Program For Wireless Connection On Mac

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Hi, I purchased a D-Link DWA-130 Wireless N USB adapter on the recommendation of my campus computer store to connect to the wireless network in my apt. I can only get 'limited connectivity' with this adapter, which basically means I have no network function whatsoever. The connection seems to appear and reappear in my list of available networks, connect and disconnect arbitrarily. When I do get a connection, it averages 3/4 bars though this makes no difference to the function. The dial-up connection window pops up frequently. I have tried de-selecting the dial-up connection as the default and disabled an Intel wireless network that appears in the Device Manager alongside the Apple Network, but neither has made any difference. I looked up the TCP/IP settings in the command prompt as per the troubleshooting instructions in the owner's manual, and it looked like every entry was 'disconnected.' There were no instructions on how to change any of these settings. I've re-confirmed the network name and encryption key.
I have called the manufacturer, who walked me through reinstalling the drivers and testing the adapter. They say it is working normally and provided no further assistance. My roommate has little difficulty with the connection. The manufacturer told me to adjust the wireless network, but there are no settings or buttons on the Mac AirPort base station to change, or to call AT&T, our DSL provider. Would it help to move the DSL router and wireless base station in case interference is the source of the problem? Both are in a different room and at a diagonal from where my desktop is set up. Are there any other things I can try? Do I need a different adapter? Would it be better to run a cable to the DSL router (though there do not appear to be any more available jacks on it because the base station and a network printer are attached)? Or is it simply impossible to connect a PC to a mac wireless network?
thanks,
Alyson

  1. Wireless Connection Phones
  2. Wireless Connection At&t
  3. Set Up Wireless Connection
  4. Wireless Connection Desktop

Operating Systems Manage Wi-Fi networks in OS X. If regularly connect to more than one Wi-Fi network on your Mac, you can do several things to optimize which networks will get automatically chosen.

  • I am moving into an apartment that already has a Siemens Speed Stream 4100 Ethernet ADSL Modem and a Mac wireless network set up. (My new roommate uses a Mac laptop.) I am thinking of purchasing a USB wireless adapter so that I can connect my desktop PC (a Gateway GT 5428 running Vista home premium 32-bit, service pack 2 installed) to the internet.
  • For an external wireless card, check the card to see if the MAC address is recorded on a label. If your computer has an internal wireless card, you'll have to use the operating system to find the MAC address.

Connect to Wi-Fi

You can use the Wi-Fi menu to quickly connect to a nearby wireless network.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon ( or ) in the menu bar.
  2. If Wi-Fi is off, choose 'Turn Wi-Fi on.'
  3. Select a nearby Wi-Fi network from the list.

If you don't see your network listed, make sure it's nearby and that others can connect to it. It could also be a 'hidden' network. You can connect to a hidden network by choosing 'Join other network' and entering the name of the network you're trying to use.

The strength of each nearby network is shown next to its name. More darkened bars indicate a stronger network connection.

Enter your password

Networks that have a lock icon next to their name require a password. After you select your network, enter the network password when you're prompted. If you don't know the network password, check with the owner of the Wi-Fi network you're trying to join.

Use a cellular device as your Wi-Fi connection

View wireless connection

Depending on your cellular plan, your iPhone or iPad with cellular can share its Internet connection with your Mac. When your iOS device is configured properly and is near your Mac, it appears in the Wi-Fi menu as an available connection.

When you select a cellular device as your Internet connection, the menu icon changes to indicate your Mac is currently linked to the device ( ).

Wireless Connection Phones

Turn Wi-Fi on or off

If you're in an environment where Wi-Fi isn't permitted (like on some airline flights) you can quickly turn off Wi-Fi from this menu.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
  2. Choose 'Turn Wi-Fi off.'

When Wi-Fi is turned off, the menu icon changes to and empty indicator ( ). When you're ready to use Wi-Fi again, click the menu icon and choose 'Turn Wi-Fi on.' Then connect to the network you want to join if your Mac doesn't join it automatically.

Wireless Connection At&t

If you don't see the Wi-Fi menu

You can enable and disable the Wi-Fi menu from the Network pane of System Preferences.

  1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
  2. Click Network in the System Preferences window.
  3. Select Wi-Fi in the list of available network connections.
  4. Select (check) the option to 'Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar.'

Create a network

Set Up Wireless Connection

If you want to create a temporary Wi-Fi connection between your Mac and another device, you can create your own network from the Wi-Fi menu.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi menu and choose Create Network.
  2. Enter the details for your network, such as a network name and channel

Wireless Connection Desktop

When you create a computer-to-computer network, the menu icon changes to show a computer (). When you're done, click the Wi-Fi menu again and choose Disconnect to close the network you created.