High Sierra - WiFi / BT

[macpro00]

My flashed 5,1 is connected to ethernet. I am moving my machine and need the wireless back but High Sierra does not support the card that came with the machine. Any recommendations for replacing my apple airport/bt card - for cheap? I really want to keep BT capability.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tsialex]

Apple AirPort Extreme BCM94322MC, ~$10 on eBay, drop-in with out-of-the-box support, already tested with Mojave. Usually this cards came from MacBooks 2008-2009. It's the card that I'm using on my 4,1->5,1.

Don't buy Broadcom BCM94321 or Atheros 9380, Sierra removed support for the first and Mojave for the later.

 

[macpro00]

Apple AirPort Extreme BCM94322MC, ~$10 on eBay, drop-in with out-of-the-box support, already tested with Mojave. Usually this cards came from MacBooks 2008-2009. It's the card that I'm using on my 4,1->5,1.

Don't buy Broadcom BCM94321 or Atheros 9380, Sierra removed support for the first and Mojave for the later.

Thanks for the tip! What do I do to keep Bluetooth as I use a BT keyboard and mouse.

 

[tsialex]

Thanks for the tip! What do I do to keep Bluetooth as I use a BT keyboard and mouse.

On Mac Pros, the AirPort Extreme card does not have BlueTooth. It's another module on the board.

You can replace the actual Wi-Fi card with BCM94322MC without problems with BT.

 

[macpro00]

thanks again, pal!

 

[macpro00]

another question: when I pulled my old airport card (bcm94321MC), antenna wire 2 and 3 were connected. For BCM94322MC, which antenna wires do I connect?

 

[tsialex]

I've used the same as it was, worked fine.

 

[verdejt]

Anybody have any experience with the OSXWIFI WiFi (b,n,ac) with by 4.0 as a replacement?

 

[Squuiid]

Anybody have any experience with the OSXWIFI WiFi (b,n,ac) with by 4.0 as a replacement?

Yes, works well.
I prefer this eBay seller however as you end up with a Bluetooth 4.2 card instead of 4.0:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...rade-Kit-Adapter-Mac-Pro-4-1-5-1/262864275416

They state 4.0 in the description but I've received 4.2 cards each time I buy from them.

 

[crjackson2134]

@Squuiid

I suppose I have a 4.0 card, not sure. What would be the advantage of the 4.2 card over the 4.0?

 

[Squuiid]

@Squuiid

I suppose I have a 4.0 card, not sure. What would be the advantage of the 4.2 card over the 4.0?

View attachment 771334

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#v4.0
Scroll down the page for the new features in 4.1 and 4.2.

 

[crjackson2134]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#v4.0
Scroll down the page for the new features in 4.1 and 4.2.

Thanks, read it.

Either I’m not really understanding what I read, or it offers nothing I can use at present.
Likely both for me.

 

[macpro00]

I just installed the new card and works. However, the wifi turns off randomly and I am unable to turn back on without restarting my machine. Is the card defective? Thoughts?

 

[tsialex]

I just installed the new card and works. However, the wifi turns off randomly and I am unable to turn back on without restarting my machine. Is the card defective? Thoughts?

Did you cleaned the card contacts and the Mac Pro board connector? Usually I spray contact cleaner on the Mac Pro board connector and clean the card contacts with isopropanol before mounting it.

 

[macpro00]

Did you cleaned the card contacts and the Mac Pro board connector? Usually I spray contact cleaner on the Mac Pro board connector and clean the card contacts with isopropanol before mounting it.

Next time this happens, I will remove and use your advice to clean card contacts with alcohol. Thank you.

 

[tsialex]

Next time this happens, I will remove and use your advice to clean card contacts with alcohol. Thank you.

These boards are 6 to 9 years old now, even correctly stored it's gonna have oxidation, so it's a sound advice to clean it, but could be a defect on the card that you received.