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iMac does not connect to wireless network automatically when it starts

I just got a new Intel Core 2 Duo iMac 20". Everything is working great. I've been reading about people having problems with wireless connection with their Intel iMacs. Fortunately, my wireless connection works fine and the internet speed is fine too. The problem I'm having is that when I turn the computer on, it does not recognize the wireless network and connect automatically. Once I type in the Network Name/Password, it works great. Even when it wakes up from sleeping mode, it's fine.

When I turn on my PowerBook G4, it recognizes the wireless network and connects right away. I checked the setting on both computers and they seem to be same.

My goal is to turn on the iMac and have it connect to the wireless network without having to enter the Network Name/Password manually each time the computer turns on. I know it's possible since my PowerBook does it.

I searched the forum without any luck. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you everyone.

iMac, G5, PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 15, 2006 9:19 PM

Reply
76 replies

Nov 15, 2006 10:13 PM in response to Trevor Gibson

Thank you!

My iMac connects to only one network (it's a home computer). My PowerBook is able to connect to my home and my work network automatically and they both have different names/passwords. All I had to do was input the info once and it remembers.

I can't seem to figure out why my iMac can not remember the network name/password.

Thanks.

Nov 15, 2006 10:55 PM in response to DKye

It could also be because of the router type. I am going to assume that you have a different brand router at work than you do at home. In that case, some routers are just "stubborn" like that. I used to have a D-Link router, and when I would boot up my iMac, it would automatically connect to the router. But it broke, and I had to get a Lynksis router. Since I began using the Lynksis router, my iMac only sometimes connects to the router automatically at boot-up. I get the same signal strength that I did with the D-link, but I guess that different routers operate differently.

Also; if the type of wireless on either router differs, that could also be the source of the problem. If the router at your work is 802.11b and the one at home is 802.11g (or visa versa) then that would explain why the PB is connecting, but not the iMac. It's just another thought.

Hope this Helps

Trevor

Nov 16, 2006 6:38 AM in response to DKye

Mac OS X 10.4.8: AirPort does not auto-connect to existing networks after restart or wake from sleep:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304482

"Adjusting Port Priority" subchapter in the article: Using network locations in Mac OS X: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106653
explains how to make airport the first port your computer checks for a valid network connection on wake.

Nov 19, 2006 1:29 AM in response to jstra

What is happening to my Core Duo iMacs on an AirPort Express network is that after I have it working fine, and don't turn off AirPort but restart the iMac anyway, Network Status is showing that AirPort has acquired a self-assigned IP address. When I go to the TCP/IP pane in AirPort I can see that the IP address is not in the range it usually is (and should be in, based on AirPort Admin Utility settings), and instead of the usual "Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0" it shows "Subnet Mask: 255.255.000.0"

After completely erasing the hard drive, fresh install and updates, and setting Network preferences so that the preferred network is deleted and then added back (as advised in the Apple article), if I do everything just right I can actually get it to auto reconnect after a restart. But, only once. A second restart puts me right back where I was, and then no auto connect after additional restart attempts. So far, I have the exact same result with two of the same Core Duo iMac models, and expect the other two will replicate, since they have up to this point.

This is really not all that big a deal, as all that needs to be done is turn off AirPort prior to restarts or shutdowns. Then when turned back on, it will reconnect to the network fine, although NOT as fast as other Macs (G4, G5) connect to the same network.

Nov 19, 2006 3:33 PM in response to jstra

jstra,
Thanks for your interest, and please forgive the length of this, just want to get the info out there.

Yes, have gone through it several times on more than one 20-inch Core Duo, to try and eliminate the chance of a random issue. Every time I used a G4 iBook or a G5 iMac as a control to prove that there is nothing wrong with the AirPort network itself, or its settings. And, I have never migrated anything from one Mac to another. The Core Duos usually do not have any extra widgets installed, either, and certainly none immediately after a fresh 10.4.8 install, when the issues will begin. Installations are not done using any disk image, but using the original dvds that came with each iMac. Updates have been done using downloaded versions, or using the online Software Update. Core Duo iMacs were purchased from two separate Apple locations, at different times, and have different production weeks.

When I erase and do a fresh install on a 20-inch Core Duo iMac, then use the Combo Update 10.4.7 instead of the latest 10.4.8, I have no AirPort problems, it's just as good as it ever was. [I must say, however, that Core Duo's AirPort never (in my opinion) has seemed to acquire wireless networks as fast as my other non-Intel Macs.] I can then install all the other updates offered by Software Update and get all the applications perfectly up to date, with only the expception that it's not 10.4.8. AirPort will continue to work perfectly, and will ALWAYS reacquire the preferred network regardless of number or frequency of restarts, shutdowns, or sleep cycles.

However, as soon as I install the 10.4.8 update - and I've tried doing the 10.4.8 update with a downloaded (and burned to dvd) 10.4.8 Combo Updater, as well as using the automated feature - then AirPort gets all these problems (starting with an inability to maintain any AirPort activity for more than a few seconds) most of which I can eventually get corrected using the widely known fixes. All except the inability to reaquire the preferred network upon restart or after shutdown, if AirPort is not turned off prior to either. That's when somehow this self-assigned IP address issue occurs.

Considering that others are reporting the same issue with non-Apple base stations, I don't think there's any possibility that these issues are originating in either my Express or Extreme base stations, both with up-to-date firmware, both operating in different physical locations, using DSL supplied one by Verizon, one by AT&T (SBC).

Again, don't anyone misunderstand, as my G4 iBook and G5 iMac will ALWAYS reacquire the preferred network upon restarts, after shutdowns, and after any type of sleep. For me, this issue is strictly related to 20-inch Core Duo iMacs that, prior to 10.4.8, never exhibited any AirPort problem at all. And, if I revert to 10.4.7, it all goes away.

Since I always turn off AirPort before restarting, sleep, or shutdown, or before getting out of my chair, I don't need to resolve this, but I sure can't understand why it can't be done! And I certainly understand how troublesome this must be for others who don't have the free time resources to expend on the problem.

Nov 20, 2006 9:00 AM in response to myhighway

Nice post. I agree with everything you have said. Again, my daughter's Core 2 Duo works fine so in our house anyway it's just a Core Duo problem.

I have a question, if you don't mind, what is the reason for turning off your Airport? When you turn it off on your machine it only affects your machine right? It doesn't shut down the network does it?

Nov 20, 2006 1:21 PM in response to DKye

Having the same problem AFTER update to new firmware. Everything ran fine before. Using a wifi hookup from my cable provider and a wireless printer. Now when I start the machine, have to connect manually throught the airport icon on the top finder screen-right. Weird. Additionally, connection is weaker vis a vis the airport icon indicating signal strength. Spent 1 1/2 hours with tech support, very nice, but no solutiuon. Ran permissions, checked network settings, and ran disk utility through the start up dick per the techs advice. Now, he wants me to run an archive install which will destroy the hours spent on adding third party software. Any ideas for help?

Thanks
M

Nov 21, 2006 7:04 AM in response to nyneo

I also have the same problem with a 17" iMac Core 2 Duo and found it was getting an incorrect IP when using DHCP.

I've now set Configure IPv4 to 'manually' and entered in a fixed IP Address, Subnet Mask, Router and DNS Server details.

This has fixed the wake from sleep and start up problems in obtaining a Airport connection for me.

My iBook G4 when updated to 10.4.8 was not affected only the Core 2 Duo iMac.

iMac does not connect to wireless network automatically when it starts

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