Macworld: Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme ...

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6 Replies Last post: Mar 30, 2007 5:04 PM by MikeLP

AlbrightKnox

3 posts since
Dec 19, 2006

Dec 19, 2006 2:43 PM

Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

Hello,

I have a Mac Pro Airport Extreme kit (part # MA688Z/A) and would like to know how to install it. It looks like a Apple dealer has to install it but a local vendor sold it to me without the install. If anyone has any idea how to install this in a Mac Pro (Intel) or if I have the wrong part please let me know.

Thanks

AlbrightKnox

3 posts since
Dec 19, 2006

1. Dec 19, 2006 6:09 PM

in response to: AlbrightKnox

Re: Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

Hello,

I found the port on the motherboard! It is near the front around drive bay 2. You can see it best by the 2 metal posts that stick up from the motherboard and the small black port just to the left (behind) the posts. Once you find it you can see how it goes in.

After installing it OS X discovered it and it appears to be working except....

It doesn't seem to have any signal. Other computers in the same area see the local wireless network but not the MAC Pro.

Anyone have any idea on where the antenna is and how to hook it up? I was told the antenna was built in but the Airport card doesn't seem to have connected to it as I see no signal and can not attach to any networks (I can see the MAC address on the airport card).

Please let me know if you have any thoughts.

bruine

555 posts since
Nov 9, 2006

2. Dec 19, 2006 9:01 PM

in response to: AlbrightKnox

Re: Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

You definitely have to connect the antenna. I can't help you for this model however.

AlbrightKnox

3 posts since
Dec 19, 2006

3. Dec 20, 2006 1:23 PM

in response to: bruine

Re: Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

I found a apple manual that said that the antenna is internal on the new Mac Pro. The Airport card is very small (about the size of a quarter) and has no place to attach any cable. So I have no idea where the antenna would be or how to hook it up. If anyone has any idea please let me know.

Thanks

Philbert

2,360 posts since
Jun 11, 2001

4. Dec 23, 2006 3:03 PM

in response to: AlbrightKnox

Re: Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

Quote:<hr />
I found a apple manual that said that the antenna is internal on the new Mac Pro. The Airport card is very small (about the size of a quarter) and has no place to attach any cable. So I have no idea where the antenna would be or how to hook it up. If anyone has any idea please let me know.

<hr />

If you haven't figured this out already ...

The antenna is internal but you definitely need to hook it up to the card - there are actually two wires to connect. Are you sure you received an Airport card for a Mac Pro? Looks bigger than a quarter to me.

Here's a pic showing the card and the two connected wires: (the bottom card is the Bluetooth module)

justwes

12 posts since
May 8, 2006

5. Dec 26, 2006 11:21 AM

in response to: Philbert

Re: Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

Quote:<hr />
If you haven't figured this out already ...

The antenna is internal but you definitely need to hook it up to the card - there are actually two wires to connect. Are you sure you received an Airport card for a Mac Pro? Looks bigger than a quarter to me.

Here's a pic showing the card and the two connected wires: (the bottom card is the Bluetooth module)

<hr />

Thank you very much. I didn't even bother looking around for anything to conenct to mine when I had it. I just seated it in the slot, screwed in the two screws and powered back up.

I even called Apple support on it and they said it was a dead card and to take it back.

Again thank you very much.

MikeLP

1 posts since
Mar 30, 2007

6. Mar 30, 2007 5:04 PM

in response to: justwes

Re: Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

I happened to be so lucky and bought the MA688Z/A from compusa in a closeout sale, like you I hooked it up and it got a very weak signal. Did you happen to locate the antenna wiring to hook this thing up?

Thanks,
MikeP

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Dec 19, 2006 2:43 PM

Mac Pro - Add Wireless Airport Extreme Kit

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