Poor signal strength on MacBook Pro

We bought a new AirPort Extreme 802.11n for Christmas. Setup was fairly easy. We have two Macs--an 2005 iMac which is plugged into the AE via Ethernet, and a MacBook Pro from mid-2006 that we use in other rooms.
Our problem is that the signal strength on the MacBook Pro is terrible. Even at just 20 feet away, the signal strength varies between 1 and 3 bars (most often just the one tiny bar). The wireless is basically unusable at that point because pages stop loading.
To eliminate interference as a problem, our daughter brought her 2008 MacBook Pro over and we carried it around the house. It had 4 bar strength with no problems wherever we went and held 4 bars for hours while she used it in the kitchen. So we're pretty sure the problem is not interference in our house, unless her newer AirPort card is far better at blocking it.
What could be causing the signal strength on the older MacBook Pro to be so lousy? The computer is a Intel Core Duo, 2.16 GHz, running 10.4.11. The wireless card is 0x168C, 0x86. The wireless network adapter is 802.11 a/b/g, so it's not running "n", but I can't believe that's the only reason it won't hold a good signal. The AE is set up to run "n" as well as the older ones. (Bear with me...this is my first experience with wireless!)
We've been trying everything we can think of to improve the signal but nothing works. When the bars are in the 2-3 range it runs the internet fine, but the problem is that the signal constantly shifts between 1 and 3. So is the AirPort card in the computer that weak?
Any ideas are most welcome. Thanks.

I'll bet this is a hardware/firmware card with a chunk of AEx cards. I have had the same problem with a recently purchased iMac that was assembled in early '08. I tried all sorts of fixes, but ultimately took it in to a local Apple shop. The "geniuses" spent about 30 seconds looking at the machine (failed to replicate the problem), but then recommended replacing the airport card. I just got it back today &, while I can't yet say everything's hunky-dory, I think the problem's been solved. I'll bet there's a service bulletin that the genius bar has access to that describes this issue.
I had the same AEx series you report. I had the problem with 10.5.4 & then with the 10.5.6 upgrade.
See the following lengthy thread for more similar tales of woe: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1815644&tstart=0.
I think this is hardware-related. It's a $183 dollar fix (parts & labor) -- mine was under warranty, but I think there's enough in the discussion forums to justify pushing for a free replacement, even in an older machine.

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Weak Airport signal strength after MacBook upgrade to OS 10.5

Today, I finally upgraded my 13-inch 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook (2 gig RAM, 160 gig HD) to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. After using install and archive to install the new system, I noticed the Airport signal was down to three bars from the usual four. After completing all the system updates to bring it up to 10.5.8, its still receiving only three bars. We're using a 2Wire wireless DSL modem for Internet service. I was getting the full four bars before the system upgrade, and my wife's 14" G4 iBook is still getting four bars.
What's going on here? Is there an available fix for this? Or am I doomed to going back to OS 10.4.11?
Roger

rmatile wrote:
Today, I finally upgraded my 13-inch 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook (2 gig RAM, 160 gig HD) to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. After using install and archive to install the new system, I noticed the Airport signal was down to three bars from the usual four. After completing all the system updates to bring it up to 10.5.8, its still receiving only three bars. We're using a 2Wire wireless DSL modem for Internet service. I was getting the full four bars before the system upgrade, and my wife's 14" G4 iBook is still getting four bars.
Those bars are only an approximation of Wi-Fi signal strength. In Mac OS X 10.5 if you pull down the AirPort menu bar item while holding down an option key you'll see a value "RSSI", which is the actual signal strength. If you were using an AirPort base station, you could use AirPort Utility to see actual signal and noise levels.
In Mac OS X 10.4 I don't think that option key trick works, but you should be able to use the AirPort command-line utility, as describe in the electronic book "Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network" (http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/airport-n):
- Launch Terminal
- Type this command:
cd /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/\
Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/
- Type this command:
./airport -s
You'll see the "RSSI" value in one of the columns. If you compare the "RSSI" values for both OS versions, you may find the "RSSI" values more similar than the AirPort menu bar arcs suggest.
I have no financial connection to Take Control Books.

Loosing signal between my macbook pro and Neatgear 1000

I am loosing connection between my macbook pro and my netgear 1000 on a daily basis. It seems to work fine with other wifi devices such as the printer. Howevere, I do have the same problems with my iphone that also looses wifi contact on a daily basis. I have to restart the router to get it to work. What is wrong?

The warranty entitles you to complimentary phone support for the first 90 days of ownership.

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Disclaimer: I am normally a PC user, but just bought a iMac G5 for my son's bedroom. Problem is that I am having a **** of a time getting the iMac to stay connected to my network long enough to download a newest OS update and in general, it is very slow downloading webpages...clearly not normal...at least I hope not.
My connection is Broadband DSL to my main PC equipped with a Linksys WRT54G Broadband Router. My 2nd PC is connected wirelessly and is much further away than my iMac, but gets better reception.
Therefore, what is the deal with my iMac??? It seems to be super slow downloading the large software updates and has often timed out as they have bogged down.
As a PC guy, I am wondering is it an internal antenna issue in the iMac G5 or is it something as simple as Wi-Fi (AirPort) setting?
If is is a lousy internal antenna, what can I do to boost my signal strength? I was thinking of disabling the Wireless and buying Gaming Console access point to hard wire to the ethernet port. Is that possible? Would AirPort Express device be good for anything?
Help...I am ready to return my first Apple and go with a Dell!!!
Solutions???

Thanks Rod. Your comments were very helpful...
Apologies for the dash of sarcasm, M., but these things usually are just that simple to get running, and your Dell jokes started me down that path you know . Yes, I should have resisted the temptation.
Screen orientation really can make a difference in a low signal situation. So can simply changing the channel on which your wireless router operates (have you tried that yet?). You also can't assume that because a computer in a neighbouring room gets gets adequate signal , the one that you are working on will too. Walls, power circuits, nearby electrical gear, etc etc can all have highly localised effects with this stuff.
If, as it appears, you have adequate signal strength (I thought you indicated initially that you didn't have) and the problem is not related to local interference on the channel which the router is using (that's why you need to try a different channel) , then its time to check other aspects of the setup, both of the router and the iMac. The problem could be caused at either end.
Lets take the router first. The WRT54G usually actually works pretty well with Macs. In some cases, however, it may need a firmware update from the Linksys site. There have been quite a few different models of this particular router produced, so you'll need to check the downloads section at Linksys support for the correct one.
The best people here to answer this sort of stuff are probably Henry B. and Frank Canzolino . They both spend much of their time over in the Airport forums. If a firmware update for the router , or a simple channel change, doesn't fix the problem then I'd try posting there with "WRT54G and iMac G5 AE " displaying in the subject line.
As far as toast goes, I personally recommend asking the power company to drop the voltage for a few minutes. Saves all that time wasted knob twiddling.
Cheers
Rod

Can I configure a wireless home network with two cable routers (both with separate connections to the same cable company)? Issue is poor signal strength even with multiple Airport Expresses added to the network.

I have a wireless home network consisting of a time capsule, two airport expresses and a cable modem. Even with this configuration I get a very weak signal in much of be condo - the walls, etc. are solid concrete. I want to see if I can add another separately connected cable modem and connect one of the existing airport express to it by Ethernet cable. If so, this would give me two wired hubs and greatly improve signal strength. I do not know if this configuration will in fact work or if I will just wind up with two, separate and unrelateable networks. Unfortunately, there is no way to run any additional Ethernet cable and I doubt simply adding more Airport Express will help. Thanks.

Try Ethernet over Power adapters.. these are very popular for your kind of environment.. being able to make non-wireless link to another area where you can setup a wireless access point.
Airport Express are not great for wireless power.. if you really have issues with wireless strength in a bad environment apple stuff is not the way to go.
The comparison chart here.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/58-2_4-ghz-dn?see=P_F
This is their worst test location you can also see averages.. the latest airport extreme.. is there a long way down.. and that is a much better wireless device than Airport Express.
The Ubiquiti power AP is small cheap and designed for precisely this duty.. useless in an apple wireless network.. you will need to run ethernet or EOP adapters back to the main router.. but if the normal omni directional antennas don't provide enough signal you can get directional ones.. I suspect you can cover your whole apartment with a pair of these and high gain directional antenna.

4th Generation iPad wifi poor signal strength

I recently purchased an iPad 4th Gen. It seems to only want to connect to wifi when I am within 15-20 feet of the antenna. I have tried removing the iPad from the case and still nothing. I have the problem at home and work, and have tried 4 different routers. My phone and laptop have full signal strength while my iPad cannot even find the network. Any suggestions?
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VERY poor signal strength

I'm lucky if I get one bar at home, often getting the connection lost message every few minutes. We have another iphone in the household though that is absolutely fine.
Is this something that is supposed to improve after a couple of days (I did transfer my number from an old provider, and I still keep getting texts saying "We haven't set picture messaging up yet"), or could something be wrong with the phone?

Re picture messaging: I believe that's coupled to MMS which AT&T does not yet support. Should not be related to signal strength.
Re signal strength: I'd try a full reset (hold down the Home button below the screen and the power button at the top simultaneously). You might also try cycling Wi-Fi and 3G on and off in the Settings: I've seen my signal low and jump back to normal after changing such settings.
If anything my phone signals at home are better (consistently full bars) than they were with the 2G model. And 3G tests out as about 8x faster than EDGE, but substantially slower than Wi-Fi, here.
Phil

WRT54GX2 0 Poor signal strength

Had to replace router. Had a WRT54Gv1 that went bad.
Bought a WRT54GX2 for additional range and
- placed router in same place as old one
- didn't alter ANYTHING regarding location, cables, etc.
Signal strength is significantly lower / less.
Any suggestions?
Regards,
-jP

Are you then saying that with everything else staying the same that replacing an old linksys G router with the new SRX wireless router will not improve the strength?
The effect is minimal, it will not improve strength as it will only function as a G router when you are using a G card. The SRX effect will only work with an SRX adapter.
I was hoping to provide great distance and speed from what we have without going out and buy another adapter for my laptop. My wife has a new laptop with wireless built in...will that have to be changed to a plugin SRX card to get benefit?
If you want the SRX range to work, you need an SRX card. The G card will work still but it will work on G speeds only. If that would be the case then yes, you would need to have an SRX card for it to take effect.
Also what about using expanders with the new SRX stuff?
It will work with the range expanders...not much of a conflict with them...but the expander is expensive than the card...your call...
"Sometimes your knight in shining armor is just a retard in tin foil.."-ARCHANGEL_06

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I've had my Toshiba Equium A300D-13X for a few years now. I also have Sky ADSL Broadband for a few years. My signal from the router (netgear) up until a couple of months ago has been fine. The router is situated in my hall and I use my laptop mainly in the lounge which is through just one wall, 3 or 4 metres away. The strength showing on the wireless icon in the toolbar used to be 4 or 5 bars at least but now the best I get is 3 bars strength and my connection is variable with WebPages taking longer to load.
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Any advice would be great.

Nothing changed with the laptop or router that I know of. The only change during this time is we now have a Kodak Wireless Printer installed. But with that I have never even been able to connect this wirelessly to my Toshiba and I have to use USB cable when I print. Although it will connect and print wirelessly on my fiance's Asus laptop. Would this cause a lack of strength? I almost always sit right next to where the printer is situated.

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I read through some articles and found something about SMC reset. Tried that. No effect.
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I have Windows 7 Pro Boot Camped on my Mac Mini (late 2012) HD 4000 as well. Nvidia driver. On a graphics intense game of mine I have learned to just get by. Unfortunately using Nvidia or other graphics driver updates through Windows Update is the best you can do. I would not attempt or recommend a newer graphics driver from the manufacture website. You may end up rendering your Windows unusable. Windows 7 has great benefits on a Mac, but, limited user options. One of my graphics intense programs had to be found and purchased from the App Store. Windows version just would not run correctly. If you are stuck with the RAM that came with your MBP, you may want to upgrade to 8 or the full 16 GB of RAM which may help. Otherwise I find Windows to run quite well. I use it for DVD playback and Media Center which runs great. I have 4 GB of RAM. Cheers!

Solutions for displaying s-video signal on Macbook Pro? (2006 model)

I looking around for ways to display an s-video signal on my Macbook Pro, but i've no idea the best way to this.
I'm not really after capturing or recording the signal, but I just need a means that I can view the signal, and to be able to switch to another program running on the Macbook. (switch back and forth from Mac app to viewing s-video signal)
Ive seen a few products but they look overblown for what I really need to do like the Elgato video capture, and the xlr8 provideo usb devices.
Is there a way that I could use the DVI socket on the Macbook? I have seem its possible to display the Macbook signal on an external display using this socket, but can it be used to take an input signal?
Message was edited by: jauqq
Technical note of what I exactly need this for: I have an old Roland sampler which can be used with an external monitor to aid in its editing. The outputs on the sampler are s-video and digital RGB. So that I dont have to buy an old bulky monitor I want to use my Macbook display for this while I also am running Logic Pro 8 at the same time. And to switch from Logic, to the displayed signal from the sampler.

The DVI out on your MacBookPro cannot be used for input. In order to see the s-video signal on your MBP display you will need an analog-digital converter like the Canopus ADVC-55, plus you will need to run software. You may be able to use iChat A/V, although I haven't tried it for this purpose. It will cost you more than the Elgato eyeTV device, however.
You will find it much easier & cheaper if you just get an inexpensive LCD display to use with your Roland sampler.

Wireless Mac Book vs. MacBook Pro

Good morning,
Is there a difference between the wireless card/antenna in a MacBook and a MacBook Pro? My MacBook is able to connect easily to a wireless network with a mediocre signal, but my MacBook Pro does not. If the signal is full strength then there are no problems.
I'm thinking there must be a difference in wireless cards or antennas.
Cheers,
BurntMonkey
Message was edited by: BurntMonkey

May well depend on which MacBook, which MacBook Pro and which kind of network is involved, BurntMonkey.
Are we talking an 802.11g network or 802.11n? An early MacBook or a recent one? An early MBP or a recent one?
I'd have to say that my own unibody MacBookPro 13" is at least the equal (and probably the best) of our "first edition" 802.11g black MacBook, a later 802.11n early 2007 "plastic" MacBook, and a late 2007 "SantaRosa" 802.11n MBP on our Airport Extreme / Airport Express 802.11n/g network when it comes to range.
Cheers
Rod

Iphone in Great Britian discovers Apple tech problem - Signal Strength -

November 25, 2007
Signal trouble: British iPhone mystery
Is O2’s network to blame, or Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone?
That’s the question posed by more than a few British iPhone owners who purchased the device in the past two weeks and have been struggling ever since to get decent telephone reception on it.
The problem surfaced two days after the phone went on sale in the U.K. when “Matlock” in Derbyshire started a discussion thread on Apple’s support board entitled “UK 02 (poor signal strength/reception problems)”:
My iphone can barely pick up even the slightest signal, although on occasion can pick up 3 ars, only for it to drop out again. I have two other 02 phones, a Sony Erricson and a Nokia n95 with no reception problems at all. Is anyone experiencing same problem with their iphone, I would like to hear from you. (link)
Two weeks later, Matlock’s query has received more than 100 replies (and 3,723 pageviews), most of them registering similar complaints. Some users found that reinstalling the software made a difference. When others returned their phones for new ones, the problem went away (although some reported that the new phones were no better).
Definitive U.K. sales figures are not available, but O2 reported that it sold “tens of thousands” of iPhones the first weekend it was available.
Several posters on the Apple discussion board volunteered that unlike the complainants, they were getting great reception on their iPhones. And many owners with signal problems expressed pleasure with how well the device performed its other functions.
But unlike American iPhone owners, who tend to blame any reception headaches on AT&T’s (T) cellular network, the assumption in the U.K. seems to be that the signal problem is Apple’s. The impression is reinforced by O2, which has been referring callers directly to the manufacturer.
One clue is that many British iPhone owners can, like Matlock, compare the signal strength on their iPhone with other cellphones using the same network (one user even posted photos showing the phones side by side). Another is that the indicator on the iPhone tends to jump to five bars as soon as it is placed in the charging dock, which suggests that the problem is battery related. As user Richard Catledge points out:
It says in the manual that phone signal is adjusted to the minimum power when not in use, just enough to detect the incoming pings, then it will power up to get the best quality call. It is digital, so as long as the signal power is strong enough to reconstruct at the other end, more power is pointless. I suspect this is what you are seeing, or a slightly flakey implementation.
Meanwhile, the consensus on the discussion board is that unhappy owners should let Apple know. Writes one user who posts as ::…SAM…::,
The only way to get anything done about it is if people that have poor signal problems is to take your phone back and get it replaced. The more phones they get back, the sooner they will do something to fix the problem. Emails and complaints are fine, they can be put in a folder, high handset return numbers cant be so easy to hide under the rug.
Thanks to InformationWeek’s Alexander Wolfe for the link. See his report here.
Filed

Interesting post. My previous phone was an 02 XDA Exec, a smart phone based upon a common handset (forget which one), but the smart phone before that was the same. They all had one thing in common - poor reception.
tbh, I think its an inherent problem with smart phones. However, with my iPhone I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary really. Its better than the XDA, at least the iPhone doesn't drop out completely!
But compare it to a normal handset and the normal handset will normally have a much better reception strength.

Poor signal strength on MacBook Pro

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