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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@Jan: OH! I can't believe that's been out so long. Does that also work on Leopard? I'm unable to test because I no longer have my WUA-1340. Official drivers might simplify things a LOT, and I can edit my post to mention it at the very top if they're up-to-date.
Did not work with Leopard (I don't use a Mac, my son does but I think he said he had to use Firefox). Also he had to make some adjustments on ports or something. But he was up and running in a few minutes.
For some reason, my MacBook Pro (Leopard) isn't detecting my Linksys WUSB54GC. I've done research, and it uses that Ralink Driver, but I don't even seem to be able to get that far. It's got a light to show it's working, but that light isn't lighting up. It just thinks nothing's plugged in.
I got this to connect on Leopard without much fuss. Here's my goal, though: Can I use this to share my connection to other Macs in my house. (i.e. to let my Mini connect to the internet via ethernet, and then share that connection via the USB WIFI?)
Thoughts? Help?
Hey, I just received a Mac Mini from my uncle (G4) and wanted to do this as well with a Netopia adapter that came with my wireless router. The thing is, I can't seem to get past the initial installation.
After I install and reboot, the application fails to load up. When I double click it from the Applications section, it'll pop up for just a second then go away just as quick. When I first turn on my Mini, it does the same thing.
I've tried many different ways to go about this but none of them seem to get the USBWirelessUtility application to work. I'm new to macs so maybe it's an easily correctable mistake on my part.
It would be greatly appreciated if someone could get back to me. Thanks!
-Adrian
Okay, I've gotten passed the first hurtle, which in fact was a simple privileges screw up. But now, like others here, it will not see my device.
When I plug in the Netopia adapter, it automatically loads up the USBWirelessUtility application, meaning that obviously it's sensing something. But once I'm actually in the app, no device can be found.
Also, whenever I plug in the adapter, its light flashes orange for a second or two and then goes away, instead of a steady grean light.
Please help!
-Adrian
THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!
I have the exact same computer and wireless adapter and couldn't get it to work. I called Apple and D-Link, and neither one of them could assist me. It was your blog that supplied me with the appropriate resources that I needed!
Thanks again!
Josh
Thanks for the article!
I am still having the problem where I have to unplug then plug in my wireless USB Device for it to work on startup. Does anyone have any ideas about how to correct this?
Thanks alot!
JH
I am having the same problems as Chad, it runs perfectly in Parallels (Windows XP SP2) though.
But it only works ocasionally (1/100 times it worked for me) in OS X Leopard, I am stil figuring out what triggers it to be found by the Ralink driver (because I am 100% sure it's a problem with Ralink's software, System Profiler shows that it's working).
I also have a similar problem, and my USB Wifi connector is made by Encore. I'm using the same driver, and after the installation & restart, the USBWirelessUtility can't find my device…even if I choose RESCAN option, it simply grayed out everything else…:(
Any idea?
get the dlink one?
Thanks very much this was simple to follow axept the load as usual bit
I have just used your instructions on a Sweex USB wifi adapter, chipset RT2571WF,
installed on a macmini g4, running mac OS tiger.
After creating a profile, the wireless network will start by itself when rebooting the computer.
Most beautiful solution!!!
Thanks!
thanks it worked i was using a d link wireless adapter i did what this website said and clicked around and it worked im stoaked thanks
My USB Farallon ethernet adapter that has worked fine for several years is now not recognizing the internet connection on the eMac (10.3.9). After many attempts at re-installation there is never a time when the window shows "new port detected." Is there something I need to UNinstall before I try another re-installation? The unit works fine on another computer, but it seems there is a glitch in the eMac's software. What do you recommend I try? Thank you.
What would cause the re-installation process to halt when it's supposed to be showing "new port detected"? Is there a need to un-install the previous software from Pegasus for my ethernet adapter? Everything used to work fine and now it doesn't. Please provide tips on finding a way toward having that window show "new port detected."
Is anyone out there? Are there any suggestions for my USB ethernet adapter which no longer recognizes the internet connection on my eMac (10.3.9). After many attempts at re-installation there fails to show "new port detected" window. Must I UNinstall something before I try to re-install it again? The adapter works fine on another computer, but is not functioning on the eMac. Help!
Hey everyone!
I just purchased an Airlink101 wireless USB card from Fry's. It was only $10 and I would love to be able to get it to work with my iBook G4 (1.2ghz).
Any ideas on where to look for possible drivers?
Thanks in advance!
Thank You SO Much! With This Guide I Finally Got My Edimax Turbo Wireless Adaptor Working With My  iBook G3. No Issues With It, Apart From The Fact That It's Covering My Other USB Port!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!
Worked for me with my girlfriend's imac – (OS 10.4) and Belkin wireless usb; even though mine is a different one that you have in your pic and instructions – thanks!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Hey i just bout the D-Link DWA-130…it looks the same as yours in the picture, but nothing works for me HELP PLEASE!
i just exanged it for a belkin one and IT WORKS!!!
I can't get this to work on my RT2500 (or RT5000) based Netopia 3-D Reach Wireless USB card.
I'm posting this for anyone having trouble in hopes it will help. I have a Belkin F5D7050 rev 3003. No drivers on Belkin site for OSX so I searched around. I found the Ralink drivers at http://www.ralinktech.com/ralink/Home/Support/Macintosh.html I downloaded: USB (RT257x/RT2671) 12/04/2008 RT2571W/RT2671:1.2.4.0 RT2500:1.1.3.0 After installing the lights came on but there was no wireless config utility even after rebooting. I even ran the ralink program manually & you could see it open briefly at the bottom then close. After more research I found that the D-Link WUA-1340 used the same chipset AND D-Link provides (old) OSX drivers! I removed teh Ralink ones & installed the drivers from http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=477&sec=0#drivers and after rebooting there was still no config utlilty. I went to my other computer to do some research & when I came back there it was! The wireless utility said [No Connection!!] next to the volume control. WOO! I was able to connect to my wireless just fine. One odd thing was it showed I was using a D-Link adapter. No biggie, it works! I later installed the latest Ralink drivers again and it still shows it as a D-Link but the version #'s definitely increased and everything works so I am happy.
-I think the latest drivers at ralink have a bug or something as I could not get them to work. (Perhaps I loaded the wrong ones, not sure but I wasted enough time on this)
-The D-Link drivers work but there is a good 1 minute delay after booting up before the wireless config opens up so BE PATIENT.
I hope this helps someone & saves them hours of searching like I had to endure.
Bill
Wait, I did get it working with my Netopia 3-D Reach RT2500-based wireless USB card.
All I did was install the driver package from here (http://www.ralinktech.com/ralink/Home/Support/Macintosh.html), rebooted, and the lights started working, and it automatically connected itself to the nearest unsecured wireless network.
Does anyone know how I could get it to show up as an airport device?
I actually have the F5D7050 Rev 3002 – I followed William Warner's info above, and noticed that I had a flashing LED after installing the D-Link driver. However, I could not configure WEP. So, having seen the Ralink driver configuration, thought that maybe the Wireless config utility might help out, so I reinstalled the Ralink, without uninstalling the D-Link driver. BINGO! The adapter was still working, and I was able to configure WEP.
So, to recap – if the Ralink drivers alone do not work, try installing the D-Link driver also. The D-link driver supported my chipset, and the Wireless utility from Ralink allowed me to configure WEP.
Holy crap, it works! I can now connect to whatever networks I want! Thanks to everyone!
The delay is kind of annoying, but oh well!
Thanks Bro! Even 2 years later it works perfectly with my Belkin. THANKS!!
Hi,
I have a Sweex LW053 USB Wireless Adapter, which i bought from eBay for my Presario C700 Series Laptop (hackintosh, Leopard) and it worked fine. The cd that came with it had that program ^^ and i was up and running in minutes!
I cam across your blog looking to find a way to use this ralink adapter with the built in Apple's Airport software.. as if the USB device was an Airport card?
If there is a way to do this, i would love to know how!
thank you so much. you saved me a lot of time. i'd like to send you a gift card or something. please contact me.
Incredible !! It Works !!
Thanks a ton guys.
After reading all the above info, I picked up my Belkin wireless USB adaptor today.
Its a F5D7050au, which turns out to be a F5D7050 Version 3xxx
I installed the Ralink driver [RT2571W/RT2671:1.2.4.0 RT2500:1.1.3.0] on my G4 [10.4.6], then ran the wireless utility and the rest was simple. The wireless is working like a charm.
I just had to say a massive THANK YOU for posting this guide. I have just managed to connect my Mac Mini to the internet wirelessly for the first time ever. You are a gem.
Success! I have a Belkin F5D7050 v3000 uk usb wireless g adapter. I've got it working thanks to William Warner and Jay Bratcher on a G4 Mac Mini running Mac OS X 10.5.7. First I installed the D-Link WUA-1340 drivers from http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=477&sec=0#drivers, install the 10.4 drivers and restart. Second I installed the Ralink USB (RT257x/RT2671) drivers from http://www.ralinktech.com/ralink/Home/Support/Macintosh.html, install the 10.5 drivers and restart. The nice thing about the D-Link drivers is a handy menu bar item showing network connections and signal strength.
Putting my info in for future frustrated folks: Belkin F5D7030 v4000 — download the ZD211 driver here: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=34071
(Scroll down to Zydas USB chipset). Install (read the user guide that's linked there as well). If you're using WEP, I just updated the first key in their admin app with my 128 bit key. Once I did that, internet juice was flowing freely.
Also had to update the WEP key for each user account on the mac. There's an app that starts up each time you log on — but once I set the WEP they were good to go with subsequent logons.
I tried the other solutions (Railink and and the one Belkin driver they put out for mac in 2003 to no avail).
i goofed…it's the Belkin F5D7050 v4000 (not F5D7030 as I wrote above). sorry about that.
Update to my previous post below. It is unnecessary to install both the D-Link and Ralink Drivers. In fact it caused a kernel panic on my G4 Mac Mini so I uninstalled the Ralink driver. The D-Link driver is all that is required. It installs a preference pane where you set up your connection. Successfully tested the D-Link driver with a Belkin F5D7050 v3000 uk usb wireless g adapter on a G4 Mac Mini and a Intel Core Duo MacBook both running Mac OS X Leopard v10.5.7. I use the USB adapter with my MacBook (not wireless N) when I need greater range.
"Success! I have a Belkin F5D7050 v3000 uk usb wireless g adapter. I've got it working thanks to William Warner and Jay Bratcher on a G4 Mac Mini running Mac OS X 10.5.7. First I installed the D-Link WUA-1340 drivers from http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=477&sec=0#drivers, install the 10.4 drivers and restart. Second I installed the Ralink USB (RT257x/RT2671) drivers from http://www.ralinktech.com/ralink/Home/Support/Macintosh.html, install the 10.5 drivers and restart. The nice thing about the D-Link drivers is a handy menu bar item showing network connections and signal strength."
Thank you very much for this post! My DH and I followed the advice of William Warner and successfully got our Belkin USB adapter to work using the D-link driver. DH didn't even try the ralink driver. He got everything working in minutes! Thank you, Bill, you did save somebody from a lot of grief! God bless!
Thanks so much!!! yur a lifesaver!!
Bingo, HUGE help. Their person on the D-Link support help line insisted that their WUA 1340 was NOT MAC Compatible despite the fact that it states that it is clearly on the damn box it came it. Simply amazing!!!
You saved me a heap of time and aggravation. Thanks for taking the time to share this solution.
Andy
Thank you for the info. I was ready to smash this little adapter under my heel!
Hey thanks for the instructions – yours were the only ones I could find on the web. I'm trying to hook up the exact same D-Link adapter. My GF's iMac (10.4) connects fine to my Airport Express, but under network status says "Wireless D-Link is currently active. Wireless D-Link has a self-assigned IP Address and may not be able to connect to the internet." I'm not able to connect please help!! I've tried renewing the DHCP lease but that still doesn't work.
Works with my macbook pro leopard and buffalo wireless usb adapter, just had to turn off airport
ok, just to be even more challenging … anyone got any ideas for a g3 imac running 10.2.8??
cheers
Great, I had a Dynamode USB wireless adapter that came free with a cheap Dynamode wireless router from dabs.com. Didn't intend to use it originally but tried this and it worked a treat on my G5 with Leopard. Thanks very much!
thank you! totally helped!
Thanks! Instructions worked great! I'm running Leopard. And I used this adapter which I received from my ISP provider (ATT)
http://netopia.com/equipment/pdf/3D_R_Wireless_Adapt_DS.pdf
Hi,
I have a MacMini G4 10.4.11, running a d-link DWA-111 wirelss pen, it works ok but ony with a manual connect.
I have some problem on booting: first Mac doesn't see the pen until I disconnect and reconnect the pen, even if the ethernet wireless adapter is the first on my list of devices. Then I'm not able to reconnect to the router until I click on Wireless preferences, some magic happens and, without doing anything, I see the router…
Please, any idea?
thank you
Thank you so much for solving this issue. I am also using an imac/800. Everything is working great except for one thing. Every time I reboot or restart I have to connect to my router using the USB wireless utility. Several routers in the area show up on the list (including mine) and it always connects to someone else's. Is there a way to get my adapter to always connect to my router? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!
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