[macfantn]

I just purchased a G4 800 mhz and am running 10.4.1, I am trying to connect to my linksys router which is also connected via ethernet to an old imac. When I try to select my network from the list of networks it asks for my WEP password, when I enter my password I get an error message that says can't connect to network. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance.

[Voch]

Here's some general help from Apple. I assume that you're entering the password phrase correctly. You might have to enter the hexadecimal equivalent instead...check your router instructions for how to find out what that is.

Voch

[Mojo]

What am I doing wrong?

Easy Answer: You are trying to use a Linksys wireless router with Macs...

The Not-So-Easy Answer: WEP can be enabled on a Linksys but it isn't easy. I've owned two Linksys routers and finally gave up on them and purchased an Airport Extreme Base Station. Linksys routers DO work with Macs, but enabling security causes things to go hinky real quick. And WEP is inferior to WPA encryption, so you should use WPA if at all possible.

I have one suggestion : you can subscribe to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service such as PublicVPN.com for only $5.95 per month (or $59.95 per year) and have encryption protection anywhere you connect online. If you travel or just use public Wi-Fi hotspots VPN is essential to protect yourself. If you have VPN you don't have to mess with WEP or WPA, and VPN is more secure than the other options. VPN software is now part of OS X and it takes all of five minutes to configure.

If the VPN option doesn't appeal to you, the answer might be found in the following, which I have copied from my posts at Techsurvivors.net...

Maybe the key was entered incorrectly:

"I finally had a chance to methodically check my settings, and it appears that an "O" in the key is actually a "0" or numeral zero. D'OH! I then had to go to System Preferences-Network-Configure. I set the default to be a particular network, put a name in one field and the hexadecimal key in the second field. It would not accept a "$" before the key. I clicked the Apply Now button, which disconnected the current Aiport connection.

I then went to the Airport icon in the Finder menu bar, selected the proper network and provided the key again, selecting the 128-hex key option from a pull-down menu in front of the key field. I let the keychain save the password. I am now connected and hopefully will connect automatically from now on."

Or here is a longer explanation on how I got WPA to work on a Linksys router:

"First, I had to upgrade the Linksys firmware; the router came with version 2.02.2 and it needed the current version 2.02.7 for WPA encryption. One way to know for certain if the firmware is too old is if the option you are looking for doesn't appear anywhere in the router settings.

I used MacTFTP to transfer the firmware files to the router. That little app is worth every penny of its $12 shareware fee because it greatly simplifies the router firmware upgrade for Mac users.

I won't recount everything I did after the firmware upgrade...suffice it to say that what I thought were correct settings apparently were not, and carefully chosen alternatives likewise got me nowhere.

I also turned-off all the hardware on the network twice, and did a soft reset of the Linksys the second time. I then turned things on in this sequence: cable modem-router-Ethernet connected Mac-iBook. I have found that this can reset things and allow previously ignore Macs to be recognized by the router.

The main trick appears to be that the WPA-enabled network has to be selected in the Airport menu accessible from the Finder menu bar (if you have that option enabled), and the name/pass phrase entered in the appropriate fields. I had to enter the pass phrase several times before it was accepted. And yes, I was entering it correctly!

Then one needs to open the Internet Connect system preference and do the same process, select "other" network and use the menu button to obtain new fields where the network name and pass phrase can be entered again. After I did that I began automatically connecting without having to reenter the pass phrase.

I hope I got the sequence correct and that it is somewhat clear. I'm reconstructing this partly from memory because I don't want to go back inside the settings and accidentally screw-up something... It's actually still a little mysterious to me since everything I did last night didn't accomplish squat and then fooling around this morning I got things working. By this time Bruce is no doubt thinking to himself "No way am I going to touch anything!"

Anyway, I must be doing something right, because I duplicated my success on the iMac. The only glitch was that I had neglected to upgrade Airport on the iMac to version 3.3, which is necessary for WPA to work. I was seeing different set-up windows, which was a little disconcerting but it clued me that the iMac was using an earlier version of Airport. I avoided messing with the router settings in order to be able to download a file to the iMac by using Firewire disk mode to transfer the update from my iBook to the iMac."

I have been told that the current Linksys routers do not require Macs to use MacTFTP to upgrade the firmware...

I hope that this helps.

[juusan]

agreed on the wep thing. I have the exact same setup as you, and the only way I was able to connect to my linksys was by either turning off WEP, or using a 64 bit 10 hex key (based on a passphrase). for the latter it was hit or miss until I found a key that seemed palatable to both router and ibook.

[macfantn]

what is the wireless MAC list for?

[si_lance]

Originally Posted by macfantn

what is the wireless MAC list for?

a MAC address uniquely identifies a network adapter... meaning if you only allow certain MAC addresses on your list you are only allowing certain unique network cards (meaning a unique computer usually). If a person is not on the list, just like a club, no entry allowed.

[ghporter]

This discussion belongs in NETWORKING. It has nothing to do with the fact that the computer is an iBook.

Macfantn, this is not too uncommon a problem. It usually comes from the computer waking up and not seeing the network correctly. It loses track of where the network is in its frequency changing, and can't lock in because the computer doesn't know it's been asleep. Our iBook works just fine with our Linksys access point-basically the same wireless component as in any "G" standard Linksys wireless router.

Post a new thread in Networking about your problem. It's the right place for it, and you will probably get a broader range of responses-from people who don't just use iBooks, too.

[Mojo]

Sooo... Did this problem ever get resolved?

[EmmEff]

Originally Posted by Mojo

Easy Answer: You are trying to use a Linksys wireless router with Macs...

Umm, you mean it was supposed to be difficult? My Linksys WRT54G works great with my iBook and has worked great with my iBook since I first introduced them to each other.

I've used both WEP and WPA-PSK (which I currently use). Also have an Airport Express on the same network.

There are plenty of hand-holding resources on the web, but for the most part, RTFM and it'll just work.

[Mojo]

Oh, that's a Real Helpful post...

While you may be blessed with a Linksys/Mac combo that works, others have had probems, even those who RTFM. If you have some input based on your experience that might help, by all means lay some of that wisdom on us.

Otherwise, kindly gloat in silence...

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Mojo

The Not-So-Easy Answer: WEP can be enabled on a Linksys but it isn't easy. I've owned two Linksys routers and finally gave up on them and purchased an Airport Extreme Base Station. Linksys routers DO work with Macs, but enabling security causes things to go hinky real quick. And WEP is inferior to WPA encryption, so you should use WPA if at all possible.

The real issue concerning WEP and Macs when using a Linksys router or access point is that you may or may not configure the router/access point to use the wrong key index. WEP supports 4 keys that can be individually selected via a key index-but AirPort software assumes you'll use key 1 all the time (not a bad assumption, since the key index idea isn't particularly useful in small wireless networks). If you pay attention and ENSURE that the router or access point is expecting key 1, it should work fine.

I'm going to ask the iBook forum mods to move this thread to Networking where it belongs. It's good stuff, but since it isn't iBook-specific, it really should be in Networking.

[EmmEff]

Originally Posted by Mojo

Oh, that's a Real Helpful post...

Sorry, but I do not and will not accept that this is the fault of Linksys' routers. Just because it's not Apple doesn't mean it won't work.

While you may be blessed with a Linksys/Mac combo that works, others have had probems, even those who RTFM. If you have some input based on your experience that might help, by all means lay some of that wisdom on us.

I hope the original poster already looked here.

The confusion could be where the user assumes (incorrectly) that the passphrase is the network password. The passphrase is used to geenrate a WEP key, which *is* the network password that OS X is requesting.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by EmmEff

Sorry, but I do not and will not accept that this is the fault of Linksys' routers. Just because it's not Apple doesn't mean it won't work.

I hope the original poster already looked here.

The confusion could be where the user assumes (incorrectly) that the passphrase is the network password. The passphrase is used to geenrate a WEP key, which *is* the network password that OS X is requesting.

I was actually giving the benefit of the doubt that the people with this problem had paid attention to that. I may have been a bit optomistic in that...

[Mojo]

Many folks coming here for help have little or no experience setting up a wireless network. The Linksys "manuals" I have used with two different models seem to assume a certain level of knowledge on the part of the consumer, even though many purchasers are first-timers when it comes to wireless networking. Linksys only shows Windows configuration steps, which can also be confusing if you are new to this kind of thing and cannot easily translate Windows-to-Mac instructions. And the trouble-shooting section of the Linksys manuals are minimal at best.

And the Mac side of setting-up a wireless network isn't always a piece of cake either, whether a person is mixing Apple and third-party gear or using all Apple hardware...

The original post does not specifically state which Linksys router is being used nor the installed firmware version. This can make a difference depending on the Linksys/Airport card being used, since there are incompatibilities between the firmware and hardware if an older firmware version is being used along with certain Airport cards. I know that this can affect WPA performance, so it might be a factor with WEP too. The differences in how Linksys and Apple implement wireless encryption can also cause problems that only show up if encryption is enabled. Again, I am generally speaking to older Linksys routers and firmware versions; newer routers may function better with current Apple hardware.

When I was having problems with one Linksys router I knew the difference between a passphrase and WEP/WPA keys, and what went where, but it was no use until I had entered the information 3-4 times and in a particular sequence. The whole thing really made no sense to me and I have some experience in these matters. A newbie might not have a clue what to do in this kind of situation, and rightly so.

So should a person having this kind of problem be put down because someone assumes that if they only RTFM that they could solve the problem themselves? That it is obviously Soooo Simple that a person must be an idiot if they cannot get it to work? How does that kind of attitude help someone? It's great that your iBook and Linksys work together without a hitch; now do you have something constructive to offer to the person with a problem? Either graciously offer to assist without the attitude or refrain from responding to the question.

The original point of this discussion may be moot anyway... The person with the problem hasn't posted since 6/25. I wish that people would always let us know how things turned out and what worked (or didn't...), since this provides a knowledge base for others when they search the board for possible solutions before they post a question.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Mojo

The original point of this discussion may be moot anyway... The person with the problem hasn't posted since 6/25. I wish that people would always let us know how things turned out and what worked (or didn't...), since this provides a knowledge base for others when they search the board for possible solutions before they post a question.

I wholeheartedly agree with you on this point!

[John Strung]

I agree with Em. LinkSys routers are among the best in the business. There should be no problem with connecting to Macs. Any problems connecting to Macs are caused by two misconceptions:

1. Passphrase v. WEP key.

Linksys uses a proprietory algorithm to allow people to generate a long WEP key from a short passphrase. If you try to connect to a LinkSys router from a LinkSys wireless card, you can use the passphrase on the card to generate the same WEP key as on the router. If your card is anything but a LinkSys, then you have to use the WEP key, not the passphrase.

2. HEX v. ASCII

Everyone on earth, except for Apple, uses HEX WEP keys by default. For some unknown reasons, Apple defaults to ASCII. So if you are using a Mac with a third party router (any third party router, not just LinkSys) you have to tell the Mac that the WEP key you are using is HEX, not ASCII. The newer versions of the Apple software give you the option of specifying HEX or ASCII. The older versions didn't but you could "tell" the Mac that you were using HEX by putting a $ sign in front of the WEP key.

In short, you should have no problem connecting from a Mac to a third party router (LinkSys or otherwise) as long as you use the WEP key, not the passphrase, and either specify you are using HEX, or preface the WEP key with a $ sign .

[Mojo]

A programmer I am acquainted with and who creates networking software tells me that he has seen many Linksys/Mac problems, and that Linksys hardware has had its ups-and-downs, quality-wise. The two probable causes of connection difficulties as outlined by Mr. Strung are probably the most common, but they aren't the only reasons for Linksys/Mac connection problems.

I would like to point out something: if Linksys offered tech support to Mac owners, the person with the connection glitch could expect to receive help from Linksys. As it stands, Mac owners with Linksys-related problems are left to their own devices or the goodwill of others to try and figure out what is wrong. The less technically-adept a person is, the harder it is to trouble-shoot a networking problem.

It is beyond me why Mac folks continue to support Linksys by purchasing its products, while Linksys has refused to offer Mac-specific tech support. (Try calling Linksys for tech help, tell them you are using a Mac, and see how fast the person on the other end says "We don't support Macs" and then terminates the call.) If Apple products seem too expensive, there are alternatives to Linksys that do offer Mac tech support (or so I am told).

One last simple fix to try: power-off the Mac, router and modem. Then turn them on in this sequence: modem, router and finally Mac. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the modem to initialize before turning-on the router, and then let it initialize before turning-on the Mac. This often fixes connection glitches that otherwise have no easily discernable cause.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Mojo

I would like to point out something: if Linksys offered tech support to Mac owners, the person with the connection glitch could expect to receive help from Linksys. As it stands, Mac owners with Linksys-related problems are left to their own devices or the goodwill of others to try and figure out what is wrong. The less technically-adept a person is, the harder it is to trouble-shoot a networking problem.

This assumes that Linksys "support" provides some value to PC users. In general, it does not. And since Cisco bought Linksys, their customer support has not improved. It has merely been bad in different ways. Still, many of us continue to use Linksys products because on the whole they work at least OK, and do not seem to be as screwy as many other company's offerings.

Originally Posted by Mojo

One last simple fix to try: power-off the Mac, router and modem. Then turn them on in this sequence: modem, router and finally Mac. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the modem to initialize before turning-on the router, and then let it initialize before turning-on the Mac. This oftem fixes connection glitches that otherwise have no easily discernable cause.

This is ALWAYS an excellent technique whenever ANY problem with a network connection crops up. In fact, it's probable that many customer problems are caused by the customer determining-wrongly-that one or another of the three devices you mentioned is at fault, when in fact it's the connection as a whole that's gone south. Reestablishing a connection in the manner you describe is the FIRST THING EVERYONE SHOULD DO WHEN THEY SUSPECT A PROBLEM WITH THEIR NETWORK CONNECTION.

[macfantn]

everything seems to be working fine now, thanks everyone for all the help.

[EmmEff]

What was the solution?

[bstone]

Click on "Use Internet Robustness" and see if that works.

[macfantn]

I ended up contacting linksys and they had me reset the router and change my wep password and everything seems to work fine. I am not sure why it never worked for me, but while talking to them it worked flawlessly.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by macfantn

I ended up contacting linksys and they had me reset the router and change my wep password and everything seems to work fine. I am not sure why it never worked for me, but while talking to them it worked flawlessly.

The reset (probably a LONG reset) restored the router to factory settings, and changing the WEP password meant that you paid close attention to it, so you didn't hit any of the myriad stumbling blocks in dealing with WEP (quite aside from the fact that it's about as secure as a wet paper bag).