So I’m not too sure what this could be, but the PowerBook can’t see the WiFi network at all. It’s a student flat with WiFi included so you have to sign into the WiFi. Is it possible they’ve turned off their b/g networks and that’s why it can’t see it. I’m on tiger right now, could upgrading to leopard change this?
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Moved into new flat, PowerBook can’t see wifi
- Thread starter PowerHarryG4
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Yeah it could be that too, I wonder if there’s a way I can see the info about the network
If it can't see it at all its like 5GHz only (and assuming it can still pick up 2.4GHz signals). It is possible to also disable b/g networking on some routers. My PSP for instance only supports b but it's not enabled on any devices around me. It can see the networks but not connect. It is possible to see information about the wifi networks around you. For example Wifi Analyzer on Android will let you see what channels and frequencies nearby WiFi APs are using and whether they are on 2.4GHz or 5GHz.
This happened to me with Windows 7 (but surprisingly not my iBook). I had to put it into legacy mode. Go to 192.168.1.1 on a WiFi connected device that worked and look around for something like that.
Yeah gave the Wifi Analyzer a go, it's entirely 5Ghz. Such a shame, I was really looking forward to having a ppc machine to use with while i'm at uni. I really don't understand why they would turn off the 2.4Ghz networks, even some new devices can only use 2.4Ghz. I guess i'll have to look at getting the ethernet port repaired in the wall.
One of the reasons for going to 5Ghz is interference. I know that at my old house if someone used the microwave we didn't have WiFi until it turned off. And it was always a pain trying to find a channel that wasn't being used (too much) by other networks in the neighborhood.
If your uni is controlling the WiFi then it's probably a conscious decision by IT. They probably figure that devices using 2.4Ghz are older and they don't want to deal with that.
Assuming this PowerBook is a 15- or 17-inch variety, not all may be lost, fortunately. There is a dual-band PC Card/PCMCIA solution which does work natively on PowerBook models running Leopard (and possibly earlier, though I haven’t tested those).
Provided you have one of those models, this 802.11n card is treated by OS X as a native AirPort card (in fact, in this setup your PowerBook will recognize two AirPort cards installed). Because it’s dual-band, it does work in the 5 GHz range, though I find real-world transfers range between 150–225Mbps at their best — slightly lower than the rated 300Mbps speed on the box. On a PowerBook, this will be an appreciable speed bump over the 54MBps of the OEM AirPort Extreme internal card.
If you’re running a 12-inch model, though, your only wireless path would be to find an 802.11n USB dongle rated to operate at 5GHz (avoid all 802.11ac USB dongles, as none of these drivers was written for PowerPC usability). Unfortunately, I’m unable to advise on where to pick a surefire 5GHz USB wifi solution in 2021 which works with PowerPCs. They are out there, but I’m not up to pace with what’s still being made.
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Yeah good point. I'm in a private flat but they're all still for students and we're right next to a bunch of cafes and restaurants so would make sense about the interference.
Yes it's the Powerbook DLSD/HR. Oh that's cool, i'll have a look at this. I'm on tiger right now, so if I get one i'll give it a test on that and see if it works and if not i'll upgrade to Leopard. Thanks.