Wifi dongle for sierra?

[fischersd]

I can open my MacBook, I've already changed the hard disk with a SSD. Do you know if your mCard 2 is compatible with a MacBook Pro early 2008 mounting an Airport Extreme bcm4321?

Looking at the iFixit guide for replacing your airport here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBoo...226+and+A1260+Airport+Extreme+Replacement/664

Your 15" MBP only has the 2 antennae connectors, so, yep, it'll be compatible. Same slot connector as the 17" MBP.

You'll also need to remove the separate bluetooth module, as the mCard2 is both bluetooth and wifi (this gives you BT 4.0LE as well as 802.11AC) - using the iFixit guide here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBoo...226+and+A1260+Bluetooth+Board+Replacement/666

Edit: btw...had you looked on QuickerTek's site, they do list your 15" MBP in their compatibility list for the mCard2: http://www.quickertek.com/manuals/CardCompatibilityChart.pdf

 

[paulclaude]

Thank you fischersd; I saw that the price is $119, a little expansive for a very old computer.

Do you know if there is a cheaper card? I don't know if this can works http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...892601?hash=item25c6c9a0b9:g:zDoAAOSwo4pYHgtx

 

[fischersd]

Thank you fischersd; I saw that the price is $119, a little expansive for a very old computer.

Do you know if there is a cheaper card? I don't know if this can works http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...892601?hash=item25c6c9a0b9:g:zDoAAOSwo4pYHgtx

That one would work if the slot and antennae connectors are the same (no idea if they are). It uses the Boardroom 4322 chipset, so you'd be able to use the CAT tool to get continuity working (though some features won't be available).

 

[James17240]

If you're not comfortable taking your MacBookPro apart, then a USB adapter is your best choice. You won't get the unlocking with apple watch working with a USB adapter though.
I have the 17" MBP and the mCard 2 from QuickerTek works great in mine: http://www.quickertek.com/products/mCard.html
Another user tried the mCard 3 (3 antennae), but it's a little thicker, so produced a bit of a bulge in the top case.

Concerning mCard 3, I just got one. I installed it on my A1261 MBP. There are 3 antennas on this model. Of course, I unplugged the built-in Bluetooth card.
It seems not to be recognized : nothing in El Capitan, and CAT doesn't work. I installed Sierra on an external HDD (quite easy), and then Bluetooth is partially recognized (my iPhone connects, but can't stay connected, an external numeric keyboard is not recognized, and of course continuity doesn't work).
No Wifi is recognized. And CAT doesn't work, because there is no Wifi...
I'll try to contact Quickertek, maybe this card is defective ? If it is, I guess I'll get a mCard 2, because the 3 is actually thicker and produces a bulge, as You said
Thanks for your interesting posts
Fred

 

[fischersd]

Concerning mCard 3, I just got one. I installed it on my A1261 MBP. There are 3 antennas on this model. Of course, I unplugged the built-in Bluetooth card.
It seems not to be recognized : nothing in El Capitan, and CAT doesn't work. I installed Sierra on an external HDD (quite easy), and then Bluetooth is partially recognized (my iPhone connects, but can't stay connected, an external numeric keyboard is not recognized, and of course continuity doesn't work).
No Wifi is recognized. And CAT doesn't work, because there is no Wifi...
I'll try to contact Quickertek, maybe this card is defective ? If it is, I guess I'll get a mCard 2, because the 3 is actually thicker and produces a bulge, as You said
Thanks for your interesting posts
Fred

Does the card show up in system report? When you look at the kexts that get loaded, it's using the Broadcom 4360 kext.

That's the "painful" part of they type of install...if it isn't working, you have to take the MBP apart all over again to look for issues. You unplugged both the ribbon and the antennae from the old BT card? (I'd remove it myself - no point in leaving it there).

Make sure you still have SIP disabled (I wouldn't ever re-enable it - just problematic if you do).

Pretty sure the only thing that CAT does for you is to get everything in line for the continuity bits. The network and bluetooth portions should work out of the gate without modifying any kexts.

 

[James17240]

Hi
Wow You never sleep (it is early in Canada, isn't it ?)

Does the card show up in system report? When you look at the kexts that get loaded, it's using the Broadcom 4360 kext.

I think it's the problem : AirPortBrcm4360.kext is described as "not charged" in system report. It's the same concerning every wifi extensions, I guess...

That's the "painful" part of they type of install...if it isn't working, you have to take the MBP apart all over again to look for issues. You unplugged both the ribbon and the antennae from the old BT card? (I'd remove it myself - no point in leaving it there).

I unplugged the ribbon. The antenna (only 1) is in the module under a shielded adhesive tape, with the BT card
If You think it's a problem, I'll remove the whole module. I hope connector free in the computer won't cause any trouble

Make sure you still have SIP disabled (I wouldn't ever re-enable it - just problematic if you do).

It is disabled

Pretty sure the only thing that CAT does for you is to get everything in line for the continuity bits. The network and bluetooth portions should work out of the gate without modifying any kexts.

Thank You for your quick response ! I'm a real newbie...

 

[fischersd]

Hi
Wow You never sleep (it is early in Canada, isn't it ?)

I think it's the problem : AirPortBrcm4360.kext is described as "not charged" in system report. It's the same concerning every wifi extensions, I guess...

I unplugged the ribbon. The antenna (only 1) is in the module under a shielded adhesive tape, with the BT card
If You think it's a problem, I'll remove the whole module. I hope connector free in the computer won't cause any trouble

It is disabled

Thank You for your quick response ! I'm a real newbie...

Removing the ribbon from the BT connector should certainly be sufficient to ensure it isn't powered Removing it just keeps it cleaner. Nope, having the BT connector/ribbon not active/connected won't pose a problem.

In system report, under Network, when you click on Wi-Fi, does it say that there's an adapter there?

If it's detecting the adapter, but not loading the kext, then it may be a software issue (saving you from having to open up the MBP again).

 

[James17240]

Removing the ribbon from the BT connector should certainly be sufficient to ensure it isn't powered Removing it just keeps it cleaner. Nope, having the BT connector/ribbon not active/connected won't pose a problem.

In system report, under Network, when you click on Wi-Fi, does it say that there's an adapter there?

If it's detecting the adapter, but not loading the kext, then it may be a software issue (saving you from having to open up the MBP again).

No adapter found in system report... Will need to open it...