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iMac G4 WiFi modes

I have an old 700 MHz flat panel G4 that I've recently resurrected. It has an Airport card, but I cannot get it to connect to my network. I have an Airport Extreme base station. I realize the computer won't support any modern encryption standards, so I tried using the guest network and turning off all encryption and it still won't connect. Is it potentially an issue with the radio modes? Any ideas are most appreciated.User uploaded file

Airport Extreme Base Station-OTHER

Posted on Mar 27, 2016 4:15 PM

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27 replies

Feb 21, 2017 11:04 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

I was hoping that one of the Apple AirPort Express units would have worked, but it seems they require a later version of OS X and/or the AirPort Extreme card, neither of which I can install onto this computer. I feel like I am running into walls here, and that I am not going to get this computer on-line. I have learned a lot from you and appreciate all the time and efforts you have put into this. If I cannot get it to work as an on-line computer, I am hoping that I can at least get my iTunes library onto it, so it is not totally useless.

Mar 28, 2016 3:46 AM in response to DaytonJer

A modern wireless router is usually compatible with 802.11b with certain limitations (see, for example, the Tech Specs and System Requirements at http://www.apple.com/shop/product/ME918LL/A/airport-extreme), at least with the appropriate settings. In order to get additional information about an AirPort Extreme base station setup, it may not be a bad idea to post a question under the AirPort discussions. See also the general information Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support about radio modes, etc.


The requirements for WPA with an AirPort card were:

  • Mac OS X 10.3 or later
  • AirPort software version 3.3 or later


If you wish to use WPA2, or if there is a problem with WPA or earlier security protocols, with radio modes or speeds, you may want to try an external wireless Ethernet bridge (connected to the Ethernet port of the computer) instead. There are such devices (also known as gaming or media adapters) from several manufacturers (Netgear WNCE2001 and Linksys WET610N are merely two examples). Do pay attention to the specifications before you buy. Typically, a wireless Ethernet bridge setup can be done via a standard web browser (it does not have to be on the computer where the device is to be used later). Special driver software is mostly not needed, thus allowing the wireless Ethernet bridge to work under almost any operating system (even on some very old Macintosh computers, as long as they are Ethernet-capable).

iMac G4 WiFi modes

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