Mac Mini gets wifi connection for 3 seconds, then drops it.

Hey all,
Long time listener, first time caller.
I'm running a 1.66 Mac Mini with 10.5.4 on it. My wifi network is based on a Comcast broadband connection and is broadcast through an 802.11g Airport Express. Also on the network are: a Macbook (3,1), my iBook G4 (1.33 ghz), my original iPhone, my Tivo, an HP desktop using an 802.11g wireless adapter and occasionally a Wii. All of these have great wifi connections, run fast and connect easily. The wifi is normally WEP ASCII 128 bit encrypted.
The Mac Mini, however, does not. The Mac Mini has been in several positions near my TV (This is what it uses as a monitor), but in most of these has had an extremely hard time finding the wifi network. This got a bit better after I removed all of it's locations, keychains and such and re-set-up everything. Except it still, whenever it connects, drops the web connection within about 10 seconds on an extremely good day. I'll select my network from the Airport drop down menu, it'll join happily, I'll click a bookmark and the page will load very slowly, get about halfway and then stop. Sometimes it'll just go straight to "You are not connected to the internet. (Network Diagnostics)" When I click network diagnostics, either Airport Settings or ISP has failed, but when I go through the process of trying to repair/diagnose the problem, suddenly they will all be working fine.
For what it's worth, I took it to the Genius Bar, and it worked amazingly well on the Apple Store Wifi.
Any thoughts?

I was having an identical issue with my Mini, and I have an eerily similar mix of devices on my network. Last night I went into my Airport Express configuration and changed the channel that it is broadcasting on (also turned on Interference Robustness) and everything is now working great. By default, my Airport channel was broadcasting on channel 1 - I changed it manually to channel 7, restarted the Airport and that did the trick. All of my macs (including the Mini), tivos and wii are now getting a stronger wireless signal since I changed the channel.

Similar Messages

Mac mini loses wifi connection when using vnc....

I currently dont have an aextra keyboard, mouse and monitor so for short term id like to connect remotely to it. I configured the sharing settings in system preferences on my mac. Im running Mac OS X Lion 10.7 and Im using tightvnc on my windows computer and its having a hard time getting connected to the mac mini. I notice when I try to connect my wifi connection on the mini drops. Can anyone tell me why this is? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Angelo

We'd need a Monitor & KB/Mouse on the Mini, or another Mac to log into it, but you might try navigation to...
/private/var/log folder on the Mac & maybe look at the system.log if you can on a PC.

My Mac Mini loses wifi connectivity once every other hour...

I noticed last night that web pages in Safari weren't loading at all, and that my Internet kept disconnecting me every couple of minutes. I restarted Time Capsule thinking it was the culprit. A few minutes later, the same symptoms persisted. This time, I simply turned Mac Mini wifi off and on, and that seemed to temporarily work each time. So that led me to believe that Time Capsule was fine, and that something was happened to my Mac Mini that required me to disconnect and reconnect to the network. Today, I've purposely been streaming music from the web to see how long it takes to lose signal. It hasn't been every few minues like last night. However, it's been just about every two hours. I turn the Mac Mini wifi off then on - and it's fixed. So what might be causing this? I will say the Internet speed is great when it works. But it's either there - or it isn't.
Thank you!

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain iMacs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

I just bought the new MacBook Air a few days ago and my Internet connection is so slow. My iPhone's connection works fine when connected to the wifi but the MacBook connects for a few seconds then drops completely. What do I do?

I just bought the new MacBook Air a few days ago and my Internet connection is so slow. My iPhone's connection works fine when connected to the wifi but the MacBook connects for a few seconds then drops completely. What do I do? I tried connecting it to my phone's hotspot and it works perfectly. I'm a new Mac user so I have no idea what to do. I have Comcast xfinity cable and Internet. Thanks for the help.

Your warranty includes 90 days of phone support. Contact Apple.

Mac mini does not connect to the internet via wifi

I currently have a Mac mini that cannot connect to the internet. I also have an iPad that is connected to the same router/modem wirelessly. I have tried the network diagnostic in the network utility app. It is showing I'm connected with green dots.. But still no luck.
Yes I tried calling the ISP, there was some issues with the service but they fixed that and it was working just fine a few hours ago but then later in the evening it stopped connecting. I know my router modem is working because I'm typing this with my iPad ..
Im going to call apple tomorrow and try to get another modem router as we'll. Just thought I would try here also..
if i if I have to restore my Mac mini to factory, will there be a way to keep my iTunes music .. .?
thanks

If yo go to Network Preferences>Wifi what IP address is specified? It should be like 192.168.1.X.
Try creating a new location and jointing the wifi network again
Using network locations (Mac OS X v10.6 and later)

Ipod will not stay connected for more then a few seconds

I was going to update my nano this morning after downloading the newest version of software, and first off it said the firmware was corrupt. so then I restored it, and it would not restore to the new version so i used the older version. the ipod seems to work in my hand but when i connect it to my computer it will not stay connected for more then a few seconds, then it ejects its self, but itunes still shows it as being there even though the rest of the computer does not
I have not had any issues with it since i bought it which was last june.
any ideas?
John

Hi John,
I would suggest, with your iPod disconnected, that you force your iPod into disk mode (following the instructions in this article)
Connect your iPod to your computer.
Then, try restoring it in iTunes while it is connected in disk mode.
Can you successfully restore your iPod?
If so, when the restoring and resyncing process is all complete, now update your iPod to the latest firmware.
Any success with trying that?
-Kylene

2014 mac mini loosing internet connection

Hi, my relatively new mac mini with most current system suddenly started to loose it's internet connection. WiFi or wired makes no difference. It works for a bit then I get time outs, spinning balls and nothing works anymore. All other devices on the same wifi (iphone, ipad, macbook pro, chrom book, windows laptop, apple TV) work just fine, so it's not comcast or a modem issue.
I'm mostly connected with wifi, I moved wifi up in the priority list. I also deleted that particular wifi account and entered everything again, it's a comcast router with wifi built in. Nothing helps. If I run the network diagnostics all things come back with a green light, but even if I try to ping some site via terminal nothing happens. All other devices run great, but I need this compuer on the net. I might take it to the genius bar, but I can't bring my wifi with me, not sure how much that would help.
Any other ideas?
It started sporadically, just a hickup in a video file or a minute to refresh a page, I had comcast test everything too. Now - regardless of what browser I use) I mostly get nothing, if I'm lucky I get a connection for a couple minutes before it's over again. Wifi is connected, I did not change anything or install anything (though some things might have done so automatically) and I know nothing about networking, so I never touched any of those settings, since everything worked anyway.
Any help is greatly appreciated, I can't work without internet on that machine :-(
Thanks!

Hi, this has worked for a few...
Though all of these steps may or may not be needed, I'm including them all.
Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712
10.5, 10.6, 10.7 & 10.8…
System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.
10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x/10.8.x instructions...
System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.
The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.
If using Wifi/Airport...
Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.
For 10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8, System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
(There may be better or faster DNS numbers in your area, but these should be a good test).
Click OK.

Mac mini poor Wifi strength

I have a stock Core Solo with OS 10.5.3.
I can see my neighbours' open APs. With a Gateway XP laptop, I can connect to their APs, though with low strength just fine.
But my Mac mini it keeps "searching for AP" and sometimes shows those APs and sometimes they disappear in the list at the top right of menu bar, and then display again, so I Just think it barely sees them due to low signal strength...
So the question is.. why is my Mac mini has such bad Wifi connection by Windows laptop can connect with though with low signal (similar to one-bar strength)?
Is this a known Mac mini problem?

First the obvious comment: that unless you have permission, you shouldn't be connecting to neighboring wifi networks that you do not pay for. In many places in fact it is illegal to do so.
That said, to some extent what you report is not an uncommon issue with the mini. In comparison with the laptop you mention, the mini's wifi antenna is small and buried inside the system's casing, and while it is just under the top cover (in the back-right corner) anything above the mini or indeed any sources of interference will significantly impact the wifi signal strength, more than likely on laptops or other systems where the antenna is less likely to be bounded by metal casings.
You can test the wifi signal strength and quality with a application such as AP Grapher (http://www.chimoosoft.com/apgrapher.html) which is an excellent tool for analyzing wifi signal and thus helping to troubleshoot these kind of problems. However it can't resolve issues where there is poor signal due to range or interference sources such as structural components in buildings deflecting the signal or microwave ovens or cordless phones, or external radio sources such a paging systems, all of which are capable of causing wifi disruption.
Given the frequency at which wifi operates, small changes in location of the access point or system can make a big difference to signal level and quality, so you might find that moving the mini a little (even a few inches) can make a lot of difference. Making sure there is no electronic equipment directly above will also help to some extent. It's also possible in many situations that something as simple as changing the wifi channel resolves these problems because they can be caused by multiple wifi networks interfering with each other. Changing the channel will require the owner of the access point/router/AP to make that change however.
Bear in mind however, that effective wifi range is very limited, so much about 30 or 40 feet and signal becomes subject to considerable losses and distortions. The solution may be to get your own network set up!

Mac mini gets green tinted display severel times. Help... :(

I just bought a new 2,3 ghz Mac Mini 3 days ago to use as a mediacenter.
I have it set up using my Phillips Tv as screen with a HDMI cable.
Audio is toslink to my amp.
I have a eyetv hybrid connected and a belkin usb hub with severel WD disk.
My problem is that suddenly the display turns green for a couple of seconds
and after that everything on the screen is tinted green.
Sometimes after a while it turns itself back to the right colours again.
There is no consistency in when it does this, and again no consistency in
when it turns itself back again.
The funny thing (as i see it) is that i had a Mac Mini mid 2009 connected
exactly as i have setup the new Mac Mini. And everything worked fine.
I run sabnzbd, air video server, eyetv 3 and XBMC on it. There is aswell
a python script that lauches sickbeard on startup running.
Can anybody please help me to what the problem is???

Try a different gamma setting to brighten up movies. To do this, go into Displays Preferences and click on the Color tab and then the Calibrate button. Put a check mark in the box for Expert Mode and click Continue to start the calibration process. When you get to the screen for gamma, move the slider to the left and it should brighten up middle levels of the picture. See if that helps with movies.
As to RAM, it depends on which generation mini you have as to how much RAM it will take. And you haven't said which one you have.

Mac mini won't connect to my wireless router!

I just bought my mac mini server then connected it to wifi, then after 2 weeks I had to go abroad for a week so I just turned off the switch connecting to my mac, without switching off my mac mini server. then when I get back home my mac mini won't connect to my wifi. I tried everything from manually setting up IP and DHCP nothing works. What happened?
thanks for help,
Jakarta

I didn't reset the machine/router itself because 2 of my computer is still connected to wifi-and working perfectly, but the mac mini server cannot connect to wifi.
what I did was to set up the "networking utilities"-having said that, what I did was to connect all over again to wifi, this did not work. I did tried to change from DHCP to manually set up IP, neither of these didn't work.
I'm now stucked!
Message was edited by: asea

TC in combination with mac mini and WIFI

Hello,
I am living in an apparment with provided internet - it used to be a cable modem. Now cable modem was deactivated by the owner and free WIFI was established in our house (but limited to three devices)
I connected my mac mini to the existing WIFI - no prob! Is is possible to create another WIFI with TC using cable connection between mach mini and TC?
If yes, please let me know how to set up the mac and TC.
Thanks!

What is this wifi for?
I have more than three devices which need WIFI connectio, unfortunatel!
If it is just to connect to the TC it is possible.. if you want to connect to the TC from the mini that is fine.. you do not need wifi for this.. just ethernet to the TC is fine.. so I just don't know what the wifi from the TC is for and if it requires internet access.
If you want internet access via the Mac, you can setup Internet Connection Sharing..
See OS X Mavericks: Share your Internet connection
It is a really poor setup though.. and tends to be unreliable, slow and means anytime the mini is off no internet to the other clients.
There are better ways to do things.
Put any wireless bridge, in front of the TC and use that to provide a wired connection. Apple Express can do this.. none of the other devices can. but wireless bridges are not hard to find and you can get cheaper ones than the apple.
This is what I tried, thanks to your recommondation! I connected the AirportExpress with the given WIFI and I've connected it to the TC via LAN cable, the TC now provides my own WIFI to all devices. But the mac mini, as well connected by cable to the TC does not have Internet access. To log on to the given WIFI I have to use a web-login (like in a hotel) but I have the impression that it doesn't work because of the hardware I have now connected. If you have any suggestions to this I would really appreciate it!
You will however not get out of the problem without creating more problems.. Internet access will be slowed and you will have double NAT issues.
I set the TC to bridge, no Double-NAT anymore.
Thanks for now, 75% achieved!

MAC mini will not connect to Dell PowerConnect 5524

Have several Mac Mini's that will not connect to Dell PowerConnect 5524 switches. Proofed Cabling, Ports, and Minis. Something between the two is not happy. Searched Dell and Apple sites and found no information.

Most routers document a default router address such as http://192.254.0.1, or something similar you can manually enter in your web browser to log into their setup. Apple's Safari can't login all routers. In some cases Fifefox, Chrome, Opera, or Omniweb is needed, and in some cases you have to use Windows virtualization to use Internet Explorer. Once you get to the page, the username is typically by default system, and the password is admin, or sometimes it is vice versa. Verify with Dell support what they use. Then you can configure it at will.
As long as you have a Core2Duo or Core i Mac Mini, you can connect via 802.11n wireless. Some earlier Core2Duo may need Apple's 802.11n patch to be installed to be able to use 802.11n. Otherwise, all Mac Minis support at least 802.11g. The old PowerPC Mac Minis had an optional Airport Extreme card that could be installed for 802.11g support. Those only had 2 USB ports on rear.

Windows 7 and Mac Mini Server not connecting

I'm running a small design studio in Central Asia. For four years we've had a Mac Mini Server (Snow Leopard/Lion), working with three Macs, and two PCs (Windows XP) connecting, sharing files and accessing accounting software without any issues.
Due to Windows XP being discontinued we upgraded the PCs to Windows 7 Ultimate (it was the best that was available legally locally). The Windows machines both continued to connect to the server, although getting it to work initially was harder than with XP.
Our Mac Mini Server showed signs of dying, so this week we purchased a new Mac Mini Server with Mavericks (10.9.3). The macs in the office can see it fine, however the Windows 7 machines are unable to see the server on the network or access using the smb path. They can access the old server using smb, however in the network control panel, the old server is also invisible.
The server has SMB/AFP enabled. The Windows 7 machines are set to recognise networks and supposedly therefore to see others. They are failing to do either. It seems like both MS and Apple changed the way they communicate pretty significantly.
How can I get the Windows 7 machine talking with the new Mac Mini Server?
Thanks for any advice.
Richard

The problem of the machines connecting seems to have solved itself today - with one small tweak to the setup.
I inserted an underscore (_) instead of spaces into the Mac Server name, and although the Windows 7 machines still can't see the server they can now connect using SMB.
I can't believe something so small kept me so flummoxed for so long....

Mac Mini won't connect to internet "ISP Failed"

My 2012 Mac Mini isn't connecting wirelessly to the internet. All of my other devices connect perfectly. It was working when we first set it up in our new house a few days ago. And now randomly it will not. It continues to say that I am connected to the network but that the ISP, Internet, and Server have failed. In the Network Diagnostics the IPS, Internet, and Server are also jumping from red to yell to green to yellow. I am on OS 10.9.4, 2.5 GHz i5, 16GB ram. Any ideas how to get it to work?

Start up in Recovery mode. In the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. A clean copy of Safari will launch. No plugins, such as Flash, will be available. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your saved bookmarks or passwords, so make a note of those before you begin, if they're needed for the test.
Test. After testing, restart as usual and post the results.

Why is my mac mini server apparently looking for wireless while I hold option at startup?

Besides the Lion recovery partition on my Mac Mini, I have 2 partitions: One with Lion and one with Snow Leopard Server that I often boot from in order to test some things. However, it takes FOREVER at the gray screen while I hold option, until the various startup disks appear.
There is a spinning wheel next to a popup menu button, and the wireless symbol. The Mac Mini is apparently looking for wireless for some specified time, then finally gives up and says, "Ok, here are your disk partitions." This is very annoying, and I would like to know what it is, and how to turn it off. My Mini is plugged into Ethernet.
Thanks,
--ET

Are there any Mount points setup or listed in Login Items?
Might try a variation of this from older OSes...
This command adds a delay, in this case 45 seconds, before displaying the Login Window.
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow StartupDelay -int 45
If the Login Window UI detects that the network servers are available when it starts, it will skip the delay, also if network servers become available before the delay expires, the Login Window UI cancels the delay and displays.

Mac Mini gets wifi connection for 3 seconds, then drops it.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for