Wii Internet set-up confusion. [Archive]

MacTT

Nov 11, 2006, 11:06 AM

Hey everyone. I need some help!

Ok now. I am going to get a Wii soon and I want to have internet access ready for when I get it. Problem is, I have no idea how wireless internet connection works. What do I need to get?

I have an Intel iMac which I got around Spring last year.
And this is how the Wii's internet connection works:
"The Wii console will be able to connect to the Internet through its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and through a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor, with both methods allowing players to access the established Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Nintendo has stated that the console will implement standard Wi-Fi protocols. Wireless encryption by WEP, WPA and WPA2 appear to be supported."

Do I have to buy something? What is it? Please explain this to a noob. I have no ideaa. Thanks a lot, I can always count on everyone here. :D

Chone

Nov 11, 2006, 11:39 AM

How does your iMac connect to the net? You might need to buy a Router... preferably a wireless one...

MattyMac

Nov 11, 2006, 11:40 AM

You most likely just need a wireless connection. If you already have cable or dsl, all you really need is a wireless router. For setting up your wireless router, your cable cable (assuming you are using cable) goes into your modem (which I assume you have) and your internet cable will now go from you modem to your wireless router instead of from your modem directly to your computer. Your imac and wii will be able to pick up the wireless signal. I recommend the Apple Airport Express for a router, a bit expensive, but very compact and easy to use with wireless itunes and printing options.

Am I missing something...anyone else??
Hey everyone. I need some help!

Ok now. I am going to get a Wii soon and I want to have internet access ready for when I get it. Problem is, I have no idea how wireless internet connection works. What do I need to get?

I have an Intel iMac which I got around Spring last year.
And this is how the Wii's internet connection works:

Do I have to buy something? What is it? Please explain this to a noob. I have no ideaa. Thanks a lot, I can always count on everyone here. :D

tdhurst

Nov 11, 2006, 11:45 AM

So...what the Wii says regarding internet access is that it connects to the 'net like nearly EVERY OTHER computer in existence.

Either buy a wireless router or plug in an ethernet cable. Done.

MacTT

Nov 11, 2006, 12:08 PM

I don't think I will be able to connect an ethernet cable from my modem to the Wii because my modem is in one room and the Wii will be in the living room.

So I guess that leaves me with a wireless router. Awesome. BTW, I am using cable. :)
Any reccomendations for some wireless routers? There is Airport Express.. and.

Malus

Nov 11, 2006, 12:20 PM

I use a linksys router...had it for about 3 years now and it works great wirelessly.

live4ever

Nov 11, 2006, 12:22 PM

Share the internet connection through the iMac wirelessly - if you don't want to buy a wireless router.

Motley

Nov 11, 2006, 12:47 PM

Share the internet connection through the iMac wirelessly - if you don't want to buy a wireless router.

What he said. Your internet connects to your comp, your comp has wireless capability built in, just use that. No need to buy anything extra.

MacTT

Nov 11, 2006, 01:01 PM

What he said. Your internet connects to your comp, your comp has wireless capability built in, just use that. No need to buy anything extra.

Oh wow, thats possible? I can connect the Wii to my iMac wirelessly and use the internet on the Wii? Interesting. Are there any drawbacks to doing though?

bobber205

Nov 11, 2006, 01:43 PM

Your computer has to be on. That's about it. I think the speed should be the same if not very similar.:D

gloss

Nov 11, 2006, 01:47 PM

What he said. Your internet connects to your comp, your comp has wireless capability built in, just use that. No need to buy anything extra.

Can you do that?

bobber205

Nov 11, 2006, 01:51 PM

Yes. Yes you can.

MacTT

Nov 11, 2006, 02:07 PM

!! Wow. Is the connection slower though? Can I use the internet on my computer and the Wii at the same time?

That's great! It's ok if the computer stays on. :)

Counterfit

Nov 11, 2006, 02:08 PM

I don't think I will be able to connect an ethernet cable from my modem to the Wii because my modem is in one room and the Wii will be in the living room.
Well, that doesn't matter anyway, unless you get the USB Ethernet adapter.

mkaake

Nov 11, 2006, 02:22 PM

The only downsides are that your mac needs to be on and awake (no sleeping!) to keep the wireless connection active.

Otherwise, there's no downside, and you can set up your wireless with whatever level of encryption/protection you see fit.

MacTT

Nov 11, 2006, 02:58 PM

Oh ok. so here is a question.

Can I get one of these Trednet USB Wireless Adapter (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10068673&catid=21120), connect it to the Wii and use the internet, without my computer being on?

Or do I need to get one of these wireless routers

D-Link Wireless G Router (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10076871&catid=21119), so that I can use the internet on the Wii without my computer being on?

Gracias. :)

GFLPraxis

Nov 11, 2006, 03:52 PM

MacTT

Nov 11, 2006, 04:55 PM

Ok so I like the idea of getting a router.

Is this a good choice? D-Link DI-524 AirPlus G 2.4GHz Wireless Router (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10045827&catid=19994)

or this one (seems to have a higher speed) DI-624 High-Speed 2.4GHz (802.11g) Wireless 108Mbps1 Router (http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=6) But I don't know if its MAC compatible..

Aperture

Nov 11, 2006, 10:57 PM

I would stay clear of DLink.

Go for an Express or Linksys, DLink tend to break easily.

Just MHO.

Kevin

runplaysleeprun

Nov 11, 2006, 11:22 PM

MAC

ay.

Honestly, if you currently have your iMac plugged straight into your cable modem, and your iMac has an airport card installed, all you need to do is go into system preferences, then to sharing, then to internet, and set it as sharing from your ethernet port to airport. the wii will find your wireless connection, connect to it, and your all set. no need to buy anything.

jlewis2k1

Nov 11, 2006, 11:30 PM

so basically you just need:

- Wireless base station/router
-- Example: Apple Airport Express, Netgear Wireless Router, Linksys Wireless Router.

You will not need a Wireless Adapter only because the Nintendo Wii has it built into the system.

You want to look for something that has 802.11 G built in to the router/base station. You can get a good one from Target for about $49.99 i believe. It is a linksys router. Also, they do have the D-Link wireless routers but I noticed they do not sell as well as Linksys. If you are confused on what would be a good purchase I would suggest on talking to an associate for an electronics department. They will have usefull information in deciding on what you should get.

MacTT

Nov 12, 2006, 09:15 AM

ok! I am learning a lot. Thanks guys.

So are all routers compatible with macs? Cause when I check online, some claim to be compatible with windows but make no mention of macs.

runplaysleeprun

Nov 12, 2006, 10:12 AM

ok! I am learning a lot. Thanks guys.

So are all routers compatible with macs? Cause when I check online, some claim to be compatible with windows but make no mention of macs.

just about. most will use some sort of web-based setup, so it should be fine accessing that on a mac. run a quick google of the name of the router and "apple" or "macintosh". searching with "mac" won't generate any decent results, because the use of a MAC (completely different than the mac computer) address is used with the set-up of some routers.

Eraserhead

Nov 12, 2006, 10:24 AM

ok! I am learning a lot. Thanks guys.

So are all routers compatible with macs? Cause when I check online, some claim to be compatible with windows but make no mention of macs.

Pretty much all routers are compatible with a Mac, I found that Netgear routers have particularly easy setup, you should secure it with WPA security as that is easier to use for the Mac, (and Windows XP), and the Wii supports it. EDIT: It is also a lot more secure than WEP.

jlewis2k1

Nov 12, 2006, 11:08 AM

i find that silly that they nake no mention of it just because routers are mutual devices so it can work with windows, macs, linux or whatever you got. so yes it will work. like eraserhead said that netgear works better for the macs. plus they have routers that are all white that can mix well with your mac setup :-).

gloss

Nov 12, 2006, 11:33 AM

Yes. Yes you can.

I believe you. Didn't know that, though. :D

MacTT

Nov 12, 2006, 02:52 PM

Hey! I found a nice one from netgear!

Netgear WGR614 802.11g Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router, 54mbps
http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/22001008/Images/2/WGR614NAR__1.jpg

Is 54mbps slow? Will it lag my games if I am playing online? Or is that just standard?

jlewis2k1

Nov 12, 2006, 02:59 PM

i have this same one. i havent had any problems with this one at all. 54 MBps is not slow.

Motley

Nov 12, 2006, 03:00 PM

Is 54mbps slow? Will it lag my games if I am playing online? Or is that just standard?

Yes, that is standard and the fastest the Wii has built into it. I'm still waiting to hear what iTV will use before buying a wireless router. Though if I get a Wii I might have to buy a wireless router sooner.

Tone7171

Nov 19, 2006, 07:52 PM

What he said. Your internet connects to your comp, your comp has wireless capability built in, just use that. No need to buy anything extra.

:confused:

Can someone please tell me how to set this up? I've tried for an hour now and cant seem to get anything to work. I've done it before using my DS, but I forgot how. Is it the same for the Wii? How would I go about doing it?

bobber205

Nov 19, 2006, 08:11 PM

:confused:

Can someone please tell me how to set this up? I've tried for an hour now and cant seem to get anything to work. I've done it before using my DS, but I forgot how. Is it the same for the Wii? How would I go about doing it?
Go to prefs and into sharing.

Scelza

Nov 19, 2006, 08:16 PM

Okay, so I have my macbook wired to the cable modem.
I have made my built-in Airport share the internet connection.
The wii found the SSID 'Scelza'.
But, now I can't get online.
I get the 52030 error, not that you guys are from Nintendo and know that code, I just figure it's best people start putting the error codes down so that its easier to help with the problems people are having.
Any help would be great!
Thanks:)

Tone7171

Nov 19, 2006, 08:18 PM

Go to prefs and into sharing.

Yeah, I get that far, and I enable internet sharing via my airport thats built into the comp. I then search for it on the Wii and find it, but whenever its tests the connection I get an error message...

Scelza

Nov 19, 2006, 08:39 PM

Yea, I've messed around with both the Wii's and Airport's IPs and I can't figure it out...
I = sad..

bobber205

Nov 19, 2006, 10:40 PM

Yea, I've messed around with both the Wii's and Airport's IPs and I can't figure it out...
I = sad..

The WEP/password protected bit doesn't seem to be workin on the Wii. Can you turn it off?

Scelza

Nov 19, 2006, 11:02 PM

Aha!!
Alright...this is from another post on a diff. thread about a DS running off of a Shared Internet Connection from ethernet to the built-in Airport card in most up to date macs!!
Just replace everything he says about the "DS" with "Wii"

Yep, it's a little tricky, but here's the instructions on how to do it:

Click on System Preferences -> Sharing -> Internet

- On "Share your connections from" click from the list and choose "Built in Ethernet"

- On "to computers using" click on "Airport"

- Click on "Airport settings": call your network whatever you will and leave everything else blank
(note: I would like to use WEP encryption, but I have not been able to find a way to get the actual WEP key. If anyone knows how to find this, please let me know and I will test it). Click ok and start internet sharing.

Turn off your firewall or leave ports 28910, 29900, 29901, 29920, 80, 443 open

Turn on your DS with a wifi compatible game. Click on "configure wifi" and enter the following information:

IP: 10.0.2.11
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway/Default Router: 10.0.2.1
Primary DNS: 10.0.2.1
Seconday: 10.0.2.11

Now click on test connection and it should work!

Saves you on buying a router if you alreay have a iBook or Macbook or other computer with a built-in airport card:D :D :D

Scelza

Nov 20, 2006, 12:13 AM

[

bopper 205...
I tried to send you a message, but your number is too short :\
here's mine...time to start the mingling of Wii people before the games are even here to play with!
2687-8913-7847-4534
Anyone else is welcome to add me!
Scelza

iMac-G5-Ranger

Nov 20, 2006, 04:06 PM

I picked up the Wii for my grandsons Christmas present to play on while he is visiting. The more I THINK I understand about the possibilites of the Wii and the iMAC (20 inch G5 with duo 2 and built in wi-fi) the more I grin.

It does seem like Nintendo has left all the doors open and its up to us users to figure out the limits.

Right now it appears I should be able to go into the bootcamp partitian so I can turn on my Battlefield 2 (Yes, it plays better on the iMAC than my friends who play it on a PC) and send it on the plasma by Wi-Fi through the Wii !!

Now I need to read and find out if the Wii supports an external hard drive.

This really looks like its going to be fun just on the technical side.

BTW. The grandson has a DS and I understand there is some connectivity between the Wii and the DS using a Pokieman game. Good lord. What fun!