Wireless help for older G3 iMac

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Wireless help for older G3 iMac

I just read a topic like this from 2007. Someone named JimoWard said he had bought a Belkin Wireless G Plus MIMO USB Network Adaptor (F5D9050 Version 3001) and connected it to his G4 iMac downloaded the driver, went through the set up and it worked no problem. Well I have a G3 iMac and I bought almost the identical item but it is version 4000 not 3001 and it does not work. In the Network status in Network settings it says the Ethernet Adapter (en1) has it's own IP address and may not connect to the internet. I have no idea why it has it's own IP address but I can't get on the internet, do I need to look for a different solution or can this still work. It came with a CD that has a set for mac that came with the network adapter so I don't think it's a driver problem. It does say that it is receiving a signal from my at&t gateway wireless router, but I still cant get on the internet.

RN1275J6LFB, Mac OS X (10.4.11), iMac G3 500mhz

Posted on Apr 5, 2009 5:22 PM

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Answer 1

raidertodd Author

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Apr 5, 2009 7:57 PM in response to raidertodd

I see someone had the same problem earlier this year and an ethernet bridge was the suggested solution. I have heard that answer a lot and think that might be my answer, it's sounds like it would be faster also. Thank you Jan Hedlund who responded to that question, with that suggestion.

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Answer 2

Apr 5, 2009 10:16 PM in response to raidertodd

Your iMac G3 only has USB 1.1 ports, so if that USB adapter needs USB 2.0 to work properly, that may be the problem. And iMac G4 has USB 2.0 (if it's one of the later models). And even if it did work, the slowness of the USB 1.1 port will limit your potential speed.

An Ethernet bridge looks like a wired Ethernet connection to the iMac (so no drivers), and that iMac has reasonably fast 100Base-T Ethernet ports, so that would be the fastest option. With a 500 MHz iMac G3, you should also be able to use the built-in internal connector for the original 802.11b AirPort card and adapter. It does not have the fastest speed, but since it's Apple's solution, it will be compatible with no need for third-party drivers.

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Answer 3

raidertodd Author

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Apr 5, 2009 11:45 PM in response to raidertodd

Thank you, that makes the decision easier. Am I right in my thinking that the bridge would be the cheaper of the 2, that is over the airport card.

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Answer 4

Apr 6, 2009 12:06 AM in response to raidertodd

Here's one listing for the old airport card from a reputable vendor

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/M7600LLE/

That's probably a typical price. The only thing is, it use it with an iMac G3, you also need the adapter. So you'll have to find one of these and factor in that cost.

I think a new ethernet bridge would end up costing about the same as AirPort card plus adapter.

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Answer 5

raidertodd Author

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Apr 6, 2009 12:17 AM in response to raidertodd

I may make my decision based solely on availability of the adapter for the airport card versus the bridge. Thank you for the link.

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Answer 6

spudnuty

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Apr 6, 2009 12:21 PM in response to raidertodd

Hi,
I have two of those iMac Airport adapter cards. Email me if interested.
Richard

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Answer 7

raidertodd Author

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Apr 6, 2009 6:50 PM in response to raidertodd

Hello

Ok, I can't seem to figure out what bridge would work with my G3. I was told that Linksys does not work with the Mac, does anyone have a suggestion.

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Answer 8

Jan Hedlund

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Apr 6, 2009 7:17 PM in response to raidertodd

Hi,

A normal wireless Ethernet bridge does not require special drivers. This means that it can be used under almost any operating system, Mac or PC. The setup can (usually) be done via a normal web browser. Examples of wireless Ethernet bridge devices include Belkin F5D7330, D-Link DWL-G810, D-Link DWL-G820, Linksys WET54G, Linksys WGA600N and Netgear WGE111. Study the specifications; not all models or variants of a model may support WPA security (at least not without a firmware update).

Jan

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Answer 9

Apr 6, 2009 7:45 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

I had a Linksys product a few years ago (a router). Although the instructions were for Windows (not "Mac" instructions), if you did what it said to do for Windows on a Mac, it worked fine. So that may be why someone would say the Linksys product is not Mac-compatible.

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Answer 10

raidertodd Author

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Apr 6, 2009 10:08 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Thank you both, your info saved me from taking back a bridge I just purchased, that led me to instruction at the Linksys site that told me how to connect a wireless bridge to a mac. Now I have run into instructions I don't understand. It says to choose a default transmit key. Is that just were the ethernet cable is connected to. I noticed the connections on the router are marked 1,2,3,4. Is that all it's asking. Because that is were it says I need to enter the wep key. It has a place for key1,key2,key3,key4. I think thats what it means, but I want to be sure.

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Answer 11

Apr 6, 2009 10:16 PM in response to raidertodd

Can you copy/paste the URL for those Mac instructions on the Linksys site?

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Answer 12

raidertodd Author

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Apr 6, 2009 10:25 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Once you are in the instructions it does not have a URL. But it does give you the option of e-mailing them, hole on

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Answer 13

Apr 6, 2009 10:59 PM in response to raidertodd

I think this URL (below) will take you do the +Accessing the Setup Page of the WGA54G Using Mac+ page, so if anyone else has input, please chime in (I'm not the +networking guru+ around here).

http://www3.nohold.net/noHoldCust56/prod8/KnowledgePortal/KPscripts/ArticleViewer.asp?docid=1a0764e0094f4e67b476cdfccd99 42d7_15842_ENv1.xml

and the higher level page (that is not Mac specific)

http://www3.nohold.net/noHoldCust56/prod8/KnowledgePortal/KPscripts/ArticleViewer.asp?docid=dfb08130ff224f9e8d29f9e99833 8a0a_KB4558_EN_070207v1.xml

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Answer 14

raidertodd Author

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Apr 6, 2009 11:07 PM in response to raidertodd

The instructions on the Linksys site are for a PC, but it shows what to do for a Mac early in the instructions. I think I am write in my thinking. The default transmit key, I think is just a fancy name for the port the ethernet cable is connected to. Unless anyone knows otherwise.

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Answer 15

Apr 6, 2009 11:13 PM in response to raidertodd

So just to confirm, you connected the device to your iMac's Ethernet port and powered it up. You ran Safari and entered the 192.168.1.250 address as the URL and logged into the devices setup screen.

So, back on the higher-level instructions page that is not Mac-specific, which Step # are you on where you have this question?

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