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Q: Tenda w311n with iMac G3 indigo, Mac OS 9.2.2?

Hey iMac community. I've got an indigo iMac G3, summer of 2000 model with Mac OS 9.2.1 hat needs wifi. I have a small USB adapter from tenda, the tenda w311n model. When I plug it into the mac, it spits out to me, "could not find drivers for 802.11n wireless usb adapter. " and requests to surf the internet for it... Which ironically, is what I'm trying to get working. I did a bunch of searching, and tenda never manufactured Mac OS 9 drivers for their adapter. Is there a generic driver I can try?

iMac, Mac OS 9.2.x, G3 indigo, summer of 2000 model.

Posted on Jun 10, 2015 4:20 PM

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Q: Tenda w311n with iMac G3 indigo, Mac OS 9.2.2?

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  • by Jan Hedlund,Helpful

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Jun 11, 2015 10:33 AM in response to minetape
    Level 6 (9,869 points)
    Jun 11, 2015 10:33 AM in response to minetape

    Without being familiar with exactly the adapter in question, drivers for USB Wi-Fi devices today typically require at least Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4.

     

    What you could do is to use a wireless Ethernet bridge (connected to the Ethernet port of the iMac) instead. There are several to choose from, including the examples Netgear WNCE2001 and Linksys WET610N. A modern wireless Ethernet bridge supports the latest security protocols. The advantage is that special driver software is not required, meaning that almost any operating system will be OK. Normally, the bridge can be configured through a standard web browser (if necessary, even at another computer).

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jun 11, 2015 6:00 PM in response to minetape
    Level 8 (35,022 points)
    iPad
    Jun 11, 2015 6:00 PM in response to minetape

    Be aware that most ethernet bridges cost more than teh going price of a G3 iMac on the "pre-owned" market

  • by Rick Pierce,

    Rick Pierce Rick Pierce Jun 11, 2015 7:57 PM in response to minetape
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Jun 11, 2015 7:57 PM in response to minetape

    Yes. Go with the Wireless Ethernet Bridge. It converts your Ethernet plug into wireless. Works well for older machines.