Member Avatar for matthewsteckler

Hi, I just joined being quite inexperienced with networking computers and hoped that some of you experts might be willing to explain some basics for me. I have an older G4 desktop connected online via broadband ethernet, and I just bought a near new G4 1.67 Ghz powerbook on EBay that I'd like to get online wirelessly in the fastest but cheapest way possible. What are my options... should I assume there's an airport card in the powerbook already, or how would I check? Also, what kind of gear do I need... is it a base station or wireless router or both? If a base station, will Airport Express do the trick or do I need Extreme... both appear to get up to 54Mbsp but I'm unsure about the connections. Maybe a little more complicated is that both my cable TV and my cable internet modem use the same cable from the wall using a splitter.
Thank you for letting me join your forum, wish I had something to offer in return.

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A few clarifying, practical points that complement 's question and 's helpful outline.

When a used PowerBook remains tied to the previous owner’s account and login is unavailable, the model and serial number printed on the case provide a reliable way to confirm built‑in wireless from another computer by checking the vendor’s published specs. To preserve files before changing accounts, FireWire Target Disk Mode lets the Mac’s drive be mounted on a second Mac without logging in. If install media is missing, proof of purchase enables vendor support options for reinstalling the OS.

On the shared cable-TV/modem line: cheap or daisy‑chained splitters are common causes of modem instability and poor downstream signal. A single, good-quality broadband F‑type splitter and tight connectors usually work; a quick isolation test is to connect the modem directly to the wall outlet. If stability improves, replace the splitter or ask the cable company to check signal levels rather than adding more splitters or long coax runs.

Security and compatibility matter. Prefer WPA2 (AES) where supported and avoid WEP. Legacy Macs that can’t do modern ciphers are best placed on an isolated guest SSID or a wired subnet to reduce risk. Disable remote admin and WPS on the gateway, change default admin passwords, and keep firmware current. For shared resources (printers, storage), choose an access point that includes the needed features rather than a bare-bones unit.

Physical placement and channel choice often fix throughput issues: place the access point high and clear of large metal objects, keep antenna orientation consistent, and use non-overlapping 2.4 GHz channels (1, 6, 11). In crowded environments a dual‑band device helps when client hardware supports 5 GHz. These notes expand on ’s setup suggestions and address the seller‑lock and splitter concerns raised by .

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Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

An Airport card is basically 802.11(b), and an Airport Extreme is 802.11(g). As long as the Airport can do the basic wireless, you will be alright. You might not have the latest encryption available, but it should work.

Your Airport card should work with any base station out there... the Apple base station, or the Linksys wireless routers, or the Buffalo Tech ones, or the Netgear.

My Powerbook G3 will not use an Airport card... I use an Orinoco card with a Buffalo Tech wireless router. I have WPA (I think) encryption working just fine.

What I would do is the following:

* Purchase a wireless router. Either the Apple Extreme Basestation, or a competing product, such as the Netgear, Linksys, or Buffalo Tech unit. I personally do not like Linksys due to RF interference their boxes like to generate. If you get the Apple Extreme basestation, it only has one lan port on it, so you might need to add a switch if you are going to have more than one hardwired computer.

* Use the system profiler on your laptop to see if there is an Airport card in there.

* Wire the cable modem to your WAN port on the device you purchased above.

* Wire the desktop to your LAN port, or into a hub connected to the LAN port. Be sure that the cable connecting the LAN port goes to an "uplink" port, or use a crossover cable. Some new hub/switch designs have autodetection on the uplink port, so this may be moot.

* Use the desktop on the LAN port to configure the webpage configured firewall.

* Use the desktop on the LAN port to configure the wireless setup. Be sure to setup encryption. Do not run around "naked".

If you need more deeper instructions, let us know what you decide to purchase, and we can go from there. If this discussion "dies", feel free to email me to bring my attention to it. I have a lot going on.

Christian

Member Avatar for matthewsteckler

Thank you, I will try one of these combos. It may not be for a little bit, but I'll let you know the upshot. The reason seems to be my access privileges are restricted because of the previous user's OSX password settings. So far he hasn't gotten back to me.

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

If I were you, I would take the System Disks, and rebuild the computer from ground zero. Format and re-build. Yes, you will loose any special software that the previous owner had on it, but more importantly, you will clean out any problems or debris he had on the computer too.

I always zap the out-of-box installation and make my own. I also partition the disk to protect from corrupted system volumes, but that is an advanced step.

Christian

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