Q: MacBook Pro constantly losing wireless connectivity

This was my standard workaround for about two weeks after I found out the MBP had this issue. After the two weeks, it seemed to render itself immune to this reboot method, and I was stuck with a machine that couldn't do wireless at all.

I have found a sort of work around for this, and that's to "not remember" my home wireless network. So far, it has not given me any problems (but it's still silly, considering the 'professional' branding that this machine is supposed to hold up).

What you do is go to Network under your SysPref, remove your home network from the list, go to Advanced under the Airport section, and un-check "Remember any network this computer has joined". Not sure if it'll work for you.

It seems that while the bulk problem is not being able to connect, everyone has different intrinsic problems - small differences like OS used, conditions where connection cannot be established, making this whole issue very complicated.

My new Macbook Pro (2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Due, 4 GB SDRAM, GeForce 8600M GT graphics) has dropped wireless connection every 6 to 20 minutes since I got it last week. After working with the great people in Canada who Apple uses to sort out this kind of problem, the following is the best fix yet for what is indeed an Apple engineering problem (my rep told me this is a FACT) :
1. Shut down laptop
2. Unplug from all power sources
3. Take out the battery
4. Hold power button down for 15 seconds (I held it 20 just to be sure)
5. Put battery into laptop
6. Reconnect power supply
7. Restart laptop while holding down Command, Option, P, R
8. Continue holding down these keys until computer restarts (chimes) three times (I did 4 for old times sake as we used to restart it 5 times through the '90's)
9. Let go of the keys and allow computer to restart.
10. Watch the bars on the wireless stay on longer than normal. I have just followed this series of steps and so far, so good.
Discussion- It seems that the PMU reset (that is what you just did if you followed the steps above) and PRAM resets are necessary as it was probably not done when the computer was finally assembled. The addition of parts and software make this a necessary step for a stable computer. Also, it is a good idea to repair permissions after doing the above to clean up any lingering issues.
Good luck and report back on your successes and failures.
Jerry

Hi,
I've got same problem with wtr350n, did you find any solution for that ?

tia,
atm

the latest os 10.5.2 fixed my problems with the router on only N mode

Hi Jerry,

I tried something similar to this -- restarting the MPB while holding down Command, Option etc. -- while on the phone with Apple here in Germany. It didn't work. However, he did not have me take out the battery, etc. So I will try your suggestion.

Guess I'm a bit of newbie. Can you explain to me how to "repair permissions"?

Thanks!

P

Yes. It is fairly frustrating, especially as every day I receive Apple RSS feed via my mac mail account with one stellar report after another on all their amazing products and achievements. I love Mac, but as in any relationship, sometimes your partner does stuff that really ****** you off -- like not admitting or even acknowledging that they've screwed something up.

Just finished repairing permissions. Way too early to tell; however, my signal went down to one bar and then back 3 and I did not get the "Self assigned IP" message in AirPort. If I can wake my MBP and have regain network connectivity that will be a sure success. I'll report back later.

Joe

Certainly, to repair permissions go to the Utilities Folder in Applications and find "Disk Utility." Double click on it and you will see your hard drive listed in the left column. Click once on it and then look to the right and find the "repair disk permissions" button. Click it once and it will check for problems and repair them.

Follow up: I have sucessfully run my Macbook Pro wireless now for an entire day without a drop in signal. Looks like the PMU, PRAM, Permissions reset that I described above did the trick. Give it a try and see if it works for you.

Yes hello, I know this topic probably doesn't need someone else saying me too. However, rather than my connection dropping out, my MBP seems to have a complete blind spot when trying to connect to my wireless router (which is in the same room). We have a G5 desktop in another room with a rock solid connection to the router and never drops out. The other problem is that even connecting the MBP to the router via ethernet, the connection is not sure.

Seems like a pretty major problem.

Hello,

I have a somewhat different situation.

After a certain time during normal usage and always after a wakeup my Airport disables itself completely. It does not come back through the menu bar item or the Network System Preferences. Only way to get it back is to restart.

I'm connecting to an AVM Fritzbox that has 802.11b+g activated with a personal WPA key. SSID is invisible.

Most annoying. Anyone else?

Peter

It looks like apple just pushed an update. Any one luck any one?


The AirPort Base Station Update 2008-001 includes general fixes and compatibility updates for the following applications:

- AirPort Utility
- AirPort Disk Utility
- AirPort Base Station Agent

Message was edited by: Kawter

No luck for me. I jsut yesterday brought my MBP home with me and turned it on and it wouldn't let me know the web. Weird part is Airport said I was connected. Reboot took care it until about 15mins later the samething happened. Another reboot and I was back on. Oh yea, my network is 1 ABE and 1 Time Capsule (extended mode). Maybe I will drop the TC and see if that helps with stability.

My fix (resetting the pmu and pram) seems to be working for wireless connectivity on my MCP. It has not dropped signal for several days now and after applying the new airport software release from Apple yesterday, it seems like the airport problem is solved, at least on my machine. Any other success stories out there?
Jerry

I just updated the airport software but it did not solve the problem. I'll try the pmu and pram reset you suggested on the week-end and see if that does it.

Hi Andrew,
Try resetting the PMU and PRAM and installing the new airport update and let me know what is happening with your system.
Jerry