how to use pc card on PowerBook G4

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how to use pc card on PowerBook G4

I've obtained what seems to be a generic PC card. it says, " 802.11b/g Wireless LAN PC card" on the front. No brand. My mom uses t with her laptop which runs windows to connect to WLAN.

I want to use it to to connect to WLAN also. there doenst seem to be anything I can uses on the nstallation cd for my mac to recognize it. When i plug, an icon appears at top of screen. when i hover over the icon it says, "Atheros communications. Inc" and"AR5001-000-000"

Anyway i can get this card to work with my powerbook g4?
m runnng the latest tiger. 867Mhz/768 MB

Power Book G4, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Mar 24, 2007 4:07 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 24, 2007 6:30 PM in response to jimscreechy

PC wireless cards that work on a Mac do not require any additional software with OS 10.3 & 10.4. However, not all PC wireless cards work on a Mac.

Are there any indicator lights (LEDs) on the PC card? If the light is dim, it indicates power to the card. If the light is bright/blinking it indicates it is communicating with a wireless network.

 Cheers, Tom

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Answer 2

jimscreechy Author

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Mar 25, 2007 7:23 AM in response to Texas Mac Man

Yes, theres a slow steady blinking light but still no connection. Do I need to remove the Airport card that's inside? It's wireless B.

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Answer 3

sig

Level 8

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Mar 25, 2007 8:04 AM in response to jimscreechy

1. If you already have a wireless card in your Mac why would you want an external wireless card?
2. It's probably made for PC's and most likely won't work on your Mac.
3. Yes it would probably be best to remove the Airport card in your Mac if using an external wireless card.

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Answer 4

jimscreechy Author

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Mar 25, 2007 8:43 AM in response to sig

Because the wireless card in the mac picks only picks up wireless B. it's the original airport card

Thanks I'll try this

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Answer 5

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Mar 25, 2007 9:06 AM in response to jimscreechy

Check out this card which does work on a Mac:
http://www.macsense.com/product/networking/wpe800.html

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Answer 6

Mar 25, 2007 6:10 PM in response to jimscreechy

Here's some helpful laptop sites for removal of the internal Airport card.

Fix It Guides for Mac Laptops & Mini
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/
The guides can be viewed on-line or you can download a PDF file.

How to Upgrade, Repair, Disassemble an Apple/Macintosh Laptop or Notebook
http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_apple.html

PowerBookTech
http://www.powerbooktech.com/
(Note - PowerBookTech has some good info, however, some Mac users in other forums were having difficulty getting delivery on parts from them.)

How to Upgrade, Repair, Disassemble an Apple/Macintosh Laptop or Notebook
http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_apple.html

Laptop Repair Guides
http://www.applerepairmanuals.com/#portables

 Cheers, Tom

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