Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What is stock AirPort model for MacPro4,1 (2009)?

T

timidhermit

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 6, 2011
372
3
I am doing a vintage rebuild of a Mac Pro early 2009 model (MacPro4,1) and want to use ONLY the stock model of all component parts.

I am having trouble finding the exact model of the AirPort card sold by Apple when MacPro4,1 was released.

Some references I found said that the AirPort card was installed by default in all MacPro4,1. Other references I found said that the card is an optional part. Which is correct?

Regardless, can someone please tell me the EXACT PART NUMBER / MODEL NUMBER of this card so that I can source eBay or elsewhere to find this exact card (again, don't want any older or newer version, only the actual version that Apple put into the MacPro4,1)?
 
Original Mac Pro 2009 card: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E)
Firmware-Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.24)
 
Airport was definitely an upgrade for 4,1.

I haven't been following computer stuff closely lately, but I recall reading something in the past few months that made me think that there may have been two models of wireless cards used in the 4,1. Perhaps something about Sierra not supporting Airport in some 4,1s, but working fine in others—depending on which type of Airport card you had.
 
I have installed a BCM94360CD and have AirDrop working. I can also take/make calls from my iPhone 7+ on the cMP, as well as send Messages etc. I don't have Handoff working (start an email on iPhone or iPad and continue on the cMP etc) - might be because I don't have CAT installed. Will install CAT soon and see if this gets Continuity/Handoff to all work properly.

If you're wanting to know how to install a WiFi combo card, check out this link below, and I've added some basic steps (not really a basic process, unless you buy a finished product with all the required cables and wires).
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...working-on-mac-pro-2010-keep-updating.1748061

Basically, you need these parts:
a. A compatible Mac: cMP 4,1 or 5,1
b. WiFi/BT Combo card: BCM94360CD (WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1LE on one card – there are other models too that this might work for)
c. Mini PCIe adapter that the BCM94360CD slots into - must have a D+ and D- data connector (connector is a JST SH 1.0mm 2-pin)
d. A JST SH 1.0mm 2-pin cable (with wires)
e. A JST GH 1.25mm 4-pin cable (see page 28/29 of the link above)
f. 150mm to 200mm u.fl aerial extension cable - male to female connectors.

Instructions (suggest you remove the CPU plastic cage to expose the entire back-plane area - remove the original WiFi module):
1. Hook up the 3 WiFi aerial cables on the cMP to the J0, J1 and J2 aerial connectors on the combo card (b). Take care - they damage easily.
2. Connect the aerial extension cable (f) to J3 on the combo card (b) and connector this to the original BT aerial cable this is located on the right hand side of the back-plane. Might as well remove the original BT module if one is installed.
3. Insert the WiFi combo card (b) into the mini PCIe adapter (c).
4. You have to solder the 2-pin wires (d) to the two top pins on the 4-pin cable (e). To work out which one is which, plug the 4-pin connector into the BT back-plane connector (on the left side of the original BT module on the back-plane). The D- wire will attach to the top pin, and the D+ wire will connect to the second pin down - solder the 2-pin wires (d) to the top two 4-pin wires 4-pin (e). Check out details on page 28/29 if not sure.
5. Secure the mini PCIe card to the back-plane (motherboard) with the small screw.
6. Tuck any excess wires (step 4) (f) out of the way as they must not obstruct the CPU tray when it's plugged back in.
7. Install the CPU cage, and the slot the CPU tray back in.

Let us know how you go.
 
Thanks to all replied so far.

The problem I still have that the different tips I received all lead to different cards. For example, here are some links to the supposedly "genuine and stock" AirPort Extreme card sold by Apple as an official upgrade for the Mac Pro 2009 (MacPro4,1):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-App...ws-MB988Z-A-/271090801008?hash=item3f1e455970

http://www.dvwarehouse.com/661-4907...,-Mid-2010-and-Mid-2012-MB988Z/A-p-37532.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Airpo...FI-Card-For-All-Mac-Pro-MB988Z-A/152374487479

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Apple-A...597075?hash=item3f24d0b453:g:DaYAAOxy7f5SMPWI

As you see from the photos in those listings, they are all slightly different.

Is it possible for someone who owns a STOCK AirPort Express that was installed on a MacPro4,1 when it was originally purchased to post an ACTUAL photo of it from your system so I can see which one to buy? As explained previously, I am doing a build of the actual stock MacPro4,1 system for a display, so I am looking for only genuine and authentic part.
 
Again, may I ask someone who actually owns a STOCK AirPort Express that was installed on a MacPro4,1 when it was originally purchased to post an ACTUAL photo of it from your system so I can see which one to buy?
 
Hi timid hermit,

I upgraded my Mac Pro 4,1 and still have the original Airport card if your interested PM me and I'll send you details.

timidhermit said:
Again, may I ask someone who actually owns a STOCK AirPort Express that was installed on a MacPro4,1 when it was originally purchased to post an ACTUAL photo of it from your system so I can see which one to buy?
Click to expand...
 
Hi, patdohere, can you send me a photo of the front and back of the stock Airport card for this MacPro4,1?


patdohere said:
Hi timid hermit,

I upgraded my Mac Pro 4,1 and still have the original Airport card if your interested PM me and I'll send you details.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back