I recently purchased a D-Link WUA-1340 Wireless G USB Adapter. Fresh orange-and-black design, and I was looking forward to plugging it into my iMac G4/800 to get it connected sans cords to my network. Alas, my excitement got the better of me, because upon examining the package contents and sifting through D-Link's site — no Mac driver! I plugged the thing in and it wouldn't light up.
Thus began a trek of arduous googling such as:
- USB Wireless Driver Hacking
- D-Link WUA-1340 Wireless Adapter with Mac
- D-Link WUA Confirmed working 10.4.5
- Which USB wireless adaptor has Mac OS X support?
Apparently, I'd come onto a whole minefield of problems before mine. Not wanting to purchase a more expensive AirPort Extreme Card, as it were, the solution lay in chipset manufacturer Ralink's website. After navigating my way past more broken drivers, I finally found the Ralink Macintosh drivers page!
Apparently, there are a lot of wireless devices using those Ralink chipsets.
From here, what I did — your specific details may vary:
Download the Ralink USB (RT257x/RT2671) drivers. (I was initially on a wired Ethernet connection so I could do this.)
Install them on your Mac — just as you would any standard program.
Restart.
Insert your Ralink-based wireless USB adapter in a free USB slot. If it has a status indicator light, it should glow like this:
Next, in your main Applications folder, look for "USBWirelessUtility". (It may open automatically after inserting your wireless USB adapter, but it didn't for me.) Open it and look at the different tabs. Since this doesn't use Apple's de facto AirPort means (e.g., putting an icon in the menu bar to indicate signal strength), it's not so intuitive. However, it is more detailed.
Go to Wireless Utility > Site Survey tab and click "CONNECT". (It'll ask you to enter details accordingly. If you have security like WEP turned on, put that info in or you won't be able to connect.)
Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
From the "Show" popup menu, select "Network Port Configurations".
Click "New".
Click "Port". You'll see something like "Ethernet Adaptor (en1)".
Give it a name, and click "OK".
The port will show up in the list. (I dragged it to the top to give it the highest priority when trying to connect.)
From "Show", select that Ethernet adaptor port.
Under the "TCP/IP" tab, "Configure IPv4" should be "Using DHCP".
Click "Apply Now". Shortly, it should refresh and show you numbers for "IP Address", "Subnet Mask", and "Router". If it doesn't update, you may need to click "Renew DHCP Lease".
After OKing that and waiting a few moments, you should see that you're connected. If everything worked as planned, you're now networked!
I wrote this with the intention of saving troubling for the next poor soul who finds themselves in the same situation — if that's you and it's keeping you from better things like spending time with your lover, I hope this helps. YAYZERAMA!!!!
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Just to let you know, this worked as well on a 10.5 Intel 2.66GHz mac pro and a Belkin Wireless G (part# F5D7050) network adapter.
Thank you!!!!!
Can anyone help a lazy fellow MAC user?
I baught a USB Wireless Utility and installed it, but it keeps asking me for a WEP pre-shared key and Hexadecimal info.
The kit I bought doesn't provide me any info about this (quite useless actually) and you all seem to be on the ball about this so… figured I'd ask.
Also I am in france which automatically makes everything three times more difficult !
Thanks in advance for the help.
I'm looking to buy a Belkin Wireless G USB Adapter for my G3 350mhz which I assume to be a version 4 (RAXWN4501H)
John says in post 42 that the driver at ftp://ftp.zyxeltech.de/ZyDAS/ZD1211_USB/Macintosh/ZDA211MacUSB_install_4_5_7_0.dmg
works with the version 4, does this download include the software too? or will i need software from a seperate source?
Can anyone tell me what drivers/software work best with this adapter?
I will be buying the adapter tomorrow so I'll update the details if its not a version 4.
I purchased the Belkin v4 adapter today, and downloaded the ZD driver mentioned above. After restarting the application came up automatically before I plugged the adapter in, but failed to recognise the adapter. I tried restarting, restarting with the adapter plugged in already and reinstalling the driver but nothing worked. I also tried using the Ralink driver but this was no use either, both utilities just reported that no adapter was plugged in.
Can anyone help me please? I dont want to have wasted £22 ($44) on a chunk of useless plastic!
I'm using MAC OS 10.3 on a 350mhz G3.
thanks in advance.
I had a similar problem when I bought the adapter for a Titanium PowerBook G4, I had to go in to the advanced section and enable "802.1X login".
Sean M.
In my country i can only buy these kind of usb wifi: Zonet ZEW2502, D-Link DWA110, This things will work for my ibook g4? please answer me
Will it work using a Linksys Wireless- G adapter on my MAC Power Book G4?
I picked up a Chiefmax NKRUSB-400 and wanted to use it for my OSX but could not find a driver that would work with my MAC. I tried to use the drivers that you recommended and my MAC would see the USB wireless but when I try to set up in the network it wouldn't take. Maybe its just me not setting my wireless up right.
Well, so far, no go on my older Belkin wireless USB adapter in Leopard with ANY driver I could find.
So I'm looking at alternatives. I wondered if anyone has had any success with Buffalo equipment? Like this:
Buffalo Technology Nfiniti WLI-U2-G300N Pre-802.11n Wireless Adapter
I have a Buffalo router, and love it.
For number 20, Cadrien: This may be a bit outdated, but several months ago I got an Addlogix Wireless-G usb network adapted for under $20 and it came with Mac drivers which, I just discovered by checking the referenced page in this discussion, are the Rlink drivers. Anyway, I used it on a 700 Mhz G3 ibook running 10.2.8 and it worked just fine. Hope this helps someone!
Still works!
Belkin 802.11g USB dongle from Target on a G4 iMac 800, after downloading the drivers and recognizing in Network Prefs we're good to go.
thanks MUCH -
M
Great tutorial. Works on G4 with Leopard, although using WPA2 / AES, it doesn't like to stay connected so dropping to WPA / TKIP worked right away. Airport Extreme sucks on anything but an airport base station…
Cheers.
Jeff
Hey, i have a power pc G5 with 4 gigs of ram for my video editing, and just ukpgraded to Leopard 10.5.2…
The issue im having is very similar, just in leopard…
i have a Beldin USB Network Adapter (Wireless G) and have tried several versions of the RTWireless Utility…
every time its the same… It says my connection is great, but have no real existing acsess to the internet…
any sugestions? Thanks
Belkin* USB SRY!!
haha
Hi, I just brought a Belkin Wireless adapter and installed the driver to my G3 ibook. after installing and reboot the ibook, I went to application folder and open the wireless utility. However, it takes a long time to search for my usb wireless device (I did plug in the usb wireless adapter already) and don't know when it will stop searching. then I try to uninstall that belkin wireless device and install Ra+ wireless utility diver but when I click on the site survey and it said "No Device" I also had tried to plug in different USB port to test and it still said "No Device" but the adapter has light on it. I want to know how to do next.
Thanks
How can I get this to support 802.11x? My school only supports 802.11x authentication
Ok well i have a problem. I have a bufflo supported usb but it says that theres no device in the application even when i un pluug and plug it back in . what do i do?
The drivers work fine when I connect to any other network besides a WEP, which, incidentally, is the type of network I am running. Every time I do this it seems like within 30 seconds to a minute, a screen comes up telling me I have to reboot.
Another person had this same issue as mentioned above.
Anyone know how to fix this problem yet?
OK I've solved the issue. For anyone else out there who is having this problem make sure your wireless mode is set to "802.11 B only" in the 'Advanced' tab of the USB Wireless utility.
@ Samuel Goulet – Don't know if you are still around or are still having this problem but here's the fix for it.
Hope this helps!
Awesome find! Thank you!
can someone help me get this to work with my buffalo WLI-U2-KG54-AI
Thanks very much for this tutorial!!!! This works for both my iMac (G4 – running OS 10.4) and my Intel PowerMac (G5 – running Leopard). For Leopard, I just used the driver for 10.4.
Thanks so much again!
Hi, any hope for a D-Link DWA-130 draft N wireless adapter?
My airport card went on the fritz, and preferred an inexpensive alternative, so I started the google quest, and found your informative page within a few clicks. I just wanted to thank you for the excellent instructions. It so happened, that Fry's had that exact model for about half the retail price, as a returned marked down item. It's working perfectly on my iBook G4 1.25G, with a Belkin Router. The only hitch, was on the last step the IP #, etc didn't automatically update in that pane, even after clicking the refresh button, but after choosing DHCP manual, and then re-choosing "using DHCP", all of the numbers instantly filled in, and I was connected!!!! Thanks again!
thank you!! worked perfectly on my old G4.
#1113, Dan T said:
Got this thing connected. Can't get it to connect to the router for internet. Help
Thanks to you, my mood has gone from bad to glad.
@Simon: I like that turn of events!
Had to reset WEP. Now all is working great.
Thankyouthankyouthankyou. We recently had cable installed and wanted to have a wireless network. The cable company was clueless as to how to set up a Mac without using Airport. This worked on the first try, and I am not exceptionally tech saavy. You're a god among men for sharing this info. Thanks again.
(Btw, I ended up using the D link. Unfortunately the new – and only – Chiefmax dongle that's available on the site mentioned above doesn't have supported drivers on Ralink. Bummer 'cuz it was 3 times cheaper. I'm giving it to a PC friend).
Hey, just wanted to say thankyou.
This guide COMPLETELY solved my problem, in a straightfoward manner.
Thankyou.
You are very welcome!
Thank you, works great. Only problem is no internet connection. can anyone help?
NO DEVICE!!
Regardless of what I do, the Wireless Utility, nor my computer, will recognize my D-Link WUA-1340.
I am running:
Power Mac G4 1.5 GHz (upgraded from dual 500)
OS X 10.3.9
I have installed:
Apple driver provided on D-Link site
Ralink USB RT2870 10.3 Driver
-I have the Ralink Wireless Utility, and under "Link Status" – "Status" it lists, "No Device!!".
-Under "System Profiler" – "Hardware" – "USB", when the dongle is not plugged it, it read only my keyboard and mouse. When the dongle is plugged in, it reads,"802.11 bg WLAN", but, there is no light, and no status change.
-The dongle runs flawlessly, with the light, on my PC 100% of the time.
-In "System Preferences" – "Other" – "WUA-1340", no matter what I do, it reads, "Link State: No Device!!" and "Signal Strength: No card detected!!"
I can plug and unplug the D-Link adapter until I'm blue in the face in any one of the six USB ports I have, and the light will never come on when it is attached to my Mac.
ANY ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.
Internet up running, reboot was necessary. Thank you Torley for sharing
having same problem as chad. It worked perfectly until just recently – any ideas?
Similar to problems above … I've been running an RT73 USB dongle (with the Ralink Wireless Utility software ) on an ancient G3 iBook for ages. And all was good, and until I did a recent software update that obviously changed things. To begin with, I had the 'dialogue from hell' http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?p=496709
And after I fixed that, I couldn't get the wireless internet connection going. .. It spots my wireless network, but jsut can't connect.
Been using the D-Link 1340 for about 3 months. Today, it would cause a forced shutdown every time I tried to connect. Retured it to Target. They didn't have any D-Links, so I picked up Belkin F5D7050. Installed the ZD driver and it works perfectly.
Thanks so much!!! I am on 10.3.9, PowerPC G5 1.8 GHz and your instructions worked like a dream. I really appreciate the info!!
Hi thanks for this info, I just installed everything and have the network connection running okay BUT I can't get any internet connection, meaning no browser is finding any connection… I tried changing DHCP connection and manually filled in the right IP adress router and so forth and that is all working nicely but still no way to get on internet. Everything works as said above the green light in the network status is on, connection (even though disconnecting sometimes) is working but still no internet.. any ideas?
Thank you so much!!!! I am not a mac user and was installing this wireless network for an older friend, (needless to say I was confused as H*ll). I had the hardware but the installation cd that came with it didn't have mac drivers and even the instructions weren't readable by mac! So after 2 days of mindless internet searching I found your website and I think it saved me from having an ulcer! Thanks again.
I am having same problem as Sandro (11/21/08): My MAC Mini OS X 10.4 (no airport card) is connected to my wireless router (green connection light and tally of packets sent and received) but when I try to open browser it says "You are not connected to the internet". I haven't messed with any DHCP or IP entries yet and I hope I don't have to. Does anyone know why I can be connected to my cable modem yet the browser (Safari) doesn't know it? Thanks kindly.
Well I'm about to bring this thing back to the store because the connection drops so often now it's like a tubelight that has to be changed, and I'm just not going to be bothered anymore but here's another tip for you Phil 21/11/2008: after everything is set up and green light is on, go to: applications/internetconnect and choose archive/new 802.1X connection, then you should be able to set up a connection with the ethernet (en1)adapter
only thing is, it's asking me for some kind of username and password and after trying out every possible password that I have ever needed on my computer and this network there's still no signs of it wanting to connect. It's staus says "connecting"… that's all, and browsers still don't But maybe it could work for you. If it does please let me know, then maybe I'll give it one more try myself. But if it doesn't I'm gonna go for getting my money back and saving up for a new mac:-D
good luck! greetz.. Sandro
Oh yeah just in case someone has a better solution for me, here's my specs: G4 powerbook titanium 876 mhz usb1.1 os 10.3.9 D-link dwl-g122 usb wifi….
Sandro,
Thank you for your suggestions. Before I try anything else I am going to contact (on Monday) the maker of the wireless USB adapter, and Apple tech spt.
Notes: At some point in the frustrating process I do remember seeing the option which you describe (ethernet (en1) adapter. I didn't take any action because I think I was looking for "USB…." or "Broadband…." (Or perhaps it was grayed out) So you may be on to something with that "ethernet (en1) adapter reference but I'm scared to try anything else until I get some tech spt. Also, I seem to recall the application "internet connect" applies itself to work only with an airport card – not an external broadband source.
Sandro, I did finally connect and I'me very sorry I don't know how I did it. I'm not totally satisfied because once I reach the table which shows all the wireless networks within reach and I select my secured network and I click "connect", it will NOT connect UNTIL I pull the wireless adapter out of the USB port and re-insert it….a small inconvenience as some above have agreed. Some procedures which I feel may have helped me achieve internet connection:
When you stumble upon the appropriate info boxes, try making "ethernet" the default (as opposed to internal modem) One critical screen which I had not seen previously (and may only have popped up as a result of an earlier selection on another box) was one that asks "How do you (want?) to connect to the internet: Dial-up, Internal Modem, LAN, DSL, cable modem. Of course I selected "cable modem". That was a critical step toward my success. I had not seen that screen until I took your advice and looked for and messed with various options containing the word "ethernet". All I can say is that I've come a little bit past "hit & miss, trial & error" and you have helped. Thanks.
I am having the same problem as lots of people. Everything looks connected but Safari does not work. I have the DWL-G122 D-Link Rev.C1, and I posted on apple.com for help – please reply there if you can help!
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1807911
Thanks!
Just ran across this thread. Has anyone seen this driver on the D-Link site:
http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=477&sec=0#drivers
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