Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

djwilley · Jun 21, 2007, 03:42 PM

I have setup a new Airport Extreme. I used the WEP because we have a TiVo wirelessy connected, and it can only handle WEP. Two windows computer, an HP wireless printer and the TiVo all connect fine. I also have a G4 Titanium that is not connecting. When I try and join the network, it asks me for a password...but the options window that should let me choose whether to use WEP or WPA Personal only gives me the option of WPA Personal.

I spoke the Genius bar guys in Chicago, and they had me create another user to make sure it wasn't in my user setup. The same thing happened. They're out of ideas.

Anyone?

ghporter · Jun 21, 2007, 04:59 PM

When you try to join the network and are prompted for a password, enter the WEP password then. That should work. Trying to set up an AirPort connection with WEP is not a good idea, and the basic setup seems to discourage it anyway.

Again, when it prompts you for a password, there's no reason for it to tell you which kind to use, so just put in the right password.

Of course if there is another network in the vicinity with the same name, that changes a lot! Make sure YOUR network has some non-default name like "djwilley's TiVo Network" so you're absolutely certain you're trying to connect to YOUR network when you think you are.

djwilley · Jun 21, 2007, 06:36 PM

I typed in my password in the space provided...basically ignoring the label that said, "WPA Personal." No joy. It tries to join but says there was an error in trying to join the network. As I understand it, this is the same message one would receive with the wrong password.

If I set this up using WPA, I will have voided the very reason I upgraded...to get the better range so our TiVo can get it's updates.

Thanks for the reply.

ghporter · Jun 21, 2007, 07:39 PM

I'd go to some other extreme to get the TiVo connected. A wireless bridge that handles WPA is a good idea-and will get you a WIRED connection at the TiVo end, skipping over the TiVo's (very stupid) inability to handle WPA.

Are you ABSOLUTELY certain that you're trying to join the correct wireless network? And what hardware are you using (modem, router, etc)? That could make some sort of difference in how the G4 sees and tries to connect to it. And of course there's the standard "do you have all the latest AirPort software updates installed?" question. Do you?

djwilley · Jun 29, 2007, 09:15 AM

I am sure about joining the correct wireless connection. I have updated the software as well as double checking the version on the Apple website.

The DSL comes from the wall, goes to the 2Wire modem (wireless function disabled to ensure no interferance with the Airport Extreme), via ethernet cable the modem is connected to the Aiport Extreme. Everything but my titanium works fine.

ghporter · Jun 29, 2007, 01:08 PM

I am sorry to say that I'm "freakin' stumped" by this. All software and firmware up to date, no other wireless network interfering (those 2Wire boxes sneak up on some users-they don't know there is a wireless part in there until they accidentally connect to it), and you're doing everything else right. Sorry...

djwilley · Jul 1, 2007, 09:30 PM

I really appreciate your efforts to help. Thanks.

ghporter · Jul 2, 2007, 06:00 AM

The only option I can think of right now is to start all of it from scratch-not just your Mac but the AirPort Extreme as well. There is obviously something that isn't working properly, and one way to find it is to start over, noting carefully what happens at each step. Start with the Extreme and then move out from there to the TiBook-it's likely that if you can get it to connect then everything else will work too.

zro · Jul 2, 2007, 08:39 PM

Try using the "Other..." option from the AirPort menuextra. You should get a WEP option then.