First, turn off the Airport for now, so it doesn't complicate things.
Also, go to Network preferences for your macbook and select the
"Show Airport status in menu bar" option if you haven't already.
Try unplugging the power from the Verizon modem and see if
the MacBook is still getting a signal. Given the bad performance
your mom's been having in the same room as the modem, I'm
betting she isn't even connecting to her own modem and is instead
using someone else's open network.
Whether that's the case or not, power the Verizon modem back
up and make sure that the lights indicate that it's getting a
network connection and the wireless is turned on. If the modem
lights are not showing green, make sure that the coax cable is
firmly connected to the modem,and if so, then call Verizon to
straighten things out. (They'll want you to have the Macbook
connected to the modem with an ethernet cable for this.)
If the modem shows green after it is powered up (after a few
seconds of blinking you should see green lights next to the
power, world and antenna symbols on the modem), try
connecting again. Sometimes the modem will freeze for no
good reason and re-powering will fix it. Click on the airport
symbol in the menu bar and make sure that it is your modem's
wireless that you are connecting to. The factory defaults for the
modem's wireless name (ESSID) and password (WEP key)
are printed on a plate on the modem.
If the verizon modem is not in the list of available networks when
you click on the airport symbol in the menu bar, then reset the
modem to its factory default by gently poking a paperclip end into
the reset switch hole in the back and holding it there for a few
seconds, then try again.
Once you have gotten a wireless connection to your modem,
go to the Network pane of System Preferences, select the
airport and the advanced tab, and delete every network but
yours from the preferred networks list to make it less likely
that you join someone else's network by accident.
If you get this working, check to see if it is adequate to your
mom's needs. If it is, then the airport base station is an
unnecessary complication and I'd just forget about it. If the
Verizon modem's range is not good enough, or if your mom
wants to be able to print by wireless to a USB printer, then
get back to us on that.
From: Sandra Raredon <[email protected]>
I have looked over the whole system at my mother' house yesterday.
Wow, I
dont know how she even got on line!!!. Here is the actual scenario:
DSL wireless modem from Verizon , Actiontec model M 1424WR.
The coax cable is coming into the house and is attached to the
wireless
modem...(.the modem has a cheap looking moveable antenna). The only
other
thing attached to the modem is the ac adapter......there are no
other cable=
s
or wires plugged into the modem. The modem is in the same room where
the ne=
w
MacBook is located.
In another room at back of the house, there is the Airport base
station,
looks like an Igloo). The only things attached to that are a
telephone
line, and a ac adapter.
The MacBook does pick up a signal....but it must be the signal from
the
wireless modem....it takes a long time for internet sites to open
etc......
I am wondering how to get a better connection? The Airport was put in
because it routed the signal to a mac mini. An ethernet cable was
used
between the mac mini and the base station. The mac mini is no
longer in th=
e
house. The Airport base station just sits on the desk in the back
room.
I really would appreciate any more ideas how to make this better.
Thanks,
Sandra.
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