Troubleshooting AirPort 3.1.1: Firmware discrepancy; Waking from sleep issues; more

Firmware discrepancy For clarification, it appears that the AirPort 3.1.1 software installs version 5.1.1 firmware for the Airport Extreme, but keeps the firmware at version 4.0.8 for the Snow base station.

Waking from sleep issues We are hearing a number reports indicating problems when waking from sleep. MacFixIt reader Oliver writes "I have a Dual 1.4GHz G4 with an Airport Extreme card that I use to connect to a Netgear WGR614 router. Since the update to Airport 3.1.1, my computer will not wake up from sleep. If my display is also sleeping, moving the mouse will wake it up but won't wake up the computer itself. The mouse pointer will be frozen on the screen and the keyboard useless. The only solution is the reboot the machine with the power button."

Other users report a loss of network accessibility after waking from sleep subsequent to applying the AirPort 3.1.1 updater.

Generally when encountering sleep issues after a significant software update, the following three procedures can provide relief:

• First, try deleting the file /Library/Preferences/com.apple.PowerManagement.plist. This file contains (as its name implies) information pertaining to Energy Saver and Sleep settings. You can also try trashing /var/db/NetworkInterfaces.xml and /var/db/SystemConfiguration/*.xml for Network connectivity problems.
• Next you can try cleaning out the system's caches with a utility like Jaguar Cache Cleaner or Cocktail.
• As a last resort, you can try zapping the PRAM, accomplished by pressing and holding the Command, Option, P and R keys at startup.

Power cycling to resolve access issues MacFixIt reader Kevin writes "I have updated two of our machines to AirPort 3.1.1 and now both suffer from intermittent WAN inaccessibility (sometimes less than 15 minutes between outages). Power-cycling the router remedies the issue every time."

Fewer problems with other 2.4 GHz devices Most MacFixIt readers report that the new release of the AirPort is less prone to interference from other 2.4 GHz devices, including portable phones. Peggy Berk writes "This upgrade seems to be a major improvement - my AirPort Extreme Base Station no longer disconnects every time i pick up my channel surfing 2.4 gig cordless phone and I am consistently getting a stronger signal."

Resources