Apple airport and win7

[tflan]

Win 7 "sees" the signal but doesn't connect. I've downloaded all the current updates for airport but Win 7 doesn't let me set up the system. Only "Other" is available but that doesn't work either. I've reset airport and tried every combo I can think of to get the router to work. No go. Any ideas?

 

[Guest]

Temporarily disable wireless security in the Airport (assuming that's the router) and see if you can connect then. If so experiment with different security protocols.

There are issues between older Apple stuff and regular networking equipment usually to do with wireless security.

 

[tflan]

As I said, Win 7 won't allow access. It "sees" the wireless signal but won't access it. I can't get into Airport Utility to set the numbers. The Utility box comes up but I can't type into it. Trying "other" and typing in various codes and pw's doesn't work either.

All current updates are loaded and the system is turned on. There's a strong signal and "networks are available" shows, but no can get into Utility. There must be a way.

 

[Guest]

You're not making it clear to me.

Have you tried to connect to the Airport by ethernet cable?

If you can, see what happens if you turn off wireless security.

 

[tflan]

O.K. Here's the full story:

I bought an Apple laptop (iBook G4) a couple years ago. Why? I wanted a laptop and I got a deal on it. I've been using PC's for a long time. Where I live, I can't get high-speed DSL, so I was on dial-up. I got the Airport to connect remotely to the 'net and to a printer. I have a two-story house. The laptop downstairs, printer and router upstairs. Everything worked fine - got online via dial-up and connected via USB cable to the printer. Now, I have broadband. So I bought a Win 7 laptop and loaded the Airport Extreme software (which runs on Win XP, SP2, according to the "required systems"). I downloaded the most current Airport software and installed it.

Now, on the Win 7 machine, in the pop-up network connection box at the bottom right of the desktop, I find "Home" with a strong signal - that's the Airport, I assume. That box shows, under "Wireless Network Connection" - "Home, Signal Strength Excellent, Security Type: Wep, Radio Type 802.11g, SSID; Home."

When I hit "Connect", it doesn't. I open the Airport Connection Manager, which shows the various boxes to fill in for connection to Airport. But, I can't type into them.

I tried most everything I can think of to get the airport working. I don't need it to get online because the broadband modem connects to the computer(s) mechanically. I just want to use the Airport the way I was using it to run the remote printer.

So, the computer "sees" the signal, but doesn't access it. There you have it. I have no high-speed ethernet connection, nor did I have one. When I canceled dial-up, Airport still ran the printer via the wireless signal from the laptop to the router. Now it doesn't. Clearly the problem is in the software access somewhere. I just can't figure out how to get into it.

Thanks for you help.

 

[Guest]

The issue is likely to be WEP in my experience. I have spent literally days with a friend who has Macs of different generations and PC-type routers. We could not get them both to connect with security enabled. With an old router one computer would connect -- with a newer router only the newer Mac would work.

I suspect the problems go the other way when trying to connect PC stuff to Apple router.

Again I would suggest turning off all wireless security -- if I understand you correctly the only risk is that someone will try to hack into your printer -- not going to happen.

 

[tflan]

The issue is likely to be WEP in my experience. I have spent literally days with a friend who has Macs of different generations and PC-type routers. We could not get them both to connect with security enabled. With an old router one computer would connect -- with a newer router only the newer Mac would work.

I suspect the problems go the other way when trying to connect PC stuff to Apple router.

Again I would suggest turning off all wireless security -- if I understand you correctly the only risk is that someone will try to hack into your printer -- not going to happen.

This may seem stupid, but where do I turn off all wireless security? I turned off Firewall but I don't find any other security. Win 7 really sucks compared to XP, with which I'm more familiar. Tell the truth, if I could I'd return it, but that's a different story.

Here's what I get in the "connect" box. "Type the network security key". I don't have a clue where to find that. Another problem is that the only "network" shown is the Win 7 built-in network system. Airport simply doesn't show up anywhere except in the Start menu, and then that's "Airport Utility" which opens but isn't accessible. Very frustrating. There should be two networks - Airport and the broadband, but there isn't.

When I originally set up the Airport on 2 other computers there were zero problems, none. Now, on this computer, no go. In truth it really isn't a huge problem since all I want to do is access the printer, but I have $$$ invested in the Airport and would like to use it. I've done every kind of search I can find on the machine. "Help" is helpless. Airport help simply refers to the utility which as I said, can't be accessed.

Catch 22.

 

[Guest]

I'm referring to the router's wireless security.

I don't know if Apple have managed to produce a router so unlike others that it doesn't have setup screens, but the product manual should offer a clue.

With every router I've used you hook up the computer to the router with an ethernet cable. This bypasses any wireless security. You type the router's IP address into your browser (something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 but see router manual). You should be greeted by a login box requiring a User name and Password -- which should be mentioned in the manual.

Once in go to wireless security section and turn off wireless security. Also check that filtering users by List (M.A.C. ID include/exclude) is disabled.

I'm sorry if this is all a bit techie. My real complaint about Apple is that in the quest for a seamless user experience they seem to have overlooked any notion of what happens when things don't work as expected.

 

[tflan]

Well, it does have setup screens, but Win 7 won't access them. They open on desktop but I can't type into them. I have all the codes and numbers but can't enter them.

This router doesn't use and hasn't used an ethernet cable. There are ethernet ports but the router was never connected to an ethernet. The connection I used for a year or so was a telephone dial-up cable connected to the phone jack, and a usb cable connected to a printer. Connections on the router are; power, phone jack, usb jack, ethernet jack(s). I'm off dial-up now and on broadband. The router still worked with the iBook/printer after canceling dial-up, but it doesn't work now with Win 7.

To be sure, when I hooked it up to the iBook all the screens popped up and connections were simple and straightforward. Connecting to this Win 7 computer, even though its set to XP SP2, as the router requires, doesn't work.

The manual that came with the router is, essentially worthless. As far as I can tell, everything on the router is set to "factory settings"; no security at all. The original settings are 10.0.1.1, and "Public" password. I set that in to the only place allowed in the setup screen - "Other network" and its rejected.

There's an Apple store about 26 miles north of where I live. Clerks there are called "Geniuses". I'm thinking of taking a drive there tomorrow to see if one of the Einsteins can figure this out.

Apple is a real pain. 🙁

TFlan

 

[Guest]

As I have said. Try connecting the computer to the router using an ethernet cable. It is not a good idea to try to set up a router via a wireless link.

Have a look at the Apple website and see if there's proper manual for the product -- if not I would tend to avoid Apple routers in future.

If you are still stuck, the Apple stores are pretty good, I believe -- but at their prices they should be. You'll get more from the geniuses if you have the issues clear in your own mind. Perhaps print out all the above and take it with you.

 

[tflan]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sorry to seem like a dolt but I've been running DOS stuff for a lot of years and this is the first time I've been stumped. Clearly there's an Apple/Windows conflict here. I'll give it a go with an ethernet cable this afternoon.

I'll let you know what happens with the geniuses tomorrow.

TFlan

 

[tflan]

Well, not much help from Apple. However, I did grab an ethernet cable and connect it to the Airport. That got the Airport running - or rather, it got it identified in the PC. However the printer connected via the USB port doesn't work at all. It did work when the router was connected to an Apple computer.

So, once again there's a continuing problem. The HP computer software is on the PC and the router as well. I doesn't connect, though.

What I'm thinking is I'll just dump one other printer I have, a HP All in One that's kind of old, and buy a wireless all in one and forget about the router. It's been interesting trying to get it working but so far it works only half-way.

It is a mystery. The router ran the printer a few weeks ago via an Apple L/T. It doesn't now ;-(

TFlan

 

[Guest]

I'd been looking forward to hearing that the geniuses lived up their name. I suspect they were floored by the combination of PC and Apple stuff.

When you need a router go for a Netgear, Linksys or D-Link -- though these are not without pitfalls for the newbie at least they speak the same language.

I'm not sure I'm too keen on either wireless printers or all-in-ones. Printers have enough potential screwups without adding wireless to the equation.

Much the same potential added annoyances with all-in-one solutions. And these days the construction quality of all stuff means that it's almost bound to break and then you're without a scanner and a printer.

I would aim to buy cheap, simple, separates (though, in fact, I have the luxury of a regular supply of heavy duty expensive old gear dumped by local businesses -- the joy of living in a capital city and a having a modicum of DIY skills)

 

[tflan]

I'd been looking forward to hearing that the geniuses lived up their name. I suspect they were floored by the combination of PC and Apple stuff.

When you need a router go for a Netgear, Linksys or D-Link -- though these are not without pitfalls for the newbie at least they speak the same language.

I'm not sure I'm too keen on either wireless printers or all-in-ones. Printers have enough potential screwups without adding wireless to the equation.

Much the same potential added annoyances with all-in-one solutions. And these days the construction quality of all stuff means that it's almost bound to break and then you're without a scanner and a printer.

I would aim to buy cheap, simple, separates (though, in fact, I have the luxury of a regular supply of heavy duty expensive old gear dumped by local businesses -- the joy of living in a capital city and a having a modicum of DIY skills)

Ha; Yes, big city indeed. I live in the boondocks, 240 miles north of Los Angeles, 230 miles south of San Francisco. The nearest "big city" to me is Fresno, 29 miles north, or Visalia, 24 miles south. Its interesting to go to stores like "Best Buy" and talk to the "Geek Squad" guys, or to the Apple-istas. I'm anything but a "newbie" to computers, been running DOS for many years. This particular problem I have with the wireless Apple router can't be solved, apparently. Oddly, it worked with the Apple laptop but not with the very same software (updated) installed on the PC.

It got to the point with the "geniuses" at Apple and the Geeks at Best Buy where I was telling them how to run systems. I think it was Albert Einstein who said "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly, expecting a different result", or words to that effect. That's pretty much what I got from in-person discussions with "experts".

As for "all in one" printers, I have one, an HP 1300(?) series that I've had for several years. It works just fine but the scanner is starting to sound as though it has developed arthritis - creaks, groans and moans. Another HP I have is the one that worked on the Apple. That one's relatively new. I kind of like the scanner function simply because its convenient to make a copy or two of documents/pictures. I guess if I can get one cheap enough I'll buy one, but there's no real hurry.

Wireless? In the grand scheme, I don't really need it for printing - it's just convenient. My laptop is downstairs, printer(s) upstairs. I do most of my computer stuff down here so its nice to be able to just send docs to the printer. I could, I suppose, bring the printer down here, but this is a family room, not an office. I guess this is more info than you need but what the hell, it's early in the a.m. and I've had two cups of tea ;-)

Thanks for you help. It's been a great exercise.

TFlan