Mac mini G4 connect to wireless network?

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Level 1

8 points

Mac mini G4 connect to wireless network?

Hello,

Looking for some help with Mac mini wireless issue, hope you can help! I currently have a first-generation Mac mini G4, with no AirPort antenna inside. I want to connect to the wireless network in my college dorm, is there any way I can do that? I bought a USB wireless network adaptor but it doesn't work. All suggestions welcome!

MacBook 2.4Ghz 2 GB RAM / Mac mini G4 1.25 Ghz 512MB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 19, 2008 5:04 PM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Nov 20, 2008 10:07 AM in response to Belfieldian

Welcome to Apple Discussions!

Many WiFi routers have built-in ethernet and allow you to share a wireless network with a home computer that just has an ethernet port, which your Mac Mini has. That's probably your best bet. USB wireless dongles are notoriously fickle when it comes to drivers. A few on http://www.macwireless.com/ offer Mac compatibility, but that's about all that I'm familiar with. If you are adventurous you can add an airport card to your Mac Mini.

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Answer 2

Belfieldian Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2008 3:14 PM in response to a brody

Thanks for the help! I may try to install an AirPort card, even though the instructions terrify me! I may be wrong, but would it be possible for me to use an AirPort Express to connect to the wireless internet? i.e. connect the Mini and the AirPort Express via ethernet cable, and (hopefully) the Express would pick up the wireless internet from the wireless router (which is unfortunately outside my room)? This could just be fantasy though!

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Answer 3

AndyO

Level 6

17,064 points

Nov 21, 2008 3:22 AM in response to Belfieldian

If yours is a G4 mini with no Airport installed, then you can't just open it up and fit an Airport Extreme card. Unfortunately, there isn't a place to connect it, and no antenna either.

You would need to obtain the official Apple Airport and Bluetooth upgrade kit - it has a model number of M9870Z/A if you want to Google for suppliers. This kit contains the Airport card, airport and bluetooth antennas, and the 'riser' card onto which the Airport card is connected and which then connects to the logic board.

The Airport upgrade kit is now discontinued, though it can be found from a variety of sellers, and should cost around $100.

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