Asus N10 USB adaptor with EMac 10.3.9

Yes, the ASUS web site does not appear to offer USB-N10 drivers for anything before Mac OS X 10.4 (there was a USB-N13 adapter with older Mac OS X 10.3 drivers, but that model is probably based on a different chipset).

Unfortunately, this is not an unusual problem with USB Wi-Fi adapters. Special driver software is typically needed, but often not available for earlier Mac operating systems. What you can do in a case like this is to try to find an older driver version (may not exist at all) from the supplier, or to check whether there is a suitable driver from another source for the same chipset. Also, one should perhaps not completely rule out that a driver for a newer system version in fact may work with Mac OS 10.3.9 (unless you have tested that already).

A general advice for older Macintosh computers is to use a wireless Ethernet bridge (also known as a gaming or media adapter) connected to the Ethernet port instead. Examples include Netgear WNCE2001 and Linksys WET610N. This kind of bridge device does not normally require special drivers, and can thus be used under almost any operating system.

Jan

Hi,

>Do you think the Asus N13 will work on it with the correct drivers?

At least according to the following web page, the USB-N13 appears to have support for Mac OS X 10.3:

http://www.asus.com/Networking/USBN13/#specifications

See also the page below for drivers:

http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=USB-N13&os=30

However, do check that the above is valid for exactly the variant sold before you buy.

Depending on the eMac version, you will have either USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. A Wi-Fi adapter connected to USB 1.1 port ought to work, but the maximum speed will be limited.

Anyway, a wireless Ethernet bridge (which does not have to be that expensive) connected to the Ethernet port would be my recommendation in a case like this one.

Jan

>Or could I plug an ethernet cable into the Airport Express I have upstairs extending my network?

There are different versions of the AirPort Express with different Ethernet capabilities. Which generation AirPort Express is it?

How are the Wi-Fi devices arranged today? Is the Express wirelessly connected to an AirPort Extreme base station?

Jan

An 802.11n AirPort Express could per se act as a wireless Ethernet bridge device, to join an existing Wi-Fi network.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1731

However, the situation here is different. Since the AirPort Express in your case is used to somehow extend a network, it would probably not be a bad idea to try one of the AirPort support areas instead for expert advice. Good luck!

Jan