Upgrade Macbook to Wireless N

[Mpulsive81]

I've been searching high and low for complete instructions on how to upgrade my macbook's wireless card. The physical part doesn't seem difficult, but what's this about having to use pacifist? I've never used the program, but why would you need it? Is this an alternative to purchasing the N-enabler on apple's website? Just looking to be steered in the right direction...

Thanks!

 

[jng]

You have to buy the N-enabler I believe.

 

[Mpulsive81]

I'm not trying to circumvent the $1.99 purchase, but my issue is what I would have to do in order to install it correctly. People have been saying that they are unable to install the enabler until after they install all the airport updates again and then some people are talking about using pacifist to install the enabler. I'm not sure they have to use the pacifist program because they're pulling it off the airport extreme basestation's cd or what. Just trying to clear everything up before I try it all out.

 

[Stiney]

From what I understand...if you have a airport extreme-N base station you will not need the enabler.

I upgraded my Macbook Pro CD to a Dell wireless N card. I don't have a new Extreme base station. I had to buy the enabler and use pacifist to install it. I also had to install the AirPort Extreme Update 2007-002 to get my wireless N to work.

Hope that helps

 

[Mpulsive81]

From what I understand...if you have a airport extreme-N base station you will not need the enabler.

I upgraded my Macbook Pro CD to a Dell wireless N card. I don't have a new Extreme base station. I had to buy the enabler and use pacifist to install it. I also had to install the AirPort Extreme Update 2007-002 to get my wireless N to work.

Hope that helps

Ok that may going in the right direction, lets say i did't go with the airport base station, can you elaborate on what you did to install the enabler, in relation to Pacifist?

If I did go with the base station, i think i could just use the install disk.

I also heard that the newer upgrade kit (MA688Z/B, instead of MA688Z/A) includes the enabler on cd. But again, i'm trying to figure out what i need to do to get it correctly installed.

 

[arcane]

http://www.hardmac.com/articles/71/page1/

 

[Mpulsive81]

http://www.hardmac.com/articles/71/page1/

That looks to be a great match for what i'm looking for to install the card, but since they had the baestation they just used the cd w/o issues. I'm assuming the Pacifist is used only if you aren't using the new Extreme Basestation and you have to install the enabler manually. I guess we'll play it by ear...it may take a month or so to do this upgrade. I JUST bought a wireless G router a month ago, so i don' tknow if i'm ready to give up on my new Belkin just yet. I don't do any downloading (too afraid of adware or slowing down my computer) from it so i don't even know if this upgrade would be worth my while. I guess we'll see lol

 

[Stiney]

Sorry for the delay...I was looking for the video I used to install the enabler through Pacifist. Although I couldn't find it.

But, here is the process I went through to install it...

Open up the enabler intaller through Pacifist
Install the package contents through Pacifist
Once that is done Update your Prebinding in Pacifist

Restart and see if that works...although it didn't for me.

Then I download Airport Extreme Update 2007-002
Install the updater then restart...

At that point the N card was reconized.

If it isn't go through all the steps again.

Hope that helps

 

[Mpulsive81]

Sorry for the delay...I was looking for the video I used to install the enabler through Pacifist. Although I couldn't find it.

But, here is the process I went through to install it...

Open up the enabler intaller through Pacifist
Install the package contents through Pacifist
Once that is done Update your Prebinding in Pacifist

Restart and see if that works...although it didn't for me.

Then I download Airport Extreme Update 2007-002
Install the updater then restart...

At that point the N card was reconized.

If it isn't go through all the steps again.

Hope that helps

Once I get the card, I'll try that, it may just take me getting pacifist and getting a visual of the steps. We'll see. I dunno if i'm ready to drop $50 for the card, $180 for the AE base station after dropping the initial $50 for the belkin wireless G

 

[Stiney]

Right now I am only using it with my Apple TV. But, I am getting better signal and better range in a G network. If you are looking for a cheaper card look at the Dell Wireless 1500 card. That is what I am using and it has been rock solid so far! It is pretty much the same card as the Mac Pro upgrade card! Good Luck and the pacifist video for the enabler install is a great step by step guide.