Ask Jacob
Adding Wireless Capability to PowerMac 6500
Friday, May 26, 2006 / Networking, Wireless
I have an old PowerMac 6500/250 that I want to add wireless capability to. The purpose is to share my DSL Internet connection with the older computer over my Airport network. The 6500 has an open PCI slot. Can you recommend a PCI wireless card with good Mac support that will work correctly in my 6500?
I would recommend not using a wireless PCI card. Wireless drivers for OS 9 and earlier versions of the Mac OS are almost non-existent. Instead, I recommend you buy a cheap 10/100 Ethernet card and then use an Ethernet to Wi-Fi adapter to go wireless. Support for an Ethernet card is common in OS 9 and you may already have an Ethernet port. From the Ethernet port you could easily connect a Linksys WET54G Wireless-G Ethernet Bridge. It configures through a standard web browser and works without any drivers installed. I have used this option with great success.
