NEED SOME HELP!! ASAP!

[macartistkel]

I have a friend who just sent me this email because I use macs, however, I am not very technical when it comes to networking, etc. So I will appreciate anyone who can help out with his problem. Here is the email he sent me:

I need some serious Mac help. I have the PC-type
router hooked up to a cable modem, which works fine sending info to
windows-based computers, but not for Macs. Amanda's computer (iMac 333
Mhz) is too far away from the router to hardwire a connection to it so I
need to use a network adapter to receive a network connection from the
router. Her computer doesn't have a wifi card or any wireless type card.
I purchased an Airport Express card thinking I could somehow have it
accept connections from the router and then run an ethernet cable from
the Airport Express directly into the iMac. So far no luck on that.
Can the AirPort Express accept connections or is it made only to send?
I've tried a few of the typical wal-mart brand network adapters but none
of them work on Macs. I'm not for sure if any of this made sense, but
if it did, then what do you think I need to purcase to get her wired?

 

[eva01]

what in the what now? an airport express card????

do you mean airport extreme card or airport express station?

I thought those iMacs could only use the original airport card for wireless anyways

and btw, DON'T USE ALL CAPITALS IN YOUR THREAD TITLE IT IS ANNOYING

 

[mad jew]

If it's an Express, then yes, you should be able to connect to your current wireless network (assuming you have one) with it through WDS (assuming your wireless network router is compatible). And then you should be able to hardwire your Express to the iMac.

 

[macartistkel]

Sorry about the caps!! I will not do that anymore. Yes his email was very confusing to me because I don't get why a LONG ethernet cable will not work, but he said it doesn't. I also thought any router would work on both mac or pcs?? I don't know what to say.

 

[mad jew]

I haven't found a router that doesn't work on both systems.

Also, this Express option is perhaps the most convoluted and expensive route (excuse the pun ). I'd really try the ethernet set up if possible.

 

[macartistkel]

oh thanks mad jew!! Although I never heard anything about a wireless network in that email but since he bought an airport extreme card then I assume so!

 

[mad jew]

An AirPort Express card will not work in the iMac though. It won't even fit in the slot. A regular AirPort card will but these are out of production and therefore hard to find/expensive but still cheaper than getting an AirPort Express, which is an entire wireless base-station/router.

 

[Duff-Man]

Sorry about the caps!! I will not do that anymore.

Duff-Man says....thanks...and also, please use something descriptive when naming a new thread...generic things like "help" are not very helpful... ....oh yeah!

 

[macartistkel]

Thanks again for the advice about the threads...my bad, I'm a newbie!!

 

[runplaysleeprun]

in response to the post he made here : https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=142569
Yes, his "Frankenstein should work, assuming his router is WDS compatable. This is taken from apples website:

Extend Your Network
If you already have a wireless network in your home and would like to extend its range, AirPort Express is your answer. Suppose you want to connect to the Internet with your PowerBook in an area that lies beyond the 150-foot range of your AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station. You can use AirPort Express as a wireless bridge to extend the range of your primary base station.(5)

There’s no need for extra wires or cables — serving as a bridge, AirPort Express doesn't have to be physically connected to your primary base station or to your DSL or cable modem. Simply place AirPort Express within the range of your primary base station and near the area where you’d like to enjoy your wireless connection.