PB Q? >> the oddest thing

Ohenri · Mar 2nd, 2004, 04:58 AM

Was working with a new 12" PB and the following is sorta inexplicable:

1. cannot seem to connect to router @ home. running an Xtreme card and a NetGear router. Took it to work to see what would happen out there and I was able to get on (same router, though v1 while I have v2 @ home). Any ideas?? They're both B rated. But then something else happened...

2. moments after getting on my network @ work, my lap froze. was forced to do a reset via power button, and the unit froze during the boot with apple logo in sight.. Reset, but then it would no longer boot. Would not see the apple logo appear. Tried a AHT via disk, and that was not working either.

Oh well... pulled out my invoice and was ready to take it service outlet. A day later, I try again and presto! up an running.

I will still take it in soon, but I would love to have some expert ops... Any insight on what may have gone wrong??

And why am I still unable to get on home network!

h!

elmer · Mar 2nd, 2004, 09:58 AM

Suggestions:
- check that your Airport Extreme card is installed correctly. People experience all kinds of instability if it is not snugly inserted.
- Try playing with the settings of your router using the web admin interface (see the manual). For example, try forcing it to accept only 802.11b connections instead of both b and g.
- Go download MacStumbler from VersionTracker - this can help determine if your wireless connection (the physical layer) is working.
- Put a want ad up on the Mac Trading Post to hire a consultant to come to your house
- the v1 vs. v2 thing makes me wonder if your Mac's Airport software is up to date?
- updates for the router's firmware may be available on Netgear's website.

These are just shots in the dark. Good luck.

kps · Mar 2nd, 2004, 10:16 AM

Re: your home network, a couple of simple suggestions...

Check your network settings...yeah again, sometimes we do miss the obvious... and/or create a new connection from scratch...call it whatever and try that, especially if it's set to "Automatic". Sometimes that works. Pay close attention to the SSID name.

Sometimes preferences and connection setups get hosed. Try this: create a new user (if one already doesn't exist), login as the new user and create a new connection in the network prefs to see if this "new" user can connect. If it can, then your main user preferences need to be trashed and redone.

However, the freezing may be a bigger issue, it's one thing not being able to connect....but it should not hose the system.

Ohenri · Mar 2nd, 2004, 10:40 AM

Thanks.

- I'll check the AE install. Would only assume that I would not get a reading @ all had it not been on yet. But will do.

- Playing with the Admin to force a b setting instead of both? My router is b only anyhow, so I'm not sure that this might apply.

- MacStumbler to check the physical layer?? Expound. But I do know that I can hook the PB physically via ethernet. That worked fine.

- consultant? not just yet. That's why I figured we have this community for advice and recs, no??

- The v1 and v2 thing is in reference to the NetGear router. They have the same router in 2 diff form factors. The v2 is a little smaller. That's all I can gather really.

- Might look into that firmware upgrade - can it be done via a Mac?? I recalled reading otherwise. Any verity to that??

H!

Lawrence · Mar 2nd, 2004, 11:38 AM

I've been through this type of thing many times over,
Sometimes it could just be a simple name difference in the
pref's that you have unknowlingly made or a check that you
didn't check off when you log into the browser access of the
router, Could even just be a MAC address that is wrong.

If in doubt about the setup...Do it all over again.
Just reset the router with a paper clip and redo all the pref's.

Dave

snowin · Mar 2nd, 2004, 01:15 PM

Something to consider:
As per the freezing issue. Have you installed additional RAM in your PB. When i got my new iBook, the first stick I bought and installed would cause the machine to freeze on boot-up (can't remember what brand it was unfortunately, whatever generic brand London Drugs sells). Bought a fresh stick of AzenRAM (I think) from futureshop and she runs like a charm.

elmer · Mar 2nd, 2004, 01:47 PM

	Quote:
	- MacStumbler to check the physical layer?? Expound. But I do know that I can hook the PB physically via ethernet. That worked fine.

MacStumbler will tell you what wireless networks are detected - it's like having a second opinion. When I say physical layer, wireless connections are included - I am referring to the layer that is independent of TCP/IP settings etcetera.

	Quote:
	- Might look into that firmware upgrade - can it be done via a Mac?? I recalled reading otherwise. Any verity to that??

I think I had to use a PC to do it. Not sure.

I used to have conflicts with my 2.4 GHz cordless phone. Changing the channel resolved it.

Ohenri · Mar 2nd, 2004, 06:02 PM

Thanks muchachos.

re: Ram, checked that out. I took out the xtra stick and nothing changed. So that was ruled out. I believe that the firmware is the latest (will verify though). I just find it odd that I get it to work on the older router, but not the new one.

re: a reset, Will try the hard reset - did a soft one and nothing changed.

Re: the user, the lap had Panther, and I could not connect. since I did not have the original disk, I went back down to Jag.8 - and still no connection. Assumptions are that this may not be user prefs related. Will give your suggestion a shot though - thanks.

Will keep shooting in dark.

H!

Chealion · Mar 3rd, 2004, 11:57 PM

Are there any other computers connected to the router?

Try disconnecting all the other computers, and reset the router. I know I had problems with Airport Extreme cards and my NetGear router in Calgary. Turns out it was a Dell machine having IPX enabled that was hosing the network.