10.6.5 and wifi issues

Spydermann wrote:
In another thread I noticed someone made a reference to Facebook and WiFi issues. Interestingly enough, I think my issues may have been Facebook or anything re-directed thru Facebook. After repeated dropouts of my wife's iMac, I realised that each time she dropped out, she was either on Facebook (her main activity on the mac) or a game thru Facebook. Then I noticed that Facebook was having serious issues and has had for a week or two starting about the same day as Santa delivered our new iMacs. I've since set our two Macs & modem/router back to default settings, cleared out the "keychain" file entries using the keychain utility software and now when her iMac says is has disconnected, I get her to try a reliable and quick site in her bookmarks (our local TV guide) and we have not noted any problems since. Not going to hold my breath but things are looking up.

Spydermann wrote:
About to bin the iMacs and go back to PCs even though I hate Windows 7.

In the earlier quote you seemed to have found a work around, but in the latest post you seem to still have issues.

buetschgi wrote:
Same problem since upgrading from 10.6.4 to 10.6.5 here. All devices (iMac G5, iPhone 4, HP Notebook) work well; except the MacBook!
Network outages even when sitting next to the airport.
Best seen when using

ping -c 1000 google.com

Tried hard for several hours to fix the issue using all tips found online.
Turnded every parameter on the wifi.
Repaired permissions, dropped devices, set preferences, upgrder to 10.6.6.
Nothing worked 😟

*Finally downgraded OSX to 10.6.4
Result: IT WORKS!*

One small issue remaining: The signal strength indicator is showing ways to good signal strength.

MacBook System Profiler Information:

Hardware-Übersicht:
Modellname: MacBook
Modell-Identifizierung: MacBook1,1
Prozessortyp: Intel Core Duo
Prozessorgeschwindigkeit: 1.83 GHz
Anzahl der Prozessoren: 1
Gesamtzahl der Kerne: 2
L2-Cache: 2 MB
Speicher: 2 GB
Busgeschwindigkeit: 667 MHz
Boot-ROM-Version: MB11.0061.B03
SMC-Version (System): 1.4f12
Seriennummer (System): 4H64205NWE7
Hardware-UUID: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-0017F2319D6C
Sensor für plötzliche Bewegung:
Status: Aktiviert

Airport non-working (10.6.5):

Softwareversionen:
Menüerweiterung: 6.2.1 (621.1)
configd Plug-in: 6.2.3 (623.1)
System-Profiler: 6.0 (600.9)
Netzwerkeinstellung: 6.2.1 (621.1)
AirPort-Dienstprogramm: 5.5.2 (552.11)
IO80211-Familie: 3.1.2 (312)
Schnittstellen:
en1:
Kartentyp: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware-Version: Atheros 5424: 2.1.14.5
Locale: ETSI
Länderkennung: CH
Unterstützte PHY-Modi: 802.11 a/b/g
Unterstützte Kanäle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Status: Verbunden
Aktuelle Netzwerkinformationen:
mywifi:
PHY-Modus: 802.11g
BSSID: d8:30:62:31:1c:fe
Kanal: 1
Netzwerktyp: Infrastruktur
Sicherheit: Persönlicher WPA2
Signal / Störungen: -46 dBm / -96 dBm
Senderate: 54

Airport (working 10.6.4):

Softwareversionen:
Menüerweiterung: 6.0 (600.22)
configd Plug-in: 6.0 (600.27)
System-Profiler: 6.0 (600.9)
Netzwerkeinstellung: 6.0 (600.22)
AirPort-Dienstprogramm: 5.4.2 (542.23)
IO80211-Familie: 3.0 (300.20)
Schnittstellen:
en1:
Kartentyp: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware-Version: Atheros 5424: 2.0.19.4
Locale: ETSI
Länderkennung: CH
Unterstützte PHY-Modi: 802.11 a/b/g
Unterstützte Kanäle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Status: Verbunden
Aktuelle Netzwerkinformationen:
mywifi:
PHY-Modus: 802.11g
BSSID: d8:30:62:31:1c:fe
Kanal: 6
Netzwerktyp: Infrastruktur
Sicherheit: Persönlicher WPA2
Signal / Störungen: -80 dBm / -96 dBm
Senderate: 36

I don't read german, so forgive me if I am wrong below. Also you might be saying the same thing when you say there is showing a way to good signal strength.

If I read this correctly the one you claim is 10.6.4 and working on channel 6 has a signal of -80 dbm/ noise -96 dbm and a low send rate of 36. And the 10.6.5 one not working on channel 1 has a signal / noise of -46/ -96 and a higher send rate of 54. I think the "better" signal is the -46/-96 ratio. So is there any chance you mixed up the pasting of your data set to the posting? The -96 dbm noise level is nice and low but on one set up you have much better signal on one channel over the other.

So it is worth changing your channel to one with a better signal to noise ratio. One of the first suggestions to changes in wifi performance is to change the channel. Did you try changing channels when you had 10.6.5 installed?

The signal and noise measurements are not taken in the same spot.
So they cannot be compared.
Interestingly, the low signal (10.6.4) works pretty good.
Whereas the 10.6.5 was having outs while beeing strong.

This is the non working configuration sitting next to the AirPort:

ctmurray wrote:

Airport non-working (10.6.5):

Softwareversionen:
Menüerweiterung: 6.2.1 (621.1)
configd Plug-in: 6.2.3 (623.1)
System-Profiler: 6.0 (600.9)
Netzwerkeinstellung: 6.2.1 (621.1)
AirPort-Dienstprogramm: 5.5.2 (552.11)
IO80211-Familie: 3.1.2 (312)
Schnittstellen:
en1:
Kartentyp: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware-Version: Atheros 5424: 2.1.14.5
Locale: ETSI
Länderkennung: CH
Unterstützte PHY-Modi: 802.11 a/b/g
Unterstützte Kanäle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Status: Verbunden
Aktuelle Netzwerkinformationen:
mywifi:
PHY-Modus: 802.11g
BSSID: d8:30:62:31:1c:fe
Kanal: 1
Netzwerktyp: Infrastruktur
Sicherheit: Persönlicher WPA2
Signal / Störungen: -46 dBm / -96 dBm
Senderate: 54

And this measurement was taken from the other floor, worked without ping losses:

Airport (working 10.6.4):

Softwareversionen:
Menüerweiterung: 6.0 (600.22)
configd Plug-in: 6.0 (600.27)
System-Profiler: 6.0 (600.9)
Netzwerkeinstellung: 6.0 (600.22)
AirPort-Dienstprogramm: 5.4.2 (542.23)
IO80211-Familie: 3.0 (300.20)
Schnittstellen:
en1:
Kartentyp: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware-Version: Atheros 5424: 2.0.19.4
Locale: ETSI
Länderkennung: CH
Unterstützte PHY-Modi: 802.11 a/b/g
Unterstützte Kanäle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Status: Verbunden
Aktuelle Netzwerkinformationen:
mywifi:
PHY-Modus: 802.11g
BSSID: d8:30:62:31:1c:fe
Kanal: 6
Netzwerktyp: Infrastruktur
Sicherheit: Persönlicher WPA2
Signal / Störungen: -80 dBm / -96 dBm
Senderate: 36

I don't read german, so forgive me if I am wrong below. Also you might be saying the same thing when you say there is showing a way to good signal strength.

If I read this correctly the one you claim is 10.6.4 and working on channel 6 has a signal of -80 dbm/ noise -96 dbm and a low send rate of 36. And the 10.6.5 one not working on channel 1 has a signal / noise of -46/ -96 and a higher send rate of 54. I think the "better" signal is the -46/-96 ratio. So is there any chance you mixed up the pasting of your data set to the posting? The -96 dbm noise level is nice and low but on one set up you have much better signal on one channel over the other.

You are right, the -46/-96 is the better signal/noise ration. But as stated above, not working.

So it is worth changing your channel to one with a better signal to noise ratio. One of the first suggestions to changes in wifi performance is to change the channel. Did you try changing channels when you had 10.6.5 installed?

Tried every parameter (WEP, WPA, WPA2, 802.11n (b/g compatible), 802.11b/g compatible, b only ...) always dropping and reinstalling the interface on the MacBook, but nothing helped.

I guess it is a firmware/driver issue.
But since I don't know how and don't want to risk smashing the system I did not try mixing firmware versions and OSX versions.

i had the same problem in 10.6.5. The solution for me was:

1. upgrade to 10.6.6.
2. delete my Airport settings from System Pref->Networks. (only my ethernet settings remained).
3. rebooted my Wifi Base to factory settings, and setup my password, channel etc.
4. connected Mac to wifi network.

I think Step 3 (rebooting wifi base) really helped and was the key fix for me. At first, in the Wifi Base software, I kept changing encryption type, channel etc. and then pressing Apply - and it didn't help. But once I went to rebooted to factory settings, my wifi started working again.

I have tried to recreate the problem by rebooting and wake from sleep, but it's working fine still. (now i have to fix my typing. I keep typing wife instead of wifi... reboot my wife to factory settings...)

I have the same problem. Got a brand new MacBook 17" at the beginning of the year. Worked fine until yesterday. I have now upgraded from 10.6.5 to 10.6.6. I have done EVERYTHING all these threads have suggested I should do. Still have the problem and it's super annoying!!

So many users with the same problem? COME ON APPLE!! Fix it!

I have been having the same problem ever since restarting my MacBook (Early 2006) after the 10.6.5 update. I've gone through the list of suggested fixes, and none of them have worked for me. Restoring my Airport Express to its factory settings did not work, either. So, I resorted to downgrading back to 10.6.3 (via Snow Leopard Install Disc), and wifi is working for me again. I'll have to wait and see if there are any fixes to this problem in future Mac OS X updates before updating my system any further.

How well does wifi work with 10.6.4?

ctmurray.

All my work arounds finally fell over too. It's all gone from bad to worse. Even tried manual ip address setting again but then the option of renew DHCP lease is no longer available. Same issues with 6.4, 6.5 & 6.6. Currently awaiting a call-back from Apple. I have lots of questions. All my testing indicates the issue is with Apple software, even if it's something I've mis-configured or not configured. Have scanned thru the Snow Leopard for Dummies with no success but I suspect that book is aimed at the novice as some networking items are not in the book. Does anyone know of any good Snow Leopard Book?

iMac 24" C2D does have same issue. iPadx2/iPhonex2/iBook (10.5.8)/PC notebook immune.
I have tried all possible software reset and even replace the Airport card of iMac and another brand router but all in vain.

Restore/ reinstall OS to 10.6.5 but the problem still exist.

install 10.6 in an external hard drive seems resolve the problem. Simply update to 10.6.5 from both of "software update" and "standalone combo" cannot fix it.
10.6.5 to 10.6.6 via software update or 10.6 to 10.6.6 through combo does not work.

After time consuming re-install OSes to my external hard drive, I found that 10.6.4 is the latest version without wireless drop problem. Hope that 10.6.7 or patch will be released soon. My internal hard drive will not backup until this issue to be fixed.

I am surprised that the 10.6.5 has done an upgrade to firmware of the airport card on the mac

From the prior post (in German about non-working configuration)
Modellname: MacBook
Modell-Identifizierung: MacBook1,1
Prozessortyp: Intel Core Duo
Prozessorgeschwindigkeit: 1.83 GHz

Kartentyp: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware-Version: Atheros 5424: 2.1.14.5

On my macmini which nothing will fix....
Model Name: Mac mini
Model Identifier: Macmini1,1
Processor Name: Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 1.66 GHz

Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware Version: Atheros 5424: 2.1.14.5

I notice that the working 10.6.4 config has different versions of the firmware.

Given all the other devices combinations working in my house, my hunch is a driver/OS combination issue....

The above comes from the SystemProfile accessible from About this Mac... in the Apple Menu

Still suffering… 10.6.6 does not solve the problem.

To me it seems, that there is no problem with the strength of the signal, but the consistency. When I scan my home-place for other networks, I can see ten of them, all showing the same behavior: The signal raises to a certain strength than suddenly drops to zero to raise again. All kinds of routers, all kinds of channels, all kinds of encryption. All this sometimes within split seconds, and all of them simultaneously. Whereas this may have to with the scan frequency of the stumbler, the dropping to zero seems to be the main problem. MacBook and Router seem not to have efficient time to exchange the password so it always ends up in a “wrong password”. Could someone confirm this?

Beside that, waiting couple of months, hoping that 10.6.7 may fix this, does not help me. This means: I am thinking about doing it the “hard” way and reinstall 10.6.4. After all: It would have taken less time than trying all the different proposals mentioned in this thread.

I am surprised that the 10.6.5 has done an upgrade to firmware of the airport card on the mac

Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware Version: Atheros 5424: 2.1.14.5

I can’t tell which version was prior 10.6.5 but my MacBook pro has a totally different firmware and chip. At first sight there doesn’t seem to be correlation.

Kartentyp: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x8D)
Firmware-Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.36.1)

pepe wrote:
Still suffering… 10.6.6 does not solve the problem.

To me it seems, that there is no problem with the strength of the signal, but the consistency. When I scan my home-place for other networks, I can see ten of them, all showing the same behavior: The signal raises to a certain strength than suddenly drops to zero to raise again. All kinds of routers, all kinds of channels, all kinds of encryption. All this sometimes within split seconds, and all of them simultaneously. Whereas this may have to with the scan frequency of the stumbler, the dropping to zero seems to be the main problem. MacBook and Router seem not to have efficient time to exchange the password so it always ends up in a “wrong password”. Could someone confirm this?

Beside that, waiting couple of months, hoping that 10.6.7 may fix this, does not help me. This means: I am thinking about doing it the “hard” way and reinstall 10.6.4. After all: It would have taken less time than trying all the different proposals mentioned in this thread.

I am running iStumbler and see the same behavior.
The Mac's interpretation of the networks strength goes from initally good to zero. (given all the other devices connected I expect the actual strength remains the same).

Except on my Airpot Express (WEP) network that I use to play itunes through = there I see constant signal strength - cannot understand why it would be different.

pepe, good point about firmware - and lack of correlation to problem - needed the extra data point:-).
Points to the OS.

The Wi-Fi suddenly started to work again, but it's really slow!

Since my last post on page 19 of his thread on 29 December at 23:31, I have tried on my 13" White MacBook not only everything I had tried before, but in addition DiskWarrior. No change.
Then I took the bull by the horns and restored Snow Leopard from the System Disk.
Tried the Wifi BEFORE doing any system updates - IT DID NOT WORK. Whereas when I did the original installation it had worked up to 10.6.4 inclusive.
Then I updated using the 10.6.6 combo - IT STILL DID NOT WORK.
BUT my wifi still works perfectly on every other machine - even when I play around with the channels (anyway there is no problem of interference here) AND when I use BOOTCAMP and then log out of it and onto the Mac OS X side of the machine - the Airport still continues to work and I can use the wifi until I put the machine to sleep or something else occurs to cut me off. Then I cannot re-connect.

I suppose that the original 10.6.5 did a firmware update as I now have


Software Versions:
Menu Extra: 6.2.1 (621.1)
configd plug-in: 6.2.3 (623.2)
System Profiler: 6.0 (600.9)
Network Preference: 6.2.1 (621.1)
AirPort Utility: 5.5.2 (552.11)
IO80211 Family: 3.1.2 (312)
Interfaces:
en1:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware Version: Atheros 5424: 2.1.14.5
Locale: ETSI
Country Code: GB
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g
Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Status: Not Associated

and I suppose that the re-installation of Snow Leopard would NOT have set the firmware version back to a previous version, which may explain why even going back this far did not correct the problem.

So it looks as if there is a problem of incompatibility between Snow Leopard as such, all versions, and this latest firmware update, as the firmware update has apparently NOT affected the ability of Windows XP Pro SP2 on the Bootcamp side of the machine to connect and maintain connection.

OR in all my other attempts to get this machine on line again I have changed something else unsuspected that is preventing connection.

Any ideas?

After the upgrade to 10.6.6 the wifi did first not work. But after changing the channel, it worked (the odd thing is that I changed the channel after updating to 10.6.5 as well, but that didn't resolve the issue). Anyway, perhaps this helps somebody.

My computer is a Mac Mini Core Duo from 2007.

Best,
Robert