Airport card swapping question

[noiseyone]

I have an OLD 2002(?) PowerPC G4 (with an airport card) and am upgrading to a hand me down Power Mac G5 that doesn't have an airport card. Can I pull the card from the G4 and put it in the G5?

Thanks

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello and welcome.

Unfortunately, the AirPort card in 2002 G4s are different than the card used in a G5. What exact model numbers?

You could look into a PCI-based card.

C

 

[noiseyone]

Thanks for the tip - I see what look like some USB plug in wireless card for G5 for $15 - any idea if these are any good?
I see some talk of needing an external antennae as well - is that correct?

Trying to dig up serial numbers...

Thanks

 

[noiseyone]

One is Power Mac G4 M8570
Other is Power Mac G5 A1047

 

[Cory Cooper]

OK, thanks. A little more info needed.

Does the Power Mac G4 have 2 FireWire 400 ports or 2 FireWire 400 and 1 FireWire 800 as shown below?

If it does, then it is a PM G4 (FW 800) and uses an AirPort Extreme card that would be compatible with the G5. If it only has FireWire 400 ports, then it uses the older AirPort card that is not compatible.

The Power Mac G5 is a (June 2004) model.

The USB wireless adapters don't work very well. I have two of these units and they work flawlessly:

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/ariaextremenpci.html

C

 

[noiseyone]

dah - mine doesn't have the 800 - only the 2 400's.

I just ordered the one you suggested - thanks for al the info and help!

Have a great weekend.

 

[Cory Cooper]

Not a problem. Let me know how it works out.

You have a great weekend as well.

C