[beverson]

I can't really figure out what's wrong with my graphite base station. I know it's not exactly new any more, but I don't think it's the same problem that people had with them hissing and dying a while back (for starters, there's no hissing, and it still works occasionally). Here's the deal:

For a while now the start up sequence of the LEDs is different. When I first got it, the lights would flash a nice plesant green and then it would start working. Now, the lights are always an angry red and orange flashing, though it does still start up and the green activity lights come on properly eventually. Even weirder, my iBook doesn't recognize it immediately any more. The iBook is set to connect to the strongest network it detects, but it never grabs the Base Station, even when it's the strongest or even the only WiFi network in range. I'd consider messing with the Base Station settings, but in January it became unresponsive and I had to do a hard manual reset and am scared to do anything more to "fix" it.

Can anyone suggest something that can be done? Or is it just time to look for a replacement, even though this one is not quite 2 years old yet.

[Grrr]

Still sounds like it could be the well known old power regulating capacitor problem.. I have repaired 2 with this problem, and I didnt happen to notice either of them making a hissing noise.
But your base station symptons still seem familiar none the less.. Has yours ever been fixed before, and had replacement caps fitted? If not, then it's long over due.. The parts are very cheap. Bummer is the labour to fit them, as it's a bit fiddly. But anyone who is good at soldering could probably do the job from start to finish in 30 minutes or so.

(Asuming of course that this is what the problem actually is)

[beverson]

Originally posted by Grrr:
Still sounds like it could be the well known old power regulating capacitor problem.. I have repaired 2 with this problem, and I didnt happen to notice either of them making a hissing noise.
But your base station symptons still seem familiar none the less.. Has yours ever been fixed before, and had replacement caps fitted? If not, then it's long over due.. The parts are very cheap. Bummer is the labour to fit them, as it's a bit fiddly. But anyone who is good at soldering could probably do the job from start to finish in 30 minutes or so.

(Asuming of course that this is what the problem actually is)

Hmm, no it's never been repaired. Replacement caps?

I've never soldered before, but I'm visiting my family right now and my dad has a soldering iron. Maybe now is the time to learn.

[kirvin]

Before you try & repair that base station yourself, I recommend that you check out this site: www.basestationrescue.com

This guy has made a cottage industry of repairing 1st gen base stations. I had the same problems you had & found this site while researching how to fix it. I followed the instructions on the site & my base station was returned to me in working condition within a few days.

[beverson]

Originally posted by kirvin:
Before you try & repair that base station yourself, I recommend that you check out this site: www.basestationrescue.com

This guy has made a cottage industry of repairing 1st gen base stations. I had the same problems you had & found this site while researching how to fix it. I followed the instructions on the site & my base station was returned to me in working condition within a few days.

Word -- I don't want to spend $55, but that does sound quite reasonable and I may go for it. Thanks a bunch!

[scottiB]

Before you spend any money, call Apple:

From a Macintouch reader report (granted, two years ago):

Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 09:07:53 -0700
From: Thomas Koons
Subject: Airport basestation exchange


This info has been posted on several news sites in the past few weeks. Here is what I found on MacFixIt:

"Apple has identified an issue with a small number of AirPort Base Stations, which causes the following symptoms - even after a hard reset:

Continuously blinking status lights No response to wired or wireless connections Resetting every few seconds

The affected AirPort Base Stations fall in the following serial number range:

PW940XXXXXXX to PW952XXXXXX

If customers have AirPort Base Stations in the specified serial number range and exhibiting the symptoms described above, please advise them to call 1-800-APL-CARE in the United States or 1-800-263-3394 in Canada. An Apple phone agent will provide assistance in replacing affected Base Stations for customers."

It seems Apple is aware of this problem is is exchanging the base stations.

Thomas Koons

Apple exchanged my first one and its replacement. Whether Apple has any graphite ones hanging around is another story, but give it a shot.

[beverson]

Originally posted by scottiB:
Before you spend any money, call Apple:

From a Macintouch reader report (granted, two years ago):

Apple exchanged my first one and its replacement. Whether Apple has any graphite ones hanging around is another story, but give it a shot.

I seem to remember checking my serial number back when this first was publicized, and before I actually had any problems, and I don't think mine was in that range. But thanks for providing that info, as I'll definitely check it again, and maybe call Apple regardless, before spending any money on it.

[Grrr]

One of my failed base stations was within Apples specified serial number range, and the other was outside of it. Yet both had the same fault.
Caps = capacitors btw.. You will most likely need to replace them both. And the parts are extremely cheap.. Probably less than $2 for both.
However, the circuit board is a print through type, which makes removing the old caps quite tricky. So you need some good desoldering equipment too.
it's deffinetly a bit more involved than your average soldering job.. But again, for someone who knows what they are doing and has the right tools, it wont take long to do.

[kirvin]

My base station was also out of the serial number range previously mentioned. I was on the phone with an Apple technician for about 45 min. troubleshooting the base station. He agreed that it sounded like a hardware failue & that I could send it in for repair. He also hinted that since this was a common issue, it would most likely not cost me anything.

The only problem was that becasue I only had the base station with me & not my Mac (I was at work, PC only ) he wanted me to do a hard reset. I took it home, tried it (it didn't work) and called them back the next day. Big mistake. The second guy I spoke with basically told me it was my problem because the unit was out of warranty. No matter how hard I tried to convince the guy that I spoke to someone else who indicated that Apple would take care of this, he would not give in.

I suppose I could have pursued it furhter, but didn't feel the aggrivation was worth $55. So I sent it in to basestation rescue & have been pleased with the results; however, I suggest you really push it with Apple, I ahave a feeling you might have success if you fight hard for it, they (Apple) knows that these early base stations are faulty.