JLiRD808
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Macbook's internal WIFI is broken - want to use the ethernet port for WIFI [Pic Inside]

Got an older hand-me-down Macbook from my brother. Unfortunately, the internal WIFI is broken---but the ethernet port works great.

 

However, my router is on the other side of the room, and wiring across is unpractical. What device do I need to set up something like the drawing below?Sketch250165445.png

Also, is there just a good USB WIFI adapter to try? I don't see good reliable Yosemite compatible devices.

 

Thanks!!

Posted on Oct 25, 2015 8:24 PM

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JLiRD808

Q: Macbook's internal WIFI is broken - want to use the ethernet port for WIFI [Pic Inside]

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 25, 2015 8:28 PM in response to JLiRD808
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 25, 2015 8:28 PM in response to JLiRD808

    You need an AirPort Express to "receive" the wireless signal from the TP Link router. Then, connect a short Ethernet cable from the Express to your Mac.

  • by JLiRD808,

    JLiRD808 JLiRD808 Oct 25, 2015 9:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 25, 2015 9:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for your quick response Bob!

     

    AirPort Express: How to join an existing Wi-Fi network in client mode - Apple Support

     

    I was getting confused because only the newer model 802.11N AX's allow use of the ethernet ports when the device is put into Client Mode. The ethernet ports were disabled once in CM on the older b/g model.

     

    That said, is the Airport Express the best option? Can I somehow get the AX to also TRANSMIT WIFI to our other portable devices? Will the Extreme allow me to set up a scenario like below? Thanks again!!!

    Sketch25018553.jpg

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Oct 25, 2015 11:20 PM in response to JLiRD808
    Level 9 (52,531 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 25, 2015 11:20 PM in response to JLiRD808
    is the Airport Express the best option? Can I somehow get the AX to also TRANSMIT WIFI to our other portable devices? Will the Extreme allow me to set up a scenario like below? Thanks again!!!

    I cannot say if the express is better or poorer option. It cannot do what you want.. ie repeater.. for that to happen it must be connected to another apple router.

     

    However, my router is on the other side of the room, and wiring across is unpractical

    Why would you need a repeater when the router is in the same room.. that is silly and will work poorly.. repeaters should be located where you get poor signal not excellent signal.

     

    There are a couple of other ways to fix it.

     

    1. If this is an older Macbook tell us what year it is.. and how brave you are.. there are plenty of Mac wireless cards on ebay. But they vary from model to model so you need to buy exactly the right one.

     

    2. Later OS have a bad tendency to force the wireless off and never allow it on again.. run a hardware check and see if the wireless card is actually out of action.

     

    3. Buy a wireless USB stick that is Mac OS compatible.. Check with a store like OWC as they sell lots of compatible stuff and have tested and know the products they sell.

     

    4. Buy a TP-Link wireless repeater.. these are not expensive.. you can buy one that matches the router model which you forgot to tell us.

     

    5. You can buy a pair of apple extreme say Gen4 or Gen5.. for about $80 on ebay.. plug one into the TP link as wireless AP and use the other one as Extend and wireless bridge. Apple to Apple any of the express or extreme or TC will work.. as long as it is N model.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Oct 26, 2015 6:38 AM in response to JLiRD808
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 26, 2015 6:38 AM in response to JLiRD808
    is the Airport Express the best option?

    If by "best" you mean easy to set up and the most likely to work well with the old Mac without having to worry about installing additional software which may or may not be compatible with your Mac, then possibly yes.

     

    You posted in an Apple support forum, so we assumed that you were looking for an Apple solution. Otherwise, there are other options that LaPastenague mentioned.

     

    If by "best" you mean cheapest, then no.

     

    Can I somehow get the AX to also TRANSMIT WIFI to our other portable devices?

    No, not unless you have another Apple router providing the wireless network that the Express will extend. But, you would not need to extend the signal if the main router were located in the same room.

     

    Will the Extreme allow me to set up a scenario like below?

    The Extreme does not have a client mode option, so it would not perform the same task as the Express.