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Dutchrob

Q: how to check if my airport card is installed? I can't find it in the network settings, so no WI-FI :-(

Since I bought this iMac more then 2 years ago, I wasn't really bothered that this feature (airport) didn't work in my iMac as I connected my iMac directly via Ethernet to the routher. The wireless router then connects to the other devices in my house. But I want to move my iMac to another room and need the airport-card to work. It was bought with it, but it has never been switched on. Any suggestions, where to check:

1.if the aiport-card has been installed when I bought it?

2. if yes, how to switch it on? it doesnt pop-up on my screen when I use the '+' in the network settings? Only 'ethernet' and 'blue-tooth'.

iMac (27-inch Late 2009)

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 5:34 AM

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Q: how to check if my airport card is installed? I can't find it in the network settings, so no WI-FI :-(

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Barry Hemphill,

    Barry Hemphill Barry Hemphill Jan 29, 2013 7:01 AM in response to Dutchrob
    Level 8 (38,037 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 29, 2013 7:01 AM in response to Dutchrob

    Hello:

     

    "Airport card" is, I think, a misnomer.  All iMacs (for the past few years) have wi-fi capability built-in.

     

    First thing to try is to reset the SMC.

     

    The, go to system preferences>network.  At the top it should say "status: connected."  Also, there is a button that refers to the wi-fi.  Click on it if the wi-fi is off.

     

    You do not indicate which OS X version you are running (this is based on OS X 10.8).

     

    Barry

  • by Dutchrob,

    Dutchrob Dutchrob Jan 29, 2013 7:20 AM in response to Barry Hemphill
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2013 7:20 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

    Hi Barry,

     

    The Wi-fi button isn't there. it only shows that I'm connected via Ethernet. I am running 10.7.5 OS

    It has never worked since I bought it in 2009 when it was running 10.6.

    When I want to '+' wifi, it doesnt show up in the network list.. Only bluetooth and firewire and ethernet.

     

    Any other suggestions? SCM won't change anything else to the computer?

     

    Thanks a a lot.

     

    Rob

  • by Barry Hemphill,

    Barry Hemphill Barry Hemphill Jan 29, 2013 7:25 AM in response to Dutchrob
    Level 8 (38,037 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 29, 2013 7:25 AM in response to Dutchrob

    Hello:

     

    Resetting the SMC will not hurt anything.

     

    Barry

  • by Dutchrob,

    Dutchrob Dutchrob Jan 30, 2013 8:12 AM in response to Barry Hemphill
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 8:12 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

    nothing changed after the SMC reset.

    the only options are 'ethernet, FireWire, Bluetooth, VPN, PPPoE, 6 to 4.

     

    all airport utilitiies are installed but no wifi from my iMac 27" 2009.

     

    Any other solution?

  • by Barry Hemphill,

    Barry Hemphill Barry Hemphill Jan 30, 2013 10:47 AM in response to Dutchrob
    Level 8 (38,037 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 30, 2013 10:47 AM in response to Dutchrob

    Hello:

     

    Since I am running a later version of OS X, I cannot replicate what you are seeing.  The SMC reset usually brings missing BT to life.

     

    Barry

  • by WZZZ,

    WZZZ WZZZ Jan 30, 2013 11:26 AM in response to Dutchrob
    Level 6 (13,112 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 30, 2013 11:26 AM in response to Dutchrob

    What are you seeing in System Profiler for Airport? Go to >More Info>About this Mac>Network>Airport

     

    Screen shot 2013-01-30 at 2.25.59 PM.png

  • by Dutchrob,

    Dutchrob Dutchrob Jan 30, 2013 11:41 AM in response to Barry Hemphill
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 11:41 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

    Screen Shot 2013-01-30 at 15.54.12.png

    Is there a way to see if the actual hardware with driver has been installed in the iMAC?

    it shows that tht following software versioin are installed for Wifi;

     

    Software Versions:

      CoreWLAN:          2.1.3 (213.1)

      CoreWLANKit:          1.0.3 (103.2)

      Menu Extra:          7.2 (720.1)

      configd plug-in:          7.4.1 (741.1)

      System Profiler:          7.0 (700.3)

      IO80211 Family:          4.2 (420.3)

      WiFi Diagnostics:          1.0.2 (102)

      AirPort Utility:          6.1 (610.31)

     

     

    But I can't find any hardware in the list of 'system report' that refers to 'airport card'

     

    Is there a way to find out if there is any of such a device built in the iMac at all?

     

    the hardware overview shows: no devices installed  of the following:

    • ATA
    • Fiber Channel
    • Hardware RAI
    • PCI Cards
    • Parallel SCSI
    • SAS
    • Thunderbolt drivers not loaded.

     

    it's a iMac, OS 10.7.5, but started with 10.6 when I bought it, 4GB, ethernet, 27".Wifi never worked.

     

    any other solutions that could work? thanks for your help so far Barry!

  • by Dutchrob,

    Dutchrob Dutchrob Jan 30, 2013 11:59 AM in response to Dutchrob
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 11:59 AM in response to Dutchrob

     

    I can;t find anything with airport extreme or airport card in the list.

  • by Dutchrob,

    Dutchrob Dutchrob Jan 30, 2013 12:06 PM in response to Dutchrob
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2013 12:06 PM in response to Dutchrob

    Untitled 2.png

    no sign of any airport extreme installed. I'm out of warrantgy but have to go for the harddisk replacement, hopefullyu they will take this issue into account as well. worst case I buy a cheap usb stick with wifi on it! not very glamourous...