Airport Problems : All Intel Models Affected.

[plinden]

10.4.6 update - no joy

So, I've applied the 10.4.6 update, to no effect. Still up 20% packet loss.

64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=2.161 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=1.925 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=4 ttl=64 time=1.926 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=5 ttl=64 time=1.886 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=6 ttl=64 time=1.902 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=7 ttl=64 time=2.464 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=8 ttl=64 time=1.876 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=9 ttl=64 time=1.959 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=11 ttl=64 time=1.894 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=12 ttl=64 time=1.894 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=13 ttl=64 time=1.897 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=14 ttl=64 time=1.897 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=15 ttl=64 time=1.911 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=16 ttl=64 time=1.910 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=17 ttl=64 time=1.926 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=18 ttl=64 time=1.909 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=19 ttl=64 time=1.922 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.1: icmp_seq=20 ttl=64 time=1.879 ms
^C
--- 192.168.0.1 ping statistics ---
21 packets transmitted, 18 packets received, 14% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 1.876/1.952/2.464/0.138 ms

Old firmware:
Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x89)
Wireless Card Locale: Worldwide
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 101.3 (3.120.28.3)

New Firmware:
Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x89)
Wireless Card Locale: Worldwide
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 103.2 (3.120.28.3)

Edit: You know what's almost but not quite funny about this - my wireless router is sitting 18" from my iMac, and can't get more than 300 kb/s download when using WPA encryption. I see a neighbour's open unencrypted wireless router, and when I connect to it, I get 3700 kb/s download ... that's 2x faster than my own unencypted download speed.

 

[mtnMan]

no luck with 10.4.6 either

my intel (core duo) mac mini shows no improvement after the 10.4.6 install. firmware for card is now 0.1.17 (used to be 0.1.16). still get ping times with HUGE standard deviation. while an original mac mini in the exact same location performs beautifully. using iStumbler I observe large signal/noise variations for the mac mini core duo. interference robustness doesn't help. clealy something is interferring with the intel mac mini's airport (and bluetooth!). given that other devices sitting next to it (and then moved away!) don't have any of these interferrence problems, the interferrence is likely coming from inside the mac mini intel itself.

 

[Lancetx]

Installed 10.4.6 and I'm getting normal pings now, looks like it did the trick.

Firmware reads as 103.2 (3.120.28.3)

Same here. Firmware is now 103.2 (3.120.28.3). Pings are now normal and with 0% packet loss. Thanks Apple.

PING http://www.l.google.com (64.233.179.104): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=0 ttl=240 time=27.918 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=1 ttl=240 time=28.860 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=2 ttl=240 time=28.481 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=3 ttl=240 time=28.130 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=4 ttl=240 time=28.532 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=5 ttl=240 time=27.952 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=6 ttl=240 time=28.354 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=7 ttl=240 time=28.504 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=8 ttl=240 time=28.653 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=9 ttl=240 time=28.719 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=10 ttl=240 time=28.145 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=11 ttl=240 time=29.280 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=12 ttl=240 time=28.464 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=13 ttl=240 time=28.371 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=14 ttl=240 time=28.975 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=15 ttl=240 time=31.627 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=16 ttl=240 time=28.547 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=17 ttl=240 time=27.973 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=18 ttl=240 time=32.832 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=19 ttl=240 time=28.799 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=20 ttl=240 time=27.952 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=21 ttl=240 time=30.801 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=22 ttl=240 time=28.725 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=23 ttl=240 time=28.380 ms
64 bytes from 64.233.179.104: icmp_seq=24 ttl=240 time=28.934 ms

--- http://www.l.google.com ping statistics ---
25 packets transmitted, 25 packets received, 0% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 27.918/28.876/32.832/1.152 ms

 

[iflipper]

I've gone from 0.1.16 to 0.1.17 on my dual core mac mini. I've checked a few pings and performance is about the same as before (which was ok, but not connecting automatically - checking that out now). Front row trailers work finally, it wouldn't even connect to the server before.

Edit: Went back to using locations and it connected automatically for the first time ever! Hoorah.

 

[MRU]

BUGGER!! You beat me to it...

Damn you beat me to it. Apple just rang to let me know that 10.4.6 is out and should resolve the issue.

Just updating myself now.

Oh well fingers crossed we can put a close to this thread I started.

 

[MRU]

Yep my pings are now normal....

Thank you apple...


Mod's I think this long long long running saga of a thread can now be officially CLOSED !!!!

 

[generik]

Patch did nothing for me, damned you Apple!

 

[Gordy]

No this can't be closed , from perfect wireless connections etc and networking on my mbp I can no longer file share to my windows pc properly and when I try to surf the web its terrible

Ping has started ...

PING http://www.google.com (66.249.87.99): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=0 ttl=250 time=124.455 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=1 ttl=250 time=476.337 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=2 ttl=250 time=132.086 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=3 ttl=250 time=1043.817 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=4 ttl=250 time=195.658 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=6 ttl=250 time=235.198 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=7 ttl=250 time=170.932 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=8 ttl=250 time=261.405 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.99: icmp_seq=9 ttl=250 time=69.163 ms

--- http://www.google.com ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 9 packets received, 10% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 69.163/301.006/1043.817/284.777 ms



So looks like the broke my wireless connection with the update in 10.4.6 ....

 

[Gordy]

Via wired connection I get the following

Ping has started ...

PING http://www.google.com (66.249.87.104): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=0 ttl=250 time=17.680 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=1 ttl=250 time=16.283 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=2 ttl=250 time=16.127 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=3 ttl=250 time=15.536 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=4 ttl=250 time=16.398 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=5 ttl=250 time=24.703 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=6 ttl=250 time=23.965 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=7 ttl=250 time=17.073 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=8 ttl=250 time=16.237 ms
64 bytes from 66.249.87.104: icmp_seq=9 ttl=250 time=16.088 ms

--- http://www.google.com ping statistics ---
10 packets transmitted, 10 packets received, 0% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 15.536/18.009/24.703/3.215 ms

So it is just the wireless setup...

 

[Gordy]

And now I've changed nothing and its settled down I can do everything as before.

No idea whats going on

 

[MRU]

Did you repair permissions after update. Always run maintenance tasks like that after a major update..

 

[generik]

My signal strength is still extremely weak on my Mini, and on my PC it is full strength.

Anyone else actually experienced weak reception on 10.4.5 and improved signal strength on 10.4.6?

 

[Gordy]

Did you repair permissions after update. Always run maintenance tasks like that after a major update..

Yeah first thing I did

I did a couple of shut down and restarts of both the mbp and the router. Just seems to have gone away at random. Only thing I can think of is that it was using the incorrect airport software at first??

 

[MRU]

Yeah first thing I did

I did a couple of shut down and restarts of both the mbp and the router. Just seems to have gone away at random. Only thing I can think of is that it was using the incorrect airport software at first??

More than likely. It's sorted now so that's the main thing. Airport strength on my imac has actually improved.

New mini's seem to have tempremental airport reception. Must be where the aerial is located....

 

[Iggy]

Oh dear.

Updated to 10.4.6. Nothing. Still slow on my Intel 20" iMac. BUT...software update and Adobe Updater download like lightning. Everything else...smoke break.

 

[theheyes]

I did a couple of shut down and restarts of both the mbp and the router. Just seems to have gone away at random. Only thing I can think of is that it was using the incorrect airport software at first??

When I rebooted after installing the patch my iMac wouldn't even connect to the network. I was sat there thinking "oh no its worse!" but I rebooted again and everything was fine.

Sorry to hear the update hasn't solved some people's problems.

Since someone mentioned it I'm going to check the movie trailers on Front Row - they've never worked for me...

 

[plinden]

Yep my pings are now normal....

Thank you apple...


Mod's I think this long long long running saga of a thread can now be officially CLOSED !!!!

OK, I'm coming to the conclusion that my iMac is having trouble interacting with my router.

Before 10.4.6, I got "full" speed (1200kb/s out of 1500kb/s) download speed with unencrypted wireless or with WEP, and 300-400kb/s (yes that's bits, not bytes) with WPA.

After 10.4.6, I can't get over 400kb/s with any wireless configuration. So somehow, my WPA problem has "spread" to unencrypted and WEP.

Considering that the power level shows the full set of bars, and I can connect to a neighbour's open wireless router (again, a full set of bars) and get 3700kb/s download, and I'm getting 15-20% packet loss pinging my router, I can only conclude that the iMac and the router (a Netgear WGR614v4, with firmware version V5.0_07) don't talk nicely to each other over wireless. The Dell D810 laptop from work does work wirelessly and flawlessly with the router though.

I don't think this means that either is really at fault. This kind of thing is quite common. Netgear routers have the reputation of failing over time anyway. And maybe I'm in denial.

I'll need to try another router, means spending more cash ... and it might not even work.

Anyone out there with an Intel iMac, for whom 10.4.6 fixed the slow WPA connections, what type of router do you have?

 

[Jimaroid]

Hmm. Better, but I wouldn't call it fixed here.

I've had two dropouts on my work (WEP) network so far today. Which is better than it was but, still...

 

[MRU]

I still get the movie trailer site not responding

When it comes back on I'll give it a try too. I never was able to run it with airport before, so fingers crossed.

edit:----- I can not get movie trailers to work AT ALL...

 

[ThePromenader]

Well, good news! We're almost there - but there, as far as I can see. I noticed first (like an above poster) that software update was the first to 'get going' - but I had a headache for the rest of it. I did about nine restarts (the last few in resetting the Pram) but it still wouldn't go - ended up hard-rebooting my Airpot Express and reconfiguring it from my iMac - then things got snappy. Even AirTunes is working now - but 'heavy' downloads (such as streaming) are still not up to guff. Is it just me or is it getting faster over time?

PS: I'm still having computer-to-computer network problems.

 

[Iggy]

Like I said, Software Update is going like an otter off the bank (Sorry, I had to SLIP that one in) and I just wanna point out that Airtunes has always worked fine aswell (with my iPod HiFi, might I add) but Safari, ANY downloading, watching trailers in FrontRow, and anything else I can think of, doesn't work so great. So if Software Update works fine, surely it can't be a hardware problem?

Sheesh, I just bought my fancy new iMac and I'm typing this on my oldskool iBook in my neihgbours house on MY network.

 

[nmakk]

No reconnection after sleep

On my iMac Core Duo with 10.4.6 no reconnection to wireless after sleep. After restart it is ok. Wireless router: SMC Barricade SMCWBR14T-G.

Is there any workaround known?

 

[iflipper]

On my iMac Core Duo with 10.4.6 no reconnection to wireless after sleep. After restart it is ok. Wireless router: SMC Barricade SMCWBR14T-G.

Is there any workaround known?

Mine reconnects from sleep now that I have set up a location (with my wireless network listed) in the network preferences. This is such a relief!

 

[theheyes]

I still get the movie trailer site not responding

When it comes back on I'll give it a try too. I never was able to run it with airport before, so fingers crossed.

edit:----- I can not get movie trailers to work AT ALL...

lol, mine didn't work either. It was worth a try though. Doesn't bother me much. Front Row seems quite buggy to me so maybe it will be something that "fixes itself" over time.

 

[Stanford]

Thank you for the update Apple, and thank you MacRumorUser for your diligence with keeping people informed.

Just ran the update, and things appear faster, although I'm afraid to run the ping test to know for sure so... hoping for the best.