BlueSCSI v2 Wi-Fi headachery

[luRaichu]

Yesterday my Wireless BlueSCSI v2 kit arrived, so I soldered it together and used it to boot up my Mac LC. I started out using System 7.5.3 but I quickly upgraded to 7.5.5, the newest system software the LC will run. Then I began my attempt at a wireless LC.
I installed the DaynaPORT drivers, then spent a couple hours trying to figure out why I couldn't get anything to ping at all. To make a long story short I eventually realised the DaynaPORT drivers don't work on System 7.5.5. I downgraded to 7.5.3 in Basilisk II. After re-installing the network drivers and doing some voodoo with the MacTCP configuration I finally was able to ping my router, and then Google.
I used MacTCP Watcher and checked my DNS as well. I was able to get the IP for google.com, nice I thought. So I loaded up the version of MacLynx that's in the BlueSCSI Pico W setup disk. I tried Google, then a known-good IP, but I couldn't get any sites to appear.
from MacLynx I could see that it found Google, exchanged data with it over HTTP, but fails to decompress a temporary file.
I also tried Netscape 2.02 and iCab, but iCab just stalls while Netscape cannot lookup the DNS at all. I've probably messed it up.
I'm tired, so I'll share pictures tomorrow. Please post working MacTCP configurations so I can try them.

 

[Arbee]

It's actually expected that most websites will not load on a 68K machine now. A few years back the default on the Web flipped to HTTPS (encrypted connections) by default, and 68k machines don't have the oomph to do the decryption. There are some unencrypted sites that do load in iCab, including system7today.com, and Action Retro set up frogfind.com that's a combination search engine and page degrader for vintage browsers.

 

[Mk.558]

I think there's a common misconception that you need 7.5.5 with OT to go online. There's another misconception that MacTCP is some kind of cryptically confusing control panel that nobody really figured out.

Truth be told I don't even run 7.5.5 on my SE/30. It doesn't need it. MacTCP works perfectly fine. You can FTP, IRC, access regular HTTP servers perfectly fine with it. I wouldn't even run 7.5.5 on a IIci: 7.1 with some QOL extensions and stuff is lighter on resources and memory than 7.5 is. System 6 is even better but then you can't mount disk images and it's a bit more limited. The only thing you really need 7.5 for is for Mac OS X Tiger, which isn't that popular anymore, but you can make 7.1 do it too as long as you have some kind of 2GB or less volume to work with. Even then...why use OT if you don't have to?

Anyways the Guide below has plenty of useful resources to help you out. For browsers, I recommend Netscape 2.02. While iCab can load more than Netscape can, it's a huge resource hog and with HTTPS with TLS 3+ commonplace these days, it's gotten to the point that iCab is no longer realistic.

edit: FWIW you can still get LC ethernet cards for a reasonable price. Unless you have an Apple //e card installed, or something else that takes up that slot, the LC ethernet card is very good value. I would also recommend a serial solution in case your wireless decides that today is not the day. Examples include fake PPP dialup and other options.

 

[luRaichu]

It's actually expected that most websites will not load on a 68K machine now. A few years back the default on the Web flipped to HTTPS

Yes, I know, I used Google as a test because I've known it to serve up on plain HTTP. I tested in an emulator beforehand. What's strange is that I tried frogfind.com too but couldn't get there. I've been attempting to visit HTTP sites exclusively.

 

[Mk.558]

If you have issues with plain HTTP, what I would do is first test local. You can set up a local HTTP host, and throw up any plain HTML document in there. Test out local FTP. If that works, you should be OK locally. From there I'd test FTP remote servers. Then I'd check known-clean HTTP sites. An example one is here.

 

[luRaichu]

After a small amount of fuddling I got the DNS working tonight. I remembered Google's DNS servers off the top of my head and tried those in the configuration MacTCP Watcher suggests. Then I tried FrogFind in iCab and it loaded! iCab is great but it's slow on the LC. I switched to Netscape Navigator 2.02 and used my customized version of WRP to make a Tweet (I wish I'd gone to my Mastodon instead, however it is quiet). I put it to 340x280 @ 256 colors and the page takes ~13 seconds to refresh after a click. Not bad, but I'd like to know how to make Netscape render the image without dithering it afterwards.
My copy of MacLynx doesn't seem to work though. After connecting to a site it asks me to download an application/gzip file without displaying the page. I don't think gzips are a classic Mac thing, this must be UNIX code?
But anyways it does seem that I've finally set up MacTCP right. I'll swap Google's DNS servers for Cloudflare's and maybe see if I can run an older system software. 7.5.3 is slooow on the LC and in fact the original owner used an early version of System 7 until 1999. Also, for some reason Macintalk doesn't work. It crashes the system with code 11.

Edit: My favorite HTTP site is http://motherfuckingwebsite.com

 

[Sideburn]

I had the same issue with MacTCP my DNS IP was getting a good ping but that was all. I changed to 8.8.8.8 and it solved the issue.

I use MacTCP on on one setup for lighter weight and also required for system 6 or a 68000 Mac.

I use OT with system 7 on 680x0 machines with more RAM.

 

[luRaichu]

Has anyone tested if these DaynaPORT drivers work on older system software? like 7.1.1.

 

[Sideburn]

I’m using 7.1 I think it’s been tested up to 7.5 and down to 6.0.8. Any 6 or 7 should work fine I bet.

 

[luRaichu]

Funny, because as I said earlier I started with 7.5.5 and the drivers didn't seem to work there. The Disk Copy image of the drivers has "7.5.3" at the end, though.
Today I had a good time, my LC's PSU didn't want to start yet again, and I can't even ping my router anymore. It was working fine yesterday...

 

[Phipli]

After a small amount of fuddling I got the DNS working tonight. I remembered Google's DNS servers off the top of my head and tried those in the configuration MacTCP Watcher suggests. Then I tried FrogFind in iCab and it loaded! iCab is great but it's slow on the LC. I switched to Netscape Navigator 2.02 and used my customized version of WRP to make a Tweet (I wish I'd gone to my Mastodon instead, however it is quiet). I put it to 340x280 @ 256 colors and the page takes ~13 seconds to refresh after a click. Not bad, but I'd like to know how to make Netscape render the image without dithering it afterwards.
My copy of MacLynx doesn't seem to work though. After connecting to a site it asks me to download an application/gzip file without displaying the page. I don't think gzips are a classic Mac thing, this must be UNIX code?
But anyways it does seem that I've finally set up MacTCP right. I'll swap Google's DNS servers for Cloudflare's and maybe see if I can run an older system software. 7.5.3 is slooow on the LC and in fact the original owner used an early version of System 7 until 1999. Also, for some reason Macintalk doesn't work. It crashes the system with code 11.

Edit: My favorite HTTP site is http://motherfuckingwebsite.com

Grab a copy of "MacWeb 2" and see if it suits your LC. It's colour and pretty lightweight.

 

[Sideburn]

Maybe revert to MacTCP. It’s lighter weight and fewer pieces. Just the control panel and the Daynaport drivers. I’ve got it working on system 6.0.8 and 7.1.

You have to reserve an IP on your router though.
Then set your subnet mask. Probably 255.255.255.0
Set your router address. Mines 192.168.0.2
And just use “google” and 8.8.8.8 for the domain name server and click the default radio button.

 

[luRaichu]

Maybe revert to MacTCP. Its lighter weight and fewer pieces. Just the control panel and the Daynaport drivers.

*ahem* the LC has an 68020 inside it, it can't run Open Transport. I've already been using MacTCP.

You have to reserve an IP on your router though.

Really? I've just set my IP to random things like 192.168.0.69 (because) and it usually works fine. Funny thing is I don't have physical access to the router I connect to, so I can't modify the configuration.

Set your router address. Mines 192.168.0.2

Well thanks for letting me know you've got 10Mbps internet. And possibly a Netgear router.

 

[Sideburn]

Oops my bad I didn’t know you were on an LC 020.
I reserved the ip on mine. Just picking one should work too as long as it’s not taken I suppose.

It’s a TP-Link gigabit router. Most routers have a web portal you can configure stuff on. You sure yours doesn’t?

 

[luRaichu]

I reserved the ip on mine. Just picking one should work too as long as its not taken I suppose.

192.168.0.69 isn't usually taken up on the router I access. Networking was operational earlier this morning, I restarted, and it doesn't work anymore! No ping to my router at 192.168.0.1.
Connectivity feels very erratic with the BlueSCSI.

 

[Sideburn]

It was for me too at first. One thing I noticed here was if it does not connect initially on power up of the BlueSCSI it never will retry.
So what I did to troubleshoot what I set the SSID for the blueSCSI to one of my wifi extenders so i could monitor it connecting from an app on my phone.

I would then power on the BlueSCSI and check the app.. if it didn't show up I should power it down and back up again and then it would appear in the app and i then knew i was connected.

What is also good to troubleshoot is the newly released Wi-Fi DA. when you launch that it scans the network for wifi access points and displays them in a list.

 

[luRaichu]

I tested the Wi-Fi DA earlier today, I tried to connect to my main network but the graphic wouldn't update to "Connected" after entering my password. weird.

 

[Sideburn]

I tested the Wi-Fi DA earlier today, I tried to connect to my main network but the graphic wouldn't update to "Connected" after entering my password. weird.

Hmm it can be finicky but I’ve had success with two now. One on PowerBook and another on a iicx. I’ve got them both talking over AppleShare and can remote control with Timbuktu.

It won’t say “connected” but the name should show up in the menu with signal strength icon on left.

It will say no connection if not working.

Before you even power up the computer if you power the BlueSCSI on you should see it connect to your router AP router f you can find a way to see all of your connected clients somehow. Usually a web portal or a mobile app.

Maybe try a different router?

 

[luRaichu]

Okay, I found the problem. It's really dumb.
I was too far away from my router and apparently the Pico W has poor reception abilities. I moved closer to the router and it works flawlessly every time.

 

[Sideburn]

Okay, I found the problem. It's really dumb.
I was too far away from my router and apparently the Pico W has poor reception abilities. I moved closer to the router and it works flawlessly every time.

Yes they even talk about that in the wiki page somewhere. I don’t have that issue (yet) with the external DB25 BlueSCSI. Will see what happens when I put an internal one in the PowerBook. I also have Wi-Fi extenders all over.

And speaking of that, I did discover what looks to be a bug. If you connect one BlueSCSI to an extender access point say “living room” and another to the something else like “main house” the two devices cannot see eachother over AppleTalk file sharing.

I tried Timbuktu also and same thing. They both have to be on the same access point / SSID.

I tried two extenders and both behaved the same way. Both bluescsis need to be on same extenders or both on main router.