HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

For about 2 weeks now (I believe it started in mid-November), I have been having some trouble with the AirPort's reception by an iMac G4 that we have in our house. Almost randomly, the signal will come and go, and it is off probably as much as it is on. The only thing I can think of that might have some relationship to the cause of the problem is that I performed a Software Update for the AirPort (see -> "AirPort Update 2005-001" http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...te2005001.html ; I also can't remember, I may have also done the Software Update for -> AirPort Extreme Driver Update 2005-001 http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...te2005001.html .. although, I don't think I did the latter (See System Configuration below for explanation)). One question I have is ... if there is an update designed for 802.11g AirPort stations, and that update is applied to a system having only an 802.11b base and clients, would that perhaps cause a problem, including erratic network behavior? Also, is there any way that I can un-install the AirPort Software Updates that I performed? The odd behavior started shortly after the Update was applied. Also, the erratic behavior is specific to only the iMac on the local network ... no other machines on the local network are experiencing any similar behavior issues, regarding the random loss of the AirPort's signal. Additionally, there have been no changes in the house that I can think of that might also be the source of the problem (i.e., no new cordless telephones or no new other cordless or wireless devices that would cause Interference). Although ... I am suspect to think .. that because the signal does come and go (sometimes staying at 100% for hours, other times losing the AirPort's signal for equally as long), that there is some type of Interference that is the guilty party. Are there any small, hand-held devices that can be purchased that will show what signals and frequencies are in use in a given area, and perhaps showing possible conflicts? This is perhaps what I need. Finally, if some sort of "new" interference is the reason for the problem, is there a way to change the "channel" or "frequency" that the AirPort is operating on, to perhaps operate in another, less problematic frequency (and, would this frequency change be for that specific client only (the iMac), or would the frequency change affect all clients on the network?).

I do remember early on ... when the problem first began ... seeing a message stating something similar to "The AirPort Configuration File Cannot Be Read". If this is the problem, could I simply copy a similar file from another machine on the network, to the iMac? This "System Configuration File" may be part of the problem, or it may not. I am not sure.

And finally ... most of the time, in the menu bar, near right-center ... if I click on the AirPort "Baseball Diamond" icon, in the drop-down menu ... I can in fact see my network's name in the list, and it is selected ... but the signal strength showing in the menu bar for the AirPort is at 0%. When I am unable to obtain a signal from the AirPort, this is usually what I see when clicking the AirPort's status icon, in the menu bar.

The System Configuration(s) are as follows:

iMac G4 800 / 60 / 512
MacOS 10.4.3
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 9.52
Wireless Channel: 11

PowerBook G3 500 / 20 / 384
MacOS 10.4.3
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 9.52
Wireless Channel: 11
(The Wireless Channel has always been 11 for both machines.
This has not changed in 2 or 3 years (since the AirPort was purchased.))

AirPort:
I believe I have the "Snow" version of Apple's AirPort Base Station.
It is an 802.11b Base Station, and I believe it has Dual-Ethernet.
I think it was purchased in May of 2002.
Apple Base Station v.4.0.9

Other AirPort Settings (I have never altered these):
Wireless Security: Not Enabled
Channel: 11
Station Density: High
Multicast Rate: 11
Enable Interference Robustness: Unchecked (Not Selected)

Internet (I have never altered these):
Connect Using: Ethernet
Configure: Using DHCP

Network (I have never altered these):
Distribute IP addresses (Checked (Selected))
AirPort Clients:
Share a Single IP address (using DHCP and NAT)

Port Mapping (I have not made changes to these settings in quite some time):
Several NAT / Port Forwarding items Applied (See Attached Image)

Access Control:
No Settings ever applied.

Something of Interest ... when I ran Apple's Network Utility, clicking on the "Info." tab at the far left, and then selecting "Network Interface (en1)" from the pull-down menu near the top left, I noticed that the IP address(es) gave a very, very strange number. It should have been something on the order of 10.0.1.x, but instead, it gives this: 144.3.8.0

What I am ultimately interested in are 2 things: #1) How can I resolve the connectivity issue, and, #2) What is happening that is causing this behavior?

Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated. In advance, thank you to anyone that can help with this issue.

Have you checked the actual physical Airport card in the problematic iMac G4 and verified that it is plugged in properly and that the antenna is also plugged in properly, and that there are no folds or bad-looking areas in the cables and antenna going into the card?

Trevor

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

I guess I forgot to mention this. This is even more puzzling. The machine hasn't moved, or been touched, physically. If I were to look at the AirPort card in the iMac (G4), is it user-accessible? But again, the machine has not even been touched, physically, or moved, in any way, that would cause this problem to occur. :confused:

Thank you for the reply.

Sure, it's still possible. That reduces the likelihood, of course, but it doesn't remove the possiblity. Another thing to look for in the connections to the Airport card are oxidation of the metal contacts--and that's definitely something that can happen without a machine being touched.

Trevor

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

Ok, thank you for the replies. I will try to look at the card sometime this afternoon (EST), and reply here when or if I know of anything. Thank you again.

P.S. ... How would I know if oxidation has occurred? Also, what are some tips and/or suggestions for removing the card (things not to touch, etc.)? And where is the antenna in relationship to the card? Sorry, I've never looked at an AirPort card. The iMac was ordered with one already built-in, and I had a friend connect the AirPort card to my PowerBook.

P.P.S. Any idea of where it is getting the number "144.3.8.0" from, and what this number means?

-D.G.

There are some hand-held devices that you can buy that will show you the strength of 802.11 signals. I don't have any references, but I'm sure some googling will turn them up.

But first, try the software solution: iStumbler
www.istumbler.net

Is it possible that your iMac might be picking up some other wireless network? Check in the Airport section of Network preferences and ensure that it is set to use "a specific network" and set it to use yours.

The IP address 144.3.8.0 seems to belong to the US Army - they have the whole 144.3.xxx.xxx block.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

UPDATE: I have some images, I hope maybe someone can make light of or interpret their meaning(s) better than I am able to.

The first 3 images are from iStumbler (thank you, Hayne), and show signal strength and noise between my PowerBook and the AirPort Base Station. The PowerBook is much closer to the AirPort Base Station than the iMac is, approximately 18 feet (with a wall between them). The iMac is in another, separate area of the house, with several walls between it and the AirPort.
I took 3 pictures showing the quality of the signal between the PowerBook and the AirPort. I'm showing the images in order of noise / interference. The first image (far left), shows wheat I am seeing for about the average of signal / noise, the 2nd image shows a frequent peak of high noise, and the 3rd image shows a high peak of noise. Can someone tell me, at least relating to the first image ... is that amount of noise average, or within tolerance, of what should be expected? Remember, the first 3 images showing signal and noise are readings from a PowerBook, not the iMac, and the PowerBook is much closer to the AirPort than the iMac is.

The 2nd group of images (please see the following message for images #4, 5 and 6) are from the problematic iMac itself. I managed to get these from the iMac when a wireless was available. The image showing the connection for "Network Interface (en1)" is as Interface Information should be. The images for "Network Interface (en0)" and "Network Interface (fw0)" show what I think may be related to the problem (the latter 2 images show the odd IP address that I mentioned above, "144.3.8.0").

I am in hopes that these images will mean something to someone. If anyone can provide any help or assistance to this problem, I would be thankful. The problem still persists, and actually, seems to be getting worse, as the loss of signal between the iMac and the AirPort Base Station now is much more frequent, if at all. I am thinking about looking at the AirPort card in the iMac, but I am a little unsure about taking apart the machine, and I am unsure of what or how to do what I need to do. If anyone can point me to some instructions relating to checking / removing / installing an AirPort card in an iMac G4, I would be appreciative. In advance, thank you.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

This message contains images #4, 5 and 6. Please refer to my previous message for their explanation. Thank you again.

Those iStumbler images seem to show much more noise than I am seeing.
I have the older non-Extreme basestation. My iBook is now about 20 feet away from the basestation and iStumbler is showing a signal of 47 and noise of 11. It doesn't fluctuate at all (unlike yours which shows lots of ups & downs every few seconds).

Try changing the channel to something different (using Airport Admin). It should preferably be 3 channels away from any other 802.11 device.

Ii don't know why Network Utility is showing that 144.3.80.0 IP address - it would seem to be a bug in Network Utility. The same thing shows up in Network Utility on my iBook (10.4.3) even though I know that the Ethernet (en0) and firewire (fw0) interfaces are not hooked up and the command 'ifconfig' (in a Terminal window) doesn't show an IP address for these interfaces (en0 & fw0)
So don't worry about that 144.3.80.0 showing up in Network Utility for the network interfaces (en0 & fw0) that you aren't using.
This isn't related to your Airport problem - Airport is interface "en1".

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

P.S. I have also posted my question in the Apple Discussion Forums for the AirPort. I would encourage anyone that might be able to help me to monitor the discussion there relating to my topic. You can see my posting in the Apple Discussion Forums for the AirPort at:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread....hreadID=264690

Thank you again.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4 ... NOT Isolated?
 

I am beginning to wonder .. even though no one here has mentioned the same problem that I have been experiencing .. if the problem is affecting more people than just myself. I noticed the following 3, similar posts from Apple's Airport Discussion Forums (I find it especially interesting in that the problem that I am having, as well as from what I am able to understand from the following posts, appears to have started after having installed the update for 10.4.3):

Topic: AirPort Signal Varies
http://discussions.apple.com/thread....55213&tstart=0

Topic: No Wireless Connection to AirPort Snow
http://discussions.apple.com/thread....54404&tstart=0

Topic: Sudden Network Loss
http://discussions.apple.com/thread....44152&tstart=0

There are apparently other posts relating to the exact same topic and problem as I am having. I am beginning to wonder if the problem isn't isolated to me. I am wondering why though, I can connect with the PowerBook, but not the iMac. I am also wondering why the apparent noise level (please see post above with attached images) is so high.

You can see the AirPort discussion forum by visiting:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.j...D=1013&start=0

Again, thanks to anyone able to provide help or assistance.

Noise level is usually due to interference from other wireless devices. Note that some cordless phones operate on the same frequency range as used by Airport. Try changing channel as I suggested above.

I experienced the same problem shortly after doing an update of the Airport.

Symptoms where - extremely short range achievable on Airport base
station - of the order of ten feet, when previously, I was able to use my
iMac upstairs from the base station (thru 2 wooden floors and a brick wall).

I have an old(ish) iMac 800, with Airport card and a Dual Ethernet Airport
base station.

Reception was affected on mac Mini, palm handheld, dell portable as well
as the iMac. I played around with all the usual things, including changing
channels to 5 (which improved things very slightly - in that the mac Mini in
the same room as the base station (which is under the floor) could see the
base station.

The complete fix was achieved when I hit Upload on the Airport Admin
Utility and uploaded a version of the Airport base station software - oddly
enough I uploaded the most recent one I could find.

You must remember to do the upload down the Ethernet cable - turn off
the Airport card and connect the computer by ethernet cable to the
base station to ensure the update works.

This cured things and since then (with a couple of minor glitches which may
have been environmental) things have been normal.

Hope this helps you out - the problem was driving me mad (and making me
run up and down the stairs alot !)

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

Could you please provide a link to the exact / specific Software Update for the AirPort that you used? If it helps in locating the Update, Try looking here, for a list:

http://www.apple.com/support/airport/
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
http://search.info.apple.com/?search...date&q=airport


Sorry, I just want to make sure that I follow the exact same thing that you did. I've tried, once, to re-install the AirPort software (although not with a direct, wired connection as you have suggested), without any change in the problem. I also downloaded a "Firmware Update" for the AirPort, from the following page:

AirPort Dual Ethernet Update 4.0.9
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...netupdate.html
(The AirPort that I have is a Dual-Ethernet model).

The problem I ran into after downloading the above update was that I am not sure of what to do with the decompressed file. A "Get Info." on it states that it is an "AirPort Base Station Binary" (see my 2 attached images).

If you could provide exact / specific links that will give me the Software Updates that you performed, I would be thankful. If anyone is also able to provide some help on what to do with the above-mentioned "AirPort Base Station Binary", I would be appreciative also. As always, in advance, thank you.

-D.G.

P.S. A final question .. do I need to use the iMac to connect to the AirPort directly to perform the software "fix"? I have a PowerBook also ... I am wondering if I would be able to connect it to the AirPort do perform the software install, as mentioned, or ... because the problem exists with the iMac only, if I do in fact need to connect the iMac directly to the AirPort to perform the software update / install? Thank you, again.

It doesn't matter which Mac you use to update the Airport basestation. Of course that Mac has to have the Airport update on it. As I recall, you usually run Airport Admin and connect to the basestation (supplying the basestation password etc) it tells you that there is an update available and you press the button to update the Airport basestation. Then it does the update - takes a few minutes.

I have version 4.0.9 of the software loaded.

I followed this procedure in:

http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n106685

to reload the s/w. I think I read somewhere that if you don't have
the computer connected to the base station by ethernet, the s/w upload
does not work correctly. Apparently, the direct/indirect ability to upload
s/w depends on the version of the firmware you have - and even then
I have read documents which say that if the indirect (wireless) method
doesn't work, then use the direct - so just to be on the safe side...

I was surprised when it sorted itself out - because I don't think that
anything was changed - except that the original upgrade was done via
the airport network rather than the ethernet cable - so maybe that caused
corruption, which was only straightened out by a direct connection.

The .bin file you download from the Airport update
should be the file selected as part of the upload command btw.

Hope this helps.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4 ... NOT Isolated?
 

I now completely think that the problem I (and many others) am experiencing is because of something in recent Software Updates from Apple ... I am not sure though if it is either the update for 10.4.3, or the update for the AirPort itself. I am a little upset, upon calling Apple yesterday, of the reluctance to admit that the Software Update itself could be the source of the problem. I was told (as by replies here, and other places) that the problem was most likely Interference, not Software. This is re-enforced by all the actions I have taken to rule out Interference, including spending approx. 40 minutes yesterday cycling through every available channel available on the AirPort, all without any effect on the problem. I am also puzzled why the problem is specific to the iMac only, when the same Software Updates were applied to both the iMac and the PowerBook.

If anyone is having the same problem that I first mentioned in the beginning, I would suggest following the recommendations above (see direct links below), to re-install the AirPort software.

#15, here:
http://forums.macosxhints.com/showpo...5&postcount=15

And #18, here:
http://forums.macosxhints.com/showpo...4&postcount=18

Thank you again. I will post a reply here after I attempt to "update" the AirPort Base Station.

Some more info
 

I believe I have a similar problem to you. This is my take on the situation.

The signal degradation takes one or two hours to manifest itself, once the connection was lost I couldn't get it back again. Because of the lengthy time-constant involved I reckon there are three probable causes:

1) Third Party Interference
2) A software bug (Firmware?)
3) A thermal fault in the hardware

In my case I was quite sure that 1 was not the cause. So I suspected 2 and I did all the Hard Reset/Firmware reload palaver about a zillion times. (Note: Reloading from OS 9 appear to be most reliable). Still my snow ABS eventually failed. I am waiting for 10.4.4 to see if there is a fix.

To check for thermal issues, I left the ABS in the fridge for a couple of hours. The reliably connected up everytime and then failed again after a couple of hours. I took the ABS apart, the thermal management within the unit does look like it will eventually cause failure. There is not much as user can fix in the construction.

The only little conundrum I have is that through it all this I seemed to be able to create a C2C connection. This suggests 2 is cause. So I haven't thrown away my snow yet!

I found the Airport Client Monitor useful. It pings the ABS and reports the signal strength (don't know how acurate this is) and can record the performance over a couple of hours so you can see when the problems start.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers!

Spooky!
 

My Snow ABS has been powered up, but not connected for about a couple weeks. In that time it has remained quiet with no visible network.

I make a post on here and within 30 mins it just sprang into life and has remained stable for a couple of hours.

I knew macosxhints was very helpful. I didn't realise it did magic too!

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4 (UPDATE)
 

Ok ... here is what I have tried over the last 2 days:

• Re-installed AirPort Software, using a direct Ethernet connection between my PowerBook and the AirPort Base Station (I have a dual-ethernet model). I performed this twice, over a period of about 45 minutes, checking everything carefully each time. This did not work (the behavior of the connection to the iMac did not change).

• Physically took my PowerBook into the same room and placed it immediately next to the iMac. The signal strength to the PowerBook was at 100%. The signal strength to the iMac was 0%.

• Connected my PowerBook via FireWire, and used the PowerBook's drive as the startup volume for the iMac (using target disk mode). The iMac still did not receive any signal from the AirPort (using the PowerBook's drive as the startup volume), even after having tried this (I thought for sure this would work).

I now think that it is hardware-related. HOWEVER, I have a specific question regarding how software is installed on each specific Macintosh.

I think there is still a slight chance that there could be a software conflict that is causing the problem. My question is ... When an update (in this case, 10.4.3) is installed on a certain machine, does the update "adapt" itself to the specific machine / hardware that it is being installed on? The fact that I connected my PowerBook and used it as the startup volume and still had the same problem ... makes me wonder if the 10.4.3 update (or any software update) "tweaks" itself to adapt to the specific machine / hardware that it is being installed on. I am wondering if there is a slight chance that the version of 10.4.3 that I booted the iMac from using the PowerBook's drive is different than the version of 10.4.3 that is on the iMac. This is the only software conflict that I can still think of. If this is not the case (if both versions of the 10.4.3 software update are exactly the same, and have no differences because of a different machine / hardware), then I am apt to think that it is a hardware issue with the AirPort Card and/or Antenna.

Still needing help, advice, and suggestions. Any and all assistance is appreciated. As always, thank you to anyone that can help in advance.

-D.G.

a suggestion
 

A machine specific bug is possible, but it is likely to be difficult to diagnose.

You say you can connect with the powerbook. Is this connection fully functional: ie full internet connection and the ability to read the base station config with Airport Admin? If this is true most of your system must be working.

Have you considered swapping the airport cards in the powerbook and the iMac?

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

The PowerBook functions normally. No network connection problems have occurred. I can see and read all settings from the AirPort Base Station.

I have not changed the AirPort cards between machines.

(If the card is what is in question, I can simply purchase a new card, right? But if the item that is causing the problem is the antenna, is that connected to the iMac itself, meaning that repair would be more difficult and/or expensive?)

-D.G.

I have been having further thoughts on this problem. at one stage I
thought that this was a hardware problem, to the extent that I took
my ABS apart, removed all the dead bugs, cleaned it and reassembled.
But this didn't help. I was on the point of buying a new Airport card,
but didn't in the end.

I have remembered another set of things I did during recovery from this
problem - sorry I forgot this step previously.

In the network control panel I found I had to create a new Port,
of type Airport, deselect the old Airport port, then selecting the new
port from the "Show" drop down list, select the Airport tab and set the
"By default, join" drop down to "Preferred networks". At this point,
you have to add the details of your network (SSID and password)
into a list control by clicking on the + symbol.

In the Options box, I selected Keep looking for preferred networks in
the "If no preferred networks are found" drop down box.

Configure up the TCP/IP parameters in the usual way.

If your Airport tab on the network control panel doesn't have a list
box with two columns "Network Name" & "Security", then you have
either got an old version of the s/w or you have not done the new
port creation step above.

Hope this is of some help - sorry it took me so long to remember ;-)

Create a C2C network
 

DG here's some info that might help your diagnosis further.

I sorted out the C2C conundrum! I had assumed that the Airport was somehow involved, it isn't. The C2C connection is directly between clients.

So to check if that your iMac Airport interface is ok;
- pull the power on your ABS
- create a C2C network with your iMac
- join the network from your Powerbook and download any file

Yes, it might have to be an original Airport Card.

Yes it is, but it could also be any interface h/w too.

A real hassle at the very least and probably uneconomical.

yeah my powerbook 12" all of a sudden got flaky ...
sometimes it gets an IP from the ABS Snow and sometimes it doesnt. Packet loss is between 90 and 100 %.
A windows xp pc on the 2nd floor doesn't have any problems. Currently installing 2005-001 upgrade... see if that works.

i did recently install an ms office mac upgrade. not sure if that would have anything to do with it.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

Thank you, StuartM ... I will try your suggestion from #26 tomorrow (Sunday, 12/18).

I did try something today (Saturday). I wasn't sure if I had only installed the 10.4.3 Update, or the 10.4.3 "Combo" Update, so I did a re-install of 10.4.3, using the "Combo" Update, on the iMac.

This seemed to work. For about 4 and 1/2 or 5 straight hours, the signal was perfect. Signal strength to the iMac was at or near 100%. Then, all of a sudden, it just stopped. Dead. It came and went a few times, but then it just went completely dead. I am curious as to why it goes completely dead, instead of fading and showing a weaker signal reception. In any event, after about 4 and 1/2 or 5 hours, the signal went completely "off-air" (flickering a few times, but then, completely off).

I then took the iMac to the spare / guest bedroom, where the AirPort Base Station is located, and sat it right next to the Base Station (within about 16 inches). The iMac would not pick up any signal at all from the AirPort Base Station. Now, I am really, really beginning to wonder what is going on.

If this is/were a hardware problem, wouldn't that have prevented me from receiving any of the signal at all earlier today, for a ~ 5 hour period of time? I mentioned this very early in my posting ... I remember when the problem first started, I saw something (only a few times though, and I have not seen it since) about the iMac not being able to read the "AirPort Base Station Configuration File". Does anyone know where all of the related AirPort Base Station Preferences files are located? I would like to try to erase all AirPort preference-related files from the iMac, and see if that doesn't help (especially the "AirPort Base Station Configuration File"). I almost now think that this is completely a software-related problem. I am interested in knowing if anyone can answer my question from my post #22 (see here: http://forums.macosxhints.com/showpo...9&postcount=22 ), about Software Updates being specific to each machine / hardware that they are installed on.

This might explain why I have experienced the problem with the iMac only, and had no problems with the PowerBook.

Is anyone experiencing any of the same problems as I am with an AirPort connection, since performing a 10.4.3 Update? Does anyone know of a tentative release date for the 10.4.4 Update? Does anyone know if the 10.4.4 Update will address any specifically related issues regarding clients connecting to an AirPort Base Station? I am really, really hoping that the 10.4.4 Update will solve my problem.

Dear Santa: I only want one thing for Christmas. Please solve my AirPort connection problem with the iMac! Please, if possible, send a Software Update for 10.4.4!

-D.G.

Digital_Guy:
Are you sure that it is the wireless network from router that your iMac is connecting to - and not, for example, one of your neighbours?
One way to be sure is to turn off your router and see what signals are present.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

When I am able to connect, I connect to my own network (see attached image). I check this each time I am able to make a connection. This is the only network I / the iMac connect to (I am almost certain that none of my neighbors has #1) a computer, or #2) a wireless network of their own; I live in a really rural area).

I am still interested in any answers to the question I posted above, in #29 ( http://forums.macosxhints.com/showpo...2&postcount=29 ).

-D.G.

P.S. And no, when I check the pull-down menu for the AirPort, it does not appear as the attachment shows. I have intentionally altered the image so that the name of the Network is invisible.

Yes, this can be a hardware problem, a problem that is related to the internal operating temperature of the unit. Switching on the unit from cold, it is realistic for the very large internal heatsink to take a couple of hours to heat up and reach a critical temperarture where something fails. And to fail in the way you describe in #29. My unit fails in almost exactly the same way!

Going back to #20, I was completely serious about cooling the down in the fridge for about an hour! My bet is you will find that your unit works again.

I think I have a hardware problem, but I am hanging on for 10.4.4 just in case!

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

Seriously ... you aren't suggesting that I put the iMac in a refrigerator??

Oddly enough though ... for some reason .. this does appear to at least have something to do with the operating temperature of the iMac. I have been turning the computer off after each use, and turning it back on when it is used. When this is done, the AirPort signal seems to work, and last for about 2 or 3 hours. Then, though, as has been the problem ... the signal will disappear. It will occasionally come and go after that, but for the most part, it will just stay off. I'm not sure if this explanation helps anyone understand the problem any better, but it was something I noticed, and wanted to mention. I'm still wondering if an update to 10.4.4 will solve the problem. This whole thing has me angry :mad:, frustrated :( and confused :confused:. I hope that it will be possible to restore the iMac's connection to the AirPort.

-D.G.

Yes - that sounds like a temperature-related hardware problem.

If it is a hardware problem (as it seems) then it is unlikely that 10.4.4 (which should be out this week) will change anything.
You might look into solutions that would keep the machine cooler. Does it have a fan? If so, look for ways to increase the time that the fan is on.
Start by getting one of the 3rd-party utilities that can report on internal temperatures. (e.g. "X Resource Graph")

Hey DG, I was suggesting you put your ABS in the fridge(not freezer though!). I know it sounds strange, but it isn't daft, honest!

Putting your ABS in the fridge is a way of cooling the internal heatsink quickly so you can re-test the device. I wasn't suggesting you locate it there permanently.

Forced cooling is commonly used when testing embedded equipment. It just helps to get a repeatable set of symptoms. But it sounds like your there already.

I agree with Hayne. I doubt if 10.4.4 will fix it, but it's worth the wait to find out. It is only the fact that so many people appear to have the same problem at the same time that gives a glimmer of hope that it's a s/w issue.

Sadly, I doubt if XRG will help as it doesn't appear to monitor the ABS internal temperature.

Finally, let's get this in perspective, a non-Apple base station that will work with Airport cards can be bought for >£40!

I might have missed it in the thread, but there were quite some AirPort Base Stations built with out-of-spec capacitors.

Take a look here http://www.vonwentzel.net/ABS/Repair/ whether your unit might be affected.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

Hmmm ... well, in response to the last 2 replies, from voldenuit and StuartM. If the problem is with the AirPort itself (either temperature or because of something inside the AirPort Base Station failing), why is only the iMac affected, and not the PowerBook? The PowerBook has never had a problem, and has functioned normally, since the difficulty began with the connection to the iMac.

-D.G.

DG, Hayne. Apologies, ignore my last post. I got it into my head that it was your ABS playing up. I think it was because the failure you describe sounds so similar to mine. I can see why you might be a little amused by the idea of cooling your iMac in the fridge!

Looking back over the posts again, it seems your problem narrows to either a iMac related s/w issue or a h/w temperature problem, but there is not enough info to identify which one.

About the only actions you can take are:
- swap the Airport cards between the Powerbook and the iMac (assuming the Powerbook has an original Airport card)
- wait for 10.4.4 and hope (like me)
- or buy a USB WiFi dongle.

FYI: Airport Management Tools (See MacUpdate) includes a client monitor app that pings the ABS and records the radio strength. This is useful for recording when the connection is up.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

For those following this question, the problem still exists. I have not changed the cards between machines. I am waiting for the update for Mac OS 10.4.4, to see if that will solve the problem. I am hoping that it will, since the original problem began almost immediately after applying the update for Mac OS 10.4.3. I am wondering how soon 10.4.4 will be available.

-D.G.

I'm new to this thread. I have two iBooks that both developed this issue soon after the 10.4.3 Update and the Airport Update 2005-001. In troubleshooting I tried many things. First, the two iBooks are a clamshell 366 SE and a dual USB 500, both with Airport cards with 9.52 firmware. I'd been using both with a D-Link DI-514 802.11b router for several years without any issues. I also have used them regularly with an Airport Extreme Dual Ethernet version. When these disconnect issues began, I switched to a D-Link DI-524 802.11g and the results were identical with all three, so I don't believe the "base station" has anything to do with this issue, and doubt that reinstalling base station firmware will fix it.

I had used Software Update and got the smaller iBook specific updates, so I downloaded the 10.4.3 Combo update and installed it on both, and there was no change.

This led me to zero in on the Airport Update 2005-001. I decided to attempt to uninstall this update, especially after I realized I had installed it against the instructions in the Read Me, which stated an "Airport Extreme Card" was "required" for this software. I was almost certain this was this issue. I used OSXPM (OS X Package Manager) to "uninstall" the package. It uses the receipt in the HD>Library>Receipts folder to get a manifest to uninstall everything. OSXPM is available as freeware here:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/14368

I actually downloaded the Airport Update 2005-001 again and opened it with Pacifist just to check and see that "everything" was uninstalled by OSXPM, and it appeared that "everything" was uninstalled correctly. Since Pacifist was open I Updated Prebinding (same as optimizing) and then rebooted by using Cmd-Opt-P-R to clear the PRAM and then Cmd-Opt-O-F followed by:
set-defaults<Return>
reset-all<Return>
to reset the NVRAM just in case it was configured wrong by the software I'd just removed. I suppose I might have used Onyx or Cocktail or similar to clear caches and optimize, but I didn't.

On restart it booted into OS 9.2 and I tried out Airport 2.04 in 9.2 and the results were not promising at all. The signal started full strength and then stopped dead every few seconds when I was within 5 feet of the router. Unfortunately I've never used either of these iBooks with Airport in 9.2 so I don't know if this is new, or if perhaps it never worked better in 9.2?
I switched to 10.4.3 and the network is shown at full strength and seems stable for now, although it's only been about an hour. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that by uninstalling Airport Update 2005-001 that I mistakenly installed that I've solved this issue. Time will tell. I'll try to report back.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

Thank you, I will try these suggestions. I am starting to wonder myself if the Airport Update 2005-001 is actually what is causing the problem. I did wonder myself before about this, but when I called Apple, and asked if this particular update would cause a problem in a network that did not have an AirPort Extreme Base Station or any clients that did not have AirPort Extreme cards, the person that I spoke with at Apple told me that no, it would not be an issue. I am starting to wonder now, though. I don't think this is the case. Please, if you would, provide an update here on what happens with you, letting me know if what you did does in fact seem to solve the problem. In advance, as always, thank you.

-D.G.

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

ktilford ..
Have you had a chance to observe for a length of time yet, to see if your solution worked? For those not sure of what I am talking about, see the suggestion here:

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showpo...3&postcount=40

I spent most of Saturday Evening (01/07/2006) trying the procedure, although, without any luck. I do need to go back carefully using Pacifist and see if all of the elements from the AirPort 2005-01 Update have been eliminated. I was careful in my procedure though, on Saturday Evening, and I am not sure that anything else related to the above suggestion will work for me. I do hope, however, that it will work for you.

Can someone tell me, if possible, a way to completely un-install all AirPort-related software? I would like to do this, and then, starting from scratch, re-install only the AirPort Software Installations that I need. Perhaps this would solve my problem. Also, relating to the AirPort Software ... can someone point me to links that would give me a fresh install for AirPort Software? I would appreciate this, if anyone could point me to links that would give me a new install for all AirPort Software (omitting of course, anything related to the AirPort Extreme and Express models).

I do believe, as ktilford mentions, that it is related to the Update for AirPort 2005-01. For those of us that were not careful enough to read "AirPort Extreme" required (although in December when I did call Apple about this issue, a gentleman there did tell me that the Software Update for AirPort 2005-01 would not be an issue, and would not cause any problems), I am hoping that it has affected enough users that Apple will address this sometime soon, in an issued Software Update. I await 10.4.4, hoping to see it soon. :(

iMac gets signal every time it wakes up
 

This is Erick Blackwelder from the Apple discussion board.

Now my iMac 800 mhz is getting 100% signal every time it wakes up from sleep, but only for less than 10 minutes, then the signal drops.

The iMac is sitting three feet away from the ABS.

I'll be interested to see if Apple addresses this in 10.4.4.

In the mean time, there is an Apple retail store with a Genius Bar just 20 minutes from my house. I'm going to take the iMac up there and plop it in their laps for a while and see what the Geniuses at the Bar will do.

I'll take notes.

Some experiences
 

Picking up #24 and #38, I did a card swap and isolated the cause of my problem; it was a faulty airport card in the ABS, not 10.4.3.

First I replaced the suspect card in the ABS and tested the connection under 10.4.3, the problem was fixed. I installed 10.4.4 and still had a good connection. Replaced the good card in the iMac with the suspect card, (originally from the ABS) and the sporadic connection returned!

Some notes you may find useful:

1) A sporadic signal can be symptomatic of a card failure
(DG, I suspect the Airport card in your iMac is dying)

2) A Torx8/small crosshead screw drivers will get you into a Snow ABS

3) Replacing the card in an ABS takes about 30 mins. Nothing difficult and with reasonable care you will not damage anything.

4) Replacing the card in the iMac takes 2mins

5) Beware buying a second-hand airport card, it may only work for a couple of hours!

6) Original Airport cards are no longer in production and there are no upgrades. See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106777

Anyway, I'm off to investgate 802.11a/g dongles, a new one is a quarter of the price of a used airport card. take care all!

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

Has anything changed for anyone experiencing this problem? Has anyone that performed the update for 10.4.4 had the problem disappear? I have still had no success, and am still experiencing the same problem. I stilll believe the problem to be software related, as the problem began after performing the update to 10.4.3. I also think it may be machine specific, affecting only certain machines (I have use an iMac G4 / 800 Mhz.). I am still in need of any help that anyone can provide me with. This problem will have reached 3 months in about 10 days from now. :( As always, thank you to anyone that can provide any help and/or assistance.

Swap the Airport Cards between your PowerBook and iMac. It's quick and easy to do. I'm 90% certain you will find that the problem will transfer to your PowerBook.

ooooohhh ...
 

seems i have the same problem guys. i removed my battery the other day, since then the airport (in titanium powerbook 1 GHZ) went off and on as it liked. putting battery back in, no change.

all the software thingies, the *.plist removals, " complete system installs...
i opened my book, controlled all cables, replaced card (unfortunately i got no working one to test it it is the card or the antenna that is f**cked) ...

*sigh* nothing.

i will try this cooling thing. cause sometimes after not working on the book for a while it worked. hahaha .. desparate.

anyway: any suggestions for this dongle stuart ? i would love to try it :)

an yes digital guy, open your book and try another card. its eeeeeaasy :)
http://www.apple.com/support/powerbo...yourself/15ti/
(just search the apple support for your type of books)

good luck !!

NEW INFO.: HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4
 

I hope this isn't too late to mention ...

I just noticed that the problem is NOT with the communication between the iMac and the AirPort. In the menu/status bar, what I will refer to as the "Baseball Diamond" AirPort Signal Indicator is dimmed (as if no signal is present); but, it says in the menu below, that the AirPort is "On". The problem I am having, it appears (and this has been the case all along), is that it does not see the in-home network that I have created and have always been connecting to. Another point of interest .. sometimes, the AirPort Signal Indicator in the menu/status bar will appear dimmed, but I can see my in-home network in the list of available networks. For some reason, sometimes when this is the case, I need to manually select that network to make a connection.

Is the AirPort Signal Indicator in the menu/status bar reporting erroneous? Is there actually a signal between the iMac and the AirPort as it notes, but there is some reason that it cannot connect with or locate the in-home network that I have created? Is there a way to test to see if there is actually a connection taking place between the AirPort Base Station and the iMac, and if the AirPort Signal Indicator in the menu/status bar is accurate?

Erroneous Signal
 

DG,

The indicator is good when all the hardware is working, but I don't think you can trust it otherwise. For example, it is quite possible that the network identity could be captured and displayed, but no connection be established due to the intermittant nature of the fault.

With respect, I think you are putting too much energy into looking for a software problem when you haven't eliminated that it could simply be a failing Airport Card. I strongly suggest you swap cards, this will give you some solid information. You know your powerbook is working, so the iMac Card should work in it too; if it works, it points to an iMac problem; if it doesn't it points to card problem.

Brei,

The 'cooling thing' was just part of what I did to isolate the problem for me. Do not put your powerbook in the fridge!

I haven't done a great deal of research on wifi dongles yet. Search this site some people have done some already. For the little research I have done it appears that a driver is needed for the dongle. Make sure you can source a driver for the dongle you choose and get as many recommendations as you can before you buy.

Manufacturers use one of a the few wifi chipset manufacturers, RAlink is one of the leaders. They maintain a set of drivers on their website:

http://www.ralinktech.com/supp-1.htm

hope this helps

Processor Speed Effect connection speeds?
 

This may be unrelated to this thread, but it seems to be an active discussion. My cable provider advertises "up to 5Mbps" download speeds, and I knew I wasn't getting that on the ibook I use (366 SE). I used various online tests, and the best I saw was 1.5. After attempting to use my ibook to troubleshoot with roadrunner, their site was very unmac usable, I switched to a PC (1Ghz HP, used rarely, mostly to view web design in IE) Anyway, after direct connecting to the machine and bypassing the AE Base Station, I saw 4.4Mbps on that. I reconnected everything as was, and still saw those speeds on the Windows box. However, my old 333Mhz imac an the ibook see speeds half of that. (If that)
So my question is this, are my older machines just not capable of the speed my cable company provides, or can there be some software issues slowing down my macs?

HELP! AirPort Signal "Suddenly" Sporadic on iMac G4 - Problem Solved.
 

Sorry about the long time since my last posting about this question here. I have been able to fix the problem. I found a new 802.11b AirPort card for sale, and bought it. I installed it in the iMac, and there has not been a problem since. I still do not understand how or why the original card would fail. I am now wondering if I should be concerned about the 802.11b AirPort card I have in my PowerBook G3 :confused: , or if the AirPort card in the iMac going bad is only something that happens infrequently. I would like to hear from anyone with any ideas or thoughts (about purchasing another 802.11b AirPort card for my PowerBook "just in case" :confused: ).

Thank you to everyone that helped me with this issue. All of your advice and suggestions are appreciated.

Glad you fixed it and thanks for reporting, it's nice to have positive feedback.

Stuff breaks occasionally.
Bad solder joints, components drifting out of spec...

I wouldn't worry about the other AirPort card.