Forums | MacLife

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 6:19 pm

Hello. Since I have an Indigo slot-loading iMac, which only has USB 1.1, I've been thinking about ways to get a faster connection to iPod and other various external devices.

I will be getting a PowerBook in September, so I'll also get an AirPort Extreme station for wireless Internet and network.

The iMac does not support AirPort cards.

Here is the setup I am going to use...

PowerBook - wireless/ethernet - AirPort - ethernet - iMac

So then the modem goes into the AirPort.

Now... I've also got an external HD, CD-RW drive, and iPod mini.

Ethernet is faster than USB 1.1. I'll be connecting the HD to the AirPort to get a faster connection for backups and such.

So... since the iPod is a HD too... will it work if I connect it to the AirPort station? That is, will iTunes recognize it properly?

And will it charge? That doesn't really matter, though, since I got a wall adapter. But it would be nice if it could charge over AirPort too.

And will the CD-RW work if connected to the AirPort? That would get me a faster speed than just 4x via USB 1.1.

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 6:25 pm

If I understand what you're trying to do, you want to attach your iPod to the Airport base station which will be attached to the Ethernet port on your iMac?

I don't think it'll work, dude. I don't think your plan to hook the hard drive up to the AirPort will work either. That USB port is only for printers, hooking up other devices to it could potentially damage the AirPort.

Besides which, won't you be able to attach it to the Powerbook you're getting?

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 6:29 pm

Really? Only printers, huh.

Yes that's what I want to do.

Hmm.....

Well, the iPod isn't mine. And I'll be using the PowerBook, while others use the iMac.

At least the printer would work.

Are you sure it won't work? Because even 100Mb/s is better than what USB 1.1 offers, which is blasphemevil. But if it doesn't work, then I guess I'm stuck to slowness when I want to back up iMac's stuff..... unless......

Unless I just use the Ethernet to connect both computers, and then, using the PB, throw the stuff onto the external HD. But that takes more steps.

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 6:42 pm

While I'm positive that I've read that you can damage your Airport, I'm having trouble finding anything specific about it on Apple's website... unless you count this.

Question: Can I connect my Soundsticks or other USB speakers to AirPort Express?
Answer: No. The USB port is for connecting a printer, not for other devices.

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 6:45 pm

Hmmm... I see.

But aren't those speakers USB-powered?

So, that would be why it would explode AirPort... because of the power usage probably somehow screwing up the stuff in AirPort.

I'd say the iPod falls under the USB-powered category since it charges (or tries to charge over USB 1.1).

But the HD isn't USB-powered. It just uses it for data transfer.

So... if it's a power thing, then I should be fine right? Because a printer isn't USB-powered. It just uses it for data transfer.

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 6:49 pm

Look, I'm not going to come to your house to stop you from trying it. big_smile

I'm just saying that I wouldn't try it... but then I'm happy doing wireless printing over my network and don't need a higher speed port for my external HDs.

Everything I've read so far (even if I can't find it at the moment) says that at best it won't work and at worst it will screw up your AirPort.

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 7:00 pm

Haha.. Alright. Well ... I don't exactly have a billion dollars to keep buying AirPorts. So I'll just keep it connected to the internal USB thing. Unless I somehow find out it'll be fine.

I wonder if I can bring the HD to an Apple Store and see if it works! It's bulletproof. They can't blame me for damages because.... becauuuse.... I'll run!

But anyway...

There aren't any USB Hubs that connect to an Ethernet port, are there?

So... like some kind of super hub thing that can connect to the iMac via Ethernet... and then the HD and stuff connects via USB. AND then the AirPort connects to the super hub via a second Ethernet port on the hub. Wow, that can't exist. That's too crazy. Which is why I'll invent it.

Ah well. So it looks like I'm stuck with USB 1.1 for now for the iMac. Overnight backups will have to do.

Thanks for the help and ultra fast super speed replies!

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 7:02 pm

Hey, you're welcome. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 7:25 pm

Hmm... I just thought of something...

Powerbook to iMac via Ethernet. And the HD to the PowerBook?

Yes. Any crazy way of connecting as long as it gets a faster than USB 1.1 connection. big_smile

Last edited by RoboCop001 (2005-07-12 7:26 pm)

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 7:32 pm

RoboCop001 wrote:
Hmm... I just thought of something...

Powerbook to iMac via Ethernet. And the HD to the PowerBook?

Yes. Any crazy way of connecting as long as it gets a faster than USB 1.1 connection.

I don't think it will work for the iPod, but hey, give it a go for the HD.

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 8:17 pm

Yeah I'd say the iPod wouldn't work that way.

I don't suppose it'll just mount the HD when I connect the three of them, would it? On the iMac I mean. Or would I have to do some Sharing preference pane stuff?

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 8:20 pm

RoboCop001 wrote:
Yeah I'd say the iPod wouldn't work that way.

I don't suppose it'll just mount the HD when I connect the three of them, would it? On the iMac I mean. Or would I have to do some Sharing preference pane stuff?

On the iMac, connect to the iBook through the network (you'll need a login and password for the 'book). When it asks you what you want to connect to (it should give you a list of user's home folders as well as drives), select the drive you're looking to work on.

I'm assuming you're running OS X 10.3 or higher.

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 8:31 pm

Yes I'm running 10.3.9.

So... once I connect the iMac and PowerBook via Ethernet (directly), it should show up under the Connect To box or Network window in Finder? ..... I think I'm missing something....

The reason I'm asking so many questions is because I don't have the PowerBook yet. So I'm just trying to understand it and such. Sorry if it's so many! big_smile

Last edited by RoboCop001 (2005-07-12 8:32 pm)

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 8:37 pm

RoboCop001 wrote:
Yes I'm running 10.3.9.

So... once I connect the iMac and PowerBook via Ethernet (directly), it should show up under the Connect To box or Network window in Finder? ..... I think I'm missing something....

The reason I'm asking so many questions is because I don't have the PowerBook yet. So I'm just trying to understand it and such. Sorry if it's so many!

I had a whole thing typed out, but I'm making it complicated. blush

The easy way. big_smile

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 9:04 pm

Thanks for the link. It answered some questions but I still have some left, haha.

After connecting the PB and iMac directly via Ethernet, do I have to turn on something in Sharing Preferences? Like... remote login, or Personal File Sharing or something?

Or... do I have to do something in Network pane?

That's what I don't know about.

And if you're answer is complicated, it's all good. I'll figure it out. big_smile

Thanks for the help again.

oatmeal · 2005-07-12 9:20 pm

RoboCop001 wrote:
Thanks for the link. It answered some questions but I still have some left, haha.

After connecting the PB and iMac directly via Ethernet, do I have to turn on something in Sharing Preferences? Like... remote login, or Personal File Sharing or something?

Or... do I have to do something in Network pane?

That's what I don't know about.

And if you're answer is complicated, it's all good. I'll figure it out.

Thanks for the help again.

Gahh. I'm away from my computer, I'd have the answer for you in an instant if I could only see it.

IIRC you do need to turn on personal file sharing.

RoboCop001 · 2005-07-12 9:22 pm

Ah ok. Thanks for all the help!

I think I'm good now.

macfiend · 2005-07-14 8:54 am

i think just file sharing has to be on.

macfiend · 2005-07-14 10:02 am

i didnt realize the indigo imacs didnt have firewire or airport? thats strange

nittany4 · 2005-07-14 10:08 am

i had an indigo imac back in the day (that's the dark blue one right?)

it definitely had FireWire

confused

oatmeal · 2005-07-14 10:55 am

I had an original Bondi. big_smile

Forums | MacLife

#1 2005-07-12 6:19 pm

iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#2 2005-07-12 6:25 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#3 2005-07-12 6:29 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#4 2005-07-12 6:42 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#5 2005-07-12 6:45 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#6 2005-07-12 6:49 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#7 2005-07-12 7:00 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#8 2005-07-12 7:02 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#9 2005-07-12 7:25 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#10 2005-07-12 7:32 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

RoboCop001 wrote:

#11 2005-07-12 8:17 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#12 2005-07-12 8:20 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

RoboCop001 wrote:

#13 2005-07-12 8:31 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#14 2005-07-12 8:37 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

RoboCop001 wrote:

#15 2005-07-12 9:04 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#16 2005-07-12 9:20 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

RoboCop001 wrote:

#17 2005-07-12 9:22 pm

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#18 2005-07-14 8:54 am

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#19 2005-07-14 10:02 am

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#20 2005-07-14 10:08 am

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

#21 2005-07-14 10:55 am

Re: iPod to AirPort Base Station?

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