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DanielLynch

Q: G3 Wallstreet: Can not get airport card to work.

I'm trying to move my Airport card from my Key Lime to a G3 Wallstreet that is running OSX 10.3.9.

I've installed the card, I assume it is in because everything fits neatly into place, but I'm wondering if it is a hardware problem in the back of my mind.

When I try to run the Network Configuration Assistant it doesn't allow me to choose Airport as an option to connect to the internet. I do not seem to have any Airport Utility that I can find on the computer. I downloaded Airport 4.2 and my software update shows that it had actually been installed back when I was first running software updates on this comp.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or if it's even hardware or software. I assume I'm using too old of a powerbook with too new of OS version and the Airport card is lost somewhere in between.

Any help would be appreciated!

Powerbook G3 (Wallstreet base with Pismo Screen), Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Oct 18, 2007 8:30 PM

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Q: G3 Wallstreet: Can not get airport card to work.

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  • by jpl,

    jpl jpl Oct 18, 2007 10:05 PM in response to DanielLynch
    Level 7 (28,285 points)
    Oct 18, 2007 10:05 PM in response to DanielLynch
    Daniel,

    Unfortunately, the original AirPort card works only in an internal slot in computers that are AirPort-ready. The first powerbook so equipped was the Powerbook G3 FireWire (Pismo); it had an internal slot under the keyboard.

    The Wallstreet can go wireless using a WiFi PC card in the PCMCIA/CardBus slot where you are attempting to use the AirPort card. If you are interested in using such a card, please reply; there are many variables in this equation and a few suggestions will be helpful.

    By the way, since your original AirPort card has been discontinued for several years, prices on used cards run anywhere from $80-120 depending on where you shop.

    Edit: I mean to say your old AirPort card is worth some money so don't throw it out!

    Message was edited by: jpl
  • by amarnina,

    amarnina amarnina Dec 24, 2007 7:10 AM in response to jpl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2007 7:10 AM in response to jpl
    jpl:

    Read with interest your post to Daniel to install and make functioning wireless capability on a Wallstreet. Mine is Family M4753 with more detail further down.

    My first Mac was the 128 MB, then a Mac Plus, on to Performa, LC II, SE30, Power PC 6500 & 7200 and a PowerBook 520c, which I still have. The MAC Almanac by Sharon Zardetto Aker published in 1994 was my bible. And now I have the Wallstreet which I LOVE but want to take wireless for use with my home network. I'm using a Westell Versalink 327W networking router connected now thru ethernet.

    My Wallstreet is equipped with upgraded processor speed 300 MHz, 384 MB Memory (RAM) and 48 GB Harddrive space, one @ 38 GB with three partitions for OS 10.2.8 w' 7.79 GB capacity w' 5.33 GB available/31% full; 2nd part for OS 9.2 classic @ 16.79GB capacity with 14.19 GB available/15% full and 3rd part w' 12.66 GB capacity, 12.21 GB available/2% full; and then an xCaret external plug-in hard drive with 7.63 GB capacity & 6.91 GB available/9% full.

    I've been reading up on how to do this for several months and have collected many links to articles but having someone to get direct answers I think will be invaluable when I get into it and will be enough to get me to jump in and tackle it. Which card to get seems a little confusing. I have identified that the G3 comes with a 32-bit cardBuss slot and I have a USB Busport Mobile card, and also have a DVD Decoder PC card installed which I don't ever use. I also know I have Apple 80211 framework in the OSX System Library/Private Frameworks and that for wireless I needed to run OS 10.2.6 or later so bought OS X system disks then upgraded through Apple Updater to 10.2.8. I have in my previous notes to "use Airport Software V 3.1 and that maybe a 802.1g wireless card, noting the "g" is to be the best. In my notes I also have that I located in my Minimac OS 9 Extensions: Firewire Card Bux Enabler v 1.0.1, Firewire Enabler v 2.8.5, Firewire Support v 2.8.5. That is still pretty confusing to me but then again I've just been collecting bits and pieces here and there about doing this.

    Hope this didn't overwhelm you but I upgraded the memory on my 520c and have installed harddrives so I really want to tackle myself making my Wallstreet wireless.

    I'm getting ready right now to find out why my batteries just stopped charging and I'll check to see if there is a loose connection somewhere or will probably need a WallStreet Power & Charge Card - SKU PBF0308 - $24.95 from Powermedic.com or equivalent.

    So if I get into trouble can I shoot some questions to you? I'm excited. And I don't need to do this now if there would be a better time for you to be able respond. Had been thinking of buying a Pismo but love my Wallstreet with the xCaret so much that in Googling Airport G3 came across your post from Oct. and hope this reaches you.

    Thanks in advance.

    Amarnina