Hello, My poor little Power Mac G4 MDD seems like it is on its last leg. Currently the Airport seems to be having issues connecting to networks. It seems like it is detecting them fine and will not connect to WPA networks, regardless of the method used to attempt to make the connection. This started happening after one of the ram sticks went bad and the PRAM battery is also dead. I'm concerned it may be a bigger issue, but I still want to see if anyone has any ideas that could make the airport accept connections. Any ideas?
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Power Mac G4 Airport card is messing up.
- Thread starter NaiGuy
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I think you should first replace the PRAM battery since the PRAM is fairly important. I've had quite a few iBooks and many of them had issues with the PRAM and the inability to remain connected to networks,. After that I simply connected them via ethernet and dealt with the problems that posed.
Which OS are you running?
Which OS are you running?
You are going to need to replace the PRAM battery as the Mac will have issues "remembering" network information with a dead battery. Furthermore, ensure you have the latest updates. What operating system are you using? Tiger only supported WPA-TKIP unless you downloaded all of the updates including 10.4.11 and had an AirPort Extreme card in your Mac.
Even if it isn't the problem, it would still be a good idea to replace the PRAM battery. The original battery in there now is what..12 years old? And I think a PRAM battery is fairly inexpensive.
A lot of those batteries sit on shelves in RadioShacks, Fry's, Best Buys, and warehouses for months or years without being used. As a result, the lifespan is severely diminished and furthermore those batteries are only designed for about 5 years of life.
Depending on where you live.
OWC wants $3.99 for the battery and from $29.99 to $36.00 to ship it to me.
Fat chance I'd say.
As for the connection issue, check your system date and time. Most networks won't allow connections from devices with wrong date/time (personal experience). 
Airport will see and report networks even if it can't connect to them. Was your Mac previously connected to the same network you're now trying? Is your card Airport or Airport Extreme? If the older Airport, check that your network is operating mixed mode - not G only.
I always fix the time when I boot it up. Most of the OS won't even function unless the date and time is at least reasonable.As for the connection issue, check your system date and time. Most networks won't allow connections from devices with wrong date/time (personal experience).
I think I will have to invest in a new PRAM. Which is still at the very least about $10 after shipping. I'm just trying to consider all options before I invest. Thanks for all the info everyone.
RadioShack used to stock the batteries, but I am not sure they still do after the deal with Sprint.