Wireless networking/Airport Questions.....

[BiggeeC]

Hey everybody. Haven't been here in awhile, and thought I'd get some help from the pro's. Here goes:

Here's my setup:
G3 ibook w/ original Airport card

My PowerMac w/ a direct line to my Linksys wireless router.

1) Can I create a wireless network for both computers? I mean, can I send files back and forth, etc.?

2) My airport card is acting screwy lately (I posted about this awhile ago---but I got no answers then, and it's getting worse). It goes in and out. My roomate has a Dell with a wireless card in it, and has no problems with his connection. My card does not work regularly in other places (my parents house/ coffee shop). Is my Airport card just old? I've had it for almost three years now. Do I need to get a new one?

3) If I get a new one, does it have to be the old Airport card, or the Extreme one?

4) This one involves security, and I guess kinda ties into #1. What do I do to make this thing secure? Even if I can't do the network thing, how can I make my basic wireless network secure from people stealing my internet?

Thanks all. I appreciate it.

 

[Lacero]

1. Yeah. You can create a wireless network. You'll have to turn on personal file sharing and remote login on both machines and make sure AppleTalk is active.

2. Some airport cards don't work well in mixed B/G environments. If you decide to buy another wireless card, the iBook might be unable to take advantage of airport extreme cards.

4. For security, access the admin options of your linksys router, turn on disable SSID broadcast, and turn on encryption such as WEP.

 

[rdowns]

Have you opened up the iBook and looked at the Airport card? It may need to be re-seated or the antenna may have come loose.

 

[mad jew]

An old iBook will not be able to use the AirPort Extreme (anything before the G4s). It simply will not fit so if re-sitting it doesn't help and maybe deleting the PLIST files doesn't help either then you'd have to replace this with either an old (used) AirPort card (not Extreme) or a cheap USB alternative. I recommend the AirPort, less chance of it not working.

 

[BiggeeC]

Thanks for the help everybody. I got the network up and running...love it!! as for the airport card-- yes, it is plugged in right. First thing I checked. I honestly don't know what it is. Maybe it is just old? I'll wait till it craps out on me, I guess. Oh well. Thanks again.