pmgraph

Q: Mac G4 Airport card and AT&T U-verse

I have a Mac G4 with a airport extreme card and I am having trouble connecting to the internet. I used Network Setup Assistant and my network was listed in the drop down menu, but my password was invalid. When I try to connect from the tool bar I get an error message. Does anyone have a solution to this problem?

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 3:35 PM

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Q: Mac G4 Airport card and AT&T U-verse

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 29, 2016 12:21 PM in response to pmgraph
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    Jul 29, 2016 12:21 PM in response to pmgraph

    I thought about an ethernet connection to the router, but the router is in the basement and the computer is on the second floor. Couldn't figure out how to make that work.

    A possible solution would be to purchase an AirPort Express and configure it to "join" the wireless network provided buy the Uverse gateway. When, the Express "joins" a network, it does provide an Ethernet signal at its port, so you could connect a short, spare Ethernet cable from the Expess to the Ethernet port on the Mac and connect to the network that way.

     

    If you decide to try this, be sure to buy from Apple, or an authorized reseller, so you will have a 14 day exchange or return privilege....in case things don't work as expected.  Things should work, since my son has a Uverse gateway with an AirPort Express that connects to the Uverse wireless in the same manner that I mentioned above, and things have been working fine for a few years.

  • by pmgraph,

    pmgraph pmgraph Jul 29, 2016 3:17 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    Jul 29, 2016 3:17 PM in response to Tesserax

    Unfortunately, I won't be able to get on the internet with the airport card that I have. My system software is Mac OS 10.3.9 and the USB wireless adapters only go back as far as 10.4. I don't think I can install 10.4 on this Mac. I was considering replacing the airport card that I have with one offered by Other World Computing hoping that it would work for the internet. What do you think? Or is it always going to be a software issue?

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jul 29, 2016 3:30 PM in response to pmgraph
    Level 9 (54,040 points)
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    Jul 29, 2016 3:30 PM in response to pmgraph

    According to the information I have your AGP Graphics Power Mac can be upgraded up to OS X 10.4.11, but I have no way to verify that for you. Sorry! I had a Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver) but I donated it to a local computer club awhile back.

     

    As far as the wireless security level, you just need OS X 10.3 for WPA and 10.3.3 for WPA2 as minimums.

     

    You will need to consult with OWC about which OS X versions are supported for these USB adapters.

  • by pmgraph,

    pmgraph pmgraph Jul 29, 2016 9:01 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    Jul 29, 2016 9:01 PM in response to Tesserax

    I wonder why the Airport card won't work with WPA. I have 10.3.9 as system software. I don't get it. Maybe, this will clear things up for you, because I don't have the knowledge. I opened the tower and this is the info on the Airport card. Stamped in the metal is 805-2315 REVA. This is the info on the label: CE 01 825-6285 128 bits 017590/D.

     

    OWC said the adapters don't work with any system before system 10.4.

  • by pmgraph,

    pmgraph pmgraph Jul 29, 2016 9:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    Jul 29, 2016 9:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    If you have to connect to an ethernet port on the router why can't you go straight from the computer to the router via ethernet? Why do you have to have the Airport Express in between?

  • by pmgraph,

    pmgraph pmgraph Jul 29, 2016 9:10 PM in response to pmgraph
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    Jul 29, 2016 9:10 PM in response to pmgraph

    Bob, OK I get it now. I had to think about that a minute. That would eliminate the wires from the 2nd floor to the basement. Thank you for the suggestion. I will look into it.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 30, 2016 6:04 AM in response to pmgraph
    Level 10 (105,008 points)
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    Jul 30, 2016 6:04 AM in response to pmgraph

    Yet another possible solution would be to consider a pair of Ethernet over Powerline (EoP) adapters to send a coded Ethernet signal over the existing AC powerlines in your home. The theory with these devices is that you already have the wiring in place, you just need the adapters.  In practice, things do not always work as well as the theory might suggest, so as with any new purchase, it would be a good idea to understand the store's return policies before you buy.

     

    In case you are not familiar with how EoP works, the setup would look something like this:  Connect one EoP adapter to an AC wall socket near your "main" router and use a short Ethernet cable to connect from the router to the adapter.

     

    At the other end, connect the other EoP adapter to an AC socket near your old Mac and use another short Ethernet cable to connect from the adapter to the Mac.

     

    Any computer / electronics superstore will have a selection of EoP adapters from which to choose, as well as OWC.

     

    With either the possible AirPort Express solution or the EoP possible solution, you don't need to worry about things like what operating system the Mac might be using. Ethernet is Ethernet.

  • by pmgraph,

    pmgraph pmgraph Jul 30, 2016 6:23 AM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Jul 30, 2016 6:23 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob, I looked into the AirPort Express/Extreme solution and there were system requirements with both. Th Airport Express required Mac OS X 10.5.7 and Airport Extreme required Mac OS X Lion v 10.7.5. I can't install either one of those systems on the G4 Power PC. I guess it has to do with the software downloads.  The EoP solution seems like that is something that I can try today and then I can stop thinking about this if it works. Thanx so much. This has certainly been a learning experience. I appreciate your help.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 30, 2016 6:49 AM in response to pmgraph
    Level 10 (105,008 points)
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    Jul 30, 2016 6:49 AM in response to pmgraph

    The Airport Express required Mac OS X 10.5.7 and Airport Extreme required Mac OS X Lion v 10.7.5. I can't install either one of those systems on the G4 Power PC.

    You don't need to install AirPort Utility at all on the G4.  You only need AirPort Utility installed on the computer or iOS device that you use to set up the AirPort Express. Here, I am assuming that you have a Mac running a current or recent operating system introduced in the last 3-4 years....or....and iPhone or iPad that is using a current or recent iOS operating system.

     

    Now, if you are saying that you do not have a Mac running a current or recent operating system, or an iPad or iPhone, then the AirPort Express possible solution will not help......and your only real option would be the EoP adapters.

  • by pmgraph,

    pmgraph pmgraph Jul 30, 2016 8:05 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    Jul 30, 2016 8:05 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I see. I use my current computer to set up the AirPort Express/Extreme. Then use the ethernet to connect the older computer to the AirPort Extreme/Express. So, the older computer doesn't need software for the AirPort device. I understand now how this works. Thank you.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 30, 2016 8:22 AM in response to pmgraph
    Level 10 (105,008 points)
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    Jul 30, 2016 8:22 AM in response to pmgraph

    Your understanding is correct.

     

    But, I'm not sure what you mean by AirPort Extreme/Express.  There are two different AirPorts models.....an AirPort Extreme and an AirPort Express. The AirPort Express is the product that you need if you want to send a wireless signal from your main router to the AirPort Express and then have the Express provide an Ethernet connection to the G4.

     

    If you are saying that you already have an AirPort Extreme, then the AirPort Extreme can send a wireless signal to the Express and the Express will provide the Ethernet connection that you need for the G4.

  • by pmgraph,

    pmgraph pmgraph Jul 30, 2016 8:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
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    Jul 30, 2016 8:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Just my way of writing AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme. I am aware that they are 2 different devices and that I only need one. Sorry for the confusion. I assume that I just need one and that I can choose either one. Does it make a difference which one I choose?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 30, 2016 8:53 AM in response to pmgraph
    Level 10 (105,008 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 30, 2016 8:53 AM in response to pmgraph

    As I said, you need the AirPort Express for what you want to do with a third party router, since it has a special feature that allows it to "join" a wireless network and then deliver an Ethernet signal to Ethernet device(s).

     

    The AirPort Extreme (or Time Capsule) cannot do this with a third party router.

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