Q: mac osx 10.9 Mavericks wifi issue

A fundamental problem with 2.4 GHz wifi is there are only 3 distinct channels: 1, 6, and 11.  In multi unit buildings you're semi-doomed, and relying on luck and neighbor router position for any hope of a clear channel.  The bandwidth of a transmitted signal causes overlap if the channels aren't different by 5.  the smaller the difference, the more overlap, thus the more interference.  5 GHz has lots of distinct channels, and it can make the difference of a system working or not working.  See for example Wiki on the topic:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

tgafford - Thanks for the link it is in my opinion the clearest illustration of how much impact using an old router (or refusing to believe that router settings could play any part) can play into those who have WiFI loss/signal problems.

Although, some people's issue may be Wifi interference, it isn't the issue for most people like myself.

a. the number of Wifi routers in my neighborhood did not suddenly jump during the Mavericks update.

b. other (non-Apple) devices in my house continue to use my Wifi router happily while my MBP with Mavericks is having issues without the "ping" workaround.

So, yes, in my case, Apple fsck'ed up in their OS software.

I understand there are different people with different problems but all problems have to do with the wireless reciever on the portable device not connectiong or staying connected. The device I am talking about is not a wireless range extender but actually a reciever that works through the USB port.  It has its own driver. I am suggesting  taking Mavs wireless out of the system, shutting it off and recieving the signal through the mini adapter on the USB port. With a different reciever/software it just might work. These are very inexpensive devices and low energy consumption. I would consider it if I had not gotten a fix.

Harvey,

The ping workaround is much more cost effective than any other device that would require pruchasing (again: for me).

Best.

It seems that my problem of finding my network has gone away after I had my Airport Extreme give my MBP a manual IP address by mac address. I don't know if this is a fix or not but so far I have not had to wait or restart my Wifi on MBP since I did this.

Hi Harvey

Sorry not up to speed with the system yet.

Can you tell me how to switch off the internal wifi receiver and yet recieve wifi from a usb dongle?

Cheers

Jack

Jac8 In System Preferenes->Network you remove the interface (select it and click -) for Airport and add one (click +) for the USB dongle. You may have to unlock the control panel first.

Machead is correct but you can also shut off you wifi on the screen. Just click on the wifi icon up next ot your battery indicator and tell it to shut off wifi. That will still leave it available to use at the click of your cursor.

As for the USB dongle there should be a separate driver with any USB dongle esecially those that are both Mac and Windows compatible.

Thanks very much.

I have a Netgear dongle I use for my Panasonic TV that can stream Eurosport without problems so I will give that a try.

Jack

Thanks Harvey

Jack

Which model is the Netgear dongle?

A Netgear WNDA3100v2

Will NOT work on any Mac OS X. Netgear does not make any USB wireless adapters that work on Macs.

You have to go to Edimax to a Mac/Mavs supported product.

Woops .. sorry Harvey, I have just realised I am on the wrong forum.

I have a new Mac not an airbook.

The dongle isn't immediately recognised so I may search for a driver at Netgear and see if it is compatible.

I have decided to purchase a TP Link Powerline adaptor anyway and that will save me crawling under the floorboards to lay a cable.

I am a little miffed that now I decided to fork out the extra money for a Mac it didn't work as expected.

Thanks for the help

Jack