Mini can't connect to wireless

[porcupine8]

Arrgh! I moved a week ago, and just got around to setting up my desktop computer - a 2.53 GHz mini (bought Jan 2010). I discovered that my ethernet cable got left behind in the move, and it is refusing to connect to wireless!

My iPad 2 and Powerbook G4 are having no problems at all with the wireless, nor did my husband's MBA when he used it a few days ago. But when the mini tries to connect, it keeps giving a Connection Timeout - or, occasionally, an Invalid Password, even though I've triple-checked that the password is correct and the same one I'm using successfully on the laptop and iPad.

I'm using a Medialink wireless router with a Westell DSL modem provided by Cincinnati Bell. I've reset both the router and the modem, with no change in any computer's ability to connect.

I have run out of ideas! Any suggestions?

 

[philipma1957]

buy an ethernet cable. Other solution place the mini a few inches from the wireless. I say that to see if your mini's wireless works. I think there is an antenna that can plug into the mini's usb jack

link:


http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=214433097&listingid=74385344

 

[JohnRocks]

Slightly farther down the list below where you got the card type & supported phy modes values, you should find a section, titled: current network information. You should find one or more wireless networks listed. Yours should be under the current network information section.

 

[lvlarkkoenen]

buy an ethernet cable. Other solution place the mini a few inches from the wireless. I say that to see if your mini's wireless works. I think there is an antenna that can plug into the mini's usb jack

link:


http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=214433097&listingid=74385344

Ofcourse buying an enthernet cable or an external antenna may work, but they are by no means elegant solutions. If you have the hardware, it should work, regardless if you are using it or not.
I myself just moved into a new appartment, and there's only one ethernet connector in the living room. Router is in a different room, no drilling options. TV subscription requires me to use the ethernet connector to connect my decoder. My Mini (1,42GHz version) has no wireless card, so I have to plug the one cable I'm able to have in here in the appliance I want to use, and I can't use both at the same time. Now for me the optimal solution would be to just buy a new computer, but if I had that same mini as porcupine8 has, the optimal solution would be to get the wireless card working.

 

[philipma1957]

Ofcourse buying an enthernet cable or an external antenna may work, but they are by no means elegant solutions. If you have the hardware, it should work, regardless if you are using it or not.
I myself just moved into a new appartment, and there's only one ethernet connector in the living room. Router is in a different room, no drilling options. TV subscription requires me to use the ethernet connector to connect my decoder. My Mini (1,42GHz version) has no wireless card, so I have to plug the one cable I'm able to have in here in the appliance I want to use, and I can't use both at the same time. Now for me the optimal solution would be to just buy a new computer, but if I had that same mini as porcupine8 has, the optimal solution would be to get the wireless card working.

Buy a low cost switch cost is under 40 usd.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127325 this solves your problem of one ethernet jack

it also is much less cost then a new computer.

the op has a more complex problem. mac minis are not that good for wireless. the antenna's inside are small. there is a lot of aluminum in it and careful positioning is needed. the op also said it worked fine with a cable and asked for suggestions. not limited to form as you suggest. I have owned and or modded more then 100 Mac mini's. wireless is spotty at best. Some one mentioned his settings well that is free and it can work. I have trouble shot this problem for many mini users. here is a more complete list

settings work some of the time.
repositioning of the mini works some of the time.
a new cable and hard wire works 98% or better.
an outside antenna works most of the time.
opening the mini and checking to see that all antennas are attached can work.
the wireless card could be mis connected to the logic board and reattaching it to the logic board can work.
buying a new wireless card if it is dead can work (rare but has happened)



I can't use wireless in my home due to 5 military bases under 35 miles from my home. when that radar plane flies around my home you can just forget wireless! More then 20 flights a month.

 

[lvlarkkoenen]

Buy a low cost switch cost is under 40 usd.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127325 this solves your problem of one ethernet jack

it also is much less cost then a new computer.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm afraid it doesn't solve my problem. To elaborate: There's a shared meter room with my neighbour, we have a joint modem there. There's a wire coming from there to the jack in my room. That wire has to go either into the internet port of the modem or into the TV port of the modem. If I want to go from using internet to watching TV I have to switch the cable here as well as in that joint room. One could usually have the modem in one's own space, but we share it.

And before you suggest I get an external wireless, well, that's an option but I'm in the market for a new computer anyway. But I am a bit worried where you said that mini's aren't that good at wireless.. Does that apply to unibody mini's as well?