A Conversation for "The Orchard" - the h2g2 Mac Users' Group!
Wireless in a G3 iMac
turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) Started conversation Feb 18, 2008
Hi folks
Does anyone have or know where I might get an Airport card (not the Extreme variety) and adapter for an old G3 slot loading iMac. I am wary of eBay because I had a bad experience recently and I have noted that all the adapters available on there are from China.
In hope.
turvy
Wireless in a G3 iMac
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Feb 18, 2008
turvy, if you're worried about buying from China, search eBay for second-hand cards. You might find a "private" seller.
I have to say, though, that I regularly buy low-value items from Hong Kong (e.g. small lasers etc.) and have never yet had a problem. High value items are a whole other story, though - my friend June got stiffed for a £300 DVD writer. 
Wireless in a G3 iMac
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Feb 18, 2008
Would this be the kind of thing?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WIRELESS-BG-PCMCIA-CARD-AIRPORT-MAC-OS-POWERBOOK-G3-G4_W0QQitemZ200199723666QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4601QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It's compatible with both Airport and Airpost Extreme, and it's only £10 from the UK including P&P...? I can't be certain because you haven't given me a model number; I'm reading "slot loading" as "PCMCIA-enabled"... 
Wireless in a G3 iMac
turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) Posted Feb 18, 2008
Hi Peet
Thanks for the replies.
Mine is an early 2000 slot loading iMacDV G3 400MHz listed at the top of the table here - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106777 .
I need an adapter to fit the card into a slot next to the RAM slots - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58537 .
So PCMCIA is not the way to go although I believe that there is a hack that involves an adapter and a dismantled PCMCIA card. Not for the faint-hearted.
It seems that eBay is the way to go after all.
turvy
Wireless in a G3 iMac
dElaphant (and Zeppo his dog (and Gummo, Zeppos dog)) - Left my apostrophes at the BBC Posted Feb 18, 2008
If you can't find one on ebay, using a USB wireless adapter or an ethernet wireless bridge should work. But if this is Mac OS 9 then you'll have to find a USB adapter with an old driver, whereas the ethernet bridge may work without a driver. Sometimes those are sold as wireless "game adapters" for things like the Xbox that only have a wired ethernet jack.
Whatever you try, make sure you can return it in case it doesn't work. 
Wireless in a G3 iMac
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Feb 19, 2008
I did a bit of Googling, and you may need one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00006I51H/ref=dp_olp_2
If you do, this second-hand adapter for £10 looks like a good deal - new ones are nearer £50.
Wireless in a G3 iMac
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Feb 19, 2008
Yup, the adapter is explained here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58537
Wireless in a G3 iMac
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Posted Feb 19, 2008
£35 is the cheapest I can find it on a "Buy it now"... There are auctions from 99p,tho'.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apple-Mac-original-Airport-card-802-11b-wifi_W0QQitemZ320218409723QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4601QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Wireless in a G3 iMac
- 1: turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) (Feb 18, 2008)
- 2: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Feb 18, 2008)
- 3: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Feb 18, 2008)
- 4: turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) (Feb 18, 2008)
- 5: dElaphant (and Zeppo his dog (and Gummo, Zeppos dog)) - Left my apostrophes at the BBC (Feb 18, 2008)
- 6: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Feb 19, 2008)
- 7: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Feb 19, 2008)
- 8: Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) (Feb 19, 2008)
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