Q: Macbook Airport Drops Connection

I did it! I replaced the airport card with one I bought online and the connection hasn't dropped. It's not a difficult switch if you want to try it yourself. Look for the online tutorial from ifixit.com and make sure you have the right sized screwdriver. I don't know if the old aiport card just died? This replacement seems to be doing the trick.

Yup, same problem as many of you. Wireless goes in and out. I was thinking that it had to do with the number of wireless networks in the area ( I can literally see about 30. )

After testing in a more calm environment, I believe it might have something to do with a physical problem, as moving the screen seems to cause the wireless to go in and out. I'm going to try to remove the file listed above.

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist

If that doesn't work I'm going to take it into the store and let apple deal with it. I've spent too long reading these threads about this problem already.

For some people, maybe just this simple solution?

I've been having these same problems on both a 2006 MacBook (Intel Core Duo) a 2007 iMac (Intel Core 2 Duo) both running Leopard. An Apple tech today had me remove the Login items on both computers, and both are suddenly stable and fast. Prime suspects were RealPlayer Downloader and HP Director. Removing just those items from Login seems to be the fix for us.

how did he remove the login items?

System Preferences > Accounts > Login Items
Click on the login item to highlight it.
Click the "-" button to remove it.

It worked! I am very happy.

Hello,

I have same problem, we are using Macbook and Macbook pro with Leopard 10.5.6 in sachool. The home network drive and also any shared drive from PC or Mac dorps randomley and message appears says "Server Connection Interrupted".
This is very frustration. Is there any idea about that?
please help
Thanks
Sam

Sam, you're connecting to the school's network wirelessly?

You could start by connecting via ethernet cable. You school no doubt has a networked server. It could be a problem with the server itself or its software. You should talk to the network administrator about that. As a teacher myself, I can say it would most likely be a teacher, if your school is big/rich enough you might have a dedicated IT person for such things. Ask the teacher that you know has most to do with computers in your school. That teacher could also problem solve with the IT person at TDSB, if your in the public system.

As for other possible solutions...

1. try reducing the amount of applications your running, and the size of the information your transferring. For example if your uploading/downloading video, that might be the problem.

2. Time of day might also be a factor. The more people trying to access the server would create a bottleneck. Try to connect at a time when you know not many people are trying to connect. Most operating systems disconnect from servers if the connection speeds drop below a certain amount or if they are inactive for a certain amount of time.

3. If you are moving files, stick to ones that are below 2GB. I know that above that causes problems with Mac and Windows at times, depending on what you're doing.

home this helps.

Did anyone update their mac from the new security update and saw that their wifi issue was fixed?

I installed the new update last night. IT did not work. It only works if I am in the same room where the router is. So much for wifi!

Installed the update and waited with fingers crossed to be able to regain the luxury of moving my computer to another room. But the update did not help. My laptop is still a desktop. Thanks Apple!

I'm interested in what people have tried and what has worked for people to fix this issues. So I created two polls:

One for what YOU'VE TRIED:

MacBook / MacBook Pro Airport Drops Connection -- What have you tried?

and one for WHAT HAS WORKED:

MacBook / MacBook Pro Airport Drops Connection -- WHAT WORKED?

The polls can also give you and idea of what has worked for other people to resolve this issue by viewing the results of the poll.

If you've tried to resolve this issue, or have already resolved it, PLEASE VOTE.

The rest of us want to know what people have tried and what has worked.

thanks

in other news, my MacBook has been in the shop for a week and is getting a new airport extreme card put in under AppleCare warranty -- should be back today or monday. we'll see if that does the trick! I'll post what i found out.

I have the same configuration as you, and I drive CRASY with drop wi-fi every 3-4 min. It started few monts ago. Tried everything possible, it must be something w/software. Unfortunately Steve Jobs is not in a good health these days, and mac-guyz do not hurry to stabilize "old" MacBooks, they run ALUMINUM these days. Very sad. PS. And I have Airport Extreme all the time since I got black MacBook.

Just got my MacBook (White, 13", fall 2006) back from service. They replaced the Airport card and signal strength is back to normal with no dropouts.

Here's how the service report reads:

1. Confirmed that Airport antenna are seated fully on airport card. Testing to follow.
2. Symptom reproduced - signal strength has fallen to less than half within minutes of connection. Testing with known - good Airport card.
3. Signal level is consistently high with test card. Replacement Airport card required.
4. client called
5. parts recieved
6. airport card installed. signal level is consistently high with replacement card.
7. client informed
8. client pickup.

I have a link below to some AP Grapher images of my MacBook (MB) and MacBook Pro (MBP) from before the fix (dropout3 - MB) and (dropout3 - MBP) and AFTER replacing the airport card (MB post fix) and (MBP post fix). In both situations the MacBook and MacBook Pro are side by side, 4 feet from the wireless router.

the link to my Flikr site with the images is [here|http://www.flickr.com/photos/hughdaleharris>

hope this helps

How much did a new card set you back?