Last night, I created a new user account then tried to connect wirelessly while in that account. Unfortunately, no luck. I went to our I.T. desk for advice and he suggested that a wire that connects the AirPort card to the rest of the computer/motherboard/whatever got worn out from repeated opening and closing of my iBook. After I reminded him that I had a desktop and not a laptop, he threw out that possibility. Still, though. Is it possible that something inside got disconnected? I have no idea how an eMac is put together, so I can't say that this is the cause. But, I wonder if that is the problem. A wire or something somehow became corroded and the AirPort card no longer has a stable and/or constant connection.

The basis for all of this is me trying to take advantage of my apartment complex's free wireless internet. I'm starting to think that maybe I should shell out the bucks and connect to the internet via an ethernet cable.

Frustrating to say the least!

You would have to open the eMac to visually inspect the airport antenna wire connection. There are also USB "boosters" that would improve the signal to your card.

Just wondering if you ever resolved your problem. I am currently having an very very similar problem but on an old mbp 1,1.