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Stillmorningrise · May 12, 2006, 06:57 PM

Hey all,

I am new to the whole wireless networking so I need some help on this. I currently own two computers, each in different rooms. One is a Powermac G5 with airport installed. The other is a Gateway 507gr, I only have internet hooked up to the Powermac G5 but I would like to have internet hooked up to the gateway in the other room.

So my question is, if I purchase the Airport Express unit, hook it up to the cable modem via Ethernet, then take the USB cable from the cable modem into the Gateway, will the Airport Express stream the wireless internet to the Mac, while still having working internet wired to the gateway? The gateway doesn't have a wireless adapter in it so I would have to hook it up with the USB cable from the cable modem. Sorry if this is a stupid question I'm just new to this stuff, and how fast will the wireless internet be compared to the actual wired connection? Thank you for the help!

ghporter · May 13, 2006, 01:23 PM

You'd have to tell us what particular brand and model of modem you have for me to be sure, but I can almost certaily tell you without knowing the model that you're in for problems with what you suggest. It would be easier to buy an inexpensive wired router, put it between the modem's ethernet port and both the AE and Gateway computer. I guarantee you can get that working (if you follow some simple directions).

Stillmorningrise · May 13, 2006, 01:33 PM

Oh Ok, I have a Motorola SB5100 Surfboard cable modem.

ghporter · May 13, 2006, 02:05 PM

Well the manual specifically states "Do not connect both the Ethernet and USB cables to the same computer," so I think it's an iffy sort of proposition whether the box will support both interfaces at the same time (the manual doesn't say specifically either way). Further, Motorola offers a "network planner" tool on its web site that emphasizes use of a router after the modem for sharing the connection.

In short, not only is it questionable whether or not the modem will support both interfaces at the same time, the manufacturer thinks it's a good idea to use a router to share any connection from this modem. Further, using a router can provide you with significant flexibility and protection, all for a very low cost. I still recommend buying an inexpensive wired router.

Stillmorningrise · May 21, 2006, 01:36 AM

Ok I've been researching wireless networking more this week and I'm really stuck in a rut with what to do. What's the cheapest and most reliable way to have wireless connections from a PC and MAC in a household network? Again I have a cable modem hooked up via ethernet to my G5 tower. Now if I moved the G5 tower into another room without the modem and hooked up an airport express to it via ethernet........then hooked up a belkin wireless router via ethernet to the PC that has the cable modem hooked up via USB to it would it carry wireless signal to the airport express hooked up to the MAC?

Here is my MAC spec sheet, it's the 2Ghz Power PC G5

http://support.apple.com/specs/power...Late_2005.html

Also another question, my MAC has an airport program set up on it but I'm pretty sure I don't have an Airport card installed. What does this mean? If I buy an airport express do I have to puchase the card also?

ghporter · May 21, 2006, 07:37 AM

Really, the Belkin router should do everything you need. It's a good idea to keep things as simple as possible, so run everything through the Belkin and connect computers as appropriate (wired or wireless).

A good way to check (quick and dirty) for whether there's an AirPort card installed in a Mac is to go to Network Preferences and use the drop down menu to see-if there's an AirPort card installed, it'll show up along with the built-in ethernet adapter. (And please, use "Mac" for "Macintosh"- the acronym "MAC" stands for "Media Access Control" which is the hardware address of a network card.)

Stillmorningrise · May 21, 2006, 03:53 PM

My spec sheet says I have an integrated wireless antenna on the G5, so if I buy the Belkin will the G5 pick up the wireless signal? No I don't have the airport card on my computer. Sorry for the questions I'm a newb at this stuff, I only thought the G5 would pick up wireless signal if you have the airport card.

ghporter · May 21, 2006, 06:39 PM

You gotta have the card... But it's pretty easy to install, and shouldn't cost too terribly much ($79 direct from Apple).

Stillmorningrise · May 22, 2006, 01:04 AM

Ok, I heard that the G5 towers Late 2005 cannot have the airport express card installed because it will not work. Is this true? I have the late 2005 dual core G5.

ghporter · May 22, 2006, 08:50 AM

According to Apple, the connector in the late 2005 version of the G5 Power Mac is for a combination AirPort/Bluetooth card, and a regular AirPort Express card won't work in it. They say you need to contact an authorized service provider to have one installed.

Or...if you REALLY need your G5 to be wireless, you can get something like an ethernet bridge-it's kind of like a wireless game adapter. These devices plug into your computer's ethernet port and connect to a wireless network. There are a number of such products around, and some of them are quite reasonably priced.

Stillmorningrise · May 22, 2006, 02:52 PM

Cool thanks for all the help ghporter. I'll look into that more.