Mac OS X 10.0: Setting up an AirPort Base Station Requires Restart from Mac OS 9

Symptom

The AirPort software in Mac OS X 10.0 allows you to connect to an AirPort network, but it does not include the ability to administer a base station.

If you attempt to use AirPort software in Classic without restarting, you may see an alert box with this message:

"That application or control panel is not supported by Classic."

Figure 1 Attempting AirPort use in Classic

Notes

1. This alert box may not appear if you have the latest AirPort software installed in Mac OS 9. However, you should still restart your computer.
2. While started up from Mac OS 9, you should download and install the latest version of AirPort software from Apple Software Updates (http://www.apple.com/swupdates/).

Solution

Updating to Mac OS X 10.1 will allow you to administer an AirPort Base Station from within Mac OS X. If you do not yet have Mac OS X 10.1, you may do so by following these steps:

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Click Startup Disk.
3. Click an Mac OS 9 System Folder.
4. Restart the computer.

After you've administered your AirPort Base Station in Mac OS 9, you can use the Startup Disk control panel to select your Mac OS X System Folder.

Note: Wireless Internet access requires an Internet service provider (fees may apply) and AirPort (or AirPort-compatible) wireless Ethernet card and base station. Some ISPs are not compatible with AirPort. For more information, see technical document 106590: "AirPort: Requirements for Wireless Internet Access".