Mac 10.6.5 not picking up 802.11n wireless network

Thank you very much for the suggestion.. I have an old version of Parallels installed (v.5), and un-installing that seems to have solved all the problems.

Thanks again!

Ok let’s try to get the bottom of some of these issues.

Understand that when the 10.6.5 update went out, *most likely* the drivers for your AirPort card in your Mac have been updated. Sometime when drivers/supplicants are upgraded some APs may or may not like the change. Expecting Apple to test every combo of home AP / Mac out there is unrealistic. So, let’s try to do some digging ourselves!

**Please post the results of all commands and questions!**

Lets look at what kind of Mac you have: Open a terminal and do: sudo sysctl hw.model
Next lets some info from AirPort. Connect your mac to your wireless network (if you can =) ) and open System Profiler (in utilities). Click on AirPort on the left hand side and copy and paste the entire right hand pane text. This will help should your Driver version, How networks are around some of your connection details.
Now lets get some info about your router/AP. Copy reply to this post with the ALL of the following info. Manufacturer, FCCID, Model Number, Revision Number, and Firmware that your router/AP is running. With this information you can look up the EXACT type of chipset your AP is using. Please be sure you are running the latest and greatest firmware from your router/AP.
What kind of wireless security are you using? Yes, a lot of this information can be gleaned from step 2. However, some can’t. Are you using a Hidden (Non Broadcasting wireless) network? Are you trying to do WEP TSN? Remember 802.11N and WEP security is a no no. In order to get 802.11 speeds the 802.11N spec says you MUST use WPA2/AES or Open/no encryption!!!

Let’s start here and see what we can find.

Message was edited by: DrVenture

What network security are you using ?

Did you try upgrading your security to WPA2 ? WEP is a very insecure method for wireless security.

This could be why:

Here is an article I found for people who are complaining about noticing max. 54 Mbps after installing this update. The details in this article might explain it

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3361

I upgraded to 10.6.5 this evening and immediately upon restart my AirPort connection was broken. I tried manually connecting to my network (802.11n-only), but to no avail. The only thing that worked was changing the network type to 802.11b/g/n. Then I came across a few troubleshooting articles so I turned AirPort off and then on, I updated my router (Belkin) firmware, I restarted the router, reset the SMC, and I even changed the network key. Then I found this article and decided to change my security from WEP to WPA2 Personal and voila, my Wireless-N connection is back! *** Apple, so many people are having this issue, you could tell us what's going on!! My i7 iMac seems unaffected, but then again, I have it connected via ethernet and not wireless.

802.11N+WEP is 802.11N spec violation. The only allowed security types in the 802.11N spec are Open No Encryption and WPA2. I would guess, WEP support for 802.11N was pulled in 10.6.5 to align with the 802.11N spec.

Maybe its time you get an up to date access point that follows the 802.11N spec.

I have similar problem but when I try to add a printer my wireless canon MP560 does not show up/be recognized even tho it is sitting on the desk next to my iMac & router.

Message was edited by: keyag

"802.11N+WEP is 802.11N spec violation. The only allowed security types in the 802.11N spec are Open No Encryption and WPA2. I would guess, WEP support for 802.11N was pulled in 10.6.5 to align with the 802.11N spec.

Maybe its time you get an up to date access point that follows the 802.11N spec."

I understand your point, but this "violation" is allowed by the overwhelming majority of 802.11n routers and therefore the router manufacturers themselves are to blame, no? The average user, even technically-inclined users, may and probably are not aware that WEP on a 802.11n connection is a "violation" of the spec. Heck, I've been using WEP with my 802.11n router for many, many months now and never had any problems at all...until the 10.6.5 update. If Apple's going to make a change like this that will cause the "average user" (a user that likely has no idea what 802.11x is, let alone the difference between WEP, WPA, etc.), they need to communicate this so that those same users aren't stuck with non-functioning wireless connections.

"but this "violation" is allowed by the overwhelming majority of 802.11n routers and therefore the router manufacturers themselves are to blame, no"

Yes, actually they are.

There is a reason the IEEE spec exists. If everyone followed the spec, then interop issues would be quite small. But that is for another discussion.

As for your complaint that Apple should communicate when something is added/removed/improved that is not a Major feature, then I would agree.

Keyag,

So does you Mac have any problems accessing the Internet or your local network? If not, then this does not sound like a 10.6.5 wireless issue.

Have you tried resetting your printer? Does it have the latest software/firmware? Have you tried reinstalling the software on your Mac? Can you go into your router and see if the Printer is associated?

think i got it......disable use wide channels box

Message was edited by: Peter S.

Peter S.

If you are using 2.4GHz 802.11N, then you should NOT use HT40 (wide channels). HT40 in 2.4GHz can and will cause interference and coexistance issues in the 2.4GHz band.

If you are using 5GHz, then HT40 should be fine.

Many thanks to DrVenture for his helpful hints. Changing security to WPA2/AES worked for me.

Having a similar problem with Airport Extreme -newest version and also Airport block..? the 99$ unit, My MacBook Air newest 13 inch version and my MacBook Pro both get dropped from the wireless. have had no issues for months and months until I upgraded to 10.6.5.
My connect will come back eventually but will drop again without warning. It sometimes helps if I turn the wireless off and then back on.