Connect Mac OSX to BT Home Hub wireless
This post is optimised for search to help other people having the same problem I just did, so you don’t have to spend hours on hold with BT.
If you look for information on connecting your Mac via wireless to a BT Home Hub (the cheap-looking white one, not the hi-tec looking grey version) the only page you’re likely to find is this one with instructions on configuring Airport.
Unfortunately those instructions (specifically the bits about a 26-character key and Button 1 on the BT Home Hub) make no sense, so I phoned BT (in India as far as I can tell) for help.
How to get your Mac connected to BT Home Hub wireless
First, obviously you have to make sure your BT Home Hub is up and running and all lights (Wireless, Broadband, Internet, Data) are lit. Grab a pen and piece of paper, turn your Hub around and copy down the 10-character BT Home Hub Wireless key (not the BT Fusion key which might be underneath).
Start your Mac OSX and go to System Preferences > Network. Under the ‘Show’ dropdown, select Network Port Configurations. Ensure that Airport is checked, and drag it to the top of the list.
Click ‘Apply Now’ and close System Preferences; switch Airport on and select the BT Home Hub network entry (which will be something like “BTHomeHub-1234”).
When prompted for the password, make sure that the Wireless Security dropdown is set to “WEP 40/128-bit hex” – then enter the 10-character key from the back of the hub, and the Mac will connect to your wireless network.
Addendum
You might not expect much from BT Tech Support, but despite getting cut off while being transferred to the Mac support department, the guy then phoned me back to apologise, and fixed my problem quickly and clearly before telling me I was clearly a genius and it was a pleasure speaking to me.
Now that’s customer service!
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Previously: BarCamp London - Day One
Next: BarCamp London - Day Two
Comments
- Matthew Pennell
- 658 days ago
True, but I guess the risk of unauthorised wireless use is from your neighbours, so unless they’re at the window with binoculars they’re not likely to get your WEP key!
- #2
- Simon East
- 655 days ago
This is a really helpful ‘article’. I spent from 8.30am to 11.30 am yesterday – Saturday 16th trying to get help with setting up the Home Hub. I have since managed to get it running with my [non-airport] iMac ethernet connected and my wireless enabled Powerbook connected ‘wirelessly’. Sounds great? Unfortunately no! The wirelss signal is so poor that I can’t either cross the room next to the room that the Home Hub is situated in. Help!!! I was keen on the Home Hub because it seemed to have many potential advantges over my existing router including Broadband Talk. However the wirelss signal is too weak to make it worth keeping. Any ideas gratefully accepted.
- #3
- Matthew Pennell
- 655 days ago
Simon: No ideas on that front I’m afraid – I was able to get a decent wireless signal upstairs behind a closed door (with the Hub downstairs); perhaps your Powerbook wireless receiver is knackered?
Maybe try your local Starbucks or wherever you can get wifi and see if you have the same problem.
- #4
- Mohsin Siddiqui
- 623 days ago
This is incredibly useful, thank you. I was going insane with the wait times that BT had, and no one seemed to have a clue as to what I should be doing with my new Mac. Much appreciated!
- #5
- amy
- 617 days ago
this was usefull to me but still it didnt work. im gutted. i need to resolve this!!
help me please.
x
- #6
Useful info.
It does seem very poor security for BT to have a fixed WEP key and to print it on the outside of the hub.
Anyone who can see that can get access to your hub and you have no way of ever cutting them off if you cannot change the key.