AirPort Stopped Working Suddenly - No Longer Detected

Question

Hi guys,
I've been using my iMac 20" duo core for just roughly a month, and have been connecting online via my Airport Express wireless to get online. This morning, while using iTunes and listening to my music wireless, my iTunes froze up, and all my wireless connections were lost. I tried to restart my computer, but after that, I have been unable to connect to my wireless connection. I have checked my Network status and Internet Connect, and apparently my AirPort is no longer detected (Msg: No AirPort Hardware Found). I am still able to connect via the Ethernet, but that's the best I can do. I have tried checking updates and all, and have ran the Hardware Test, but have not been able to fix this problem at all. Pulling the plug and restarting have done nothing either.
Can someone please advise whether it can be solved, or if it's a hardware issue that I have to bring down to the retailer?
Thanks,
Ying Loong

Answer 1

Hi -
in response to the original question as to whether or not the problem can be solved, I am curious if the original poster did in fact solve the problem?
I asked these same questions back when I got my 20" Core Duo and had a very similar problem. I went so far through the AppleCare phone calls that they finally told me to take it to the local Apple Store and have them fix it. The tech did nothing. I got the computer back with a "no problems found" answer and to this very day it still has the same problem. In my case however, the computer will "see'" the network again if I unplug the computer for 15 seconds.
I have worked around the issue by connecting the iMac to the router with an Ethernet cable, but what's the point of having a wireless router and a wireless computer if the wireless doesn't work?
It's very disappointing to me, considering this is the 4th Apple computer I have owned that had AirPort built in, and it is the ONLY one that has EVER had issues. It has to be a hardware/firmware issue, because I have other AirPort-enabled computers currently on the network and they work fine and have NEVER lost the network. This is ridiculous, really - it is embarrassing to show non-Mac users my fancy new iMac, and tell them "it's great... only the wireless card doesn't work."
I haven't visited these discussion forums in a long time (essentially after realizing my problem wasn't going away I just gave up) but I see that a large number of people are still having wireless connection issues with these Intel Macs. I hope Apple is doing something to correct this issue, but I won't be holding my breath.