Can I use an Airport Express if I have OS 10.4.11?

Question

Can I use an Airport Express if I have OS 10.4.11?

Also, my iPhone picks up Wi-Fi in my living room, 80 feet away from the Comcast router, but my Macbook (2006) does not. Could it be I need a new airport card in the Macbook? thanks! Robert

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 8, 2010 6:40 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 8, 2010 7:34 PM in response to Robert Wolfson

Welcome to the discussions!

Can I use an AirPort Express if I have OS 10.4.11?

Yes. It would be a good idea to have AirPort Utility 5.4.2 installed on your computer to configure the Express.

+iPhone picks up Wi-Fi in my living room, 80 feet away from the Comcast router, but my Macbook (2006) does not.+

Where does the MacBook pick up the signal?

Reply

Answer 2

Sep 8, 2010 10:41 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I was hoping I would hear from you, Bob! I've seen some of your other posts. The instruction booklet with the Express says I need OS 10.5.7. So, with the airport utility 5.4.2 I do not need 10.5.7?

My Macbook (black, made in 2006) picks up the Wi-Fi signal (from my Comcast router) when I am near the router. But in the living room, about 80 feet away, the Macbook does not pick it up. However, the iPhone does! Could it be there is something wrong with the airport card in the Macbook? Do they need to be replaced after 4 years? thanks a lot! Robert

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 9, 2010 6:13 AM in response to Robert Wolfson

+The instruction booklet with the Express says I need OS 10.5.7. So, with the airport utility 5.4.2 I do not need 10.5.7?+

If you'll check the link to AirPort Utility 5.4.2 that I provided and look on the right hand side of the page, you'll see that it will work with 10.4.x

You may be thinking about AirPort Utility 5.5.1, which does require 10.5.7.

Regarding the MacBook, try changing the channel that the Comcast router is using as the MacBook may be picking up some wireless interference from another source. It's also possible that the internal antenna connector has worked loose to the antenna is not working correctly and finally, yes it's possible that the wireless card is acting up. A repair shop can check on the antenna and/or the wireless card if changing the channel does not help.

I would not expect the MacBook to pickup as far away, but it should work out to 30-40 feet or so.

Reply