Adding a Mac to a PC network

I’ve got a wireless network that is using a Linksys router; it currently has 4 Window computers running on it without a problem. I recently acquired a G4 Mac running OS X and I would like to set it up on the wireless network. Will an Airport card connect to my router without any problems? Also I currently am using WEP encryption, will this cause any issues?

Before I go out and buy an Airport card, can I use a regular Wireless Nic ?(I have one laying around somewhere)

I am just starting to learn about Macs, I have suddenly become the backup Mac tech where I work, and until recently I didn’t even know how to log the machines off or open the stupid CD-ROM drive. Hopefully I can get the machine connected to my network, and then start using it exclusively until I can get a working knowledge of the OS.

Thanks
Qwisp

An AirPort card should work fine with your wireless router. If you have a spare PCI wireless NIC, that should fine also, but you may need to download drivers for it.

Hey Qwisp. Macs have some neat software called Rendezvous that makes networking pretty automatic. In fact, they recently released a version for Windows. Hope it helps.

Nitpick: I think they renamed Rendezvous to Bonjour in OSX 10.4 (Tiger). Unless that was just for iChat?

The Mac does not see the PCI network card at all. I’ve just placed a bid on an Airport extreme card. From what I can tell the G4 I have supports Airport Extreme. Anything else I need after I install the card?

Did you look for drivers for the PCI card? What brand/model is it?

Its a Belkin Wireless F5D7000. Wouldn’t the computer still “see” the card even if the drivers were not installed.

I’m sure the machine sees the hardware. Go to Applications -> Utilities -> System Profiler and look under Hardware -> PCI Cards. If the card doesn’t show up there I’d be surprised.

If the interface does not show up in your Network control panel, then you’ll need to get the drivers for it.

I was in the system profiler, that’s why I know the Mac is not seeing the card.