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General Category => Random Technology => Topic started by: beck on February 28, 2011, 12:21:38 PM

Title: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on February 28, 2011, 12:21:38 PM
Anyone ever use these?  Are they any good?

I picked up a used Power Mac G5, but it is not set up for wireless.  I don't want to run a cable to by office downstairs.

Any input would be appreciated.

beck
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: DigiCorn on February 28, 2011, 12:34:15 PM
They work. I have used Linksys, D-Link and Buffalo. Range is limited, and they're obviously nowhere near as fast as a wired connection, but they work. If an N network at 5.0 GHz is an option, go for it. I've only done it for Windows, though. Not sure how the setup goes on a Mac; presumably just the same.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: G_Town on February 28, 2011, 12:40:56 PM
Why not stick an airport card in it?
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on February 28, 2011, 12:41:55 PM
agree about wireless N. wireless G sucks.

Quote from: G_Town on February 28, 2011, 12:40:56 PMWhy not stick an airport card in it?

$$$$$
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: G_Town on February 28, 2011, 12:52:15 PM
★ Airport ExtremeItem# ACD2005Regular price: $97.00Sale price: $47.00

50 bucks aint bad.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: David on February 28, 2011, 12:54:21 PM
make one out of tinfoil and chewing gum, 10 dollars on ebay.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on February 28, 2011, 12:59:38 PM
Quote from: G_Town on February 28, 2011, 12:52:15 PM★ Airport ExtremeItem# ACD2005Regular price: $97.00Sale price: $47.00

50 bucks aint bad.

I can get on from OWC for less than 20 bucks.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on February 28, 2011, 01:02:00 PM
Quote from: beck  on February 28, 2011, 12:59:38 PM
Quote from: G_Town on February 28, 2011, 12:52:15 PM★ Airport ExtremeItem# ACD2005Regular price: $97.00Sale price: $47.00

50 bucks aint bad.

I can get on from OWC for less than 20 bucks.

I would get it then.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: G_Town on February 28, 2011, 01:02:57 PM
Then why would you want to dick around with a usb adapter?
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on February 28, 2011, 01:07:27 PM
Because I'm cheap.

If I can get wireless for $20.00 instead of $50.00, I'll go that way.

I just wanted confirmation if they worked as well as an internal card.

beck
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: G_Town on February 28, 2011, 01:10:00 PM
Quote from: beck  on February 28, 2011, 01:07:27 PMBecause I'm cheap.

If I can get wireless for $20.00 instead of $50.00, I'll go that way.

I just wanted confirmation if they worked as well as an internal card.

beck

I've seen airport cards on ebay for around 20 bucks.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Farabomb on February 28, 2011, 01:13:37 PM
I have a USB wireless adapter on my PC becasue of ventilation reasons. The open slots I have block airflow to the video cards so I just picked up a cheapie USB one. Range hasn't been an issue becasue the router is sitting on my PC case. I bet the range is less becasue of the shortness of the antenna but my new router doesn't even have antennas so maybe they have better tuned small ones now.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: gnubler on February 28, 2011, 01:40:51 PM
I've seen iMacs on ebay for around 20 bucks.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on February 28, 2011, 01:46:31 PM
Quote from: beck  on February 28, 2011, 01:07:27 PMBecause I'm cheap.

If I can get wireless for $20.00 instead of $50.00, I'll go that way.

I just wanted confirmation if they worked as well as an internal card.

beck

Oh, I thought you meant you could get an Airport card at OWC for under $20. That would be a hell of a deal.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on February 28, 2011, 01:47:45 PM
If that was the case, I'd have bought it already.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on February 28, 2011, 01:49:19 PM
Yeah, I was wondering why you hadn't. So if you go with the cheapie make sure they have Mac drivers. Worthless (on the Mac) without them.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on February 28, 2011, 01:53:04 PM
I'll be sure to let you guys know how it works... or doesn't.

Thanks.

beck
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 09:54:07 AM
It's not.

Got it installed, got the drivers with it.  Installed everything.  The Control Panel for the Adaptor says I'm connected to our wireless network... almost full strength.

Whenever I launch either Firefox or Safari, I get the "Not connected to the Internet".

What am I missing?

beck
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: DigiCorn on March 11, 2011, 10:34:06 AM
Check your ip addresses, make sure the router ip is correct and add dns if you know them.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 11:28:59 AM
I know the USB adaptor was assigned an IP address.

Shouldn't the browsers pick that up themselves?
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 11:36:49 AM
In network preferences move your Airport connection to the top of the list as shown in attached images. And you might as well go ahead and deactivate the ethernet port since you aren't using it. Then make sure your airport is set up so it can see your wireless connection and connect to it.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 12:02:33 PM
Joe,

You remember I'm using that USB Adaptor, NOT an actual Airport card, right?
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 12:04:28 PM
Oh yeah, I've slept since this was originally posted. Does the USB adapter show up in that list? I think it should. If so drag it to the top of the list.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 12:15:17 PM
Yeah, it does show up.

I didn't know about the list order being that important.

Thanks for your help.  I'll give it a shot this weekend.

Happy B-Day again.

beck
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 03:41:54 PM
Didn't work, Joe.  I've attached screenshots.

I'm running 10.4.11, if that matters.

beck
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 03:47:18 PM
So Ethernet Adapter (en1) is your wireless adapter in the G5. Do you have DHCP enabled on your router? Is that wireless utility showing the strength of signal for the router or for the G5 USB wireless adapter. Also do you have security enabled for the wireless connection in the router? You should be able to configure/check the router wireless settings in your web browser using the address 192.168.1.1 in the browser.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 03:57:51 PM
Oh, beck...

Enter your router number of 192.168.1.1 as your DNS server as well. I think that is the problem as you do not have any DNS server listed. See attached.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 04:04:28 PM
Quote from: Joe on March 11, 2011, 03:47:18 PMSo Ethernet Adapter (en1) is your wireless adapter in the G5. Do you have DHCP enabled on your router? Is that wireless utility showing the strength of signal for the router or for the G5 USB wireless adapter. Also do you have security enabled for the wireless connection in the router? You should be able to configure/check the router wireless settings in your web browser using the address 192.168.1.1 in the browser.
Not sure about the router.  It's my daughter's she's not home yet, she's got the password.

It's for the G5 USB wireless adapter

Also do you have security enabled for the wireless connection in the router?   If you mean do I need a password to connect, yes.

I also tried the DNS server address (in your next post) - that didn't work.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 04:09:26 PM
Leave that 192.168.1.1 in the DNS server field. I can guarantee it won't work without it but there must be something else. Click on the WPS tab in the wireless utility and post a screen shot of it.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 04:21:10 PM
Quote from: Joe on March 11, 2011, 04:09:26 PMLeave that 192.168.1.1 in the DNS server field. I can guarantee it won't work without it but there must be something else. Click on the WPS tab in the wireless utility and post a screen shot of it.
Here you go.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 04:30:35 PM
Try checking the box next to "Automatically select the AP" and see if that makes a difference. If not, make sure that 192.168.1.1 is still entered in the DNS server field and the changes are saved in the network utility and re-boot the G5.

This is another reason why I despise wireless connections. Not working for no apparent reason.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: beck on March 11, 2011, 04:57:34 PM
I'll try it later...making dinner right now.

Thanks for all you help, Joe.

Have a good B-Day.

beck
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 04:59:20 PM
One other thought on the DNS server...you may need to enter the actual DNS servers info that your ISP gives you instead of the gateway (router) address 9192.168.1.1). You need to find out what they are (there are usually 2 of them). You can either get them from the network settings of another computer on your network that is working, from the router configuration page, or by calling your ISP. You would enter the one with lowest number first and then adding the second one below the first on in the DNS servers field.
Title: Re: USB Wireless adaptor
Post by: Joe on March 11, 2011, 05:00:24 PM
Quote from: beck  on March 11, 2011, 04:57:34 PMI'll try it later...making dinner right now.

Thanks for all you help, Joe.
Have a good B-Day.

beck
That was yesterday. :laugh: