Strength of wireless connection

I am a long-time Windows user that recently converted to the iMac. I still use a Windows based PC (work related). I tried setting up both a Linksys router (didn't work so I returned) and a Belkin router (it worked but the connection strength from to laptop was pretty poor). So, I sunk the $200 into the Apple Extreme. It was easier to set up, but the connection strength is about the same as the Belkin, which is pretty hideous. I am only talking about 60 feet away, 2 rooms over. From what i understand, the signal should be pretty strong up to 50 feet, i just cant believe it drops off so dramtically. I should note that I used to use this same laptop with my PC (which I replaced with the iMac) and a Lynkys router and I was able to get a very strong signal, much, much stronger than what i get currently.
Are there any settings that i should look at, or is this just an issue between windows and apple?
thanks
Imac Mac OS X (10.4.7)
Imac Mac OS X (10.4.7)
Imac Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Interesting story for sure. Benjamin Smith III was definitely a little creepy hanging out front of the guys car hunched over his laptop and acting so wierd lol. I mean if he just had an emergency and his internet was down he probably could have explained it to the guy lol.
By the same token Richard Dinan is lucky that there is no law against stupidity because he is certainly guilty of it. First for not RTFM and securing his network in the first place, but also for not thinking "Gee maybe I should do that so that the wierd creepy dude outside my house in the car has nothing to hang out for."
I mean really the procedure to add at least some basic security to your wireless network takes minutes and could have prevented that kind of story. At least if the guy had hacked into his secured network he would have a more legitimate claim. Personally I hope he loses the case and learns an important lesson in being a little more careful about leaving the door open and the welcome sign up if he cares that strongly about someone jumping on.

Similar Messages

Range/ Strength of Wireless Connection

Quick Question... How is the Range/Strength for the MBP? does it pick up signal fairly well? im guessing that pretty much depends on how far the signal goes?
Another quick one... If i was to go to a house, and lets say i didnt have wireless there, but a neighbor did (only...20-30ft away? What are the chances of picking up the signal? Does that have to do with the MacBook Pro Wireless or the Wireless Internet Transmitter?
Thanks

Interesting story for sure. Benjamin Smith III was definitely a little creepy hanging out front of the guys car hunched over his laptop and acting so wierd lol. I mean if he just had an emergency and his internet was down he probably could have explained it to the guy lol.
By the same token Richard Dinan is lucky that there is no law against stupidity because he is certainly guilty of it. First for not RTFM and securing his network in the first place, but also for not thinking "Gee maybe I should do that so that the wierd creepy dude outside my house in the car has nothing to hang out for."
I mean really the procedure to add at least some basic security to your wireless network takes minutes and could have prevented that kind of story. At least if the guy had hacked into his secured network he would have a more legitimate claim. Personally I hope he loses the case and learns an important lesson in being a little more careful about leaving the door open and the welcome sign up if he cares that strongly about someone jumping on.

Often lose wireless connection when using HDTV as monitor

I have an unusual wireless networking problem when using my Samsung HDTV in my living room as a monitor for my MacBook (when watching Internet TV shows, for example). Frequently when I switch URLs, networking freezes, even though the connection appears strong, with the Airport symbol at the top of my screen showing all bars. To re-establish the wireless connection, I have to go through the process of re-joining my network through the “Join Other Network" option. The signal holds as long as I don’t try to change it, as in selecting another URL.
I connect to my HDTV via HDMI cable, using a mini-DVI to HDMI adapter from my Macbook’s video-out port. The audio connection is a mini-plug from the Mac’s headphone out jack to stereo RCA plugs associated with the TV’s HDMI port.
The wireless connection is through a Lynksys Wireless-G 2.4 Ghz, 54 Mpbs Broadband router.
I’d appreciate any solutions the Apple user community has to offer.

I'd say this has nothing to do with your display. The problem will likely lie in either your router settings, network settings or a simple signal strength issue. Try first changing the broadcast channel on your router, and make sure all settings are correct for your desired network.

MacBook loses wireless connection when iPod touch connects to network

hi
ever since upgrading to 10.5.5. on my MacBook i've had the "intermittent network connection" problems that have been described and discussed (without any real solution from what i can see) in another thread.
PROBLEM: every couple of minutes my MacBook loses connectivity to the network - the AirPort icon still says that i'm connected, albeit with one less bar than before, but i can't connect to anywhere, not even to the wireless router - and to re-establish a connection i need to switch off AirPort, switch it back on, it will then reconnect, and after two minutes or so i have to do it all over again because the network connection drops again.
NOVEL OBSERVATION 1: reinstalling the 10.5.5. combo system updater helped somewhat. i used to get an error in system.log about there being too many state transitions on the wireless network and about network traffic reduction measures being taken to overcome this problem, but after reinstalling the 10.5.5. combo system updater this message never appears in the logs and I get kicked off only sometimes (see what i say in point 2 below)
NOVEL OBSERVATION 2: now my MacBook will only lose its connection to the net if i switch on my iPod Touch and switch its wireless interface on. in fact, the only way to avoid the MacBook getting constantly disconnected is to make sure that the wireless interface on the Touch is switched off in the Touch's system preferences; if I just sleep the Touch (top button) without switching off its wireless network interface first in its System Preferences, then the MacBook will keep disconnecting even while the Touch is in sleep mode (presumably the Touch keeps polling the network or something, even while it's in sleep mode).
DIAGNOSTIC NOTE 1: I have another wireless device (my Nokia E51, which has wifi capabilities) and if I connect it to the wireless interface then the MacBook's connection isn't dropped - i.e. the MacBook only loses its wireless connection when my iPod Touch connects to the wireless network.
DIAGNOSTIC NOTE 2: I have upgraded my wireless router (before I had a Linksys WRT-54GC, now I have a Netgear WGR614v9) but that has made no difference.
DIAGNOSTIC NOTE 3: I have also tried altering the router's settings (i have played around a_lot with this, trying every combination I could think of - e.g. staple down particular devices to particular ip addresses, use only 802.11g versus automatic b/g, etc) but that has made no difference either.
RANT:
The only thing that prevents these disconnections from occurring is to keep the iPod Touch's wireless switched off, which ***** because if I'm in the kitchen I can't have it switched on to monitor my email (yes, I've no life, i hang around waiting for emails), or if I go have a lie down and want to check out stuff on the net, or to browse the iTunes music store or whatever, then I know that my connecting my iPod Touch the computer will be disconnected.
This obviously *****, right? And a lot of people are having wireless problems with their MacBooks, right? And these problems seem to have been around for over a year, right?
So why hasn't Apple solved this problem yet? Or am I just being melodramatic?
Your thoughts on any or all of the above, or flames if that's your preferred method of communicating, are invited. =)
Cheers
dr.colekat

Having the same problem here. As a first time mac user, Apple has certainly made a bad first impression.
For me, the issue seems to occur when transferring files between computers that are connected to the same access point (when transferring files from wired computers on the network there is no issue). My vista laptop and every laptop I have tried has worked perfectly fine with this access point so I am 100% convinced it is the mac. Basically when I copy the files, after about 100mb, I am unable to access anything on the local network or internet until I restart Airport. The weird thing is that even though I am unable to access anything, the airport utility says it is connected. I might also note that the wireless signal strength is full.
If I can't get this figured out in a few days, this computer is going back to the store where it came from and I will officially label myself anti-mac. This type of issue is just unacceptable for something so main stream.

How to set up WRT54GS so the wired and wireless connections both work?

I have a DSL line in to a Motorola modem.
The modem is connected to the WRT54GS with an ethernet cable.
When I connect my computers directly into the WRT54GS with an ethernet cable (there are four connection spots at the back of the box), I cannot go to the internet. I have 3 computers plugged in, but none of them connect via Ethernet..
Is there a setting on the router so that I can use the router for both wired and wireless connectivity?
Added info: I tried to connect directly from the computer to the modem, but again, got no connectivity. When I "chatted" with ATT, they told me the modem is set to "bridge", and that I could connect only one device. I don't want to change this setting because I want to use the router for the wireless capability. Besides which, I have more than one computer to connect to the internet.
How come I cannot just plug in and go?
My firmware version is v2.07.1.
I don't know how to find out what hardware version I have.
Other info is "DirectEthernet Connection, Speed: 100.0 Mbps, Signal Strength: Excellent, Status: Connected"
Also "1394 Connection 3, Speed: 400.0 Mbps, Status: Connected"
I don't know what that's for, but thought it might prove useful to those of you who are knowledgeable about such things.
Wireless is ok, but if I'm sitting right next to the router, I'd like to connect with Ethernet and take advantage of the better speed, etc.
Thanks in advance.

Just click this link.

I bought a new MacBook Pro several months ago. I keep losing my wireless connection (my wife, sitting several feet from me has no problem with her iPad2). I find the quickest fix ix to turn Airport off and back on. Very annoying. Suggestions please?

I bought a new MacBook Pro several months ago. I keep losing my wireless connection (my wife, sitting several feet from me has no problem with her iPad2). I find the quickest fix ix to turn Airport off and back on. Very annoying. Suggestions please?

What kind of wireless router are you using? more importantly which protocol are you connecting with? Are you and wife connecting using the 2.4Ghz band? or do you have a dual band router that offers the 5GHZ band? Are you both connecting vie 802.11 a/b/g or n?
The best thing to do is to go into SYSTEM PREFERENCES and select NETWORK, then select AIRPORT and click on the ADVANCED button.
Under the AirPort tab you should delete all the preferred networks and only add back in your network with the proper security settings and passwords.
If you hold down the option key on your keyboard while clicking on the airport icon at the top on your macbook pro. you'll seesome data that will tell you what band and mode you're connecting at, as well as in an indication of signal strength (RSSI) if you write down and post back that information it'll tell us what's going on.

Dear Steve, will anything be done about this wireless connectivity issue?

This is no fun whatsoever....
I am telling you - browsing interenet on iMac is no fun, seriously.
I prepared a quick research for you:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=830426
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=834613
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=831111
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=829204 (I like this one best)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=827632
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=833593 (although marked as solved - doesn't seem to be true in my and many others' cases)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=838501
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=822703
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=826128
People, help me in refining this list - did I leave something out?
P.S. I was thinking lately, why, after spending so much money, should I spend several days already, in agregate, trying to understand the issue and how it should be resolved? Have I not paid for not having such problems?

Here is a lot more:
http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/wirelessnetworking/topic4035.html
Highly interesting is the post of J.Exby which i reproduce here:
For months I've not been alone in holding to the notion that the airport client software on Mac OS X 10.4.x has been problematic and unstable in certain (noisy, crowded, channel overlapped) wireless environments. Issues littered around the Internet Mac forums include problems of networks appearing, then disappearing. This is a difficult problem to pin down, given the difficulty of reproducing the conditions that might cause wireless network dropouts.
A major symptom of the problem was seeing the constant messages of:
"An error occurred joining the AirPort network" (Try Again) (Cancel)
when attempting to connect to a wireless network, despite that network being seen, having correct security settings, etc.
Various temporary fixes/ideas floated around the mac community have included:
- reseting pram, nvram and PMU
- installing 10.4 from scratch, instead of 10.3 to 10.4 upgrade process
- Repairing permissions, run Combo updaters, etc
- putting system to sleep or reboot for temporary connection fix
- applying AirPort 2005-001 patch (or not)
- upgrading (or downgrading!) AirPort basestation firmware
- changing AirPort channels
- enabled (or disabling) Interference Robustness
- disabling Bluetooth and BT peripherals
- removing WEP/WPA passwords out of Keychain
- running Keychain First Aid on user/login keychains
- buying new AirPort extreme cards
- replacing AirPort base stations with other vendor hardware, etc.
With the stability of our Windows XP clients now (after driver updates) and the change from Apple base stations to Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router having no appreciable benefit for our Mac notebooks, the OS X AirPort client software suspicions only grew.
During troubleshooting I always have
Applications--->Utilities--->Console
and
iStumbler (96)
running, and I watch output as wireless scans are performed.
From the Terminal I also run:
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Resources/airport -s
and usually see constant
AirPortScanner WirelessScan error -2013261821 airpInternalErr
messages.
After two days of testing (and fixing?) I am even more convinced there are bugs in the powerpc 10.4.x AirPort Extreme Framework!
This is what I found:
Environment at our office:
- wireless Network A (802.11g channel 1, WPA personal)
- wireless Network B (802.11b channel 6, WEP 40bit ascii)
- wireless Network C (802.11g channel 11, WPA personal)
(WAR-marching around our office exterior shows at least 12 outside wireless networks found at various signal strengths!)
Test systems used:
- iBook G4 (10.3.x and 10.4.5)
- Powerbook G4 (10.4.5)
- Intel iMac (10.4.5)
Primary symptom on iBook: networks not displaying long enough under the AirPort icon/menu (or Internet Connect) to connect to ANY network reliably! Perhaps connect to Network A intermittently, never even see Network C.
iStumbler showing some networks respond to poll, then immediately stagnate/disappear.
Primary symptom on Powerbook: stable connections to Network C most times, difficulty "switching" to Network B or A once moving closer to source. Usually stable "seeing" networks via AirPort menu icon, but still have occasional dropouts (due to fluctuating signal strength or interference?).
Primary symptom on Intel iMac: NO PROBLEMS! Can connect to (and steadily "see") all valid Networks A, B, C !
iStumbler constantly polls all available networks, with no dropouts.
Steps taken:
1. Wipe iBook hard drive, install 10.3 from dvd. AirPort signals unreliable.
1a. Perform all 10.3.x Software updates, Repair Permissions, reboot. AirPort still unreliable.
2. Reset PRAM, nvram, PMU. no improvements.
3. Reseat AirPort Extreme card, ensure antenna is firmly plugged in. AirPort still unreliable.
4. Wipe iBook, install 10.4.3 "fresh" from Full retail version DVD. AirPort still unreliable.
4a. Perform all 10.4.5 Software (combo) updates, Repair Permissions, reboot. AirPort still unreliable.
5. Hold down the Option key, and click on the AirPort icon in the menu bar.
select About AirPort...
pay particular attention to each system showing:
iBook: AirPort Framework 421.13.0
powerbook: AirPort Framework 421.13.0
intel iMac: AirPort Framework 426.1.0
Aha! A big difference with the AirPort Framework component version on the Intel iMac!
6. So, using the Terminal let's get this newer Apple80211.framework onto the iBook.
First on the intel iMac:
cd /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks
sudo tar cf ~/intelApple80211frame.tar Apple80211.framework
Copy this intelApple80211frame.tar file onto a USB thumb drive, CDR, iPod, scp, etc. to copy it onto the iBook (home directory).
7. With the tar file copied into the home area on the iBook, turn off iBook's AirPort via the menubar icon.
Now launch Terminal and:
mkdir backup-framework
cd /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks
sudo mv Apple80211.framework ~/backup-framework/
sudo tar xvpf ~/intelApple80211frame.tar
Launch Disk Utility, Repair Permissions on boot drive.
Reboot iBook.
8. Turn Airport on via the menubar icon.
iBook now has HUGE improvements in wireless connectivity! It can "see" all Networks A, B, C reliably and can connect to any of them when in range (having enough signal strength). Switching between networks is successful 90% of the time. Occasional message of:
"An error occurred joining the AirPort network (Try Again) (Cancel)"
usually works after clicking (Try Again), whereas before Try Again almost always failed.
I am unsure how this newer Apple80211.framework will affect future Software Updates on the iBook, but frankly I could care less now that it's able to access all of our wireless networks!
I am unsure if this is the magic-bullet solution for a majority of people, but I'm stunned that Apple appears to be providing new and improved Apple80211.framework software with the intel iMacs, but many of us have been fighting AirPort problems on PowerPC platforms for months!
Come on Apple, OS X 10.4.5 should contain the SAME software component versions for ALL CPU platforms!
Source: http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/wirelessnetworking/topic4035.html

T41 dropping wireless connection

I've had nothing but trouble with my T41 wireless connection.The model number is 2374-3HU.
With Windows XP installed, my home wireless connection (which has excellent strength) would drop intermittently. The network would not be found and I would pull my hair out over this. I wiped out XP and installed Windows 7, hoping the problem would go away. No such luck.
The first time I set it up, the network was found and ever since then it comes and goes but I am never able to connect to it. I have a Toshiba connected to the same network and have never had a problem with it.
Are there any firmware updates that can be applied to resolve this very frustrating problem?

Hi itmanager8815,
Unless i'm wrong your computer got the Intel 2100 3B wireless adapter?
If that's the case i would only recommend to replace the mini PCI wireless adapter since i had some really bad experience with those adapters as well as some other old Intel wireless adapter in the past.
I would say that the 2100 3B mini PCI adapter is basically useless. At the time when i had a Thinkpad T40, T41, T42 and T43 i replaced the Intel wireless mini PCI adapter with the Thinkpad Wireless (Atheros) and it worked a lot better. I also had a lot of disconnect issues with the 2100 3B and 2200bg. The newer Intel wireless adapter like 5300 and 6200 i find to work great though.
I don't know any solution to fix the problem with the 2100 3B since i tried in the past without success.
-gan

WRT54GX2 Dropping Wireless Connections

I've got the WRT54GX2 with updated firmware and my built in intel adapter in my laptop with updated drivers. I keep losing my wireless connection and I have no idea why. I know it's not my laptop because I have another computer with a linksys wireless card installed an it losses the connection too whenever my laptop does. The strange thing is though I don't lose my network just my connection to it. I can open up the wireless controls and view my network (as well as my neighbors) but if I click connect it says "unable to connect". I know it's not my authentication because I'll be connected then lose my connection and then get it back without ever changing a setting. Does anybody have any ideas on this?
This happens more often when I've been connected or am connected to a p2p network. Is the p2p traffic overloading my router?
Thanks in advance for any help.

OK well I have stayed away from my file sharing programs and I'm still having the same problem. I live in a townhouse and I think the problem is interference from the neighbors routers. During the day (when I'm lucky enough to be home) it works fine then about the time schools start letting out more and more networks start to show up and I start to have problems. I've been able to view up to 8 networks at the same time. My network does have a unique SSID and broadcast is enabled. I have changed to default IP address too.
I don't know how to stay +/- 5 channels when there are that many networks though. Can someone explain to me how the "auto" setting for channel works? Is it any good? It doesn't seem to be working for me very well. The main reason I ask is apparently at least one of my strongest neighboring networks is using some type of auto channel since over the past for days they have shown 3 different channels. I have 2 strong networks near by one on channel 6 and the other changes channels. I have a medium strength network on channel 11 too. Several weaker networks too. I've tried channels 1,2,3,6,8,11 all with the same intermittent problem.
I did check my cordless phone and it does use both the 2.4 and 5Ghz ranges but it doesn't seem to cause a problem. I can be right next to my laptop or the router while talking on the phone and there are no problems.
I'll be trying the beacon interval next to see if that helps.
Obviously though the problem is with the router picking up all the other signals though not my laptop, I say this because my network is still visible but I can't connect. Leading me to believe that my router is too busy to respond to me. Would turning off DHCP and assigning everything by MAC address help? Why couldn't Linksys just put a setting in there to ignore other routers?
Well that was my book size response to keep everyone updated on my and what appears to be other peoples problems.

Wireless connection falls asleep..

So when the tv goes on standby (screensaver active, not been used for X hrs), then come back to use it, it often drops off the network. All the other wireless stuff (iBook, MBP, PCs, iPhones etc) are still running fine, and connected without probs.
So looking in the Network options, the signal strength has no bars at all, even tho the base station is on the other side of the wall. If I go to the Configure Wireless options and wait for the list to refresh, it often wakes up the wireless connection (altho sometimes doesn't work, so have to re-enter all the details), then the signal strength comes on full, and it soon restores back to normal.
Is there anything that can be done to stop the wireless card (?) falling asleep like this, and for it to just stay connected?

thanks for the suggestions. I've extended the DHCP lease and see how that goes, if that doesn't work, then I'll try the static IP.
I did have it connected via ethernet which was awesome n quick, and never a problem.. But we moved house so the new layout doesn't really allow easily for a lead to it, as much as I'd like to do that. The base station is literally 6ft on the other side of an internal wall, so no noise/distance probs..
Will see how this goes and report back in a few days!
Cheers!

Wireless Connection with Sony PSP

I cannot my Sony PSP to the WRT54G using the wireless connection. What are the setting I need?

I have a wrt54g v5 with Firmware Version: v1.02.0 and the PSP has firmware version 3.11.
I shut off all security use DHCP (I also used manual settings) If I scan for a network I can see it and it show 100% signal strength.
But if I try to connect it tells me it can not locate an access point. I scanned the site, I reduced my becon times my rts and fragmentation times, still no progress.
I also have a WII and it also can not connect to the open wireless network. Yet when I scan for it, the Wii can see it as well.
I know it's my network and not somebody elses these divices are seeing as I have a very unique name for my network.
My Router picks up my work Laptop, my personal Laptop and a friends laptop with no issues. I dont think my router is bad but I read the forums and half the people can connect with their WII's and PSP's no problem and the other half, like me flounder. I setup wireless networks for a living and these games have me beat.
I used to use a network Everywhere wirelss router and that never gave me issue , using wep or open modes.. My Linksys.. Kills me.. Has anyone had a problem them fixed it? WRT54G Ver 5 Firmware Version: v1.02.0 please God help me, my 12 year old has me tourtured!

Randomly dropping wireless connection,

At some indeterminate time in the past ( I cant tie it to a specific event), I started having problems with my wireless connection.
This is a series of events that I believe happens when the network drops, but it is not 100% repeatable.
If the PB goes into energy saver mode, with the lid open, when I attempt to use the network, the antenna strength is good, but nothing connects, by which I mean that Safari is "Looking" for the website.
Rebooting solves the problem , but I also discovered that just closing the lid, waiting for 10 sec, opening it again. reestablishes the connection. Its a pain but it works.
This happens with MAIL, SAFARI, ITUNES, Firefox..... so it is not just the client..
Any ideas on problem/solution.. please reply

Determined that this is an antenna problem,
search forums for "antenna" to see my later post.

Dropping Wireless Connection & Speed Slowing Down

Hi,
Up until a week ago I had two BT lines, I will call them line 1 and line 2. Line 1 (front room) was used purely for phone calls, and line 2 (middle room) had Broadband activated on it. When it came time to renew the yearly line rental I checked and had it confirmed by BT that the available Broadband speed was faster on line 1, so I decided to cancel line 2, and move my Home Hub 4 into room 1 having arranged to activate Broadband on what in theory should be a line that gives a better speed.
My current problem is two-fold. Firstly I am not yet getting the line speed that I was expecting. I have spoken to the Technical Help Line, and understand that following the activation of Broadband on the line in Room 1 I should wait 10 days for the available speed to stabalise. Currently I am 7 days on from line activation.
A few days ago I was getting download speeds around 2.70 Mbps, with upload speeds around 0.38 Mbps. The IP profile for the download speed at that time was set at 2.77 Mbps. The IP profile for the upload speed was set at 0.45 Mbps. Over the past week I have done numerous speed checks and found that the speed did vary, as might be expected, but was generally always around these figures. Because of the line check speeds I was given by BT's own staff I was expecting the available speed to get better, not slow down! I was originally advised to expect line speeds of between 3.5 Mbps - 5.5 Mbps.
Over the last 24 - 36 hours the speed has slowed down, and a few minutes ago these are the figures I observed:
Download speed achieved during the test was - 1.3 Mbps
For your connection, the acceptable range of speeds is 0.8 Mbps-2 Mbps.
IP Profile for your line is - 1.33 Mbps
Upload speed achieved during the test was - 0.34Mbps
Additional Information:
Upstream Rate IP profile on your line is - 0.45 Mbps
Line speed then is one issue, but there is another.
My second, presently very frustrating problem is that even though the Hub 4 is consistently powered, and maintains a steady Blue light showing that Broadband is available, my wireless connection that I receive from the Hub keeps dropping. I should add that the distance from the Hub 4 in Room 1 to where I work with my laptop in Room 2 is only about 15 - 20 feet. I used the old Hub 2 until a few weeks ago, and neither my daughter on her laptop, or myself, had any problems with 'dropping' the wireless signal, whichever room we were in, or even if we used our respective laptops elsewhere in the house. I was convinced enough by the publicity 'blurb' to believe that Hub 4 was more reliable, with fewer drop-outs. So far this has not proven to be the case.
I know that I need to wait a few days more till the 10 days are up, but would really appreciate some kind soul commenting on the above. I have looked at the Logs, but without knowing what segment would be helpful in aiding a diagnosis of my two issues I didn't want to provide unnecessary information. So if any particular element of the Logs would be useful, please let me know.
Yours in hope,
Alan
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hello again,
With your help I was able to locate the place to change the channel manually, which I did, thanks for that. It only resulted in a marginal improvement, but any improvement is good I guess.
HH4 has now been showing a steady connection for three + days, so, as requested, here are the noise stats:
16:14:16, 26 Nov. ( 76.170000) DSL noise margin: 22.00 dB upstream, 12.20 dB downstream
16:14:16, 26 Nov. ( 76.080000) DSL line rate: 448 Kbps upstream, 3104 Kbps downstream
I have done several speed tests and they all show broadly similar results, namely that my download speed is usually around 2.67, whereas my IP Profile is set at 2.74.
I don't know whether this is worth mentioning but I only have an old style BT socket on my line, not one that has a test socket inside, so I can't do any of the tests using that facility.
Although my broadband connection has been stable and active on the HH4, as far as using wireless to connect my laptop in another room I do still get several dropped connections each day.
Even when I am connected to my HH4 by wireless, and my signal, as now, is only in the four bar bracket, by looking at the other Networks that are active in my street/area I can see, although it is rightly secured, that someone is using a HH3 and the signal on that is powerful enough to register a full five bar (excellent) strength on my laptop. How near or far away from me that user with a HH3 is I do not know, the point is however I can receive a more powerful and consistent signal from their Hub than my own. I must confess to being puzzled by that. What could be the reason?
Is there any further help or guidance that you can give that might assist in raising my IP profile, in the hope that my speed might increase? Or do you have any further suggestions as to how I might reduce the noise on my line to a more acceptable amount, so that my signal might give me a better wireless connection?
Thanks again for any advice or help you are able to give.
Regards,
Alan

Intermittent Wireless Connection, Dropping Wireless Connection

I am asking this in hopes of finding at least some way to diagnose my problem and hopefully eventually solving it. My wireless connection currently drops at varying amounts of time. Sometimes I can go 20mins others merely 5mins. The Airport reads that I am still connected and have a strong connection but when I try to navigate to a page with the browser (either firefox or safari) it merely times out after trying to load the page for up to a few minutes. I have changed the channel and frequency of my router (first router I tried was a Trendnet TEW-432BRP) and I have no cordless phones or other possible wireless obstructions. (I do have a very very infrequently used microwave but being that it's on the other side of the house and I can be sitting next to the router I doubt this is the culprit)
Then I tried changing routers to a Belkin N1 Vision router. Same issues. Additionaly worth noting all other PC's and linux machines on my network (about 4-5 other computers) all work just fine with out dropping their connections (with both routers).
Then I brought my original machine (a white macbook less than a year old) into the apple store, thinking at this point it was a hardware problem with my machine. They the replaced the airport card twice and the logicboard once. Eventually decideing that they should just replace the whole machine. Now with my new unibody I thought I had finally illeviated the problem but now I am having the same issues with an intermittent connection again.
If I turn off the Airport card and turn it back on again usually it will reconnect and allow me to browse again. But not always. The odd part is that generally when using another program that accesses the net the connection does not seem to be interrupted (such as with bit torrent). Very odd.
Anyway I tried using my computer at a friends house with the same trendnet router (his router but same model) and still the connection issues persist. Any ideas on what I can do or try to at least even begin to understand why this is happening would be helpful. I want very much to get to the bottom of this. Thanks for your help.

You didn't get the Apple Store to replace a white MacBook with a unibody?!
Anyhow - the connection problems could easily relate to an incompatibility between OS X and the router in question. Or it could simply be a setting on the router that isn't working well. To assist in the diagnosis... can you please supply:
1) The security mode of the router? (WEP or WPA/WPA2 and AES or TKIP).
2) The network mode (G/N)?
3) The signal strength as reported by Airport (RSSI)
You can get most of this information (all except the security mode) by holding the option key down whilst clicking on the Airport icon in Finder. For the security setting you can go to your routers configuration screen (or you can get it from the command line).
Cheers,
Rodney

Odd wireless connection failure

I have a Powerbook G4 that I have been wirelessly connecting to the net with for about 1.5 weeks in my apart Everything has been working smoothly until lastnight. I turned on the computer and opened Safari. No connection. I checked the airport status and I am connected and have a pretty good strength signal. I tried opening iTunes and it wouldn't even open. I got sick of it and 'force quit' the program. The minute I selected 'force quit' iTunes opened. I was able to recreate this several times. Still no access to the net with safari or ie. Any suggestions? I'm stumped and a new mac user. This is my first issue. Thanks.

Hi,
If you haven't done so already, try just opening System Preferences->Network and running the Assistant.
You could also try deselecting and reselecting your network in the Airport menu to force a new connection. And try opening Internet Connect (from the Airport menu) and selecting your wireless network there.
Failing that, I have a top suggestion for you.
If you are connected to a wireless network but not the internet, try opening System Preferences->Network->Airport->TCP/IP and look for the Router IP address (number). Copy this and enter it into the D.N.S. field, then click apply. I don't know why this should work (especially if you are using DHCP) but it often does.
Good luck.
Gaberdine.

Strength of wireless connection

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for