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  • 18-04-2008 12:40pm
    #1
    Ecocabbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭


    Hi there

    Have a G4 powerbook. Have an airport extreme card. Wireless stopped working about a year ago- not the card as ive tried several.
    Brought to a technician who said they cant fix it!


    Since then Ive been using it perfect but on a LAN cable. Now im moving into a new flat with only wireless.

    Does anyone know of any wireless USB products that would work in my situation?? Anyone any experience in using this type of thing??

    Any help or advice appreciate (except advice telling me to buy a new Macbook or something;)

    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    I don't know if things have improved but USB wireless adapters used to be quite problematic on the mac. You might be safer going with a wireless ethernet bridge or a cheap router.

    Was the technician able to tell you what was wrong with Airport?


  • #3
    Ecocabbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Ecocabbie


    Sad Professor wrote: »
    I don't know if things have improved but USB wireless adapters used to be quite problematic on the mac. You might be safer going with a wireless ethernet bridge or a cheap router.

    Was the technician able to tell you what was wrong with Airport?

    HI SP,
    Many thanks for your reply.

    The technician said something along the lines of my G4 was "showing it's old age!" funnily enough when I put the Mac inches from the wireless router at home I get one bar of wireless signal... move out of the room and zilch! odd..

    Would you mind explaining the wireless ethernet bridge for me? Or how a cheap router would work for me?

    Basically in the new flat there is the main router in the living room. I need to use my Mac for work in my room so I wouldnt be able to stretch a LAN cable.

    I would very much welcome and appreciate your suggestions!
    I take your point that these USB wireless routers cab be a bit dodgy, a LAN cable would be ideal for me as I need a reliable connection for work

    Thanks


  • #4
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    Ecocabbie wrote: »
    The technician said something along the lines of my G4 was "showing it's old age!" funnily enough when I put the Mac inches from the wireless router at home I get one bar of wireless signal... move out of the room and zilch!
    Is it definitely connected properly? It's unlikely but I remember when I installed an Airport card in my ibook I didn't push the connector in hard enough and had similar signal problems. Mind you given the age of the machine it's possible the line to the antenna has become frayed where it passes into the display. If so it would be pretty expensive to repair.

    Anyway an ethernet bridge is kinda like a usb adapter except it plugs into your ethernet port, eliminating the need for USB drivers. It requires a power supply though so it's not really suitable for portability.


  • #5
    Ecocabbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Ecocabbie


    Sad Professor wrote: »
    Mind you given the age of the machine it's possible the line to the antenna has become frayed where it passes into the display. If so it would be pretty expensive to repair.

    Anyway an ethernet bridge is kinda like a usb adapter except it plugs into your ethernet port, eliminating the need for USB drivers. It requires a power supply though so it's not really suitable for portability.

    It looks like it is the line to the antenna alright.

    Ethernet bridge sounds good to me because it is using a cable. I need reliability of signal and not portability. I hadnt heard of these before, did a search and found these: Would you have any particular recommendations?

    http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WET11-Wireless-Ethernet-Bridge/dp/B000066JQU

    or would this work? good bit cheaper..

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008ZPJU/ref=dp_cp_ob_title_3

    http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F5D7132-Wireless-G-Universal-Extender/dp/B000FTLOL0/ref=pd_sim_e_title_4

    Many thanks, its a great help.


  • #6
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    I haven't a clue when it comes to brands/models I'm afraid but I'd imagine any would work.

    Also how far away is your room from the router? Have you considered just getting a really long ethernet cable and connecting to it directly? I dunno, I always associate "flat" with some poky little wouldn't-swing-a-cat-in-it-type-place, lol. :D


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  • #7
    WUSBDesign
    Closed Accounts Posts: 549 ✭✭✭WUSBDesign


    Ecocabbie wrote: »
    Ethernet bridge sounds good to me because it is using a cable. I need reliability of signal and not portability.

    Have a look at Netgear WGPS606. Listed as a print server, but really it is a wireless ethernet bridge with 4 ethernet ports. No longer sold retail, but you'll be able to get one second-hand on eBay. Works great, supports WPA-PSK(TKIP).


  • #8
    Ecocabbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Ecocabbie


    Sad Professor wrote: »
    I dunno, I always associate "flat" with some poky little wouldn't-swing-a-cat-in-it-type-place, lol. :D

    Excuse me!!! :p Maybe I should have said apartment, penthouse at that.. haha
    Also Sharing with someone else so dont want to be dragging cables through and upsetting the plushness of the residence:)

    Thanks again


  • #9
    Ecocabbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Ecocabbie


    WUSBDesign wrote: »
    Have a look at Netgear WGPS606. Listed as a print server, but really it is a wireless ethernet bridge with 4 ethernet ports. No longer sold retail, but you'll be able to get one second-hand on eBay. Works great, supports WPA-PSK(TKIP).

    Thanks alot ill check that one out!
    Although im not mad about buying used off ebay....


  • #10
    Hugh_C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,852 ✭✭✭Hugh_C


    Ecocabbie wrote: »
    Hi there

    Have a G4 powerbook. Have an airport extreme card. Wireless stopped working about a year ago- not the card as ive tried several.
    Brought to a technician who said they cant fix it!



    Is this an internal card for a G4? I think I have one kicking round somewhere (although not extreme), dunno if it's work in your model.

    I also have a USB wireless fob which I wouldn't recommend, pain in the *ss to set up. I'll see if I can find them later and let you know what brand the USB yoke is ...


  • #11
    muggyog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 725 ✭✭✭muggyog


    How do you know it is not the card, have you tested in another Mac? It might be worth your while to do a careful check of the card. As was suggested earlier maybe the aerial has come loose or the card is not fully home in its socket. I dont know the exact model of your Mac but whatever one it is checkout
    http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Take-Apart-Repair-Manuals-p-1-c-258.html


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  • #12
    Ecocabbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Ecocabbie


    Hugh_C wrote: »
    Is this an internal card for a G4? I think I have one kicking round somewhere (although not extreme), dunno if it's work in your model.

    I also have a USB wireless fob which I wouldn't recommend, pain in the *ss to set up. I'll see if I can find them later and let you know what brand the USB yoke is ...

    HI HUgh.
    Yes it is the internal card im talking about. Unfortunately the card is not the problem but the machine itself cannot interact with the internal card.

    About the USB fob, yea ive been hearing same, and as I need this machine for work i doubt it would do the job for me. However I would appreciate if you locate it to let me know the brand/model etc.. thanks!


  • #13
    Ecocabbie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86 ✭✭Ecocabbie


    muggyog wrote: »
    How do you know it is not the card, have you tested in another Mac? It might be worth your while to do a careful check of the card. As was suggested earlier maybe the aerial has come loose or the card is not fully home in its socket. I dont know the exact model of your Mac but whatever one it is checkout
    http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Take-Apart-Repair-Manuals-p-1-c-258.html

    Hi Muggyog,

    Yea I know its not the card, it does work on friends Mac, Its the machine would accept/work with any card...

    WIll check that link many thanks


  • #14
    muggyog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 725 ✭✭✭muggyog


    Eco, you've obviously had the card out so my link was not much use. I would be surprised if the motherboard is faulty which is all thats left hardware wise. Can you see into the connector when the car is out? If you shine a light in, are all pins straight or has one been bent by plugging/unplugging? Is the aerial connector OK? Does the wireless card appear in the system profiler?


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