Hello everyone!
I have just purchased an Airport Express (with AirTunes), to connect to the internet wirelessly. I have the latest generation g4 iBook (before they switched to the new MacBook models), and so it came installed with an Airport card, software, etc.
I connect to the internet with a DSL modem, and normally I would connect to the modem with an ethernet cable.
I am having trouble setting up the Airport Express so it can connect to my ISP, and I'm not finding the right place to enter my ISP login information (username and password).
Can anyone help with this? I've tried the Airport Setup assistant, but it didn't work!
Many thanks to everyone!

rdisanto, Welcome to the discussion area!
Does your ISP use PPPoE for the connection? If so, configure the AirPort Express (AX) to use PPPoE and you will be able to enter that information.
You will find this on the "Connect using:" drop down menu on the Internet tab in the AirPort Admin Utility.

IBook not finding my Airport Express

I'm hoping someone can please help me. I have an Intel iBook and I had a power failure at my house the other day and for some unknown reason it no longer finds my Network. It finds others in the units around me but not mine. I know AX is working because my G5 iMac has no problems finding my network. Can anyone help?

Both my intel based Macbooks seem to 'lose' AE, sometimes what I do is get a direct ethernet cable from the AE to the offending MB then go through the Airport Utility in Applications/Utilities just to make sure the AE is working properly and then go trough the settings.
is it on the correct password type etc.
Then have a look at system preferences/Network and make sure you have the same corresponding settings as the Airport Utility by selecting Advanced button the near bottom right.
Some people are saying that you should run a Hex Password but I'm not certain it makes any real difference as I did that and my MBP still managed to lose AE yesterday. People are also suggesting soft resets and hard resets downgrading the AE firmware, giving sacrifices to the local Gods and Deities etc..
If you do a hard reset (unplug press the grey button in, plug back in still holding the grey button until you get fast orange flashes), it does work, that is until you put your personal security back, then it will mysteriously play hard to get again.
What I have found is that you can spend hours & hours trying to find your AE to no avail, or you can unplug it and come back to it the next day and all is fine as I have today. I have learned the hard way that patience pays off, if your iBook can't find your Airport Express simply unplug your AE unit & come back to it tomorrow, it is likely to find it again. Let me know if it doesn't and I'll endeavour to take you through the more involved methods described before (excluding sacrifices of course)
Good luck!

Help in Planning Network: G5/iBook G4/Airport Extreme & Express?

Hi Folks,
I could use some help setting up a WiFI network to accomplish three goals (see below).
Hardware and Software:
Computers
-Dual Core 2.3 GHz PowerPC G5 Desktop Computer (note: NO internal airport WiFi card), OS 10.4.11
-iBook G4 with internal Airport Card (currently with dead HD, awaiting a replacement HD any day). Can't remember is this has an early version of OS10.4 or 10.3.
Airport
-Airport Express 802.11n (MB321LL/A, model #A1264)
-Airport Extreme base station model #A1034 (older unit with 2003 date)
-Airport Card internal card in the iBook G4
Airport Software loaded on my G5:
-Airport Admin Utility v5.4.2
-Airport Disk Utility v1.5.3
** I do NOT have Airport Setup Assistant software on the G5, nor can I locate it on the OS install disks that came with the G5.
Network Goals:
Previously, I've setup a simple WiFi network in my apartment by using only the Airport Express: I connected the DSL modem to the Airport Express and transmitted the WiFI internet signal to the iBook. I haven't had that setup for quite some time; recently I was given the Airport Extreme and I'd like to finally get a network up and running.
I have a roommate that wants internet access so I'd like to setup a WiFi network to accomplish as many of the following three goals as possible:
1) Wifi internet capability.
1a) G5 wired connection to DSL modem/Airport Express as my primary internet connection and for fastest speeds (again, no WiFI card in the G5).
1b) Transmit WiFi internet signal so my roommate can share internet access, but for security purposes limit my roommate from accessing any data/files on my computer(s).
1c) WiFi internet access for my own G4 iBook.
2) WiFi file sharing network
2a) Wireless network so that my G4 iBook can access data/files from my G5 (private network roommate excluded).
3) Stream iTunes.
I have my iTunes library on an external HD, currently connected to my G5. I'd like to broadcast iTunes music to another room. Can the Airport Extreme stream iTunes from my G5 (the latter with no internal Airport Card) to another room where the Airport Express is connected to another stereo receiver/speakers? If yes, can I use my G4 laptop as an iTunes remote control to make music selections?
Question: Can all (or most?) of these goals be accomplished with the hardware/software on hand?
.... so....
Currently, I plugged in the Airport Extreme connected with an ethernet cable to the G5 (using the connection with the <- -> symbol on the Airport Extreme). The G5 doesn't identify the Airport Extreme, which makes me think I need the AIrport Setup Assistant Software?
In any case, I'm lost as to how to configure this setup to accomplish my goals. I've owned Apple since 1994 but haven't delved far into setting up networks.
Any guidance and help would be tremendously appreciated!
Thanks a bunch,
Lovegasoline

Bump.
Can anyone offer some basic guidance?
Do I need Airport Setup Assistant software to configure this network?
Thanks.

IBook G3 & Airport Express, weird behaviour

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