i cannot connect my Ibook G3 to the internet via Airport

[NZG73]

Hi
I bought a Ibook G3 recently and cannot connect to the internet via Airport. I can find my internet provider and it lets me input the password for it, but after that i keep getting the same message:
"An error occured while trying to join the selected airport network. -3151.
the password is correct, so I don't know why its not connecting.
I have checked the card and it looks ok.



the Ibook is a Mac OS 9.2

version Mac OSZ1-9.2.2



Please help! - i feel like im going crazy trying to get it to work

 

[Slydude]

I think we need to know exactly which G3 iBook you have. Some of the early "clamshell" ones had Airport cards which could only handle WEP encryption IIRC. When they tried to join networks with password security set for WPA/WPA2 everything got fouled up. I ran into this issue several times but don't remember the specific error number that got generated.

 

[NZG73]

I think we need to know exactly which G3 iBook you have. Some of the early "clamshell" ones had Airport cards which could only handle WEP encryption IIRC. When they tried to join networks with password security set for WPA/WPA2 everything got fouled up. I ran into this issue several times but don't remember the specific error number that got generated.

Hi, Thanks for replying. its not a clamshell Ibook - its a white one - I think from '01. If you tell me how to identify the Ibook, i could get the details for you..and maybe find a way to get the Internet connecting??

Edit: the Ibook is Model M6497..does that help?

 

[chscag]

It doesn't matter which model iBook you have, the fact is that if it can only do WEP as explained by Moderator Slydude. You can not use WEP with most modern routers including the Apple routers (Extreme and Express). If your iBook has an ethernet connection, try using that instead. I couldn't look up your model number but Mactracker shows iBook models from 2001 with an optional airport card and ethernet. The airport card is an 802.11B which only supports WEP as stated.

 

[Slydude]

Thanks Charlie. I was just checking that model series at everymac,com and I think you're right. Looks like they are all 802.11b which only does WEP encryption.

 

[NZG73]

It doesn't matter which model iBook you have, the fact is that if it can only do WEP as explained by Moderator Slydude. You can not use WEP with most modern routers including the Apple routers (Extreme and Express). If your iBook has an ethernet connection, try using that instead. I couldn't look up your model number but Mactracker shows iBook models from 2001 with an optional airport card and ethernet. The airport card is an 802.11B which only supports WEP as stated.

OK, if it helps, the model number is: M6497.
what is WEP? - is that that it can only connect to a router that doesnt have a password?
my airport card has some numbers on it: S/N 152JATLP6
AIRPORT ID: 003065152078
AND: 3892D451.
So unless the Ethernet cable works, i Wont be able to use the Internet at all?
do i just plug the ethernet cable in and try and see if it will work? (i noticed the net browser is IE5! - does that even work anymore?)

 

[NZG73]

Dammit. is there no way round this at all? would an Airport extreme card be of any use?

 

[harryb2448]

Really without being offensive, it is just too old to use on the 'net with so much malware, adware and ransomware about today. 802.11b with that machine apart from being a threat, will be oh so slow it will frustrate you. Consider it similar to using a sixteen year old computer with Windows 2000! Also be aware there are/were viruses in the wild for pre OS X Macs.

 

[Slydude]

WEP is a method of data encryption used in the early days of wireless networking. Newer routers no longer support WEP and your network card doesn't support newer security protocols like WPA or WPA2.

I'm not aware of any newer network cards that fit in that machine. There are some wireless network devices that connect to the computer by the USB port. I doubt any of these devices have drivers for OS 9.2.2.

 

[NZG73]

Yeah, i get what you mean..i had not long bought it and was said to be in "full working order" what about if i upgraded the OS? - i read that i can upgrade to OS X (Tiger) for this make of ibook?

 

[NZG73]

Yeah i was thinking of upgrading to OS to X ( i read that Tiger is compatible with my Ibook). that may be the only way forward to get a net connection :/

 

[pigoo3]

Dammit. is there no way round this at all? would an Airport extreme card be of any use?

Nope. They are different form factors.

Besides the connection compatibility issues mentioned above. One thing that would need to be done before ANYTHING is attempted…is to verify that the Airport card is working. Airport cards do go bad…and this Airport card could as much as 15 years old.

As far as how to test the card. This is where it gets difficult if you don't have any computer resources to do this with. You would either need to purchase a 2nd working card…and then test it. Or have a 2nd (old computer) to test this Airport card in.

Yes. It should work using an ethernet cable.

FYI. A 2001 Apple computer is not going to be much fun on the internet. Slow…slow…slow…slow…slow! Especially in combination with a VERY slow 4200rpm HD.

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

If you can get Mac OS 10.4.11 installed on that iBook which it should be able to run, check http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/index-ibook.html
then a more modern USB Wi-Fi adapter should work, but even for an old advocate of using old hardware where possible, it's really pushing things.

Most of these should work:
http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Se..._Popularity|1&Ne=5000&N=6534&Ntt=wireless+usb

Ethernet connections should work as well as possibly using an old wireless modem setup in bridge mode for the old iBook WEP compatibility. Not sure if the later Airport cards would even fit or work.

 

[chscag]

Ethernet connections should work as well as possibly using an old wireless modem setup in bridge mode for the old iBook WEP compatibility. Not sure if the later Airport cards would even fit or work.

I had an old Toshiba Satellite notebook (2003 model) with a 802.11B card in it. I wound up popping a MS card in it to get on the net (using XP and IE). Slow slug. Didn't really matter because I gave the machine away to Goodwill.

 

[NZG73]

Nope. They are different form factors.

Besides the connection compatibility issues mentioned above. One thing that would need to be done before ANYTHING is attempted…is to verify that the Airport card is working. Airport cards do go bad…and this Airport card could as much as 15 years old.

As far as how to test the card. This is where it gets difficult if you don't have any computer resources to do this with. You would either need to purchase a 2nd working card…and then test it. Or have a 2nd (old computer) to test this Airport card in.

Yes. It should work using an ethernet cable.

FYI. A 2001 Apple computer is not going to be much fun on the internet. Slow…slow…slow…slow…slow! Especially in combination with a VERY slow 4200rpm HD.

- Nick

Yeah, thats why i was wondering up upgrading to X (tiger) would improve things?

 

[NZG73]

yeah, im thinking the only way i can get it to work is by upgrading to X. can only give it a try.
thanks for the links..ill be looking into them!

 

[NZG73]

good man! i always wanted an apple laptop of some sort, and got this one because it was being sold off cheaply..gah!

 

[chscag]

good man! i always wanted an apple laptop of some sort, and got this one because it was being sold off cheaply..gah!

Nothing wrong with owning an iBook as long as you are aware of its capabilities in this more modern day of computing and getting on the internet. The Apple iBook was a great notebook computer prior to the changeover to Intel processors and the MacBook/MacBook Pro series.

 

[pigoo3]

Yeah, thats why i was wondering up upgrading to X (tiger) would improve things?

I'm not sure if my previous post was confusing…but it seems like my main point was missed. Need to verify that the Airport card is working before anything else.

As far as upgrading to Tiger. Overall it will slow down the computer. But give it a try…see what happens.

- Nick

 

[NZG73]

I'm not sure if my previous post was confusing…but it seems like my main point was missed. Need to verify that the Airport card is working before anything else.

As far as upgrading to Tiger. Overall it will slow down the computer. But give it a try…see what happens.

- Nick

Hi Nick, yes i was looking at Airport cards on Ecards..there are a few that sell for a few bucks, so i'll buy one of those and see if it makes a difference.