MSBBN: Cannot Connect to Apple Airport Wireless Base Station (814151)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter MN520
  • Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless USB Adapter MN510
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to an Apple AirPort wireless base station using your Microsoft wireless network adapter, you cannot connect to your wireless network. Resources on your network, the Internet, or both, are unavailable.

When this occurs, the Broadband Network Utility (BNU) may display the following message under Network Status: Network and Internet unavailable

CAUSE

This issue occurs if Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is used on the AirPort. The AirPort uses a custom authentication method that translates your alphanumeric password into a WEP key.

The Broadband Networking Utility does allow the entry of alphanumeric passwords, but BNU passwords are not compatible with the passwords used with the authentication method that the AirPort uses.

RESOLUTION

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To resolve this problem, use the AirPort connection utility to translate the AirPort password into a WEP key, and then type it into the BNU.

Part 1: Obtain the WEP Key

For information about how to do this, visit the appropriate Apple Web site below:

For Mac OS X: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106864&SaveKCWindowURL=http%3A%2F%2Fkbase.info.apple.com%2Fcgi-bin%2FWebObjects%2Fkbase.woa%2Fwa%2FSaveKCToHomePage&searchMode=Generic&kbhost=kbase.info.apple.com&showButton=false&randomValue=100&showSurvey=false&sessionID=anonymous|154433389

For Mac OS 9: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58574&SaveKCWindowURL=http%3A%2F%2Fkbase.info.apple.com%2Fcgi-bin%2FWebObjects%2Fkbase.woa%2Fwa%2FSaveKCToHomePage&searchMode=Assisted&kbhost=kbase.info.apple.com&showButton=false&randomValue=100&showSurvey=false&sessionID=anonymous|154433389

Note: Apple refers to the WEP key as the "Equivalent Network Password" in these articles.

Part 2: Type the WEP Key into the BNU

After you have obtained the WEP key, type it into the BNU. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Open the Broadband Networking Utility.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Computer Settings, and then click the Wireless Security tab.
  3. Under Encryption strength, click the appropriate encryption strength:
    • If the WEP key that you obtained from the AirPort utility has 26 digits, click 128-bit Encryption (26 digits).
    • If the WEP key that you obtained from the AirPort utility has 10 digits, click 64-bit Encryption (10 digits).
  4. Under Type a wireless encryption (WEP) key, type the WEP key that you obtained in Part 1.
  5. Click OK, and then close the BNU.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/7/2006
Keywords:KB814151
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