Issues in connecting wirelessly with Mac Powerbook and Linksys Router

OK. Here's the deal. I am entirely frustrated and also over my head
trying to solve this on my own as I have no idea what I'm doing.

I have a Mac Powerbook, OS X (3.9). I have always connected to the
internet wirelessly through my Linksys router (Wireless B Access Point,
Model Wap 11).

I have recently moved and now use Comcast for my internet. When they
installed my internet, I had not yet unpacked my wireless router, so I
was set up to be connected via the actual cable plugged in. Now that the
router is all set up, I cannot for the life of me get my wireless to
work. Currently, I can use the internet wirelessly in other homes/school
no problem. In those cases, I don't do anything, I just turn on my
computer and it connects automatically. But for some reason in my
apartment I cannot make it work.

I *think* the problem lies somewhere in the IP address area? If I look
at my Airport settings and go to the TCP/IP tab, there is no information
contained on the screen. Meaning, in the area where it says IP Address,
Subnet Mask and Router, there is NO data listed, just gray empty space.
The same goes for the DNS Servers and Search Domains areas, but at least
in that case there is a white box to input text.

I can choose the "Configure IPv4 Using DHCP Manually" and that will let
me input numbers, but I have no idea if I should even be playing around
with this.

Also, perplexing me even more, is the fact that I can choose my Linksys
internet connection through the Airport screen, and when I have selected
it, I show full bars. But I can't actually connect.

Silly me, I attempted to call Comcast for help with the issue, but they
say that as long as I can connect to the internet in any way (plugged
in) then they do not care that I can't connect wirelessly.

I miss checking my email in bed...someone please help!!!

Thanks a million in advance for any and all help.

-kt


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kansonch <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>OK. Here's the deal. I am entirely frustrated and also over my head
>trying to solve this on my own as I have no idea what I'm doing.

Great. We're starting at zero. Punch reset and clear brain.
>
>I have a Mac Powerbook, OS X (3.9). I have always connected to the
>internet wirelessly through my Linksys router (Wireless B Access Point,
>Model Wap 11).

The WAP11 is an "access point", not a router. They're quite
different. Note that using an access point for wireless is really
only appropriate if you have a "cable router". If you have a "cable
modem", I suggest you go shopping for something better. The WAP11 is
802.11b only, with limited security, lousy speed, and old.

>I have recently moved and now use Comcast for my internet.

So, you now have a Comcast modem. Any particular model number?

>When they
>installed my internet, I had not yet unpacked my wireless router, so I
>was set up to be connected via the actual cable plugged in.

Good. Does that part work (when you plug your PowerBook directly into
the cable modem?

>Now that the
>router is all set up, I cannot for the life of me get my wireless to
>work.

Ummm... is the thing that Comcast left a "cable modem" or a "cable
router"? Big difference. If you're not sure, just supply the model
number.

>Currently, I can use the internet wirelessly in other homes/school
>no problem. In those cases, I don't do anything, I just turn on my
>computer and it connects automatically. But for some reason in my
>apartment I cannot make it work.

Ok, the PowerBook works.

>I *think* the problem lies somewhere in the IP address area? If I look
>at my Airport settings and go to the TCP/IP tab, there is no information
>contained on the screen. Meaning, in the area where it says IP Address,
>Subnet Mask and Router, there is NO data listed, just gray empty space.
>The same goes for the DNS Servers and Search Domains areas, but at least
>in that case there is a white box to input text.

Probably. There are some other places where you can do things wrong.
The most likely culprit is the CAT5 cable that goes between the cable
modem or router. When you plug it in, does a light come on at the
cable box *AND* the WAP11?

>I can choose the "Configure IPv4 Using DHCP Manually" and that will let
>me input numbers, but I have no idea if I should even be playing around
>with this.

Well, if you can find that, we can have some fun. Setup your MacBook
for:
IP address: 192.168.1.15 (the 15 is random)
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.15
DNS: don't care
Run a CAT5 cable from your PowerBook to the WAP11 ethernet jack. Make
sure the lights come on when you plug in the cable.

Now, point your web browser at:
http://192.168.1.251
I think (not sure) that this is the default IP address of the WAP11.
It really depends on the hardware version of the WAP11 (see serial
number tag) which you didn't supply. Sometimes it's 192.168.1.250 or
192.168.1.240. Try them all. You should get a login followed by a
configuration page. That's how you make any changes to the WAP11
settings.

>Also, perplexing me even more, is the fact that I can choose my Linksys
>internet connection through the Airport screen, and when I have selected
>it, I show full bars. But I can't actually connect.

That usually means that some settings have changed. If it says
"linksys" for the SSID, the WAP11 probably got reset somehow during
the move.

>Silly me, I attempted to call Comcast for help with the issue, but they
>say that as long as I can connect to the internet in any way (plugged
>in) then they do not care that I can't connect wirelessly.

Yep. They supply cable service, not wireless service.

>I miss checking my email in bed...someone please help!!!

Move the bed closer to the Comcast modem/router/whatever and run a
long CAT5 cable.

>Thanks a million in advance for any and all help.

Try to find the model number on the Comcast box.
I would go shopping for something better than a WAP11.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

kansonch <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> I have a Mac Powerbook, OS X (3.9). [ ... ] Linksys Wap11.
> I have recently moved and now use Comcast for my internet. When they
> installed my internet, I had not yet unpacked my wireless router, so I
> was set up to be connected via the actual cable plugged in.

The cable modem is configured to work with the MAC address in your laptop,
and won't recognize the MAC address of your Access Point.
You can connect just fine to the Access Point, but it isn't connected to
anything else.

Try turning off the cable modem and access point for five minutes. Turn on
the cable modem, wait for it to come up fully. Connect your access point.
That should work for Comcast connections. My cable ISP used to require a
phone call to the support center. Tell them that you want to connect a new
PC, and no longer connect the old one, and it isn't working for you.

That should cause them to register the MAC of the Access Point instead of
the laptop. Then you could work wirelessly, but not be able to connect the
laptop directly to the modem.

--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5