Q: Lion WiFi Connection Problem

"I just finished to install the 10.7.2 Gold Master and like suspected even this version is not solving the problem."

That really *****. I'll wailt until next week when it's released to the public to see for myself if it fixes it for my machine, but if not, I'll reinstall Snow Leopard.

I'm using the new MacBook Air (2011) - and I can't install SnowLeopard.

I have to use Lion.

This wifi/bluetooth problem has to be solved - it's a no-go!

We only want the same usabilty like SnowLeopard is offering.

Uby wrote:

 

Hello All

 

Unfortuantely bad news...

No way... I just finished to install the 10.7.2 Gold Master and like suspected even this version is not solving the problem.

As wrote before in another thread, where some thought there will be a miracle update fix: If there is no bug in the system there will be no "fix" in the update.

Uby wrote:

Did you suffer this problem ?

Yes, I did, but with 10.6.8 and not with Lion.

Soon after I had set up my new 2011 MBPro and the AP-Extreme I got at the same time my network went crazy.

During troubleshoot I looked, as usual, at the forums here, to see if others had eventually similar issues.

At I first stumbled over a lot of threads titled like "May new MacBook killed my wireless", but also found serious hints and ideas.

So I start monitoring the traffic in my network and the radio conditions of the wireless. Compared the outcome and the logs on time relating events and so on.

To make a long story short, within 48 hours the reasons for the iTunes and video streaming drop outs, the wireless cut off's, slow data transfer and the "no wireless after sleep" where identified and cleared.

Since that my wireless run as designed.

No idea if this is the problem (and I've not read all 68 pages of this thread) but, I found a major problem under SL with the WiFi drivers.  Apple even changed my WiFi card but not fix and it all worked fine in their service and store but not for me at home.

Problem was with the length of the wireless encryption key using WPA2 Personal.  The key I had been using was within the specs, worked fine on Windows, router, Airport Express and Time Capsule but not OK under SL.  But it was OK sometimes.  Often after startup it would fail but often if manually switched-off the back on it would work.  When I changed the encryption key to be shorter (in my case down to 10 characters) it all worked fine.  The intermittent nature suggested un--initialised memory so maybe something in Lion has brought out the problem.

(After establishing the real cause I did notify Apple support of the bug and told the "Genius" people in the store about it - though I had my suspicions that no action would happen about fixes).

Anyway, just an idea about a possible cause.

Ian

Hello Lupunus just for fully sharing your experience... what was the real reason of your problem at the end ?

I just reinstalled Snow Leopard to the 10.6.8 and after the comment of Lupunus I checked carefully the internet performance.. If I make a comparison with the performance I get on the Macbook Pro it seems much slower...

But at least it's not getting completely stucked like Lion.

Now after the comment of Lupunus mentioning that his problems were introduced with 10.6.8  I'd like to check what was the situation with the 10.6.7 to see if this release was still better... but I'm not sure if I'm completely going out of the track now..

Uby

You did do a CLEAN install didn't you? By that I mean format the HD, install 10.7.1 and then run the 10.7.2 (11C73 GM) combo update?

This solved the problems for me (but maybe not yours).

Uby wrote:

 

Hello Lupunus just for fully sharing your experience... what was the real reason of your problem at the end ?

Uby, step back from the Operating System view. 10.5, 10.6 or 10.7 ... on every release the same discussion start again. Just check on Google ...

In my case, there where at least three reasons. Two related to the AP-Extreme and one related to the Mac.

In short. The APE provides the same name (SSID) for the 2.4GHz, 5GHz wireless and the "Guest Network".

Unfortunately due to technical reasons there are in fact two different networks (BSSID's) and the Mac switched between that two networks for "user convenience"

That's no problem as long as one only want to surf the Internet or reading mails. But, if you want to stream media the trouble starts.

So far from apple support I have reset SMC and PRAM today and yesterday I trashed the system configuration file.

Still no good so will call tomorrow, I will keep updating until I get a fix :-)

Ben

Hello Nipper,

no I didn't do a CLEAN install. As I had my former 10.7.2 11C62  version installed I launched the reversioner and then (without rebooting) I installed the 10.7.2 combo update.

Well anyway I left a 2nd partition just for Lion so after what you are suggesting I'm immediately trying to repeat the same process like you have done..

Question : in your process.. you format the HD then install 10.7.0 then 10.7.1 and then 10.7.2 (11C73 GM) combo update?

Anyway thanks for the hint.. I'm trying immediately the installation..

Uby

I am making no comments re lupunus, mainly because I am kind of fed up with him making out its not Lion but other bits of hardware. My basic point is, if that if Snow Leopard (shipped with my iMac) worked 100% with no wifi issues on my network configuration and since upgrading to Lion is now causing all this hassle and my network is unchanged, then it is the operating system at fault since its not working as before. I have worked in I.T. since I was 20, so I have over 30years PC/network/wifi experience and whilst I do understand the issues of using different routers/network cards/hardware, the basic fact is, that if the router is say running on a standard protocol B or G, and the PC/MAC is running on B or G, then its the manufacturers responsibility to ensure that drivers/hardware are to that standard. If my router is on G (which it is) and my iMac is picking up G band, and Apple have supplied Lion with the relevant drivers to support Lion and they failing to keep a stable connection, then it is the drivers in Lion at fault - if I rolled back to Snow Leopard which my MAC was shipped with, it would work fine.  Seeing everyone having to change their router/configuration files, phone cordless signal band, resetting this, resetting that, should not be needed and in my opinion does not need to be done. If I had bought a new router from the outset and had problems with it under Snow Leopard or Lion or any of my PCs I would take it back as defective, however my router is working 100% on about 5 PCs in my house, all my MACs worked fine under Snow Leopard but now exhibit the same problems under Lion (Mac Air, iMac, Mac Mini - all intel dual core). The only macs I have that are fine is my Power PC G5 Dual Core running Leopard! I am all in favour of anyone (including Lupunus) helping with any support issues that are OS based (i.e. how do I do this, reset this etc) but to me it seems he knows everything - totally - as that is how he is portaying himself to me - no offense intended or meant, but that is how you seem to be coming over to others. I am not saying dont offer help, but why not admit there is a major bug in the lion wifi drivers and its up to Apple to fix it? - oh no of course, you cant say that (A)

Chris,

Did you try swapping out the wifi kexts in Lion with Snow Leopard ones? I tried that and it didn't work for me but some others have reported that it worked for them.

I feel that this is my case. Everytime I stream video the mac hangs and wifi does not toggle between on or off and need to do a reboot of system and only then wifi works again. I have time capsule set with 5ghz and 2.4ghz. No gust account. On the other hand I feel that the problem occurs intermittently. Do you think switching off 5ghz band could solve the pbm?

D

Not that you all need another case example but I have 3 macbooks. An older running Leopard, a MBP shipped with Snow Leopard, and a new 2011 MBA lion. The MBP has been upgraded to Lion with absolutely no issues. The brand new MBA on the other hand will not connect to wi-fi when coming out of sleep. No probs on my other 2. So on my side it is not a Lion problem...yet haha.

hormelmeatcompany wrote:

 

Chris,

 

Did you try swapping out the wifi kexts in Lion with Snow Leopard ones? I tried that and it didn't work for me but some others have reported that it worked for them.

Not yet, but I do have it in my 'things to try if desperate' bucket.

My issue on my iMac seems to be only Safari that 'times out with no internet access' and only if the page is left a while or a load on the system, it doesnt seem to happen on Firefox etc, but before anyone tells me to reset Safari (Cache / history etc etc) this has all been tried, in fact everything possible has been tried including checking the add-ons, plugins or even to see if any plug in is causing issues but my Safari has only one and that is compatible (and has been tested with it disabled in case!) but to no avail.

I also have a ticket with Apple, which has been open over 1 month and they keep checking back with me and giving me more things to try!

Hello Nipper, no way.. even after doing all the clean installation process the problem is still there.

What is frustrating is the older Macbook pro 2009 located 5 cm form the iMac and connected to the same router same Lion version is instead super fast opening the Internet pags super quickly while the faster and muh more powerful iMac i7 is barely connecting to the Internet but getting no almost no data..

Another point I noticed is that the Wifi signal level seems really incorrect... once you connect to the router the signal level seems always much higher of what really is..

Conclusion: I still don't have a solution.. :-(

Uby