You may want to check out this list of USB-ethernet adapters.
Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
My ethernet port died after a recent power surge. Does anyone know a helpful website that can walk me through replacing it? It's a flat panel 800 MHZ from about 5 years ago.
19 replies
The dead component is probably not replacable, unless you want to replace the entire logic board (very expensive). Your choice is more or less between getting a USB ethernet adapter or sending the machine in for repairs.
You may want to check out this list of USB-ethernet adapters.
You may want to check out this list of USB-ethernet adapters.
Hello,
Just to clarify:
The Ethernet adapter is built-into the logic board (main board) in Macintosh computers.
It's not a separate card that can be replaced like it is on many PC's.
So, you cannot replace a faulty Ethernet port without replacing your computer's main board / logic board. That's going to be more expensive than just buying another computer.
So, your options are new computer or USB Ethernet adapter.
A USB Ethernet adapter is going to plug into one of your USB ports, and act as an Ethernet port.
You need to make sure you get one that is compatible with your version of the Mac OS.
Hope this helps.
Just to clarify:
The Ethernet adapter is built-into the logic board (main board) in Macintosh computers.
It's not a separate card that can be replaced like it is on many PC's.
So, you cannot replace a faulty Ethernet port without replacing your computer's main board / logic board. That's going to be more expensive than just buying another computer.
So, your options are new computer or USB Ethernet adapter.
A USB Ethernet adapter is going to plug into one of your USB ports, and act as an Ethernet port.
You need to make sure you get one that is compatible with your version of the Mac OS.
Hope this helps.
Thanks very much for the replies. I will definitely look into the USB option.
Hello,
You're quite welcome. I think that is probably your best option.
Thanks very much for the replies. I will definitely
look into the USB option.
You're quite welcome. I think that is probably your best option.
This is horrible News. Basically you have to get a new computer. Not the advice I wanted to read. Will a USB connection slow down my internet connection?
Hello,
No, it shouldn't slow it down much if at all.
Most likely (unless you pay for the fastest speed available) your Internet connection to your ISP is still going to be slower than the transfer rate of your USB port.
So, I wouldn't expect to see much performance drop. Most likely, you won't see any change at all.
I set up some other people's network using wireless USB ethernet adapters, and it was about the same speed as their hard-wired network. So, I think you'll be fine.
USB connection slow down my internet connection?
No, it shouldn't slow it down much if at all.
Most likely (unless you pay for the fastest speed available) your Internet connection to your ISP is still going to be slower than the transfer rate of your USB port.
So, I wouldn't expect to see much performance drop. Most likely, you won't see any change at all.
I set up some other people's network using wireless USB ethernet adapters, and it was about the same speed as their hard-wired network. So, I think you'll be fine.
I just had the same thing happen to me. I was hoping it was my cable modem and replaced it but that wasn't the problem. Went to the local Apple Store and they confirmed it was the logic board. Total cost for parts and labor $430.
They didn't have the part in stock so I brought the computer home, at least I could connect to the web via dial-up but I'm so spoiled with cable modem. So I tried using a USB connection and it worked to my surprise. But I loose the connection sometimes. It's not too bad, just annoying and the speed seems to be just as good.
JK
They didn't have the part in stock so I brought the computer home, at least I could connect to the web via dial-up but I'm so spoiled with cable modem. So I tried using a USB connection and it worked to my surprise. But I loose the connection sometimes. It's not too bad, just annoying and the speed seems to be just as good.
JK
Hello Antfuzz,
Yes, at those prices, I wouldn't pay to repair the system either.
But, I am glad to hear that your USB Ethernet Adapter is working for you 🙂
Yes, at those prices, I wouldn't pay to repair the system either.
But, I am glad to hear that your USB Ethernet Adapter is working for you 🙂
Well, it looks like I can join this club too. But in my case it looks like BOTH my ethernet AND my airport got fried. Like you, I first thought maybe the modem/router/switch ... but I plugged the ethernet in to my PowerBook and it works fine. If the ethernet was fried is it likely for the same to happen to airport? Any wireless alternatives ?
Hello Geoffrey,
If I am understanding your question correctly, there are USB wireless adapters as well.
So, if your Airport were to fail, then you could use one of the USB adapters that adds WiFi capabilities. They have them for all types of WiFi connections.
Hope this helps.
If I am understanding your question correctly, there are USB wireless adapters as well.
So, if your Airport were to fail, then you could use one of the USB adapters that adds WiFi capabilities. They have them for all types of WiFi connections.
Hope this helps.
I tried a couple of wireless USB pieces and had no luck. I didn't dig into them too deeply as I really prefer to have a faster (ethernet) connection anyway. I wound up purchasing a Linksys Compact USB ethernet adapter (~$30 at Staples), downloaded a Mac driver (from http://sustworks.com/site/newsusbethernet.html) .... and now I'm back in business.
Hello Geoffrey,
Sorry to hear that you had trouble with the WiFi adapters. We used a couple at my mother-in-laws without trouble (Linksys), and found them comparable to her regular wired connection in terms of speed.
But, you do need a good signal with them.
Glad to hear you found a solution that worked for you though.
Sorry to hear that you had trouble with the WiFi adapters. We used a couple at my mother-in-laws without trouble (Linksys), and found them comparable to her regular wired connection in terms of speed.
But, you do need a good signal with them.
Glad to hear you found a solution that worked for you though.
I'm curious to know about you using the Linksys wireless ... they don't say anything about supporting Macs, so how/where did you find driver(s) ? How did you set-up ?
Hello Geoffrey,
I probably did not word that right. I was speaking for their speed more than compatibility in my posting.
She was using PC's.
So, I had meant that the Linksys worked fine in that they were fast and had no connection problems.
I guess I had interpreted your statement to mean that you had trouble using them, not that they were incompatible. Perhaps I misinterpreted what you had meant to say.
But, I had not checked their compatibility with a Mac. So, my comments were more related to that they are fast and connect well.
I probably did not word that right. I was speaking for their speed more than compatibility in my posting.
She was using PC's.
So, I had meant that the Linksys worked fine in that they were fast and had no connection problems.
I guess I had interpreted your statement to mean that you had trouble using them, not that they were incompatible. Perhaps I misinterpreted what you had meant to say.
But, I had not checked their compatibility with a Mac. So, my comments were more related to that they are fast and connect well.
Thanks for clarifying. Yeah, I thought of Linksys (and others) but since they don't list Mac support and a Google did not turn up any Mac drivers I abandonned the idea. Certainly we're not the first to lose our built-in networking so I have to wonder if anyone else has found a wireless alternative to Airport for the iMac.
Need instructions on how to replace Ethernet port