Symptom
Some users cannot connect to the AirPort Extreme Base Station. The affected users have third-party wireless devices, and the base station is in Compatibility mode.
Note: "802.11b Compatible," or "Compatibility," mode is one that allows both 802.11b and 802.11g clients (such as AirPort and AirPort Extreme) to join the base station at the same time.
Solution
Any WiFi certified 802.11b wireless card should be able to connect to the AirPort Extreme Base Station when it is in Compatibility mode. Cards that are 802.11b compliant but not WiFi certified may or may not be able to connect when the base station is in Compatibility mode. But any 802.11b compliant wireless card should connect when the base station is in 802.11b Only mode. For best results, be sure that both AirPort and third-party software is up to date.
First, be sure that your AirPort software is version 3.1 or later. You may use the Software Update pane of System Preferences to update software on your Macintosh. After that, connect to the base station using AirPort Admin Utility. You will be prompted to update the base station. If you administer from a Microsoft Windows computer, you may download the latest base station firmware separately from Apple Software Downloads (
http://www.apple.com/swupdates/), then use the AirPort Admin Utility for Windows to upload the firmware.
Second, be sure that you have the latest firmware and drivers for the affected third-party card. Updating them may resolve the issue for you. Check the website of your card's manufacturer to be sure that you have the most recent drivers and firmware installed.
If the issue persists, or if you cannot update immediately, you may follow these steps as a workaround:
1. Connect to the base station using AirPort Admin Utility.
2. Click the Show All Settings button.
3. Click the AirPort tab.
4. Set the Mode pop-up menu to 802.11b Only.
5. Update the base station.
You should now be able to associate the affected 802.11b card with the base station, which may allow you to download needed third-party software updates to that computer. If you update card software or firmware, you should set the base station back to 802.11b Compatible mode to see if your issue is resolved.
If you cannot connect to the base station in 802.11b Only mode, or if you already have the latest software/firmware and cannot connect to the base station in Compatibility mode, then you may contact the card manufacturer to ask if they have done testing with 802.11g access points.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only, and does not constitute Apple's recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
Document 17159, "
Locating Vendor Information" can help you search for a particular vendor's address and phone number.