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How To: Build your own "Real" Airport Card

Hi Matix,

Your blog was really helpful, and I have pulled the trigger on the parts you recommended from an ebay seller. Wifi is something I completely overlooked in planning my build, as I had intended on just buying a simple OSX USB solution at a local store once it was built.

I think this is going to be a far cleaner solution. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Here are my parts acquisitions:

ebay link BCM94322MC

ebay link Wireless Mini PCI-E to PCI-E Adapter

Thanks for the help.

The Best, Alex
 
I was able to pick up an airport card from a friend tonight so I'm going to try this. I'm moving in about a week and a half and I'd like to do this ASAP so that I don't have to worry about which house it gets delivered to. Is there anywhere quicker that I can order the mini pci-i to pci-e adapter from like newegg or amazon (even if it's a little more expensive)? I haven't been able to find one at all so it seems ebay is really my best bet but I thought I would check here first. Thanks!
 
My adapter finally arrived after weeks of waiting from Hong Kong for £8...put in an Airport card I'd acquired from ebay for £10 (absolute bargain) and voila...

My hack has a n WiFi card recognised as an airport card!

Fantastic! Thanks for the guide! :thumbup:
 
i've got two questions.

first, i bought the wrong mini pci card on ebay: i bought the BCM94321MC instead of the ...22MC one do you think it's a problem?

second, the shipping is gonna be long, and my ethernet port is working, do you think i can complete the installation and plug my coming wifi card later or should i wait for it and install everything when i got the card?

third, we all agree that this card will allow me to connect on a wifi regular internet box, not only the "apple airport box" that i don't have?

thanks for answers
 
macromaster said:
i've got two questions.

first, i bought the wrong mini pci card on ebay: i bought the BCM94321MC instead of the ...22MC one do you think it's a problem?

second, the shipping is gonna be long, and my ethernet port is working, do you think i can complete the installation and plug my coming wifi card later or should i wait for it and install everything when i got the card?

third, we all agree that this card will allow me to connect on a wifi regular internet box, not only the "apple airport box" that i don't have?

thanks for answers
Click to expand...

BCM94321MC is good ... it's what I use. I added mine in after installation ... there were no additional installation activities to get it to recognize. I'm connected to Netgear wireless router .... no issues connecting.

Chris
 
So are these cards 100% reconized in the airport utility.

Because atm I have wireless via USB but have to use ralinks utility and I don't get a little wireless indicator in the top bar ?
 
Asherlc said:
Hi,

I built one of these using the following parts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... AUS%3A1123

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 505wt_1141

However, it is not recognized at all by my hackintosh. I have made sure that all the connections are together and double checked the instructions to make sure I am assembling it correctly. Has anyone else had any trouble? I am using a Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 motherboard if that helps. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Two things ... make sure you peel the protective tape off of the card contacts (where it fits into the slot). I didn't and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working!

Also, I used an Apple branded Broadcom wireless card. Search in this thread, there is a mention of needing to do something with a non-Apple one to get it to work.

Chris
 
crburton said:
Asherlc said:
Hi,

I built one of these using the following parts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... AUS%3A1123

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 505wt_1141

However, it is not recognized at all by my hackintosh. I have made sure that all the connections are together and double checked the instructions to make sure I am assembling it correctly. Has anyone else had any trouble? I am using a Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 motherboard if that helps. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Two things ... make sure you peel the protective tape off of the card contacts (where it fits into the slot). I didn't and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working!

Also, I used an Apple branded Broadcom wireless card. Search in this thread, there is a mention of needing to do something with a non-Apple one to get it to work.

Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks. Unfortunately it looks like the link for the "prasys method" for unbranded cards that people were using is broken now... does anyone have a copy of the instructions?
 
Asherlc said:
crburton said:
Asherlc said:
Hi,

I built one of these using the following parts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... AUS%3A1123

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 505wt_1141

However, it is not recognized at all by my hackintosh. I have made sure that all the connections are together and double checked the instructions to make sure I am assembling it correctly. Has anyone else had any trouble? I am using a Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 motherboard if that helps. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Two things ... make sure you peel the protective tape off of the card contacts (where it fits into the slot). I didn't and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working!

Also, I used an Apple branded Broadcom wireless card. Search in this thread, there is a mention of needing to do something with a non-Apple one to get it to work.

Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks. Unfortunately it looks like the link for the "prasys method" for unbranded cards that people were using is broken now... does anyone have a copy of the instructions?
Click to expand...

Ahh! I found it ...

http://prasys.info/2009/12/rebranding-b ... s-airport/

Chris
 
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