I've recently purchased an Apple Airport Extreme which is connected by Ethernet to my Intel iMac and wirelessly to another Mac and HP wireless printer in my house. The tenants who live in the apartment downstairs need to get on the network too, but the network name won't even show up on their list of local networks. They both use laptop PCs. Can anyone suggest what the problem might be? I've had flawless wireless connection to my remote devices with no set-up problems, so I just don't know where to start with this.
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If they have PCs get them to put NetStumbler on the Windows PC - http://www.netstumbler.com
This will show ALL wireless networks in range and all their details.
Is there a chance that they simply are too far away to get a signal ??
If the network shows up for them with Netstumbler, will they then be able to get on it?
No, they're very close to the Airport. Previously I had a D-Link and they had no problems accessing the network. We were wondering whether it's a Mac / PC compatibility issue but that seems unlikely given the Airport is sold for both platforms.
Q1> Yes, should do. If NetStumbler detects it .. it means there is a signal to connect to.
Q2> Airport Extreme is completely cross platform for connecting OSX and Windows clients. At the very least they should see the network. Connection problems are often related to encryption technologies but you aren't even getting that far.
Any chance you could take the Mac you have working wirelessly into their apartment briefly to test connection?
What security do you have on the network
WEP should be fine ... even if there was a conenction error .. they should still SEE the network on their computers.. there is no way to completely HIDE a wireless network .. only make it secure.
A small note .. wireless signals typically propagate very well UPWARDS but not very well downwards. Any chance of relocating the base station to improve the signal?
G'day,
Wasn't the problem not been able to see the wireless networks?
If you can't see it and you haven't hidden it, then the problem is either reception or incompatibility.
I suggest you put the computers as close as possible to the Base Station and check it.
Do you have any cordless phones or anything else wireless that runs on the 2.4 GHz frequency?
Make sure you haven't got the AirPort to only talk 802.11b or g and the workstations on the opposite.
There's also 802.11a which is not compatible.
Mind you I just remembered most PC laptops have a little wireless physical switch that needs to be turned on before attempting to access any wireless networks, maybe it's that.
Hope it helps,
Cheers,
Arthur
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by: Arthur_MinoPosted on 2007-08-07 at 06:19:52ID: 19645424
G'day,
The only thing that comes to mind might be the speeds, check that 802.11b or 802.11g make sure the client computers work with that speed.
Let me know how you go,
Cheers,
Arthur