[vidalia]

I have a G5 connected to a G3 (beige tower) in my home office via a Linksys Etherfast Cable/DSL Router with a phone line for internet service. I would now like to get a cable modem connected to my G5, but still stay hard wired to my G3 AND connect wirelessly to another G3 (also biege tower) in my house downstairs. I believe I can get a router that has both hard wired and wireless capabilities (the ones with the anteneas?) . But what do I need to connect the downstairs G3 and can this be done?
Thanks!!!

[d00d]

You can do either of the following:
1) Get a simple wireless access point to add to your existing router
2) Get a new wireless router with wired ports
Last I knew, these solutions cost approximately the same.
As for the G3, you need a PCI card of some kind to connect to the wireless network. The card itself depends upon what OS it is running.

[vidalia]

I'm so happy you took time to reply. OK, I'm obviously not the most technologically informed person around, so... what is a PCI card? is there a brand name I should look for? do they exist for a G3? I'm getting the feeling that's where the challenge lies.
Thanks.

[d00d]

A PCI card is a type of card that fits into slots in you computer. It's a standard interface, so your computer being a G3 is pretty unimportant. What is important is the version of the OS it's running (8.x, 9.x, X). Sonnet Technology makes a PCI card that's designed to work with Macs, but it requires at least 10.2. Once I know what OS you are using, I can point you at some products.

[vidalia]

Its a biege tower running OS9.

[d00d]

That's going to make it a little tougher. One solution is an ethernet to wireless bridge (which requires no special driver software in you Mac). Another solution is this but yikes, the price is awful.

If you want to stick with OS 9, then something like this is probably your best bet (vendors other than D-Link also make these type products). With OS X, your possibilities open up a bit.

[vidalia]

OK, another tidbit of information. This G3 was given to us, so I decided to have a look at the back of the tower to check out the space for the PCI card. There is something called an "AssanteFAST 10/100 PCI Card" already in it. It kinda looks like you could plug a phone line into it. I looked on the internet and saw like a zillion PCI cards so I'm thinking there are many different kinds of PCI cards. Is this what I need by any chance?
Also, can I install OS10 on a G3? This computer is only used for internet service and games for my 2 preschoolers.
Again, I thank you for your response.

[d00d]

Well, considering those needs, OS X is probably overkill.
That card is an ethernet card (where you plug in ethernet cords). If you could run a cord from that G3 to where the G5 was, you wouldn't need wireless at all. Instead, you'll be running a cord to an ethernet to wireless adapter (like the D-Link one I linked to).

[vidalia]

That would be one long ethernet cable (and snaking it through the walls/attic/basement), but it might be the way to go.
Thanks for all of your input. VERY much appreciated!

[d00d]

No problem. If you can deal with snaking that wire, it'll be the cheapest, easiest, most reliable way to solve your problem. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif