MacBook crashing a WiFi network?

[Nikhil72]

Hi everyone. I've been going nuts with this problem for a while now but never did much about it. I'm a college student with a blackBook and am loving it. The thing is, once in a while, whenever I'm home, our WiFi network crashes for no apparent reason and can only be resuccitated with a power plug yank/reboot of the Airport Extreme base and the cable modem. Now, this never happens when I'm not home. There are two other machines on the network, a Sony VAIO laptop and a G4 PowerBook. I actually never noted the problem until after getting my MacBook either. I have the latest Airport updates, both for the base station and the laptop. The base is WPA-enabled and an Airport Express is also on the network, acting as an extender and audio hub.

What typically happens is, I'll put my MacBook to sleep and then open the lid and note that it won't instantly connect to the network again. Usually, if I manually try connecting, it will generate an error (same goes for any other computer in the house). Then, the only way to access the network is to reboot the router and cable modem.

Anyone have any ideas? Is this a known problem?

 

[rfoap]

My MacBook will occasionally do this as well, however, it's only with the cheap NetGear routers that you get with Road Runner. I have to reset the wireless router (yank the cord) to get the whole thing to work again. It really only happens with this one brand, but I figured it was a fluke, but since you have a similar issue, maybe something is really up?

 

[mannix87]

yup. I have the exact same experience w/ my MB at the office for our NetGeat router. But at home, where I use Linksys, everything's fine.

 

[Nikhil72]

hmm. I find it so odd because it definitely is a strong link between the MacBook and the network crash. And I would understand it if it were with some lesser (or even 3rd party) router brand. I'm using Apple's own base station though, which is bothersome.

I do have an unopened Linksys router that I could try out.