MP 1,1-5,1 Fenvi Wi-Fi Card and Bluetooth / USB Header

[spetznatz]

I'm installing a Fenvi PCIe Wi-Fi ac card on my Mac Pro 5,1 (flashed 4,1). It's based on the Broadcom BCM94360CD so is natively supported in MacOS X. However, if I want Bluetooth 5.0 (which I do for Airdrop and HandOff) i need to attach a cable from the card to a USB header socket (see diagram, which is for a PC installation). Is there a corresponding USB header anywhere on the Mac Pro motherboard?

TIA,

Tim

 

[newtech1]

Yes, the bluetooth module is normally plugged into it.

Classic Mac Pro (5,1): Upgrade Wi-Fi to 802.11ac and Bluetooth to 4.0 - CrystalIDEA Blog

crystalidea.com

 

[Snow Tiger]

I'm installing a Fenvi PCIe Wi-Fi ac card on my Mac Pro 5,1 (flashed 4,1). It's based on the Broadcom BCM94360CD so is natively supported in MacOS X. However, if I want Bluetooth 5.0 (which I do for Airdrop and HandOff) i need to attach a cable from the card to a USB header socket (see diagram, which is for a PC installation). Is there a corresponding USB header anywhere on the Mac Pro motherboard? View attachment 914802

TIA,

Tim

I really doubt you'll get Continuity support with a wireless card installed in a standard PCIe slot , even if made by Apple . The wireless upgrade card should be installed in the slot the factory shipping WiFi card was installed in . If it works out , please inform us .

In as far as the data cable for the standard PCIe slot card's BT circuitry is concerned , the onboard BT header is just awesome for your needs . Just connect it properly ... its found in the lower , right portion of the backplane board .

I have a detailed instructional here at MR on how to build this custom cable . Looks like yours will have to be a cable with two "picture A" terminals . I wonder if your card's and Apple's terminals are identical ?

Classic Mac Pro 802.11 AC and BT 4.0 Wireless Upgrade With External Antenna

Part 1 . Here's the method and bill of materials necessary to nicely upgrade a Mac Pro 5,1 ( 2009-12 ) with a high performance wireless upgrade system . The use of external antennas greatly enhances signal strength and has the advantage of providing semi-directional control for fine tuning a...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[spetznatz]

Thanks, both!!! I'll have a look later... (I have the requisite Wi-Fi card to replace the 'n' card in the Mac Pro, but installing needs some soldering of wires, which I can't do, hence I thought I'd try this route...)

The card claims that it can support Continuity on Hackintoshes, but we'll see...

PC Hackintosh WiFi & BT wifi card 802.11a/g/n/ac WLAN + BT 4.0 PCI-E Network Adapter mac-compatible Wi-Fi AirDrop Handoff Instant Hotspot macOS MIMO 2x2 Mac OS X natively supported BCM4360 802.11ac

PC Hackintosh WiFi & BT wifi card 802.11a/g/n/ac WLAN + BT 4.0 PCI-E Network Adapter mac-compatible Wi-Fi AirDrop Handoff Instant Hotspot macOS MIMO 2x2 Mac OS X natively supported BCM4360 802.11ac

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[newtech1]

The Fenvi PCIe card ought to work fine. FWIW, the AirPort slot is just a mini 1X PCIe slot. The one up side to using a card in another PCIe slot is the Use of external antennas.

 

[georgia-ctsv]

I used the Fenvi T919 and a CRJ 9-Pin to USB IDC cable from amazon. I just run the cable out the back and plug it into a USB port. Everything works handoff, continuity, and unlock with apple watch. Only issue is the bluetooth signal could be a little stronger I get lag with my magic mouse at times. Best part it all works right out of the box.

 

[spetznatz]

A few more questions... The Fenvi card is reporting itself under System Report as up and running with 'ac'... is there any way to disable the Wi-Fi 'n' card in the Mac Pro, short of removing it? I have 'Wi-Fi' and 'Wi-Fi 2' networks reported under Network settings, and both are reporting that they're 'Connected'... hitting 'Turn Off Wi-Fi' on either one just turns off Wi-Fi across the board...
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@georgia-ctsv Interesting... I can't see anything matching that cable on UK Amazon... the Fenvi-supplied cable looks as though it will be too short to reach the BlueTooth socket on the backplane board, even if I move the card to the lower 4x PCIe slot. Do you have a picture of / link to the cable you used? AliExpress maybe?

 

[Ghokun]

I really doubt you'll get Continuity support with a wireless card installed in a standard PCIe slot , even if made by Apple . The wireless upgrade card should be installed in the slot the factory shipping WiFi card was installed in . If it works out , please inform us .

In as far as the data cable for the standard PCIe slot card's BT circuitry is concerned , the onboard BT header is just awesome for your needs . Just connect it properly ... its found in the lower , right portion of the backplane board .

I have a detailed instructional here at MR on how to build this custom cable . Looks like yours will have to be a cable with two "picture A" terminals . I wonder if your card's and Apple's terminals are identical ?

Classic Mac Pro 802.11 AC and BT 4.0 Wireless Upgrade With External Antenna

Part 1 . Here's the method and bill of materials necessary to nicely upgrade a Mac Pro 5,1 ( 2009-12 ) with a high performance wireless upgrade system . The use of external antennas greatly enhances signal strength and has the advantage of providing semi-directional control for fine tuning a...

forums.macrumors.com

I have the same card and it supports everything that Apple has offered.

 

[spetznatz]

And, before I go pulling everything apart, this is the supplied cable: is the black end compatible with the Bluetooth socket on the backplane board? It looks a bit big...

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Ghokun – Which cable did you use to connect the card to the Bluetooth on the backplane board? And why can't I quote previous posts in my replies..?

 

[newtech1]

Two options to not have the "n" network connection:

1 remove original AirPort card

2 run Catalina ( catalina does not support the older card-broadcom bcm94322mc )

 

[georgia-ctsv]

Here you go:

CRJ 9-Pin USB IDC Dupont Male Header to Single USB 2.0 Type A Male Cable

Many USB devices typically intended to be used inside of a PC case come with a motherboard header connector. This cable gives you the opportunity to use any of these accessories with a standard USB port. Only the bottom 5 Pin row is electrically wired to the USB connector in accordance with USB h...

www.amazon.com

 

[spetznatz]

Hmmm my card is a Fenvi 1200M. So, if you look at the photo above, the white end connects to the card, the black end then connects to the CRJ cable, then run the Male USB outside and plug into a USB socket? Is that it?

 

[georgia-ctsv]

Yep plugs on to supplied included wifi card cable then out back to a USB plug

 

[Ghokun]

And, before I go pulling everything apart, this is the supplied cable: is the black end compatible with the Bluetooth socket on the backplane board? It looks a bit big...
[automerge]1589463980[/automerge]
Ghokun – Which cable did you use to connect the card to the Bluetooth on the backplane board? And why can't I quote previous posts in my replies..?

Hi, I guess I had a different card. Mine is fenvi fv-t919 model. I have tried in on hackintosh so a normal usb male header did the job and continuity worked between multiple devices. Mine had two cables (red and black) as the link shared by newtech1 https://crystalidea.com/blog/classic-mac-pro-wifi-bluetooth-upgrade

 

[georgia-ctsv]

Yep same card I'm using on my hackintosh and in my Mac Pro 3,1 running catalina.

 

[spetznatz]

georgia-cstv Those CRJ cables are impossible to come by here, and shipping from the U.S. and import tax makes them very expensive, but it may be an option if all else fails... what I really need is a 9-pin male cable that will extend the Fenvi cable and make it interface with the backplane Bluetooth connector....

Ghokun: that's almost exactly the same set-up as I have (same cable), except mine has two external antennae...

 

[georgia-ctsv]

Well that stinks I'm sure someone makes the cable you need. Basically you just need to extend the one you have or find a loner one all together.

 

[spetznatz]

Two options to not have the "n" network connection:

1 remove original AirPort card

2 run Catalina ( catalina does not support the older card-broadcom bcm94322mc )

That's weird... I didn't have wi-fi in Mojave (with just the 'n' card) but I do have it with the 'n' card supported in Catalina (with both the 'n' on its own and the 'n' and the 'ac' card installed)...

 

[spetznatz]

Well that stinks I'm sure someone makes the cable you need. Basically you just need to extend the one you have or find a loner one all together.

Do you think this would do it?

0.97US $ 17% OFF|50cm/19.68'' Usb 2.0 9 Pin Male To 9 Pin Female Adapter Extension Cable Usb2.0 9pin M/f Multiplier Extension Cord Wire Line - Pc Hardware Cables & Adapters - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[georgia-ctsv]

If your Mac Pro has that plug on the motherboard. My Mac Pro 3,1 has no USB port on the mother board at least that I know of.

 

[newtech1]

Georgia-ctsv, your mother board has a usb port (as do all versions of the cMP ) ! The Blue tooth module plugs into it ( 4 pin single row .05" pitch )

Edit: make that 10pin connector next to air port card/slot

sorry was thinking 4,1/5,1 but the 10pin "socket" is a usb port

 

[georgia-ctsv]

Well shoot I looked for it and could not find a plug like the one that comes with the card. The card has a 4 pin plug on it and the other end has a 9 pin plug. Are you sure it not on the 4,1 and 5,1 because the 3,1 bluetooth plug has a socket on it where it plug into the board different from the 4,1 and 5,1 BUT I could be mistaken.

 

[spetznatz]

Georgia-ctsv, your mother board has a usb port (as do all versions of the cMP ) ! The Blue tooth module plugs into it ( 4 pin single row .05" pitch )

Edit: make that 10pin connector next to air port card/slot

sorry was thinking 4,1/5,1 but the 10pin "socket" is a usb port

So, I have an extension cable on the way that will enable the supplied Bluetooth cable to reach the Bluetooth connector on the backplane. The Bluetooth connector is 4-pin, right?.

The supplied cable has 9-pin block, but only four pins are active, as you can see above.

The extension cable that I've ordered has all 9 pins active:

0.97US $ 17% OFF|50cm/19.68'' Usb 2.0 9 Pin Male To 9 Pin Female Adapter Extension Cable Usb2.0 9pin M/f Multiplier Extension Cord Wire Line - Pc Hardware Cables & Adapters - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Could I just attach the end of the extension cable to the Bluetooth connector and it will ignore the other five pins or will I have to snip the unwanted pin wires?
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Aaaaand... after searching for one for ages on AliExpress and finally ordering one for $30 form the U.S., look what turns up in an unrelated search on AE:

1.14US $ 32% OFF|9 Pin Male To External Usb A Male Pc Mainboard Internal Data Extension Cable - Pc Hardware Cables & Adapters - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[georgia-ctsv]

LOL you got to love it. Story of my life.

 

[amgff84]

I really doubt you'll get Continuity support with a wireless card installed in a standard PCIe slot , even if made by Apple . The wireless upgrade card should be installed in the slot the factory shipping WiFi card was installed in . If it works out , please inform us .

In as far as the data cable for the standard PCIe slot card's BT circuitry is concerned , the onboard BT header is just awesome for your needs . Just connect it properly ... its found in the lower , right portion of the backplane board .

I have a detailed instructional here at MR on how to build this custom cable . Looks like yours will have to be a cable with two "picture A" terminals . I wonder if your card's and Apple's terminals are identical ?

Classic Mac Pro 802.11 AC and BT 4.0 Wireless Upgrade With External Antenna

Part 1 . Here's the method and bill of materials necessary to nicely upgrade a Mac Pro 5,1 ( 2009-12 ) with a high performance wireless upgrade system . The use of external antennas greatly enhances signal strength and has the advantage of providing semi-directional control for fine tuning a...

forums.macrumors.com

Everything works with mine, including unlock with Apple Watch.