how to check if my airport card is installed? I can't find it in the network settings, so no WI-FI :-(

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how to check if my airport card is installed? I can't find it in the network settings, so no WI-FI :-(

Since I bought this iMac more then 2 years ago, I wasn't really bothered that this feature (airport) didn't work in my iMac as I connected my iMac directly via Ethernet to the routher. The wireless router then connects to the other devices in my house. But I want to move my iMac to another room and need the airport-card to work. It was bought with it, but it has never been switched on. Any suggestions, where to check:

1.if the aiport-card has been installed when I bought it?

2. if yes, how to switch it on? it doesnt pop-up on my screen when I use the '+' in the network settings? Only 'ethernet' and 'blue-tooth'.

iMac (27-inch Late 2009)

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 5:34 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 29, 2013 7:01 AM in response to Dutchrob

Hello:

"Airport card" is, I think, a misnomer. All iMacs (for the past few years) have wi-fi capability built-in.

First thing to try is to reset the SMC.

The, go to system preferences>network. At the top it should say "status: connected." Also, there is a button that refers to the wi-fi. Click on it if the wi-fi is off.

You do not indicate which OS X version you are running (this is based on OS X 10.8).

Barry

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Answer 2

Dutchrob Author

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8 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:20 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Hi Barry,

The Wi-fi button isn't there. it only shows that I'm connected via Ethernet. I am running 10.7.5 OS

It has never worked since I bought it in 2009 when it was running 10.6.

When I want to '+' wifi, it doesnt show up in the network list.. Only bluetooth and firewire and ethernet.

Any other suggestions? SCM won't change anything else to the computer?

Thanks a a lot.

Rob

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Answer 3

Jan 29, 2013 7:25 AM in response to Dutchrob

Hello:

Resetting the SMC will not hurt anything.

Barry

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Answer 4

Dutchrob Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 30, 2013 8:12 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

nothing changed after the SMC reset.

User uploaded file

the only options are 'ethernet, FireWire, Bluetooth, VPN, PPPoE, 6 to 4.

all airport utilitiies are installed but no wifi from my iMac 27" 2009.

Any other solution?

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Answer 5

Jan 30, 2013 10:47 AM in response to Dutchrob

Hello:

Since I am running a later version of OS X, I cannot replicate what you are seeing. The SMC reset usually brings missing BT to life.

Barry

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Answer 6

WZZZ

Level 6

13,220 points

Jan 30, 2013 11:26 AM in response to Dutchrob

What are you seeing in System Profiler for Airport? Go to >More Info>About this Mac>Network>Airport

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Answer 7

Dutchrob Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 30, 2013 11:41 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Is there a way to see if the actual hardware with driver has been installed in the iMAC?

it shows that tht following software versioin are installed for Wifi;

Software Versions:

CoreWLAN: 2.1.3 (213.1)

CoreWLANKit: 1.0.3 (103.2)

Menu Extra: 7.2 (720.1)

configd plug-in: 7.4.1 (741.1)

System Profiler: 7.0 (700.3)

IO80211 Family: 4.2 (420.3)

WiFi Diagnostics: 1.0.2 (102)

AirPort Utility: 6.1 (610.31)

But I can't find any hardware in the list of 'system report' that refers to 'airport card'

Is there a way to find out if there is any of such a device built in the iMac at all?

the hardware overview shows: no devices installed of the following:

ATA
Fiber Channel
Hardware RAI
PCI Cards
Parallel SCSI
SAS
Thunderbolt drivers not loaded.

it's a iMac, OS 10.7.5, but started with 10.6 when I bought it, 4GB, ethernet, 27".Wifi never worked.

any other solutions that could work? thanks for your help so far Barry!

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Answer 8

Dutchrob Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 30, 2013 11:59 AM in response to Dutchrob

User uploaded file

I can;t find anything with airport extreme or airport card in the list.

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Answer 9

Dutchrob Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 30, 2013 12:06 PM in response to Dutchrob

no sign of any airport extreme installed. I'm out of warrantgy but have to go for the harddisk replacement, hopefullyu they will take this issue into account as well. worst case I buy a cheap usb stick with wifi on it! not very glamourous...

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