Help! Getting a Mac wireless connection

Stingrayj · 28-03-2009, 16:59

I have been sent a wireless router from Virgin, with no instructions or disc. To cut a long story short they now tell me they have no support for Mac users (thanks!). A guy in India did try to help to no avail, he said they don't get any training...

I'm sure it's not that difficult, what steps do I have to take?

I am running 10.56 on a Imac, have a Virgin supplied Netgear WRG 614 router.

thanks!

BenMcr · 28-03-2009, 17:03

This work if the router has not already been set up

search for the Wireless network 'Virgin broadband' and enter the WPA 'preinstall'

Then the first time you go online through a browser it will ask you create your own Network name and WPA key. Once you have done this you will lose the wireless connection

You will then be able to find the network name you just created, enter the password you have just created and you should then be fully online

28-03-2009, 17:09

Careful now Ben, you'll upset Moldova

@Stingrayj, if Ben's suggestion doesn't work, then try connecting a ethernet cable from your MAC to the router. 192.168.1.1 in your address bar, then use the user name and password Ben gave you. You can then set your SSID & password in the wireless options to the left hand side of your screen.

Stingrayj · 28-03-2009, 17:44

thanks for the tips but still no wi-fi. I did as you said, and Mac saw the wireless connection in airport, green light. Got to set up screen on browser, e safari crashed / connection dropped as you said, then went to Network and my new wireless name not there. nada.

A few quick basic Q, I have never set up this before!

1 my old cable modem sd be on or off ?
2 sd there be any cable connection between modem and router?

any more tips to start from scratch?

28-03-2009, 18:00

Modem should be on.
No cable between MAC and router once you have set up the SSID and pass using the cable setup option in this tread.

Question: what is this sd you mention?

Stingrayj · 28-03-2009, 19:11

I have tried both first and cable methods, switched router/modem on/off several times but still no connection. I get this message in Network now:

Ethernet has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect.

but when I type in IP get nothing at all

?

---------- Post added at 19:11 ---------- Previous post was at 18:28 ----------

Thanks but still no joy. Things went OK till

"find the network name you just created, enter the password you have just created and you should then be fully online"

a step by step guide wd be useful for this forum there are hundreds out there with same issue. According to other forums there are issues using Safari to get connection once password registered. Maybe this is it?

I've spent 4-5 hours on this now and thank you all so much for you help but I need a LARGE glass of wine and to forget about Virgin mf**krs for a day at least.

will have another bash tomorrow...

BenMcr · 28-03-2009, 19:15

Maybe it is a problem with your computer rather than the router?

Stingrayj · 28-03-2009, 19:30

thanks but never had a prob with it, beaut 24" imac. Judging by the number of others out there with same kind of issues it seems like a simple but infuriating set up issue that Virgin cd but won't address. I have now half set-up the thing, it recognised my wireless name at one stage but wd not connect.

BenMcr · 28-03-2009, 20:54

Apart from a custom 'name your network' page - the rest of the firmware is standard Netgear stuff

Peter_ · 28-03-2009, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

This work if the router has not already been set up

search for the Wireless network 'Virgin broadband' and enter the WPA 'preinstall'

Then the first time you go online through a browser it will ask you create your own Network name and WPA key. Once you have done this you will lose the wireless connection

You will then be able to find the network name you just created, enter the password you have just created and you should then be fully online

Do the pinhole reset for 15 seconds and try the above it should work.

Stingrayj · 29-03-2009, 21:36

I finally got wi-fi after a weekend of tedium frustration and cursing. No celebrations in this house...The following protocol did the trick, all other suggestions failed:

In short you need to reboot the modem by unplugging it from the mains and
plugging it back in while it is connected to the other device:

Try these steps:
1. Power off and disconnect everything; Mac, router/hub/and modem
2. Connect all devices together via Ethernet cables; a cable from the modem
to the hub/wireless router and one to the Mac
3. Power on the modem;
4. Wait 5 minutes;
5. Power on the router/hub
6. Wait 5 minutes;
7. Power on the computer.

It seems utterly bizzare in the 21 century that we are still talking about switching machines on and off (and using paperclips!). Bit like kicking the tellie to make it work. I guess technology is still in its infancy really and in a few years people will have a good laugh about such solutions.

thanks anyway for everyone who offered help. I do think that a straightforward 'how to' guide for Mac users wd be v useful, and don't get me started again on Virgin. I have made two official complaints now with management.

They sd spend less time sponsoring the likes of Jensen Button and some resources on support.

Peter_ · 29-03-2009, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingrayj

I finally got wi-fi after a weekend of tedium frustration and cursing. No celebrations in this house...The following protocol did the trick, all other suggestions failed:

In short you need to reboot the modem by unplugging it from the mains and
plugging it back in while it is connected to the other device:

Try these steps:
1. Power off and disconnect everything; Mac, router/hub/and modem
2. Connect all devices together via Ethernet cables; a cable from the modem
to the hub/wireless router and one to the Mac
3. Power on the modem;
4. Wait 5 minutes;
5. Power on the router/hub
6. Wait 5 minutes;
7. Power on the computer.

It seems utterly bizzare in the 21 century that we are still talking about switching machines on and off (and using paperclips!). Bit like kicking the tellie to make it work. I guess technology is still in its infancy really and in a few years people will have a good laugh about such solutions.

thanks anyway for everyone who offered help. I do think that a straightforward 'how to' guide for Mac users wd be v useful, and don't get me started again on Virgin. I have made two official complaints now with management.

They sd spend less time sponsoring the likes of Jensen Button and some resources on support.

I am glad you eventually got sorted, but amazed that my instructions or Bens did not work for you as it has done every time I have attempted it.

As the the reset button that is down to Netgear and every other manufacturer that uses a similar system and is actually preferable to an actual switch that a small child could press and lose you the connection without you knowing why, much better to be recessed if you think about it.