My husband was recently given an older model Power Mac G4 with OS X 10.2.7.
How can we set this up to wireless internet?
I've read so much about Airport Extreme, Airport base, etc. etc. that I've become totally confused.
Thanks.
PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.2.x)
You need to add an 802.11 card or component. These include the AirPort card and third-party 802.11 cards.
(91365)
Would this be the item? http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/251320031211?lpid=82
And do you know of instructions online of how to install?
This is the sphere mac - don't know if that makes a difference.
Hello, I think that is also called the G4 iMac Flat Panel, or Lampshade iMac!?
Can you look for a plate a sticker on the outside of the iMac that will give us more info about this G4 iMac?
If this is a newer iMac G4 model, there are a few USB connection solutions that might work, also.
Imac G4 PowerMac4.5, OS X 10.2.7,
Model no. M6498. 800 MHz, with flat panel LCD 17", AGP x2 x1 expansion slot.
80GB, 5400 RPM.
Also our connection is WPA2. Not sure if that impacts anything or not.
Thanks!
Your only option is the Airport card you found on eBay.
This is the correct card you need.
As far as a wireless router or router/modem, you can use any of Apple's Airport products or any other third party hardware from Belkin, Netgear, Motorola, etc.
I would consider upgrading the OS to OS X 10.4 Tiger for decent performance.
You need a full retail OS disc with a black background with a silver "X" on this disc/s.
You can try and find these on Amazon or eBay. The disc/s maybe expensive.
You're going to need either a full retail OS X install disc or a set of system restore discs.
For the restore discs, You need to contact Apple in order to get OS X 10.4 Tiger from Apple, assuming they still have copies.
Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775
These discs will be replacement OS install discs. You will need to give the rep your Mac model and serial number and you'll, also, need a credit card as there is a nominal fee of around $18 for processing and shipping of the disc/s.
The serial number should be on the plate or sticker you found all of the other info.
Assuming the optical drive still works in this Mac, those replacement system restore discs should boot up the Mac.
Puppro wrote:
Also our connection is WPA2. Not sure if that impacts anything or not.
that old AirPort card supports 802.11b (the slower 10 Mbps speed rating) and I am not sure if this supports WPA2, a standard which came out later. You may have to change your WiFi router to the older compatible settings for 802.11 b and unsecure WEP. (not sure if the router can operate at both 802.11 b slow speeds and 802.11 n 130 Mbps faster speeds, so this may slow down all your other devices.)
If you are not moving the iMac around often, and have an open wired port on your router, then just run a long Ethernet cable, those can run very long distances with little signal loss, go around the room under the carpet, through closet, out the window, whatever, once it's in place the speed would be much faster than that old Airport Card.
Another option might be an Ethernet to WiFi adapter, this basically plugs into the Ethernet port, but you might have trouble finding one that is compatible with the older Mac OS X 10.2. You might be able to connect it to another machine running like 10.4 or higher to configure it to connect to your router, then plug it into the iMac, not sure. like this one for example:
Also our connection is WPA2. Not sure if that impacts anything or not.
With 10.2 and the Airport card, you are only able to run the old and unsecure WEP protocol. To run WPA with the airport card, you will need to upgrade to 10.3 or 10.4.
For the best web experience, update to 10.4.11. Use the tenfourfox web browser. Max out your ram memory.
To get WPA on your current configuration, use:
Ethernet Bridge Solutions
Power Mac G4 10.2.7
