X

Sudden loss of AirPort connectivity for iBook G4 mid-2005 series (#2)

Sudden loss of AirPort connectivity for iBook G4 mid-2005 series (#2)

CNET staff
2 min read

Yesterday we began coverage of an issue where iBook G4 mid-2005 series owners experience sudden loss of Airport functionality, accompanied by trackpad behavior becoming choppy and the kernel_task process using inordinate amounts of processor time.

We received dozens of follow-up responses from users experiencing the same problem.

One reader writes:

"A note to say, me too! Using Transmit FTP to download a FreeBSD iso file wirelessly, I saw all the symptoms: high CPU usage by the kernel_task process, erratic cursor movement, and the connection went from all bars to no connection (with the wireless router 6 or 7 feet from the iBook)."

Another reader, Randy Norwood, adds:

"I too have been having this problem. The symptoms and fix (restarting the iBook) are almost exactly as described by the users mentioned in your article.

"My iBook is a midyear 2005 (purchased late August 2005) with 1.5 GB RAM. The extra 1 GB of RAM is third-party (Crucial/Micron) purchased separately and installed by me when the iBook was brand new.

"I have noticed the choppy trackpad behavior when this happens, but not the high CPU usage (it may not be high enough to draw my attention). The problem is often (but not always) triggered by large file transfers over the wireless connection.The wireless base station is an Airport Extreme that's about 2 years old.

"The problem seems to be getting worse recently. I am having to reboot every day or two."

Another reader, Sven, reports:

"I am seeing the same problem on my iBook (but I've also seen it when running off the battery) and it definitely seems to be related to the memory extension (I explicitly checked with removing the memory)."

Response from Apple? One poster to a Sven-S. Porst's blog reports receiving a response from Apple on this issue. He writs:

"I also got feedback from Apple regarding my bug report: 'After further investigation it has been determined that this is a known issue, which is currently being investigated by engineering.'

Possible workarounds

Restarting So far, the most reliable workaround for this issue is to simply restart your iBook when the behavior starts occurring. Though obviously inconvenient, this has proven to be the only sure-fire way to resume normal operation.

Turning AirPort card off then back on Some users are able to avert the issue's full severity by turning off their AirPort cards (via the AirPort menubar item or through the Internet Connect application. When you start noticing choppy trackpad behavior, immediately turn your AirPort card off then back on and check for persistence of the issue.

You may also want to try the suggestions listed in our tutorial "Improving AirPort reception -- avoiding dropouts/lost connectivity".

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

Resources

  • blog
  • "Improving AirPort reception -- avoiding dropouts/lost connectivity"
  • Late-breakers@macfixit.com
  • Sudden loss of AirPort con...
  • More from Late-Breakers