AirPort connectivity dropouts after 2005-001 update
AirPort connectivity dropouts after 2005-001 update
Weeks after our initial coverage of problems related to the AirPort 2005-001 update, users continue to report persistent lapses in connectivity that were not apparent prior to the update.
MacFixIt reader Richard writes:
"I read your reports on airport dropouts following the 2005-01 updater. I use a netgear mr314 router. I have had no problems with it in the last 3 years, or with my wireless connections at all, until I updated the AirPort software. I keep a connection for about 2 minutes before it drops."
Another reader adds:
"As with many of your other readers, I have had almost totally unusable performance using wireless networking since the recent Airport update. At my site we use a variety of LinkSys access points (especially WAP54G, a very common model). I tested extensively a number of different combinations of firmware versions and configurations with no relief.
"Signal strength is reported to be high but performance is as if the access point were hundreds of feet away.
"Some inconsistent relief can be had by using the computer literally next to an access point, but this does not endure.
"I have tried reapplying the combo update, reapplying 2005-001, trashing preferences, etc.
"Performance by other protocols (e.g., Ethernet) is fine.
To recap there are five primary workarounds for this issue:Downgrading firmware In some cases, these issues can be resolved by downgrading to AirPort Extreme Firmware 5.5.1 using the available installer. (Note, however, that reverting firmware can pose security risks, eliminating measures to thwart vulnerabilities included in later firmware releases).
Reverting to Mac OS X 10.4.2 In other cases, a more drastic workaround -- reverting to Mac OS X 10.4.2 -- may be necessary.
Tutorial suggestions You may also want to try some of the suggestions listed in our tutorial, "Improving AirPort reception, avoiding dropouts/lost connectivity, working around card/Base station recognition issues."
Re-applying the combo update Finally, some users have reported that simply re-applying the Mac OS X 10.4.3 combo updater has resolved issues with slow network throughput.
Selecting a specific channel Selecting a specific in the AirPort Admin Utility (located in Applications/Utilities) rather than leaving the setting as "Automatic" may also reduce the number of dropouts in this situation.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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