Airport Extreme Card won't run 802.11n

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Level 1

11 points

Airport Extreme Card won't run 802.11n

I have an AirPort Extreme card (0x14E4, 0x90) Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.36.1) in a MacMini Intel Core 2 Duo 3,1.

Using a Billion 7404VNPX wireless router, the card will only run on 802.11g.

At the same time, I've fitted a 3rd party wireless g/n card to an ancient PowerMac G4, and it runs perfectly happily on 802.11n

Can someone suggest how to make the card do what it's supposed to do?

MacMini 3,1 Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 24, 2011 2:38 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 24, 2011 5:00 PM in response to Freeflight

Freeflight wrote:
I have an AirPort Extreme card (0x14E4, 0x90) Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.36.1) in a MacMini Intel Core 2 Duo 3,1.

Using a Billion 7404VNPX wireless router, the card will only run on 802.11g.

Sorry, but that card can only run 802.11b/g, so it really is doing just what it's supposed to.

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Answer 2

Freeflight Author

Level 1

11 points

Jan 24, 2011 5:49 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

William Boyd, Jr. wrote:
Sorry, but that card can only run 802.11b/g, so it really is doing just what it's supposed to.

Well, if that's the case, perhaps Apple should improve the System Profiler reporting. Here's what mine reports for this card:

en1:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x90)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.36.1)
Locale: APAC
Country Code: X1
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
Wake On Wireless: Supported
Status: Connected

Hmmm....wonder if I can get a refund or replacement?

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Answer 3

Jan 24, 2011 8:49 PM in response to Freeflight

Freeflight wrote:
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Apologies for the misinformation. I based my statement on the fact that System Profiler showed an almost identical description for the AirPort card in a PowerBook G4, which I know doesn't support 802.11n.

Using a Billion 7404VNPX wireless router, the card will only run on 802.11g.

What do you see that convinces you of that? If you hold down an "option" key while you pull down the AirPort menu bar item, what do you see for "PHY Mode"?

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