Older imac G3 - how do I connect to wireless

Hard to tell you without knowing the exact iMac model you have. The first two generations have no Airport capability. Starting with the slot-loading DV models an Airport card could be installed but required an adapter. Apple no longer makes either Airport Standard card or the adapter which means you would need to find them on the outside market such as eBay (or Google search for them.) If you have on of the early generations then you cannot fit them with a wireless card. However, all of them have Ethernet ports so you could use an Airport Express as a wireless access point to communicate with the wireless router. This would be the least expensive approach.

HI Kappy
I am trying to get a friend, who's got an iMac PowerPc G3 400 MHz to go wireless.
there is airport software on the computer, ut no hardware.
what is the Airport express you mentioned earlier? otherwise can I just have one of those wireless USB adapters to work?
thanks, Resi

You can read about it here. It's a wireless access point with some additional features. However, you could use a USB-based wireless adapter.

by a usb wireless adaptor you nean those that looks like memory sticks? sorry to ask but want to make sure we talking same thing before I go to the local shop! thanks for replying so quickly!

I do not mean cell wireless adapter. I mean a simple USB based wireless access point. You should find them at D-Link, Belkin, LinkSys, etc.

HI just had a look on Amazon, is this what we talking about? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Macsense-AeroLite-Wireless-Client-Adapter/dp/B000LS02HW

thanks again for the help...

on another note, the Mac has got OS9...can I get OSx for free somewhere (or v cheaply!)?

thanks
Resi

Resi,

A USB wireless (WiFi) adapter will often need Mac OS X 10.3 or later. Such adapters are inexpensive, but there have been many reports about difficulties. If you consider one, make absolutely sure that there is Mac driver software available.

Another option is a wireless Ethernet bridge. Examples include Belkin F5D7330, D-Link DWL-G820 (or DWL-G810) and Linksys WET54G. These units can be connected to the RJ-45 Ethernet port of the Mac. They do not normally require special drivers (and can thus be used with almost any Ethernet-capable device regardless of operating system).

Jan

Yep. That's what I had in mind.

No, OS X is not free. You can buy Panther on eBay or FastMac.com.

Hi - I connected an old airport base station to the blue G3 imac by an ethernet cable, and the TCP/IP control panel to Ethernet with DHCP, but I still don't get a connection to the internet. I dont see an airport icon in the top right edge of the screen either. I cannot open the airport setup utility because I dont have an actual airport card installed. Do I need to direct the airport to receive the one wireless signal in my office that does not require a password?

I just installed the Macsense Aeropad Mini on my iMac G3 350 MHz and it works perfectly.

It does the wi-fi through the Ethernet, and gets its power from the USB so there's no extra power cable.

HOWEVER, note that there is a programmed in error in the setup wizard, and there's no insert in the box. Be sure to go to their help pages as noted in the enclosed directions.

Essentially, when you tell it the name of your wi-fi network, it centers it in the parameters box, instead of left justifying it, so it doesn't find it, but looks for a network that is essentially a bunch of spaces then a name, rather than just a name.

mike

Message was edited by: michaelpjr