Using PB G3 or G4 with PC access point or base station...

Question

Level 2

245 points

Using PB G3 or G4 with PC access point or base station...

Hi:

I'm working in a shop that is set up with a PC based wireless network, and I'm wondering if I could connect to that network using an original PB G3 (Kanga) or a Ti G4?

I have an Orinoco wireless PCMCIA card (that came with a used computer purchase), but I've never used wireless in any form.

There's an additional complication in that I'd likely be running Virtual PC to access some software required for work.

I'm not clear in my mind about what will actually be required, but can do some web searching to find out.

I guess what I'm asking is does this sound like it's even possible? Or am I only dreaming?

Anyone here with similar experience?

Thanks much for any input.

Peter B.

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Posted on Mar 26, 2007 8:18 AM

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Answer 1

None Author

Level 2

245 points

Mar 26, 2007 8:21 AM in response to None

Forgot to mention...

I'd be running OS 9 - not X - on either PB.

Thanks.

Peter B.

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Answer 2

ftfang

Level 1

75 points

Mar 26, 2007 9:16 AM in response to None

For several years I have used two PowerBook 3400c, both with Kanga logic board upgrade, on a mixed Macintosh-Windows wireless network, through MacWireless and other PCMCIA cards. No problems at all.

I do have several versions of Virtual PC, which I hardly ever use. It is simply not worth the hassle. When I have to use Windows software, I do it on an IBM ThinkPad laptop, through the same wireless network.

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Answer 3

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

Mar 26, 2007 10:27 AM in response to None

None,

The Powerbook G3 Kanga natively supports up to OS 9.1 while the Ti G4 can run OS 9.1 or newer. The Orinoco card, if the 802.11b Lucent WaveLAN or 802.11b Orinoco PC Card, is supported by Apple's AirPort software if running OS 8.6 > 9.2.2.

If running OS 8.6 > 9.0 on the Kanga, you want AirPort 1.2; sorry, I cannot locate the software but will find it if necessary.

If running OS 9.0.4 > 9.1 on the Kanga or OS 9.1 on the Ti G4, you want AirPort 1.3.1:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75082

If running OS 9.2.1 > 9.2.2 on the Ti G4, you want AirPort 2.0.4:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120120

I cannot comment on VirtualPC; I also have little knowledge on your specific networking. Others should step with the help you need.

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Answer 4

Mar 26, 2007 10:46 AM in response to None

Some off-brand Wireless access points do not pass AppleTalk packets, so you could have trouble supporting really old Apple network Printers. The newer ones use LPR/LPD, which is sent in TCP/IP packets, and it works just fine.

One of the most under-rated and "insanely great" features built into every Mac is really strong Networking, using AppleTalk/LocalTalk originally, and since 7.5.3 using Ethernet based on Open Transport, and since 8.6 using Wireless technology. With remarkably few exceptions, it inter-operates easily up and down the product line.

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Answer 5

None Author

Level 2

245 points

Mar 26, 2007 12:10 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for all your replies...

I'm embarassed to admit I don't yet know what the exact 'specifications' of the work set up are... and it turns out I may be able to access the necessary working software in a Mac version, running OS X... on the PB G4 Ti... (and then again I may still be stuck with 9 and VPC).

So now I have downloaded the IOXpert wireless driver... but won't have access to the PC network til Wednesday to test it.

And as yet, don't have a clue how to properly configure it for use with the base station. I think I just need to wait til I'm 'in situ' to take things any further.

Sorry to be a 'moving target', but I greatly appreciate the help, nevertheless. I'll post back when I know (or don't know - the more likely case) something more.

Thanks again...

Peter B.

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Answer 6

Mar 27, 2007 7:21 AM in response to None

It is my understanding that as long as you can get your mac to percieve the wireless signal, it doesn't matter what sends it. I have been using my Lombard, OS 9.2.1, with Airport 2.something and a Lucent Silver card. When I use OS 10.2 Airport doesn't see it, so I use the IOExpert software. (If you get the newer kind of PC card for your G4, Airport should see it with OS X.) It's really easy with 9, which I use most of the time. Turn Airport on, I do it from the control strip, you will see whatever wireless networks are in the area. Pick the right one if you see more than one, it will probably ask for the password. I have used my home Qwest wireless, my iMac G5 as a software basestation, motel wireless, and coffeshop wireless. And I don't really know what I'm doing! I think your only challenge will be compatibility with the other machines on the network, not getting on the network itself.

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Answer 7

Sagesse

Level 5

6,685 points

Mar 27, 2007 9:19 AM in response to None

You may find some issues with the security the PC based network is using. I'm doing this off the top of my head, from two year-old data, but I think the Orinoco will support 64 bit WEP but not 128 bit. Something like that. If you get stuck I'll see if my Kanga still boots and look further into it if I can.

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Answer 8

None Author

Level 2

245 points

Mar 27, 2007 11:11 AM in response to Sagesse

Again... tomorrow is the soonest I can test this.

I think I've prepped any/every thing I can.

I'll post back with results and a brief description of what did or didn't work tomorrow evening (CST) or Thursday morning.

Thanks again for all the help !!!

Peter B.

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Answer 9

None Author

Level 2

245 points

Mar 30, 2007 7:34 PM in response to None

My apologies for not having posted back sooner...

I was able to connect to the wireless PC network using the G4 Ti running OS X 10.4.3 using the IOXpert driver with no configuration input whatsoever... at least to gain web access. Pretty amazing stuff (to the impoverished mind of someone with no network or wireless experience whatever... Mac or PC).

It doesn't look like I will need to access anything on the PC machines themselves as yet, but would like to be able to use the printer (which is hard wired into the wirelessly accessed network). The 'server' and printer both appear to be of fairly recent vintage... both Dell.

Any clues about how to go about doing that?

I realize this topic has now strayed from the forum's compass, but additional help or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks again for all the help.

Peter B.

--

By the bye... this directed at the Apple forum moderators.

It sure would be nice if I could mark all these replies helpful, rather than singling out specific individuals.

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Answer 10

Mar 30, 2007 8:31 PM in response to None

You do not see a lot of discussion topics on this subject because, "On a Mac, it just works!"

choose:

System Preferences > Print and Fax > Set Up Printers > ( "Add" Icon )

this will give you a list of ways to connect to printers:

AppleTalk [Read: AppleTalk-over-Ethernet (or AppleTalk-over-WiFi)]
BlueTooth (very short range radio)
IP Printing [the obvious choice if that printer is on an Ethernet cable]
Open Directory [for Print Queues on High-End Servers]
Rendezvous/Bonjour [Apple's whiz-bang service location protocol]
USB [Read: your computer's USB, not some other computer's USB]
Windows Printing

Choose the connection method, and the names of candidate printers will appear in under a quarter minute. If none appears, none using that connection method is available, so choose another connection method. For your situation, try IP Printing first. If you end up having to use Windows printing, you may need a username and password.

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Answer 11

None Author

Level 2

245 points

Apr 5, 2007 6:37 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Once again, sorry for the delayed reply. I only have access to the network in question two days a week, so...

Yesterday, I was able to try Grant's directions to use a printer on the network. I think I was able to get the Mac to recognize the printer... by entering the IP address showing in TCP/IP into the add printer (Printer Browser) dialog. The printer was given the name (as number) of the IP address... as being a 'Generic PostScript Printer'. It then appeared to be available in the standard print dialog, but didn't respond on repeated tries... reporting that the network (?) was busy.

Does it sound like I went through the proper motions?

The boss (no computer expert himself) told me he had never been able to print from the server using a PC workstation wirelessly, so something may be screwy in their setup, and I may be dinked at this point.

Anything else to suggest?

Thanks again.

Peter B.

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Answer 12

Apr 5, 2007 12:17 PM in response to None

The IP address shown in the TCP/IP window is the Address of your Computer. If you enter that as the Printer Address in the add Printer Window, you will send print jobs back to your Computer to be printed. That will not work.

What Make & Model printer is it, and how is it connected? Many printers will tell you their IP address [if they have one] by printing it on the configuration page, printed either at printer power-up or by request with buttons on the front of the printer.

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Answer 13

None Author

Level 2

245 points

Apr 5, 2007 8:32 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant:

Thanks for your continued help and patience...

If it wasn't already, it should be clear by now that I'm entirely ignorant of the workings of any network, let alone a wireless one. I've always been strictly a single computer user... never had opportunity to learn the workings of networks.

As near as I can tell, the printer is connected to the 'main' computer by USB or Ethernet cable and I have no idea what impact either cabling arrangement has with respect to the type of connection I need to make - e.g. IP Printing, AppleTalk-over-WiFi or what have you. The printer is a Dell... I have not been able to determine a model number or type as yet.

As far as PC's go, I can find my way to the Control Panel, but wasn't sure what I should be looking for and have been reluctant to do much digging for fear of doing something irreversibly stupid in process.

Tomorrow (Friday) I will see if I can get the printer to 'tell' me its IP address per your suggestion, but again, if I'm going about this all wrong, explicit instruction would be welcome.

Again, thanks for your time.

Peter B.

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Answer 14

None Author

Level 2

245 points

Apr 7, 2007 8:24 PM in response to None

Oh, well...

In case anyone's still listening in, I was able to determine that the printer is hardwired via USB... and that a test print provides no IP location.

Neither 'The Boss' nor I can figure out how to determine the server's IP address.

And I have no clue where to go from here.

Thanks anyway.

PB

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Answer 15

Apr 7, 2007 8:47 PM in response to None

Then maybe it is not an IP Printer. That leaves:

~~AppleTalk [Read: AppleTalk-over-Ethernet (or AppleTalk-over-WiFi)]~~
~~BlueTooth (very short range radio)~~
~~IP Printing [the obvious choice if that printer is on an Ethernet cable]~~
Open Directory [for Print Queues on High-End Servers]
Rendezvous/Bonjour [Apple's whiz-bang service location protocol]
~~USB [Read: your computer's USB, not some other computer's USB]~~
Windows Printing

I would say the next one to try would be Windows Printing. As before, select a method like Window Printing, and wait a quarter minute. If a printer using that protocol is available, its name should appear, then you can configure it.

We are pretty deep into a topic that no longer resembles its title. It will soon be time to post a new topic with a new title like, "How to print to PC printer on my office network?"

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