New iMac: compatibility issues with wireless router?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

I purchased a new iMac last night. It's pretty great, but I'm having a problem picking up my wireless signal (Linksys router). I can pick up the signals of about 10 condos/apartments surrounding me, but for the life of me, can't make my own work.

Does anyone have any personal experience with Macs and wireless routers, Linksys in particular?

[justinl]

love the new mac eh? i love the sexy aluminum... gahhh. I got mine a month ago. dunno if you know this already or not, but when you're prompted to install new computer updates, DO NOT install teh software update 1.1 for the OS. there's a video driver problem with it that will chronically freeze your computer... and you'll have to reinstall your OS... trust me it sucks. apple's working on a solution though...

anyways, your own problem. have you tried changing the channel of the wireless? when you set up the linksys, there's a set up thing that you have to mess around in. cant remember where, but theres a field where you can set what channel the wireless broadcasts on. i believe you can select any channel from 1-11. default channel for most, if not all, wireless stuff (remotes, net, etc etc) is 7. so i think that channel is just crowded for you (which would muck it all up). try changing the cahnnel to another, lower or higher channel like 3 or 9. note that the channels overlap by one so if you change it from 7 to 6 (or 8), it wont make any difference.

there's a video on the channel thing somewhere if you dont know what im talking about... let me see if i cant find it...

[justinl]

oops, default channel is actually 6.

here's the vid:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nGj7eeooLt8

what model is your mac? i got the 2.4 ghz 20 incher.

[DanG]

Is yours set to broadcast the SSID of the network (works like yelling out "hey I'm here, connect to me"). As a security function, you can turn it off.
Are you using encryption on the router? WEP, WPA, WPA2? If you're not, you should so you don't end up having someone hijacking your bandwidth.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Justin, thanks for your replies!

Bad news--I already installed Update 1.1 for OS! Sheisse.

As for the router issue. I initially set it to channel 11, because I was aware of the issue you mentioned. More specifically, my wireless home phone and/or microwave have previously interfered with my wireless signal. I then changed it to channel 1, then 6, then 9....

I think the problem might just be the router. I tried it with my PSP and couldn't pick up anything either, so who knows.

Thanks again...I might just have to pick up a different router...which won't be the most exciting purchase I've ever made!

P.S. I got the 20-inch 2.0Ghz version. Not quite the powerhouse that you've got, but it still gets 'er done and does it in style

[michika]

Welcome to the Mac club, and to the iMac club....isn't it great to be a member?

As for your wireless issue give Linksys a call, they will walk you through the process so you don't have to purchase a new router.

[Tarolisol]

I had the same problem with my new MacBook. Do you know how to connect to your router? If you have another computer connect to the router and there should be some security features you should be able to change, or you can manually put in your computer ID number and you should be able to connect. I dont have my mac on me at the moment, but if you cant figure it out through the router menu ill help you out tommorow.\ if you need.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Beautiful. Thanks, all, I will give these suggestions a try!