connecting powerbook G4 to linksys router

Elizabeth · #1 10-20-2003, 11:42 AM

I am trying to connect my powerbook G4 to a linksys wireless router. I have completed the airport setup assistant, and the wireless icon on my desktop shows linksys with a checkmark next to it-- but it says that the signal is unavailable. When I try to connect to the internet it says "specified server could not be found." After speaking with tech support, I completed a power cycle, and was able to connect for two minutes. As soon as I went into another room however, I lost the connection and couldn't get it back. Please help! I'm so frustrated!

**Chris** · #2 10-20-2003, 02:24 PM

Is your signal level in the second room as strong as it is in the first room? It sounds like you're losing the connection when you walk into the second room. You can obtain your signal strength by choosing "Open Internet Connect..." in the AirPort menu (the same menu that you saw "linksys" in).

Elizabeth · #3 10-20-2003, 04:42 PM

The bar that shows signal strength is about three quarters full in the second room. That should be ample, right?

**Chris** · #4 10-20-2003, 04:46 PM

Yes... it should be enough. This happens every time you walk into the other room?

Elizabeth · #5 10-20-2003, 05:14 PM

After I walked in the other room the first time I could never get it working again. Even after repeating the power cycle and going through the airport setup assistant again. There is a PC on the same router and it has no trouble anywhere in the apartment.

**Chris** · #6 10-20-2003, 05:33 PM

I see... so you get the "Specified server could not be found" error in your browser, but your signal strength is okay. It sounds like your network settings are not properly configured. Check your Network preferences, and make sure you're getting your IP via DHCP.

Elizabeth · #7 10-20-2003, 07:42 PM

okay, its set to DHCP. But I'm not getting a valid IP address. That means that the router is not letting it have access, correct?

**Chris** · #8 10-20-2003, 08:34 PM

Correct - when set to DHCP mode, the router should supply the client with an appropriate IP address, subnet mask, router address, and DNS server. Although it is possible that your router's DHCP server is not turned on, it shouldn't be because it is turned on by default. Can you check the network preferences on the PC to see what its configuration is?

Elizabeth · #9 10-21-2003, 12:21 PM

Okay, so last night I went home and kept turning on and off the airport card, as well as switching between the connect to a specific network and the connect to the last available network. Everytime, it would think for a little while longer before telling me the specified server was not available. And then eventually it started working! So it worked all night anywhere in the house.

I shut it down last night, and tried to restart it this morning and it was not working! What is going on???? Is it possible that the airport card was installed wrong?

p.s. thank you so much for all of your help!

**Chris** · #10 10-21-2003, 02:14 PM

So your ability to connect is completely random... Your card could be installed incorrectly - it wouldn't be a bad idea to try re-installing it. If you have the older, white, AirPort card, make sure that the card is parallel to the pins, and that the antenna connector is pushed in all the way. Click here for Apple's instructions. If you have an AirPort Extreme card (it's about half the length of a credit card), the instructions can be located here (12" PowerBook G4) or here (15" PowerBook G4). There wasn't a guide for the 17" PowerBook, but the procedure is basically the same.

**Mongoose961** · #11 10-22-2003, 03:48 AM

I was reading your messages and the one thing that I remembered was something that I read in a macworld issue. Down by the battery bay is where the antenna wire runs down through there. Remove the battery and press lightly against the outer wall side of the bay. The antenna cable slips between the outer wall and the inner bay wall. See if that works. I think it was in the "50 bugs squashed" issue. I will check and see.
I hope this helps.
'goose

**Mikef** · #12 10-22-2003, 01:31 PM

Chipping in with 'I heard on the grapevine' I seem to recall comments that mobile phones on close channels can cause intermittent linking problems and shifting the channel of the router can clear the problem.