Mac OS X 10.4.7 Special Report: AirPort connectivity issues -- fixes

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 7:30 a.m. PT

4 min read

One of the most common issues for users who have applied Mac OS X 10.4.7 is a loss of AirPort connectivity.

One reader writes:

"I also have issues with AirPort after upgrading. My case is such that i do get proper IP address but no transmission. Icon on status bar shows that I am connected to my wireless network with a good signal but nothing works. Turning AirPort off and then on (via the AirPort menubar item) does help."

Another reader adds:

"I'm experiencing the same problems with Airport after the update. I'm getting the internally assigned IP address problem, but only when trying to connect to a wireless A network after a restart. No error on a wireless G network."

Finally, one reader writes:

"I installed the 10.4.7 update from system updater and upon reboot, was returned 'failed to load extension...AppleAirPort2.kext' And now my AirPort is now not working."

Some users are having success restoring AirPort connectivity using one of the workarounds listed in our tutorial "Improving AirPort reception, avoiding dropouts/lost connectivity, working around card/Base station recognition issues", as follows:

Open System Preferences and select the "Network" pane
Select "AirPort" and click "Configure"
In the "By default, join:" pull-down menu, select "Preferred networks"
Delete the network(s) you regularly use from the list
Launch the "Keychain Access" application located in Applications/Utilties.
Click on the "Kind" filter at the top, and look for "AirPort network password" entries. Delete them.
Restart, or log out then back in.
Repeat steps 1-3, this time re-adding your regularly used AirPort networks to the list using the " " button.
Restart or log out then back in.

Some users have also reported that deleting the following file:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist

can resolve the issue.

MacFixIt reader Matthew Powell writes:

"I updated my Mac Mini Core Duo from 10.4.6 to 10.4.7 and had an AirPort problem. After a reboot, the machine appeared to associate to the access point, but didn't get a DHCP address. The interface got a self-assigned address instead. The 'Renew DHCP Address' button had no effect.

"I was able to get connectivity back by selecting 'Other...' from the AirPort menu, then re-entering my SSID and password. But connectivity was lost again after a reboot.

"I ended up deleting /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist and the System keychain entry for my AirPort, and then reconfiguring AirPort. I'm still connected after a reboot."

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