PowerBook G4s (Double-Layer SuperDrive) [#7]: Mac OS X 10.4.3 fixes sudden loss of AirPort connectivity for some, not others

We continue coverage of an issue where Apple's new Double-Layer SuperDrive may suffer from a problem similar to one exhibited with relatively high frequency by mid-2005 iBooks -- where the kernel-task process spikes in processor usage, and AirPort connectivity is suddenly lost. Cursor tracking can also become erratic when the problem manifests.

It appears that for some users, Mac OS X 10.4.3 helps reduce occurrence of this issue.

However, not all users have noticed the improvement.

One reader writes:

"Just a note from France, where it seems that the Powerbook here have also the very same problem : A friend and I just got our 15" PowerBooks with 1.5 Gigs of Ram. We cannot connect for more than 2-3 hours to WiFi Networks : performance drops, cursor moves strangely, and the connection drops rapidly.

"Applying 10.4.3 does not fix the problem.

"Connecting to the net with a RJ45 Wire and turning airport off seems to be a way to avoid the problem."

Other readers continue to lament the problem. Nikolai Manek writes:

"Yesterday it came per FedEx. My beautiful new 17" Powerbook with 2GB of original Apple RAM. After 2 or 3 minutes my wireless connection was gone. All the workarounds don't really help (plus, why spend $3000 for a notebook you have to work on the wireless connection every 3 minutes). My Powerbook even has problems after reboots. I always seem to have to wait a couple minutes or press 20 times 'try again' in a row and get lucky every once in a while. The problem seems to happen when you are accessing any website with safari or Firefox. After a maximum of 3 minutes it's gone.... This is probably the most annoying problem I ever had with something from Cupertino."

Solutions

Firmly seating the RAM Some users have reported that firmly re-seating the RAM in their PowerBooks/iBooks may help resolve one cause of this problem.

Dave Leary writes:

"I completely removed the 2nd 1 GB memory stick I had installed, checked Airport functioning (it worked perfectly) and then reinstalled the memory card.

"What I did differently this time was that I seated the card quite firmly before I 'folded' it down into the latches.

"Airport has been working just fine for 6 hours now, with no signs of trouble. Previously, 5 minutes was the longest period of connectivity I could get. I know that 6 hours does not make this a proven cure, but it is so much better than previously, and the price is right."

USB drives not mounting A few readers are reporting issues mounting USB hard drives on their new Double-Layer SuperDrive PowerBooks.

MacFixIt reader Gary Ratay writes:

"I purchased a new 15 inch powerbook from my local Apple Store(latest model) OSX 10.4.2. Neither of my external 2.5inch USB drives would mount. One was a LaCie Porsche Mobile Drive, the other a Generic USB enclosure, would mount. Apple Profiler saw the drives but neither appeared on the desktop. Both mount fine on my G5 Desktop and 15 Tibook OSX 10.3.9. Went to the Genius Bar at Apple Aspen Grove Store in Littleton CO. They tested the USB ports, both checked out fine."

If you are having a similar issue, please let us know.

• High-res PowerBook G4s (Double-Layer SuperDrive) [#6]: Fixes for sudden loss of AirPort connectivity
• High-res PowerBook G4s (Double-Layer SuperDrive) [#5]: More on sudden loss of AirPort connectivity; Decreased video performance?
• High-res PowerBook G4s (Double-Layer SuperDrive) [#4]: Sudden loss of AirPort connectivity
• High-res PowerBook G4s (#3): Why the battery lasts longer (cont.); Some readers say new screen is worse; more
• High-res PowerBook G4s (#2): Full new feature list; Why is battery life longer?
• Apple refreshes PowerBook line: No increase in processor speed; Higher resolution, battery life

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