Having trouble setting up Ralink USB wireless adapter

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Having trouble setting up Ralink USB wireless adapter

Hi all,

I recently bought a usb adapter for my G3 which is running Tiger. Downloaded the most recent driver from the Ralink website and it appeared to install fine, however when I double click on the 'Wireless Utility' app to configure the adapter it won't launch.

It doesn't bob in the system tray, it just does nothing. The adapter itself is recognised and shows up in the profiler but I can't use it as I can't put in the WEP password or anything.

So far what I have done is repaired the disk permissions and tried reinstalling the driver several times.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Are there any alternative programs I could use to configure the adapter with? When I open the network panel it shows up as 'en2', but then if I click 'assist me' the airport option is greyed out.

Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Posted on Apr 27, 2010 1:58 PM

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Answer 1

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

Apr 27, 2010 10:52 PM in response to gemmakls

I searched a little and found this. Maybe it will help.

http://torley.com/how-i-got-my-wireless-g-usb-adapter-working-with-a-mac

What is the exact name of the USB adapter you have?

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 2

gemmakls Author

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Apr 28, 2010 8:21 PM in response to Steve M.

Hi thanks for looking Steve,

I came across that page and didn't follow it up only because the driver on the cd is called '2870', but I'm sure it won't hurt to try this other one and see what happens.

The USB chip I bought was a dead cheap unbranded model

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Answer 3

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

Apr 28, 2010 9:12 PM in response to gemmakls

I bought this one a few months ago when it was $19. Looks like it's now up to $24. But it has worked for me on an iMac G4 running Tiger.

http://www.newertech.com/products/mxusb_gb.php

You may not want to spring for another one. Hopefully you can get yours working.

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 4

gemmakls Author

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Apr 30, 2010 2:46 PM in response to Steve M.

Went back on the ralink website and tried both drivers but neither of them worked.

The utility just won't launch

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Answer 5

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

Apr 30, 2010 3:53 PM in response to gemmakls

If you don't mind the question, how much did the device cost?

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 6

gemmakls Author

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May 2, 2010 5:58 AM in response to Steve M.

£5 inc p&p!

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Answer 7

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

May 2, 2010 9:06 AM in response to gemmakls

Pretty good price for sure. Hope you can get it to work. Any luck?

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 8

gemmakls Author

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May 6, 2010 4:10 PM in response to Steve M.

It's still not working, not sure what else to try. I'm sure the hardware is fine - I just can't get the app to launch

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Answer 9

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

May 6, 2010 8:46 PM in response to gemmakls

Not sure what else you can try. The answer may lie out there on the internet somewhere if you could just happen upon it during a search. Hope something turns up for you.

PS I vaguely remember that when I installed the software for my Macpower Newer Tech USB wireless device there were instructions that were very specific about the installation. They said it was very important to either install all the software first and then connect the USB device or vice versa. I can't remember which way it was. Maybe you could give it one more shot and uninstall everything, disconnect your USB device and start over from scratch. I'd try installing all the drivers before connecting the device.

Regards,
Steve M.

Message was edited by: Steve M.

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Answer 10

bengi3

Level 1

4 points

May 15, 2010 10:34 AM in response to Steve M.

I have the same problem, but while the Utility launches when installed on a G4 (regardless the dongle is connected) it does not launch on the G3.
Are the Ralink Utilities compatible with G3?
Ben

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Answer 11

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

May 15, 2010 11:15 AM in response to bengi3

I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with teh Ralink Utilities. Perhaps their website provides some useful information.

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 12

gemmakls Author

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May 27, 2010 1:46 PM in response to bengi3

That's strange, and frustrating no doubt

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Answer 13

sjons

Level 1

10 points

Aug 13, 2010 1:07 PM in response to gemmakls

it's the G3 architecture, I had the exact same problem on a G3 ibook running 10.4 - look in the crash log - it says incompatible CPU subtype... I did get on using the "torley" link in the thread, but only on unencrypted networks - was never able to get the ralink UI to open (just like you)

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