USB Wireless Adaptor for eMac

Check out the eMac specifications, for example, here. Depending upon the model, you could install an AirPort or AirPort Extreme card. This is probably the easiest way. See also the KB articles HT1621 and HT3024.

You could per se try USB wireless adapters, but only if appropriate Mac drivers are available (if at all, usually only for Mac OS X 10.3 or higher).

Another solution could be wireless Ethernet bridge devices (also called gaming adapters). These units (such as Belkin F5D7330, D-Link DWL-G810, D-Link DWL-G820, Linksys WET54G, Linksys WGA600N and Netgear WGE111) do not require special drivers and can be used under almost any operating system. Not all models (or versions of a model) offer WPA security. You could connect a wireless Ethernet bridge directly to each computer (the Ethernet port). Alternatively, it ought to be possible to use wired Ethernet (via a switch) between the computers, and then one bridge device as a connection point to an existing wireless network.

Jan

800 Mhz eMacs will not work with Extreme cards.

They only work with the original Airport card.

USB wireless will be very slow, since they only support USB 1.1. Apple did not support USB 2 on eMacs until September 2003.

The only USB wireless adapters known to work with eMacs are the ones by http://www.macwireless.com/

They also sell the original airport card.

A WiFi router with LAN ports is pretty inexpensive compared to the cards, and can essentially allow sharing of a wireless network with other Macs in other rooms within 150 to 1500 feet depending on the range of the routers.

At least all eMacs have built-in 10/100 ethernet.

You may find that's the cheapest workable solution.

Anyone know of a USB Wireless G (or B) adaptor that will work with OS 10.3?

Not many wireless USB adapters are advertised as being suitable for Macintosh computers. Here in Sweden I have seen one D-Link DWL-G122 version with "MAC OS 10.3x/10.4x" on the box. You are probably going to find other makes and models. If no Mac software from the supplier of the adapter, you may want to make an attempt to determine the chipset used (and then look for Mac drivers, from the chip manufacturer or from a third party). Be prepared to experiment; there have been a number of reports about wireless USB adapter difficulties with Macs (and some about success).

Jan

800 MHz nVidia graphics eMacs need the original Airport card for use with the built-in Airport card slot. 800 MHz ATI graphics eMacs need the Airport Extreme card. You can check System Preferences -> Graphics to determine which graphics chipset the eMacs have.

iFelix has some suggestions on Wireless Ethernet Bride devices at iFelix: Original Airport Card Alternatives

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3024?viewlocale=en_US

says:

An eMac (ATI Graphics) computer without a SuperDrive may be able to start up in Mac OS 9. If the computer is started up in Mac OS 9, you cannot use the AirPort Extreme Card. To regain use of the AirPort Extreme Card, start the computer up in Mac OS X 10.2.3 or later.

To startup a Mac in Mac OS 9, the System Folder for Mac OS 9 would have to appear in Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Startup Disk and be able to restart into it.

The ATI Graphics card eMac was introduced May 2003, and terminated April 2004.

A wireless Ethernet bridge isn't the same as a wireless USB adapter, but the Ethernet drivers are built into the Mac OS. That's not true of USB adapters; before buying any inexpensive wireless USB adapters, check if they claim to be Mac compatible, then Google the brand/model for Mac OS user experiences to check the wireless USB adapter actually works. There are such adapters advertised for Macs (e.g. 802.11n Apple Wireless-to-USB Adapter), but at US$65 it costs even more than the Airport Extreme card.

I have a 2005 1.42ghz eMac running Leopard. I don't understand why there is some concern over USB wireless not working? Can someone explain this to me? I was considering getting a USB Wireless adapter for it as some listed on ebay say they are mac compatible, so why would this not work?? Check it out in the link below and tell me what you guys think. Thanks. Steve.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wireless-WiFi-USB-Dongle-Adapter-Antenna-Vista-XP-MacW0QQitemZ350103021334QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Networking_SM?hash=item3501 03021334&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Message was edited by: skeletal_wreck

Steve,

As has been indicated above, a USB wireless adapter may be usable, providing that an appropriate Mac driver can be found. You will have to check whether an available Mac driver works with Mac OS 10.5.x.

Generally speaking, USB wireless adapter driver software that is OK under a certain version of the operating system may or may not work after a future system update/upgrade.

The 2005 1.42 GHz eMac has USB 2.0 ports, so port speed limitations should not apply in this very case.

The eMac in question can take an AirPort Extreme card. This card can be expected to work as intended under Leopard and other supported Mac operating systems.

A wireless Ethernet bridge (gaming adapter) can be expected to work under almost any operating system, since no special drivers are required (the device connects via the computer's built-in Ethernet).

Jan

Given up with the Realtek USB Wireless Aerial on non-airport card macs, just persist and fiddle with the settings, believe me it does work brilliantly. It just seems a little confusing whilst you're trying to get it to work with Airport Express. The frustrating bit is when Realtek's software monitor says the antenna is working and the mac doesn't seem to want to play, just keep tweeking the settings you will get there in the end I did. Some Belkins routers need a little encouragement, the settings need carefully checking to make sure you aren't shutting your Mac out, but with a little relaxed persistence it does pay off. It took me weeks to tumble where the problem was and as per usual the answer was simple.