Lose Airport connection only with battery

I have encountered the following really odd problem on three different Aluminum Powerbooks running Tiger (but no difficulty when the same machines ran Panther):
I connect to an Airport base station (it's one of the graphite base stations,
802.11b).
When the Powerbooks are plugged into the wall, all is fine.
When the Powerbooks are running off the battery, the internet connection drops every few minutes (not at a regular interval -- can be as little as 20 seconds, can be a few minutes). I can reconnect, and then it drops again.
Details: Exact same machine with Panther has no problem. When the wireless connection fails, the menu bar still shows "four bars" but the computer cannot actually access the internet. Oh yes -- this has been
true under several versions of Tiger.
Thoughts? Anyone else find this?

Note that channel 6 isn't necessarily the answer, it just happened to work in this case.
What likely happened is that your router originally used a different channel and a neighbor just got a wireless router and is using the same channel, creating interference where there was none before.
"Automatic" is a bit of a misnomer in the configuration settings; what the base station actually does is search for an interfering base station as best it can, but it only does it at boot time.
Thus if your router has been up for months and a neighbor installs a Wi-Fi router, it doesn't "know" about the interfering device.
Sometimes a reboot of the router will cause it to switch channels on its own in automatic mode, sometimes not.

Similar Messages

M30: Connect only with 42.6K - How to increase the speed

My M30 connect only with 42.6K speed. I try all options to increase the speed but success. If any one have the solution, please send me email at [email protected]
I try the other series on my telephone line and those connect at 52 to 54K speed. Even Desktop connect at 54K.

Hello
Please go to the device manager and choose the modem. Then right click and properties.
There you will find a many tabs. Please check if the option Maximum port speed in the Modem tab is set to highest value.
Furthermore you can check in the Advanced tab the button Advanced Port settings The controller should be also set to the high (max).
Please check these possibilities.
Bye

Wont boot - no chimes, fan noise but only with battery connected

Hello,
It's an old Powerbook G4 - A1138 that won't boot.
If you press the power button, the fan whirrs quickly and loudly. But only with the battery connected. If the battery is removed (but the computer is connected to the power supply) then nothing happens...
I have tried re-setting the PMU as per this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431 This didn't help.
Is it now dead? If I can just reach a point whereby I can boot it in Firewire HD mode (normally holding command + T down) and recover content then great!
Thanks :-)
Jay

Troubleshooting portables that won't turn on or start up
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA25686?viewlocale=en_US
Troubleshooting: My computer won't turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367
 Cheers, Tom

G4 QS 733 loses internet connect often with Comcast any ideas??

I have a G4 QS 733 that loses internet connection through Comcast at least 2 times a day everyday for no rhyme or reason. I have had the cable modem replaced (on number 7 in 18 months but 2 were dead out of the box stupid refurbs) with a Motorola Surfboard from Best Buy and when it works it is great - 13mbps download consistently. I have a Belkin router wireless/wi-if and a PC and the Mac wired to it at the same desk with KVM and when the Mac loses connection if I switch to PC the PC connects fine so I think it is in the Mac but not sure. I have had several Macs hooked up to this same router including 2 Intel minis, several G3 towers and a few G3 iMacs and G4 towers as well and ALL had this problem at one time or another with no explanation whatsoever. I have replaced everything a minimum of 2 times now including router,modem, cables etc. and the cable drop from pole to house was replaced a few months back but no luck. Also all computers, router etc all hooked to APC battery backups so I do not think it is power related. I have no problems connecting my Pismo wiht either an Airport card or a Belkin 54g wireless PCMCIA card so I am convinced it is in the ethernet somwehow but not sure where. Anyone else have the same problems and fixed it?? Comcast is just not helpful and 14 service calls in 18 months is wearing thin at this point.

Well just for kicks I tried running Firefox for a little over a week along with Safari and jumping back and forth between the 2, very interesting results. I have found that when Safari loses internet connection and gives "cannot find server" type errors that Firefox still has a connection and keeps right on going. I am convinced the error is within Safari but cannot pin down what it is yet. I had same EXACT disconnection issues with an Intel Mini that got so frustrating I finally sold it and it too was running Safari and I wonder if it had the same issue. Not bashing Safari but maybe there is a problem with Safari and Comcast cable that is not showing up with other internet providers or browsers ?? I am pretty sure my connection is good as all the cable wires, modem etc are all new and my PC which his hooked to the same router and shares the monitor/keyboard with the G4 never loses connection when Safari does so I think this cuts the cable out of the loop as a problem. Anyone else have similar issues???

IMac Loses Airport Connectivity

Hi,
I have two identical 20" Intel Core Duo iMacs (see hardware review below). One is at home and the other at work. I have been experiencing a problem on both computers where my Airport connection drops "randomly". After the connection is dropped ALL available networks are no longer available from the Airport menu, and won't become available again until after a reboot. I've tried toggling Airport on/off, restarting the router, waiting, and nothing but a reboot works. What is odd is that this exact same behavior happens both at home and work -- the router brand is the same at both locations (linksys) but the models are not. I have noticed that this occurs more often when I'm using more network resources (uploading a large file, for example), but that isn't always the case.
Any ideas as to what is going on? I don't have any 3rd party software on my machines that I believe could cause such behavior.
Thanks.
Hardware Overview:
Machine Name: iMac
Machine Model: iMac4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 2 MB
Memory: 1.5 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM41.0055.B08
SMC Version: 1.1f5
System Software Overview:
System Version: Mac OS X 10.4.9 (8P2137)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.9.1
AirPort Card Information:
Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x89)
Wireless Card Locale: USA
Wireless Card Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (4.80.79.1)
Current Wireless Network: linksys
Wireless Channel: 6
Intel iMac Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Welcome to Discussions, Scott Newman1!
There were a couple of AirPort Extreme Updates (2007-002 and 2007-003) that were meant for Intel-based Macs. I hope you have them both installed. Check your Software Update panel of System Preferences - the "Updates" half of the mini-menu bar to see whether or not they got installed. Even if they did, it will probably be worthwhile to download them straight from Support>Downloads and install them over top of what you have now. I would also do the same with the OS X Combo Update for Intel. Doing all that will not duplicate, will only fill in something missing or flawed.
After doing that, you'll undoubtedly need to delete your configuration and enter a new one using the Network panel of System Preferences. There are a couple angles from which you can approach it with some fiddling. After some fussing, a couple restarts and sitting overnight/a few hours, it should straighten itself out so that you'll never have a problem again. If not, come on back:)

Lose airport connection after using boot camp and windows XP

After using windows XP on boot camp and shutting down windows and booting to Mac OS 10.5.7 I lose the airport connection and have to restart or reset my airport extreme base station. My imac 2.8 is connected to airport via ethernet. Air port is operating on 5.7 version. This is a recent development and suspect it is related to updates in windows. I do not know where to start but need to solve this problem as it interrupts the other computers on wireless. Thanks Carl

I have solved problem. It was in the windows settings using airport rather than ethernet connection. Carl

Can I use the Airport Express only with a LAN connection?

Because I want to connect my macbook (+ all other hardware) via WLAN with my Speedport Router. Which is connect via LAN cable with the Airport Express. Can I then deactivate the WLAN function in the Airport software?
When I try this, I can configure the setup. This works till a restart, after that I cannot find the Airport Express. Already I connect the macbook with the LAN-cable it works again.

look that
so i have connected my components.
i only want to deactivate the WLAN in the Airport Configuration. if i connected in this way it works without problems. after restart i cannot find the airport express.

IMac 5,1 loses airport connection to local airport

I have an Airport Extreme base station that works fine on the MacBook Pros in my house, but not on my iMac 5,1 anymore. I'm about to take it in to the shop to see if the clock battery or airport card needs replacing. It can see outside the house WiFi networks, but not one that is downstairs about 30 feet away. It is running 10.6.2. Yes I know 10.6.4 is out there, but don't think that would make a difference. Anyway, I'm able to share my internet connection with my MacBook Pro via ethernet upstairs. And yes, it is out of warranty. If anyone has suggestions before backing up and taking to the shop, feel free to give me some ideas. It went out on me with an exclamation point over my airport icon in the menubar, and initially the icon had bars going back and forth from gray to black. And then a reboot and PRAM zap did not solve it. As a side note, my optical drive no longer reads some DVDs as of now, and I had the hard drive replaced 10 months ago.

Hi ab
I'm wondering if one of the antenna leads didn't come off the Airport Card terminal or if maybe the antenna is pinched as a result of the HD replacement? On that model it really only requires removing the front bezel and not the Display or other components to work on both the Airport Card and Battery.
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMacIntel_20%22_EMC_2105_and2118
Dennis

Airport connection lost with user change

hi guys,
finally got my airport extreme (n) to work
only problem i have now is that every time i switch between users it loses connection and i need to reselect network.
with my old airport i was able to keep multiple users open and connected at all times.
can anyone please assist me to achieve this again?
thanks,
julie
Mac OS X (10.4.9)

GV126c4, Welcome to the discussion area!
Open System Preferences->Network preference pane->AirPort. Click on the Options button. Disable the option to "Disconnect from wireless networks when I log out".

Firewire port not suplying energy wen runing only with battery

Hi all,
since today I v noticed that if my MBP is not connected to the power adaptor
will not suply energy any more to the Firewire 400 port (the only one I have ).
This is a problem because I am often working with ext drive on the run...
any idea on why this is happening ?
I v just got back my laptop back from the Apple store were they have replaced the
optical drive and they v told me that firewire port was working fine.( I was suspecting something cauz I v had several hardrive unmounting without any reason).
Now that my laptop came back there is this issue...
best
Shiama

Your computer should provide power to the Firewire port when running on battery as long as the computer is not shut down or sleeping, shiama. If it is sleeping or shut down then it will only provide power when the power adaptor is plugged in.
You could try resetting the SMC and PRAM . Perhaps try another FW cable to make sure that this is not the cause of your problems, though I presume, from what you say, that power is supplied to the FW drive normally if the power adaptor is plugged in.
Some supposedly bus powered FW drives may need more current than the battery alone can support though. What brand and model is the drive? Has it worked off battery alone before? Are any other devices attached, and were you running software that places a heavy demand on the CPU or Graphics processor when the external drive was in use?
Cheers
Rod

Airport connection probs with Mac Pro and 10.4.8 too.

This prob is not just related to iMacs or MacBooks as published in the knowledge base doc. I have exactly the same prob with my 2.66 GHz Mac Pro. I have to reconnect this beast to my wlan router manually every time.
PLZ Apple fix this asap!

I had a similar problem which I've fixed!
I have four machines here which can connect to my Netgear DG834N via Aiport. (I say can because they normally connect via ethernet.) My MacBook Pro always used to be fine when connected wirelessly but recently, not aware of any changes I've made, it connects for about 10 seconds then disconnects. All other machines are fine and hold the connection.
This is what I tried before finding my solution:
1) Deleted all references to the network in the keychain and remade them.
2) Created another user to try
3) Changed channels on the router even though I can't see any neighbour's networks.
4) Made sure computer and router were up to date with firmware/software.
I'm assuming that it has to be a computer problem as the PowerMac, iMac and iPod Touch have no issues at all. However, the cure was in the router.
I run with SSID broadcast turned off, WPA2 encryption and MAC address filtering. Allowing broadcast of the SSID cures my problem. Turn it off and the computer connects then drops it ten seconds later. Turn broadcast on and it maintains the connection. I've tried it all afternoon, leaving it connected for about 30 minutes at a time before turning SSID broadcast off again. Works every time! Broadcast SSID - fine, no broadcast - drops after ten seconds.
Now, if only I knew why! And why only the laptop?

MacBook Pro loses airport connection if left alone for a while

Hi Everyone,
Everytime I walk away from my MBP, I come back only to find out that I no longer have any bars on my airport icon in the menu bar. I have tried moving airport to the top and unchecking the other options in the network preferences. This happens to me at home with an airport express, as well as here at work with a 3rd party wireless router. It's not a big deal, but it is somewhat of a tedious chore.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
JV

This is a known issue with what we think is the airport firmware.
We hope Apple will be providing a software fix soon.

Airport connection bad with screen open!? eh?

since almost a week now my powerbook 17" has been playing up - seems that wifi connection which previously was brilliant in my apartment - is now only 3-4 bars when the screen is at a 20-30degree open angle - i.e. barely readable!!!
anything remotely normal and the signal drops to 1 bar or drops out
and it's taking ages to connect to the base station too now
any ideas???
thanks
Jason

turns out it was the placement of the new airport extreme base station.
was ok for a while then went down hill - have moved it to a new location and it's fine - must be some interference somewhere but moving to new house soon anyway so not going to spend time to find out where it might be!
Cheers
Jase

My macbook became slowly when only with battery. Why? What i do?

My macbook is slow when i turn off the charger. It is only good and fast, when i turn on the charger. Why? And what i do?

Hello,
It would be helpful if you would mention your model of your MacBook. Try these steps:
1. Check the battery cycles you have done in your battery. And check the battery cycle apple has said your MacBook could do. This article will help Mac notebooks: Determining battery cycle count - Apple Support. If it has exceeded that limit you might need to replace your battery.
2. There could be some kind of panic (error) in your OS X. Try reinstalling.
3. Your processor this not getting enough power. This could be because of your battery.
4. Restart your MacBook and run a system diagnostic and check what error code they show. And relate it to this Apple Diagnostics: Reference codes - Apple Support.

Server refuses connection ONLY with one certain domain name AND from one hard drive

OK, this is kinda crazy and complicated, so bear with me and thank you for your interest. I have a Mac Pro with (3) Internal drives:
Boot is a SSD with all my apps and system software running 10.6.8. That's it.
Master has all my data files.
Mountain Lion has a clean 10.8 install, but I rarely use it.
I am a web developer and have a Wordpress site at www.timfleming.com
When I visit the site with Boot drive, it isn't loading the site correctly in any browser (Chrome, Safari, FF). It looks like no CSS is being applied and the image links are broken. I can get to my WP login page, but when I enter my credentials, the connection is refused by the server. Nor can I access the site via FTP in Filezilla.
If I visit with the Mountain Lion drive, no problem. Login no problem either.
Aha! You might say, there's some incompatibilty between your site and 10.6.8. Well, you would be wrong. I also have a MacBook Pro running 10.6.8 and the latest versions of Chrome, etc and have no problem connecting with it.
Even stranger, I have a local dev site, timfleming.com, that I cannot access with MAMP! Server refused connection
It's as if timfleming.com has been permanently banned from this machine!

You, or someone using your computer, may have modified the file /etc/hosts.
The easiest way to fix the hosts file is to restore it from a backup that predates the modification, or to copy the unmodified file from another Mac. If you can't do that, then do as below. Please read this whole message before doing anything.
Back up all data. This is a simple procedure, but if you don't follow the instructions exactly, you could be left with an unbootable system. In that case, you'll have to restore from a backup or reinstall OS X.
If you have more than one user account, you must be logged in as an administrator.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:
open -e /etc/hosts
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). A TextEdit window should open. At the top of the window, you should see this:
# Host Database
# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
# when the system is booting. Do not change this entry.
127.0.0.1                              localhost
255.255.255.255          broadcasthost
::1                                        localhost
fe80::1%lo0                    localhost
Below that, you'll see some other lines. There should be nothing above the first line "##". If you have any doubt about that, STOP and ask for guidance. Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of the document. Scroll bars are hidden by default until you actually start scrolling, so you may not realize that you’re not seeing the whole document.
If the contents of the TextEdit window are as described, close it, then enter the following command in the Terminal window in the same way as before (by copy and paste):
sudo sed -i~ '11,$d' /etc/hosts
This time, you'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before you can run the command. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. Confirm. Quit Terminal.
If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator. Log in as one and start over.
That will fix the hosts file. There is now a copy of the old hosts file with the name "hosts~" in the same folder as "hosts". You can delete the copy if you wish. Don't delete the file named "hosts".

Lose Airport connection only with battery

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for