AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#7): More dropout fixes

We continue to receive reports from readers who experience signal dropouts or slow network throughput after applying the AirPort Extreme 2005-001 update.

MacFixIt reader Ralph is one of the latest to report problems:

"I read the reports of other users having throughput problems after applying the Airport Update 2005-001. I, too, have fallen victim to this problem. Things worked perfectly before the update was installed. I have Linux and Windows boxes as well as a Sony Clie that use my wireless network without any problems what so ever."

Yesterday we noted several workarounds for this problem, including downgrading firmware, re-applying the most recent Mac OS X combination updater, and reverting to an earlier version of Mac OS X.

Another workaround we previously published for other AirPort issues -- selecting a specific channel 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.

Meanwhile, MacFixIt reader Matthias reports that keeping constant network activity in the background prevents dropouts -- an unconfirmed workaround at this point.

Matthias writes

"I also experience Dropouts with a iBook G4/1.33, Mac OS X 10.4.3 and the 2005-001 update. I figured out they only happen if there was no network traffic for a longer time. My solution is running Skype in the background which keeps the connection busy enough. Like this it's reliable."

Another reader reports success with a workaround reported yesterday -- re-applying the Mac OS X 10.4.3 combo updater:

"My fix was just downloading and applying the combo update. that was all. snappy, normal airport reception and response. Previous it would drop bars almost immediately, very slow."

It is also important to note that the AirPort 2005-001 update had the opposite effect for some readers, dramatically increasing the stability of wireless connections.

MacFixIt reader Greg Jones writes:

"My 12" PowerBook G4 1.5Ghz has had varying signal strength showing and dropouts from first purchase in May '05 until this update. It has been rock-solid since the update. Note, I am riding a Linksys base station here ---- and who knows what base stations when I'm on the road."

Finally, MacFixIt reader John reports that he is able to escape constant dropouts by keeping his PowerBook connected to external power:

"If I keep the A/C power plugged in, I can surf around using Safari (or any browser) without a problem.

If I unplug the power, calling up webpages seems to stop. Safari will sit at it's 'Contacting....' status and if I leave it will usually time out. I can ping web sites just fine. It seems intermittent - sometimes pages will load, but mostly when off power it stalls.

"The problem even manifests when trying to transfer a file across my own network from a share on another system. I can connect to the system, but when I try to copy a file, the Finder's status window appears and then nothing happens. The Finder will show it's spinning cursor and just sit there. As soon as I plug in the power, (or shortly thereafter) the transfer starts/continues."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

• AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#6): Continuing reports of dropouts
• AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#5): More on dropouts, slow network throughput
• AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#4): Continuing problems, reverting firmware
• AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#3): Checking if the update was applied; Lapses in connectivity; more
• AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#2): Greater than 1 GB of RAM AirPort connection drop issue fixed for some
• Apple releases AirPort Extreme 2005-001

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