MacBook Pro fails to auto connect to wireless router

Recently, despite the fact that 3 other home apple computer auto connect to my router when they start up, my MacBook Pro will not connect. I have the Airport Status icon on my title bar and I can select the Network SSID Name. I then have to type in the WPA security code and try to connect. Each time it fails to connect unless I restart the machine but I still will have to enter the pass code. Under System Prefs I have selected the proper location and tried Airport/default automatic and/or default preferred networks but neither will "auto" connect. Is there a way to reset everything (preferences, keychain access, etc) to get this working again? Thanks, I've been stumped for weeks.

2.33GHz Intel iMac, 2.4GHz Intel PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Oct 8, 2008 8:41 AM

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8 replies

Oct 9, 2008 7:26 AM in response to Rick Kuntz1

Rick here are some basic maintenance procedures you can try if not already done:

Repair Permissions - /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.app. Start Disk Utility, select your HD and click on Repair Permissions. When finished, quit Disk Utility and then restart your computer.

Reset PRAM - hold down Option-Command-P-R keys when starting until you hear the startup chime a 2nd time.

Safe Mode Startup - hold down the Shift-key at startup until you see the login screen. When logged-in, then go to System Preferences/Network/AirPort
- click on the 'Network Name:' roll-button, select 'Join Other Network...', enter 'Network Name and select the security type you are using, and finally, enter your Password and click 'Join'.
- click on 'Advanced', TCP/IP and confirm that 'Configure IPv4:' is set to 'Using DHCP', click 'OK'.
- click the 'Apply' button and exit System Preferences.

You can delete the airport logins in your keychain and set them up again. Here is how:

1. Go to /Applications/Utilities/Keychain Access.app, select ‘login’ under Keychains, and select ‘All Items’ under Category.
2. Delete all airport logins showing under the ‘Kind’ column that say ‘AirPort network password’ or ‘AirPort base station password’ (make sure you write down your passwords first if you can’t remember them).
3. Select ‘System’ in Keychains, and select ‘All Items’ under Category.
4. Delete all airport logins showing under the ‘Kind’ column that say ‘AirPort network password’.
5. Click onto the Keychain Access menu and do Keychain First Aid.
6. Exit Keychain Access and reboot. Test airport connection – you will have to reselect your network and logon.

Oct 14, 2008 6:40 AM in response to Rick Kuntz1

I have run out of ideas Rick. Perhaps an archive and install might fix the problem - bit of work but it might save time in the long run.

Before you do anything else:
1. Turn power off to ISP modem and AirPort Base Station, and shutdown computer - leave power off for 10 minutes.
2. Turn on modem and wait for it to complete its test cycle. Then turn on the AirPort Base Station.
3. Turn on computer and select your wireless network using the AirPort status menu in the menu bar. Then check if AirPort Base Station appears in AirPort Utility.
4. If AirPort Base Station is not seen in AirPort Utility, quit AirPort Utility and turn AirPort Off using the AirPort status menu in the menu bar. Wait 30 seconds and turn the AirPort On again.
5. Check if AirPort Base Station appears in AirPort Utility.
6. Quit the AirPort Utility and put your MBP to sleep, wake it and test.

Oct 14, 2008 7:31 AM in response to Kevin Hiscox

Well, instead of using my wife's user account, I set up a new account "MyName2" and set login to auto login in. All issues with the airport connection (and a few other application issues-my filemaker pro was not launching as of this morning).

Is there a way to sway user accounts or fix my old user account "MyName"? If I delete the old account, won't I lose all my iPhoto, iTunes Libraries, etc?

Yuch, glad to get a fix going though. Not sure what the best strategy is now.

Oct 14, 2008 3:46 PM in response to Rick Kuntz1

Did you say that the issues disappeared with the new user account?

Before you delete the 'MyName' account in System Preferences/Accounts/MyName (by clicking on the '-' button), navigate to HD/Users/MyName/. Your iTunes, iPhotos etc are contained in the Movies, Music and Pictures folders. You also need to look in the Documents folder and see what you need to keep.

You can copy the contents of these folders across to the same folders under MyName2, but I think it is a lot safer to archive and install, or at least to backup with Time Machine to another disk.

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MacBook Pro fails to auto connect to wireless router

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