[ChillieMac]

Hey all,

I just got my new Mac, a 15" 1.5 Gig Powerbook and an Airport Express. I'm super happy however, I want to keep my music library on my old PowerMac (Sawtooth) 400 Mhz with 10 Gig HD plus an additional 120 MB internal HD. In fact the older tower is to become my server. I had heard the newer Airport Extreme cards don't work in older Macs like mine and retailers don't seem to be stocking the older card anymore. I want to be able to not just save and retrieve files from the "server", but use as the source of my music files for my PB's iTunes (which I know can be done). Anyone know if newer cards DO work in older PowerMac towers (G4) or the best place to get an older Airport card?

Thanks.

[nate_02]

If your Power Mac and Airport base station are plugged into the same hub, or a switch, you shouldn't need to have an airport card in your Power Mac. It might be cheaper to go out and buy a small hub or switch anyway.

Plus, with a hub or switch, you would be able to plug the ethernet cable into your PB for faster transfers on larger files

[aljawad]

Yes, an investment in a switch is highly recommended for tethered file transactions. Say a friend drops by with his non-WiFi notebook and you need a quick way to load a large set of files to his computer. You’ll need a “crossover” cable between your computer and your friends notebook. With an Ethernet switch or hub, you just hook your friends computer to an available port. Think also of your future network expansion.

In anyway, if you must use the power mac wirelessly, newer AirPort Extreme cards are not compatible with older power Macs. Apple no longer supplies the old airport cards, but Amazon and others probably still have a few left.

If your computer has a free PCI slot, your best option then is to invest in something like the Sonnet Aria Extreme PCI card (which supports 802.11g).

Amazon has it for $83.00

Hope this info helps!

[warpedten]

Actually... if you have a Mac made in the last couple of years, including any Power Mac G4 or PowerBook, your computer can automagically connect directly to any other computer with a regular ethernet cable (no crossover cable or switch/hub/router required)

As far as the wireless goes.... You could check Ebay for old airport cards...it looks like you could get one for $60 or so... if you can't find one I'd just either use a wired connection or buy a cheap 802.11b PCI card (or 802.11g if speed is an issue...they're more expensive though).... make sure you get a Mac compatible one : )

Good luck!

P.S. If you're feeling rich powermax.com has original airport cards for $130
:-/

[ChillieMac]

Because Airtunes doesn't work with non-Airport cards? I want the PowerMac tower to contain my music library that I direct my Powerbook's iTunes to for a music source so as to not bog down my PB with a huge music library. Then I could stream music to either my PB or my stereo (once I buy a second Apple Extreme, the 1st is connected to my cable modem and USB printer.) I'll try Amazon, then Ebay.

Thanks!

[ChillieMac]

Just ordered one from www.tekserve.com for $99, it should be here by Friday for $9 shipping.

My new setup will be:

1) Old PowerMac Tower, w/Airport card, set to share my HP PSC 750 printer/scanner and files AND my semi-massive iTunes library. With Airport, I'll be able to listen to my tunes on my network (my new PB or my stereo.)

2) My Airport Express base stations, one connected to my cable modem (allowing both my old tower and new PB to surf the web) and the other connected to my stereo - RCA jack and TiVo - USB to control my TiVo thru the internet.

Can't wait!