JeremyHelms

Wifi dropouts with MacBook Pro & Leopard

June 2, 2008 at 8:40 pm

Since upgrading to Leopard, I've had wifi dropout issues every few minutes, 24-hours a day, day after day, consistently. Until now, the only fix I've found that worked has been to click the AirPort icon in the OS X menu bar and wait a few seconds; so you can imagine how irritating it has been to click that icon about a zillion times a day to regain wireless connectivity...

I thought at first that the problem was with the Linksys WRT54GS router (this is my third Linksys router in about two years, so this wasn't an unfounded idea). So, instead of logically eliminating potential causes (ie: other Windows, Linux and OS X Tiger machines weren't having issues), I ran down to Circuit City and dropped around $190.00 on the Apple AirPort Extreme (always wanted one anyway). Unbox > plug-in > configure > experiment -- issue still persists. So, what do I do? Begin eliminating other potential causes, right? Noooooo... Unplug > re-box > drive to Circuit City > exchange for $220 Linksys WRT350N > drive back > unbox > plug-in > configure > experiment. Of coarse, the issue still persists. So, what do I do? Begin eliminating other potential causes, right? Hahaha, no. You see, at that point I became that idiot who reads forum posts from around the globe and believes every word; it has to be a compatibility issue with the router. Unplug > re-box > drive to Circuit City > exchange for $190 Buffalo WZR2-G300N > drive back > unbox > plug-in > configure > experiment. To no surprise, the issue still persists.

A note to those who have had (or are having) the same issue: Don't be an idiot like me. Troubleshoot the issue properly before jumping the gun and unnecessarily spending hundreds of dollars.

My solution

Although not ideal, my only solution has been to disable Mixed-mode wireless via the router. Currently, running in strictly G mode (B & N both caused dropouts), I haven't had an issue in about 3 weeks. It's ashame that I have an N-ready network, with all other computers able to utilize N, but I have to keep the network in G for one computer, and the newest of the bunch at that!

Sure would be nice if there was a real fix from Apple... I'd love to have the new 1GB Time Capsule, but I'm afraid spending that much money will leave me making live & archive backups across a G network! I'd rather plug in my MyBook for Time Machine until I see some new posts on the Apple discussion forums confirming this issue has been solved.

My adventures in troubleshooting

Here's some of the things I tried before coming to my solution; they didn't work, not even in the slightest:

• Disabled OS X firewall.
• Turned off WEP and/or WPA security.
• Deleted com.apple.internet*.plist preference files.
• Reset PRAM.
• Turned off IPv6 in OS X.
• Change the MTU size using Cocktail.
• Confirmed router firmware to be up to date.

About the author

I am Jeremy Helms, 28 year old graphic designer, web designer, site architect, programmer, copywriter and ambitious entrepreneur. I was born and live in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. This site is my personal periodical for design, code, business and other topics. When I'm not glued to the computer, I enjoy music, movies, late-night television and sometimes a good night out on the town with friends.

I began professional work in the IT industry 13 years ago in September, 1995. I started my first business in 1998, incorporated my second business in 2001, my third in 2002 and my fourth and most recent in 2006. I am a sponge — I am constantly exploring and learning — about business, design, programming, history, society, and whatever pops up on blogs across the web.

• I have been happily married for 5 years; together for a total of 10 years
• I am a father of two boys; Junior (born 02-06-07 @ 6:17PM — 8lbs 13oz.) and Jedi (born 05-06-08 @ 12:39PM — 8lbs 4oz.)
• I am a free and accepted Master Mason, belonging to Florida Alpha Lodge No. 172
• I have two prize Labrador Retrievers (Buck & Brody)
• I graduated from Choctawhatchee Senior High School
• Some of my favorite movies include Snatch, L4yer Cake, Blade Runner, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, THX 1138, Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, the Star Wars hexology and Ronin