How to install USB card in Mac OS 8.6?

I assume this is the software you downloaded. *USB Adapter Card Support 1.4.1 Document and Software*
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31132 You have to use Stuffit to uncompress the file. Per the Read Me instructions with the file, you first install the USB PCI card, then install the software.

What USB PCI card (manufacturer, model, and number of ports) are you trying to use? In most older Macs you can only use a 2-port card (the newer 4 or 5 port cards won't work). In an old PM 6500 that I used to have, I used a Belkin 2-port Model F5U005 USB PCI card. You'll have to search for this card.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Hello tytom2003,

Welcome, and Happy New Year!

First, make sure your printer and USB card are Mac compatible.

Second, you will probably have to re-install your Operating System in order for your Mac to "see" your USB card. You cannot install the proper USB and USB support extensions by downloading them, because your Operating System will not "see" them, will not recognise them.

You should perform a "clean reinstall" (also known as "archive and install") from your original installation CD - or from a retail, full install CD, with the USB card installed in its PCI slot. Your Mac will now automatically "see" or recognise the USB card, and will see the need to install the USB extensions.

By doing a "clean install", you will have a newly installed System Folder and the old, disabled 'Previous System Folder' next to it. You will not lose anything, as all your old applications and documents will be saved in the 'Previous System Folder' where you may retrieve them and drag them over to your new System Folder.

I assume you are running OS 8.6, but it doesn't really matter. The OS CD will install the correct USB extensions. (An OS9 CD might install 1.4.6 extensions - whatever it installs should work).

I did not have your exact model, but rather a 7300 and several beige G3s, but the procedure is all the same.

It is also possible to do a 'Custom Install' or install by 'Tome Viewer' utility.

Let us know if it works.

I hope to have been of some help. It will have been an honour.

Jon

Message was edited by: Jon Smith

Tell us more about the card, as Tom suggested. I know that the Opti chips that were used on some cards (e.g., Belkin) would sometimes not work properly. The card had to be installed in a certain PCI slot (after you get your drivers sorted out, and if you still have problems, you can try moving it about), or it might not work if another PCI card was in the computer (I have an old 2-port card like this in a box).

Mac files have two parts, a data fork and a resource fork. You cannot unStuff Mac files on a PC. If you do, the resource fork is discarded, and the files is incomplete and cannot work on a Mac.

You need to get Stuffit Expander onto your Mac, and unStuff on your Mac.

I checked the URL you provided and looked at the product specifications:

Product Requirements
* Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP

It does not say it is Mac compatible. Cards made for Windows only will usually not work in a Mac, though sometimes cards are made that will work in both. You should see if you can return it and look for a card that specifically states it will work in a Mac, and preferably includes that it works with OS8.6.