How do I run my mac and my PC off the same wireless cable router?

Question

I had a PC hooked up to a cable modem through my local cable service provider. I also have digital cable and phone. I recently bought a rebuilt Mac O SX version 10. I used a modem I already had to connect the Mac but I was not able to connect to the internet. I called the cable company and the first csr told me it was impossible to use 2 modems and I must get a wireless router. So I got the cable co. to come out and install the wireless modem but the cable guy said I had to contact mac support to give them a web key and another code or # in order to have the mac run off the wireless router. Some one else is telling me I need an airport?! I cant seem to find the right number for Mac support and the Cable support people are useless. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Does the Mac have a wireless network adapter? If so, then your router isn't set up to broadcast a wireless signal. You need to go into the wireless router's settings and configure it.

Once configured, your computer should see your wireless connection and the internet should work.

Answer 2

The cable guy is a twit. All you need to do is to configure your Mac OS to associate with your wireless router. To accomplish this, you need to go to Network Preferences and set your wireless SSID and password (these can be changed on your router to your preferred settings). After this is done and the changes applied, the Mac will automatically search for and associate with your wireless router. After that, you're all set for Internet access!

Answer 3

just click on the wireless signal button on the top bar. It should look something like a bar system used for cell phones. It will immediately tell you the closest wifi networks. Choose your network and type in the password.

Answer 4

Don't worry - it sounds like they just want to get some money out of you.

You can use any wireless router with a Mac.  I currently have several Macs and several PCs running off of your run-of-the-mill linksys router.

To get the Mac connected, all you must do is go through the same steps you went through to get your PC connected.  That is, turn the Mac on, scan for networks, find yours, enter your WEP/WPA key, and connect.

Whoever told you that you can't use two modems though was correct.

Answer 5

If you have an AirPort card (Wi-Fi) installed in your Mac (Macs started including them as standard around 2000):

Go to System Preferences>Networking and select AirPort. Depending on your OS X version the exact procedure will be slightly different, but you want to search for and connect to the name that relates to your wireless router. You may need to type in a password to connect, that the guy who installed it will have set up. If there isn't a password set already you'll want to set one up.