My laptop doesn't support WPA-PSK?

By Bawx
in Smart Home, Network & Security

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Grand Master

Bawx

Posted
Posted

I have a Powerbook G4 that was not connecting to the internet where I live. I brought it to a repair place, the dude installed Tiger for me and said it will most likely work after it's installed.

So I get back home, still won't connect. So, it MUST be that my laptop isn't compatible with the type of router security that we're using.

Apparently the admin guy is using WPA-PSK something (AES, TKIP?). And on the list I have it's not on there.

How can I use that type? Do I have to have the guy change it to WEP or WPA Personal?

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https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/867178-my-laptop-doesnt-support-wpa-psk/
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Grand Master

boogerjones

Posted
Posted
I bet he's using Tiger.
Yeah, I got that from his original post, but there are multiple versions (updates) of Tiger, some of which add AES support to WPA access, which seems particularly relevant to the OP's problem. WPA isn't implemented in hardware network clients, it's implemented in the software.
Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

How is that -- I thought macs just work ;)

hehehehe -- sorry just could not resist...

For starters you need to KNOW what the wireless is using, not just guess.. Is it AES or Not?

Really need to know what aircard is -- from my understanding the early ones did not support WPA, if not -- then no your not going to be able to connect without a different card.

You can put your serial number in here and get the full specs of your box I do believe.

http://support.apple.com/specs/#powerbook

Grand Master

TAZMINATOR

Posted
Posted

My brother's mac has Leopard with WPA-PSK and other options. It works for him.

It might be your router which may be very old that doesn't have WPA-PSK..

Most new routers have the lastest security features including WPA-PSK.

I had an old router that has basic features with WEP... It doesn't have the lastest features like the newest/lastest routers do. One of my old computer with wireless card which is very old. I wasn't able to connect to the wireless with WPA-PSK because the wireless card didn't have the WPA-PSK.

If you are not sure what type of wireless security, then I suggest that you reset your router and make sure you know what type and info you entered in router then you connect your computer to your secured wireless.

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Grand Master

Bawx

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I live in a hostel which has "access points" or routers, on each floor, multiple times. The old-man network guy doesn't want to go to each one and plug the laptop in and change the security so that it'll work with mine, since everyone else's works fine.

****ing stubborn old pricks. I'll go back to the place that thought they fix'd it and ask if they can hook me up with a new airport card since that seems to be the main problem. Why can't I just download the damn software.

Grand Master

PL_ Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
My brother's mac has Leopard with WPA-PSK and other options. It works for him.

Okay, but what model is it? Bawx most likely has a much older model than your brother's.

It might be your router which may be very old that doesn't have WPA-PSK..

Then he wouldn't have a problem connecting to the router.

Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

"The old-man network guy doesn't want to go to each one and plug the laptop in and change the security so that it'll work with mine"

And why in the world should he?? Your expectation of anyone doing something like that is just craziness!! Is it his fault your hardware is outdated? Why should he compromise his setup to allow your antiquated hardware to connect? When the vast majority of his users are able to.. You cater to the masses, not the single user.

WPA or WPA2 is the current standard -- if he set it to WEP it would not be secure at all.

As to why you can not just download software -- well wireless AES is done in hardware of the wireless card, if your wireless card can not do it.. Then your out of luck.

Grand Master

boogerjones

Posted
Posted

Bawx: you still haven't told us:

A) The dot-version of Tiger you're running

B) The model number of your computer

Both are important pieces of information. It's like you don't want us to help. It's my understanding that all Powerbook G4's, including the originals, support WPA-AES, but that some require a firmware update that is included with updates to OS X.

Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

Exactly need to know his specific version -- I am not sure if they do or not. From this post

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4939213

"If it is one of the earlier models that use the original AirPort card, you will be unable to connect to a WPA network, as the original AirPort card is incompatible with WPA."

I think there was some software updates that added WPA TKIP, but did it add AES -- I know of no 802.11b cards that support AES, some sure have seen updates and drivers that add tkip support. But if its an old 802.11b card I find it unlikely that it will have AES support.

The powerbook G4s are pretty freaking old hardware -- they came out in 2001 right? AES was not even an option then, I do believe it was in like 2004 when 802.11i became a standard. So without some details you could be looking at some really old hardware.

Grand Master

boogerjones

Posted
Posted

Yeah, it's a bit unclear now if those 2001 cards support it even after the firmware updates; maybe not. In this link to OS X update 10.4.2 release notes, which I posted above, it clearly states that it added AES support to the AirPort's WPA implementation. The 802.11 standards are pretty low-level and I imagine WPA is implemented on top of it. I'm itching to know this guy's model number.

Grand Master

+BudMan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

its not fix -- nor have you given us anything useful.. What are the details of your hardware?? How hard of a question is that? If you don't know just give us the serial number so we can look it up for you -- the powerbook g4 has been made since 2001 to I think real early 2006 --- huge range of hardware involved. The first ones came with 802.11b cards.

Is that your issue - or something else?? Having him lower the network security from WPA2 AES to WPA TKIP is not a fix, its a compromise to let someone with antiquated hardware lower the overall security of the network, vs having to update his hardware.

I would of told you to get bent ;)

Collaborator

osxdude

Posted
Posted

My wireless B card in my laptop (it's got an Intel-based card which doesn't really help) supports WPA very well, suprisingly. But, seriously, Apple or someone still sells newer Airport cards, and if I am remembering correctly, those old computer should have easily replaceable Airport cards (under the keyboard).

To buy a new Airport card or just get a USB thing would be a great solution. Or, if you have another computer, and if you are feeling really pushy (no I don't recommend this route), guess the password and change the security yourself.

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