wireless broadband for mac

[dds1]

I have bought an Imac G5 which has the airport card in it , and I also bought Airport express basestation.

Am trying to order broadband at the moment, but what speciafically am i going ot need to get it wirelessly?

(I am completely hopeless with this sort of stuff, so if you could respond as if you are talking to a three year old, that would be great thanks )

any help mucho appreciated.

D

[v12v8]

Like you I have just got my G5. Setting up the internet connection is dealt with in the booklet that comes in the box. Makes it seem quite easy. Hope that helps.

[murph7355]

You need a broadband modem and you're good to go.

Something cheap should do it nicely. This site www.adslguide.org/ used to give good advice and links to hardware. Couldn't see anything obvious when I just revisited, but have a look.

When you get your broadband account, it'll come with config settings that are relatively easy to sort by connecting your modem to your mac with a cable.

Test it's OK, then stick the cable in the ethernet port of the Airport, switch network settings on your iMac to use the Airport and you should be good to go.

Note that whatever modem you buy should be an ethernet modem, and NOT a USB modem.

If you get stuck, post again and I can help out with more specifics or mail me.

PS Just found their h/w section. Something like this is what you need:

www.adslguide.org.uk/hardware/reviews/2004/q4/dlink-dsl300t.asp

Cheap and cheerful and very simple. Nothing you don't need as the Mac has a firewall built in and the Airport can do all the other fancy dancy stuff you'll never use anyway

40 quid or so. Others on the review page will work too, as will modem/routers etc etc. But you'd be paying for stuff you don't need.

[murph7355]

PS and if you put the Express near your hifi, and get a 3mm-phono pair cable you can play your iTunes music through your stereo system wirelessly.

Alternatively, put your Express in your kitchen/bedroom or somewhere else you don't have music, and you can pipe into there...top piece of hardware.

Good choice on systems too, btw.

[dds1]

murph, you are a superstar, thanks so much.

already wired it up to my amp, and works fine, although very weak signal for some reason (its only 8 ft from the pc!)

have ordered the gear and will be ready to install next week (when no doubt i will cock it up and be asking more silly questions).


thanks again.

Dean

[murph7355]

No problem.

Are you using cordless phones? These can sometimes affect signal strength. As could other radio devices switched on near by.

Did you install the airport card in the iMac? You might need to reseat the aerial.

Other than that, check out the Apple support forums (www.apple.comsupport and then click discussions) for either the iMac or Airport and search for weak signal (using weak signal imac g5 should sort you out).

Good luck with the modem, and if you need any help, don't forget to shout. Goes for anything on the Mac.

Airport Express is a great gadget. I just hope Apple change the software to allow all sound to be switched to it

[murph7355]

PS Dean - some broadband providers give you a USB modem. Some even give you an ethernet modem.

If you ask for "wires only", they will often charge you less. All you then need is a splitter (couple of quid).

If all this sounds confusing, have a good read of the ADSLguide link...

[dds1]

I must admit I just called BT, told them to switch me on, and bought an ethernet modem from them. Expensive compared to the one you pointed out, but at least I get it all in one.
Am using dect phone, so will try moving that, and reseating the aerial to see if it gets any better.
Will be switched on as of next monday, so I will try it all then.
If I manage to do it all, it will be the equivalent of man walking on the moon for the 1st time in my household

cheers.


p.s. i used an optical cable into my amp, sound quality is great.

>> Edited by dds1 on Monday 6th December 14:46

[murph7355]

Just make sure you encode your CDs as AAC (lossless format).

BT way should see you OK. Just confirm with them it's not a USB modem if you haven't already.

Now all you need is an iPod, if you don't have one already

What spec iMac did you buy?

[dds1]

made sure to buy their Ethernet one after reading yr post

got the ipod, in fact I have gone gadget crazy over the last few months

Got the 20" superdrive one with bluetooth keyboard and mouse, it's superb, but still being on dialup is frustrating to say the least!.

[murph7355]

You don't mess around do you!

I have the previous generation iMac, similar spec only G4. Including the BT keyboard and mouse (tip - keep the other one in a draw somewhere as when the battery runs out it can be frustrating!).

And from a purely tech point of view, if you have a few spare quid get hold of an external firewire drive so you can back up your system. It's easy to do a bootable clone of your hard drive and could save headaches if your drive fails (I had my 1st drive failure in 15yrs the other week and it's bloody annoying!).