Problems with my Airport (Mac)
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- kshinabery212
I was wondering if anyone could help me trouble shoot this.
My Airport on my Mac is giving me troubles connecting to my router.
Recently it has been showing no bars when the computer is in my room. But if I go into the room where the router is or the room next to that room I can connect just fine. I also can hardwire myself into the router and that works.
For some reason my antenna I guess is not picking up the signal as good as it did.
Additional Facts:
1. I have a Mac Book Pro, that is a few years old now.
2. I live in NYC, so I tried changing the channel on the router. Still same issue. I thought maybe there were other routers in the area running on the same channel that might be causing the problem.
3. We have a PC and it seems to connect fine.If anyone has any ideas on how to trouble shoot this problem please let me know.
- pauliusuza0
Whoa, you have your own airport?
- don't forget to arrive at least 2 hours ahead.akrok
- And only bring carry items that are less than 3 ounces.kshinabery212
- pauliusuza0
On a more serious note: try turning off other devices (smartphones) in the room, check for large metal / shielded objects blocking the way to the room, try plugging in a USB wifi dongle and connecting with that.
- MSL0
Try switching to B mode or just G. Sometimes mine would spaz out if it was in compatibility mode (B and G) - I went round and switched them all to just G and all is well.
You can also turn on interference robustness - but that made no difference for me.
- kshinabery2120
I have never had problems with receiving any signals in that room in the past. Other computers we have can pick up the internet as well.
How does one switch to B or G mode?
Sorry about the questions... Just not sure how to go about elevating the problem. I am hoping that my antenna in my Mac is not going bad.
- i_monk0
IIRC the antenna is built into the lid, encircling the screen. Has anything changed there recently?
- autoflavour0
i had a similar problem happen with my 1st gen mbp.. after using a different router, reinstalling os, the usual stuff, i ended up buying off ebay a secondhand replacement airport card for the mbp..
problem resolved instantly.
and only cost like $15 and about an hour to pull it all apart etc..
- MSL0
Utilities > AirPort Utility > Select the AirPort > Manual Setup > Select 'Wireless' from tab menu > Radio mode
You can then bugger about with the protocol your AirPort uses. But note down your settings before you change them so you can set them back to how you originally had them.
Also - try and use a WPA2 Key not WEP. For some reason Apple products don't really like WEP.
- hellojeehae0
I've had the same issue. My mac book pro's airport had huge problems..When I am right next to the router it shows bars but even like few steps away the bars will go away. I went to Apple and they sent it out... came back telling me they didn't see anything wrong with. So I sent it back to fix and that didn't work. I called apple and they replaced my mac book pro... after yelling at them.
But I read that the 1st gen mbp had issues with airport because of the material of the case? if you google you will find it i think.
- moldero0
My airport extreme (mushroom) became really unreliable after it hit about 3 years, had to reset it almost biweekly. just ended up getting a regular airport, ended up being more reliable.
- nthkl0
I'd grab an additional airport express for $99 and put it someplace in between. It will relay the signal and give you a wider umbrella of wireless connectivity.
- ribit0
I tried with 2 Airport Expresses to relay Wi-Fi down my long-narrow flat... still doesn't really reach the end room. The guys from AppleCare said it just wont reach in some situations, especially with solid concrete walls and only a narrow path for the signal. They said its like ripples in a pond, if the path is narrow you just don't get much range, compared to if it can bounce along multiple/wider paths, through thin walls etc.. In the end I used a Belkin Powerline HD ethernet bridge.
- Makes total sense. I live in a brick building also, but the walls are wood/drywall, so it makes it through.nthkl
- kshinabery2120
I will probably take it into Apple. My friend works in the Apple Store in Philly... he is looking to see how much getting a new antenna installed would cost.
I hate that my warranty is expired. It seemed right when that happened a slew of problems occurred. Unfortunately I do not have the money to go out and blow on a new computer as of right now. :(
- roscoperez0
mac is never helpful
- you're just bitter because we don't like your spammonospaced
- kshinabery2120
Update: I took my laptop into Apple to get it looked at.
The guy at the Genius Bar seemed perplexed. He noticed that it would read the signals for a few seconds and then it would seem to disappear. He said they might be able to fix it for $200. I decided to try to save the money and wait.
I may try taking it into Techserve here in NYC. But if anyone knows of any other places to take my laptop into around NYC let me know.