MacBook (13"): Wireless dropouts -- workaround; More on trackpad button being "mushy", not registering clicks

Wireless dropouts -- workaround We continue to report on repeated dropouts in wireless connectivity from the MacBook -- generally when connected via third-party wireless routers.

Many users have now reported that the connection does not drop when the MacBook is connected to AC power, but does drop when running only from battery power.

As such, it appears that the dropouts are somehow related to a power conservation feature in Mac OS X that is active only when the unit is run exclusively from battery power.

Some users have found that entering the following command in the Terminal then pressing return:

• ping -i 10 `netstat -rn | egrep default | awk '{ print $2}' `

allows the connection to remain active. This command results in a network ping being repeatedly sent. Note that the Terminal window with this command must remain open in order for the ping to be persistent.

MacFixIt reader Eric Bostrom writes:

"My setup is 2x wrt54g in WDS using sveasoft alchemy1. While plugged into AC it doesn't drop connection at all but on battery, it does. Keeping a terminal window open with ping running will maintain the connection, so that?s the solution I've been using till it's fixed."

More on trackpad button being "mushy", not registering clicks We continue to report on an issue where the MacBook trackpad button does not respond to clicks on every attempt, and/or feels "mushy."

We posted a workaround that involves modifying a specific part of the battery bay, either through pressure or with the use of a small folded piece of paper. It appears that the issue is caused by a malformed piece of top casing, which Apple is replacing on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, units themselves are exchanged.

However, some users are having trouble obtaining replacement or repairs from Apple, with some Apple retail stores and authorized repair centers claiming that the units are within spec despite their faulty trackpad buttons.

MacFixIt reader Nathan Duran describes an especially bad case:

"I just received a bare-bones white MacBook from Amazon and it went right back in the box as soon as I took it out because the trackpad button was so soft that I could not tell when it had been pressed at all. No palpable tick, no sound, nothing; it was like mashing on the case itself. Attempting to drag anything on the screen was absolutely impossible because the button would just let go spontaneously, usually picking up something else along the way once the switch made contact again while the pointer was in a different area of the screen.

"I called a local Apple Store (Stonestown Galleria in SF) and spoke with the manager about the possibility of exchanging it for a new one. He said as long as I had my receipt he'd be able to do it, so I took it down there and was immediately told by the same manager that there was "nothing wrong" with it. I argued that there was, and was told to go try out the other MacBooks they had on display. I did, and they all had perfectly functioning trackpad buttons that made quite satisfying clicks when pressed, but the manager insisted that he could not tell the difference. He then took it to a Genius Bar staff member to see what he thought, and he said it was a 'cosmetic' problem I would simply have to get used to, and that there was no way Apple would exchange it unless I paid a 15% restocking fee. After a considerably lengthy amount of further arguing [...] he finally agreed to swap me for a new one, but then changed his mind once he realized the receipt was from Amazon and not his store.

"He told me I would have to call AppleCare to obtain warranty service. I pointed out the fact that AppleCare was just going to tell me to take the machine to my nearest authorized service center, so I didn't see what that would accomplish since I was already there. After even more bickering he finally agreed to have his 'lead technician' write up the repair order and send it in to be fixed without making me sign in and wait 5 hours for a Genius appointment. It was sent out and came back with a new top case installed, but the button was exactly the same as before. It was absolutely impossible for me to use the machine without constantly thinking to myself 'I paid $1,000 for this?' so I sent it back to Amazon for a refund today."

Meanwhile, MacFixIt reader Charlie is one of the lucky users who received a prompt repair for the same issue:

"My wife's MacBook is having problems with clicking on the button. It feels a bit mushy, and doesn't always respond.

"I took it into the independent Apple Centre in town yesterday, and they checked it, and are replacing the top case under warranty. The parts are expected to arrive next week, so my wife is still using the MacBook until then."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

For more, see our MacBook (13") special report.

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