D-Link Router Problem with new MacBook Pro

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Level 1

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D-Link Router Problem with new MacBook Pro

I have had my new MacBook Pro for less than one month and I have had weak home Internet connections ever since. I use a D-Link DI 624 revC wireless router that I bought back in February. I have it connected to a cable modem. I used to have an iBook and the D-Link worked great.

Now the airport signal never shows full strength. The signal is sporatic by showing three bars and then suddenly dropping to one or two. Just loading a web page will cause the signal strength to suddenly drop or lose connection altogether. I used to have full Internet access throughout the house. Now the wireless works only in two rooms.

Tactics that I have tried so far:
-Switched channels from 6 to 1 or 11
-Setting channel switching to auto
-Reset and rebooted
-Restore to factory settings
-Disabling SSID
-Allowing only 802.11g
-Moved the router to a different location
-Checked for possible interference

I know that it is probably my router as my Internet connections seem to fine at other places. I do not know why I would suddenly have these problems with a more powerful notebook.

I am not a network pro so I will be very grateful for any suggestions.

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jul 27, 2006 6:19 PM

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Answer 1

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Jul 27, 2006 6:25 PM in response to addhead14

Just a few thoughts;

- do you have "Use Interface Robustness" checked (best on)
- is your wireless network the first connection on the list in the Network prefence pane
- are you set to 'Automatic' or 'Prefered Networks' (try auto if not set)
- are you using WEP login (try MAC addressing or none)
- set the base station to allow 802.11b as well as g

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Answer 2

addhead14 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 27, 2006 7:44 PM in response to iVmichael

Thank you very much for replying.

I have tried interference robustness and I find that it sometimes makes the signal weaker.

I usually leave my network setting to automatic. I find that when I delete my preferred networks, it helps temporarily.

Right now, I have no WEP or WPA passwords.

The D-Link only has an option button for 802.11g mode only. I cannot find a setting for 802.11b and 802.11g. It is presently off. I have reset the router to factory settings for now.

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Answer 3

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Jul 28, 2006 1:27 AM in response to addhead14

OK ... all those answers add up.

I bought back in February

Have you updated the Firmware in the Router, a new version (2.75) was released 7/5/2006 that says:
¤ Fixed Security Issues.
¤ Improved Performance
Info
How to upgrade

You could also improve the power of the signal/extend the range with an extra antenna like this

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Answer 4

Jul 28, 2006 4:10 AM in response to iVmichael

I live in Uk and have the above router. I have just bought the macbook pro 17" and using tiger 10.4.7.
I have a new spec. dell desktop and a cable modem attached to it. I hooked the router to it so I could use my laptop upstairs. It works fine now and then. At times it works great and other times I have to reset the router, modem , dell PC etc. It is very annoying. At time even the Dell won't get internet signal even though modem lights are all on and working. I then have to reset all 3 items all over again. The newest issue is: Dell is working fine. But the Macbook pro is showing me a red aler sign> my ip address is being used by (some more numbers), and the DHCP and then same ip address with a .1 at the end. Since then I have not been able to get any signal or reset the configuration on macbook. Please help me with this particular issue and the general intermittent signal problem I am having with macbook and linksys router. Please email me on jasu_nayee@mac.com.
Cheers mate,
Jasu

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Answer 5

addhead14 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 28, 2006 10:01 AM in response to iVmichael

I did a firmware upgrade to 2.75 about a week ago and it has not made a difference.

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Answer 6

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Jul 28, 2006 5:40 PM in response to addhead14

Dang, I'm all out of ideas sorry ...

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Answer 7

Orcinus

Level 2

210 points

Jul 28, 2006 5:45 PM in response to addhead14

D-Links exhibit notoriously unreliable performance from firmware revision to firmware revision. From my own experience - if it doesn't work with your current firmware, and doesn't work with the latest firmware, try an earlier one 🙂

And for crying out loud, don't buy a D-Link next time 😉

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Answer 8

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Jul 28, 2006 5:48 PM in response to Jasu Nayee1

Jasu,

It sounds like your DHCP setup isn't right:

In the System Preferences/Network pane
Location - your main/home one
Show - Airport
Then:
Airport Tab - set to Automatic, set to 'Automatically join an open network', click Options and enable 'Interface Robustness'
TCP/IP Tab - set 'Configure IPv4' to 'Using DHCP' then hit the 'Apply now' button bottom right. (Some folks also find it helps to turn Off ipV6 numbering, the button's there)

1. Does it then get an IP number, Subnet Mask and Router OK?
2. What is the number it allocates to the MacBook Pro?
3. What is the number it shows for your Router?

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