Ticket Options
Question Profile
| DATE | Aug 3, 2008 |
| TICKET | #338344 |
| STATUS | Closed |
| SUBJECT | Wireless networking driver problem |
| CAT | Home/Business Network and/or Internet Connection |
| TYPE | Wireless Networking, WiFi |
| DESC | |
| DESC | |
| PLATFORM | Apple Macintosh (Intel) |
| MODEL | Mac Mini |
| PROC | 1.5 |
| RAM | 2gb |
| DRIVE | 150gb |
| NAME | Albert |
| USERNAME | alfredb |
| TECHNICAL | Little Experience |
| ISSUE | Need Advice |
Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> Wireless networking driver problem
alfredb - Aug 3, 2008 - 12:05 pm
I have a USB wireless dongle made by Trendnet. Apparently there are no Mac drivers for it. I realize this is going to be a constant problem if I get into wireless networking. I was wondering, since I realize the only intelligent way to operate in today's world for near 100% flexibility is to have one PC and one Mac operating in a network (the PC not ever connecting to the internet of course). What I would like is for the wireless dongle to feed the router - before any Operating System enters the picture. Is this possible? I'm very knew to wireless networking so forgive the question if it doesn't make sense. And would it only work for routers that are designed with a wireless input?
DeltaMac - Aug 3, 2008 - 2:06 pm
Why do you need to get the TrendNet dongle to work?
All Intel minis have a built-in wireless Airport card. You only need to turn it on from the Airport menu, or from the Network pref pane in your System Preferences.
And, then you need a wireless router, which provides your internet connection to your Airport card.
The wireless card (whatever you use) for your mini does not provide the internet connection. Your router does.
What do you want to do with the PC if you don't connect to the internet with it?
You would be better off, by adding Windows to your Mac through the built-in Boot Camp, or installing Parallels, or VMWare, so you have have both OS X, and Windows, too.
Let me know how I can help you...
- Dale
All Intel minis have a built-in wireless Airport card. You only need to turn it on from the Airport menu, or from the Network pref pane in your System Preferences.
And, then you need a wireless router, which provides your internet connection to your Airport card.
The wireless card (whatever you use) for your mini does not provide the internet connection. Your router does.
What do you want to do with the PC if you don't connect to the internet with it?
You would be better off, by adding Windows to your Mac through the built-in Boot Camp, or installing Parallels, or VMWare, so you have have both OS X, and Windows, too.
Let me know how I can help you...
- Dale
alfredb - Aug 3, 2008 - 5:08 pm
>Why do you need to get the TrendNet dongle to work?
Because I can't use a high gain receiving dish with the built in unit! I want the USB LAN to provide the internet, then the router distributes it. I don't know if this is possible though. I almost nothing about routers.
(Looks like no routers can get their signal via USB. Too bad.) What about using a repeater to bring in the signal? Maybe a repeater with dish augmentation?
>The wireless card (whatever you use) for your mini does not provide the internet connection. Your router does.
Well actually the DSL modem does. So I'm replacing the DSL modem with a repeater possibly?
>What do you want to do with the PC if you don't connect to the internet with it?
I get really tired of wanting to use the computer as a tool and there are no Mac drivers available. This USB dongle is a perfect example. So many times Mac drivers are non-existent for things like USB occiliscopes, and other testing equipment. Hopefully this will change in the future but with the cost of DDR-2 800mhz ram so dirt cheap these days, and MB's and CPU's likewise, it just makes sense to have a standalone computer. Plus look at the immense printing advantages with Windows. Mac printing is a nightmare if you like older (very low cost per page) laser printers. A USB thumb drive can move data between the 2 or just have them on a network for far more convenient connectivity.
And when Apple pulls its head out of its ass and finally decides it CAN play on a level playing field with MS and releases its OS to the mainstream, I'll have a (son of) Mac Pro assembled all ready and waiting. By overclocking some core 2 duo Intel CPU"s ($40) to 3.4 ghz, 4gb of 800mhz ram @ $60, mb's at $50, DVD's at $20, 300gb Sata 2 hard drives at $60, and decent video cards that can easily run a 30" 2560 x 1600 monitor for about $30, you have close to the Mac Pro for about $300 if you bought the above at the above used prices! Set up four 74gb 16mb cache WD Raptors in Raid 0, add another 4 gb of ram, and spend $100 on a good video card, use an overclocked quad core processor - and it gets really swift. No wonder Psystar sold so many computers! Maybe Apple will wake up in a few years.
Because I can't use a high gain receiving dish with the built in unit! I want the USB LAN to provide the internet, then the router distributes it. I don't know if this is possible though. I almost nothing about routers.
(Looks like no routers can get their signal via USB. Too bad.) What about using a repeater to bring in the signal? Maybe a repeater with dish augmentation?
>The wireless card (whatever you use) for your mini does not provide the internet connection. Your router does.
Well actually the DSL modem does. So I'm replacing the DSL modem with a repeater possibly?
>What do you want to do with the PC if you don't connect to the internet with it?
I get really tired of wanting to use the computer as a tool and there are no Mac drivers available. This USB dongle is a perfect example. So many times Mac drivers are non-existent for things like USB occiliscopes, and other testing equipment. Hopefully this will change in the future but with the cost of DDR-2 800mhz ram so dirt cheap these days, and MB's and CPU's likewise, it just makes sense to have a standalone computer. Plus look at the immense printing advantages with Windows. Mac printing is a nightmare if you like older (very low cost per page) laser printers. A USB thumb drive can move data between the 2 or just have them on a network for far more convenient connectivity.
And when Apple pulls its head out of its ass and finally decides it CAN play on a level playing field with MS and releases its OS to the mainstream, I'll have a (son of) Mac Pro assembled all ready and waiting. By overclocking some core 2 duo Intel CPU"s ($40) to 3.4 ghz, 4gb of 800mhz ram @ $60, mb's at $50, DVD's at $20, 300gb Sata 2 hard drives at $60, and decent video cards that can easily run a 30" 2560 x 1600 monitor for about $30, you have close to the Mac Pro for about $300 if you bought the above at the above used prices! Set up four 74gb 16mb cache WD Raptors in Raid 0, add another 4 gb of ram, and spend $100 on a good video card, use an overclocked quad core processor - and it gets really swift. No wonder Psystar sold so many computers! Maybe Apple will wake up in a few years.
alfredb - Aug 3, 2008 - 5:11 pm
I'm using another ID: albertb
Its stuck also. The problem is when you input:
HTML/CSS/Webscripting.
There's a problem when you get to step 4. It won't allow you to continue when you get to System Profile Information.
Its stuck also. The problem is when you input:
HTML/CSS/Webscripting.
There's a problem when you get to step 4. It won't allow you to continue when you get to System Profile Information.
DeltaMac - Aug 3, 2008 - 9:05 pm
Eh?
The mini is easy to get to the antenna connector on the Airport card.
The top comes off in seconds, then 4 screws and 2 connectors, and you're at the antenna connector. Feed the external antenna connector through a convenient slot in the back of the mini, and reassemble. Might take you 10 minutes to add that hi-gain dish.
I'm pretty much with you about a low-cost tower with slots. I find myself in need of a dual display output on a mini (not mirrored), and no easy way to do it.
And - I don't want a cheap tower that I have to ship back to Psystar to have the OS X reloaded, if that becomes necessary.... Good for a hobby system, but not for one that you actually want to use for business. If that's just a rumor, I'd like to be proven wrong! I'm waiting for a low-end Apple tower with more upgrade possibilities than their iMacs.
I have no access to info about your 'stuck ID' - you'll need to get to the admin area for assistance with your ID...
The mini is easy to get to the antenna connector on the Airport card.
The top comes off in seconds, then 4 screws and 2 connectors, and you're at the antenna connector. Feed the external antenna connector through a convenient slot in the back of the mini, and reassemble. Might take you 10 minutes to add that hi-gain dish.
I'm pretty much with you about a low-cost tower with slots. I find myself in need of a dual display output on a mini (not mirrored), and no easy way to do it.
And - I don't want a cheap tower that I have to ship back to Psystar to have the OS X reloaded, if that becomes necessary.... Good for a hobby system, but not for one that you actually want to use for business. If that's just a rumor, I'd like to be proven wrong! I'm waiting for a low-end Apple tower with more upgrade possibilities than their iMacs.
I have no access to info about your 'stuck ID' - you'll need to get to the admin area for assistance with your ID...
IF THIS IS YOUR QUESTION AND YOU WISH TO RESPOND, LOGIN HERE FIRST.
