barters1

Q: Update to Mountain Lion 10.8.5 has killed my wifi access. Help needed.

I have a  late 2008 aluminium MacBook. Everything worked fine until I downloaded the update on wifi, restarted, & now I cannot turn my wifi on.

 

Help please!  I need to use my MacBook tonight.

MacBook (13-inch Aluminum Late 2008), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Sep 13, 2013 1:27 PM

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Q: Update to Mountain Lion 10.8.5 has killed my wifi access. Help needed.

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  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Sep 13, 2013 1:36 PM in response to barters1
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 13, 2013 1:36 PM in response to barters1

    What router are you using for WiFi (model, make, year)?

     

    What update did you download for WiFi?

     

    Are you connected via WPA2, WEP, or no encryption?

     

    What do you see in your Airport menu that looks like: airport.jpg?

  • by barters1,

    barters1 barters1 Sep 13, 2013 1:43 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2013 1:43 PM in response to a brody

    Hi

     

    Update was mountain lion 10.8.5. I was already on 10.8.4

     

    Should be connected via wpa2

     

    Router is sitecom 300N X2

     

    In airport menu the triangle is empty

     

    I have a back up on my time machine but its 2 weeks old. Not end of world however if I need to use it.

  • by barters1,

    barters1 barters1 Sep 13, 2013 1:45 PM in response to barters1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2013 1:45 PM in response to barters1

    In system preferences network I have same screen view as the other person on here with the issue.

     

    Wifi status off. I am unable to turn it on by clicking the turn wifi button.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Sep 13, 2013 1:55 PM in response to barters1
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 13, 2013 1:55 PM in response to barters1

    According to what I can find, the 300N X2 is a USB dongle.  That may require its own special USB drivers to work properly.     The computer has its own built-in 802.11n card.  Are you sure that is the router?  If you can find me the router on the manufacturer website that would help.   The wireless router is a box that hooks up a modem, sometimes it is part of the modem, to the computers/portable devices in the neighborhood via wireless and shares the modem's internet connectivity.  A USB dongle is typically used if the computer does not have built-in wireless card, or the wireless card is deffective, and looks very much like a USB Flash drive, only is designated to receive wireless signals from wireless routers/modems.  Some support WiFi, while others support cellular signals.

  • by barters1,

    barters1 barters1 Sep 13, 2013 1:59 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2013 1:59 PM in response to a brody

    It's not a dongle. I'm just going to restore from time machine.

     

    The apple update has clearly messed something up. It's not an issue with my router. I live in an apartment block. I normally see 10 different routers. I now can't even turn the wifi on in my laptop to enable me to see a single one.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Sep 13, 2013 2:06 PM in response to barters1
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 13, 2013 2:06 PM in response to barters1

    Like with the other person, it is possible the PRAM battery or capacitor is out of whack.  Being 4 to 5 years suggests that could be the case.   If it was under 4 years old, I'd suggest just zapping the PRAM.  But doing so on an almost dead battery or capacitor could completely make your machine inaccessible.   As such updates can make PRAM batteries cause issues with other peripherals and connections  as they anticipate the battery to be in good shape.  When it is not, then there is a problem.  Either find the information on http://www.ifixit.com/ or take it in for service.

  • by barters1,

    barters1 barters1 Sep 13, 2013 2:09 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2013 2:09 PM in response to a brody

    Last time I did a battery diagnostic check it was fine. I'm restoring now from my time machine & will stick with 10.8.4 until apple figure this out.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Sep 13, 2013 2:14 PM in response to barters1
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 13, 2013 2:14 PM in response to barters1

    It is unlikely Apple will figure it out, if your PRAM battery (which is separate from the main battery that gives you power when you aren't plugged into the wall) is dying unless you bring it in for service.   That battery controls how the computer remembers the factory settings of all the peripherals.  When that battery is amuck, updates can appear to mess things up, or you find things start to fail you never thought would fail.  You really need to have that examined at some point.  Once your machine reaches 4 years old, it is an important checkup to make.

  • by barters1,

    barters1 barters1 Sep 13, 2013 2:15 PM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2013 2:15 PM in response to a brody

    Do they do that check up in the apple store?

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Sep 13, 2013 2:16 PM in response to barters1
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 13, 2013 2:16 PM in response to barters1

    Most can.  You should call and check if yours does.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Sep 13, 2013 2:17 PM in response to barters1
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Sep 13, 2013 2:17 PM in response to barters1

    I should add, you should bring your router with you into the store so they can figure out what is going on with your wireless.

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Sep 13, 2013 2:19 PM in response to barters1
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Sep 13, 2013 2:19 PM in response to barters1

    Try this:

     

    Go System Preferences / Network.

     

    Click on whatever is displayed next to Locatiion, and select Edit locations.

    Screen Shot 2013-09-13 at 5.12.12 PM.png

     

    In the drop down, click on the + sign to create a new location.

    Screen Shot 2013-09-13 at 5.16.07 PM.png

     

    Give the new location a name - does not matter what - close and save the changes.

     

    Can you now turn Wi-fi on?

  • by barters1,

    barters1 barters1 Sep 13, 2013 2:28 PM in response to Eustace Mendis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 13, 2013 2:28 PM in response to Eustace Mendis

    Hi Eustace I've gone ahead and restored from a previous back up to get me back to 10.8.4

     

    Brody. It has nothing to do with my router. There are 10 routers in my building I normally can pick up. The issue lies in my MacBook. Lets see if the restore works. If so the issue is with 10.8.5 and is apples fault.

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