[- - e r i k - -]

I've had this problem for a while, but today it won't go away:

When waking up after a night's sleep (both for me and my PowerBook), it's AirPort would stop connecting to the internet. Or more precisely jump on and off. A resetting of the Base Station fixed it though.

But today it never stops. I can't even access the internet without every other page timing out. It doesn't drop any signal strenght, but the Internet Connection staus alternates between connected to the Internet and Not availble.

Here's what I've tried:

- Running without DNS-servers
- Forcing the AirPort to give me a different IP
- Resetting the base station multiple times and switching channels. Combined with all the other computers working fine (two PCs and a G4 Tower) I've come to the conclusion that it's the PowerBook.
- Running the hardware test yields nothing. Not even the extended one. It passes fine.
- Reinstalling the Operating System. Status shows Connected to internet - it now appears to work again. But only after the second time of waking up and turning on AirPort.

Apple's support site shows no info on how to check the AirPort-card in case it's loose. The screws on the back are also so tight that I can't get them up :/

What can I do if the problems re-appear yet again?

[- - e r i k - -]

Still a problem. Seems to be when I move to my couch. For some reason it seems stabler when it¨s level on my table. Weird.

[iWrite]

You didn't mention the specs of the card or the base station. What type?

If it's the AEBS it doesn't surprise me.

The Airport Extreme Apple site is full of failures and we also experienced nothing but problems on three separate stations.

If it's the older model (Graphite or Snow) then it might be that the modem fried inside.

Have you tried connecting directly via modem in the Powerbook? How is your internet access then?

Because if it does the same thing it could be the ISP itself experiencing problems.

[iWrite]

Loose card inside?

Or the wire to the card is pinched or loose?

[- - e r i k - -]

Seeing as I've surfed the net stably for the last ten minutes I believe that the card inside is loose. Problem is that AP Extreme comes with the machine and such isn't listed as a user servicable part at Apple's support base. We've had precious few problems with the base station itself since we bought it in march.

We also have an Omni Extender, so there shouldn't be a signal problem. I've used the PowerBook mostly from my couch and also in my bed without problems before.

I'll guess I have to open up and have a look inside. But where is the actual card and which screws do I unscrew?

[- - e r i k - -]

It's doing it again. After half an hour surfing on the table. It now disconnects itself over and over again. It's not an ISP problem as the other machines run fine.

[bcaslis]

One other thing to try is to channel the channel the base station uses in case of interference. I recently upgraded from Airport to Airport extreme and never had an problems with Airport. I've had the AE BS mysteriously stop registering that then reappear a few times. The other night it stopped showing and no amount of restarting it fixed things even when right next to it with a PowerBook 17". Finally I changed the channels on it from channel 1 to channel 6 and haven't had any problems in two days so far.

Originally posted by - - e r i k - -:
It's doing it again. After half an hour surfing on the table. It now disconnects itself over and over again. It's not an ISP problem as the other machines run fine.

[iWrite]

Go into System Preferences then down to Network and then open it up. Go into Show: Network Port Configurations.

Make SURE that "Airport" IS checked and make sure it is at the TOP of the list.

UNcheck the other two (Internal Modem and Ethernet) and make sure that Airport is at the top. Click "Apply Now." If Airport isn't at the top of the list that's all your problem is.

I bet that's it.

[- - e r i k - -]

Hmmm... I already tried the channel things. But seeing as the other computers work just fine, it has to be the TiBook.

I doubt it's the network configuration either. It only happens when I move the laptop to my actual lap so that it's not at a 90 degree angle on a hard surface anymore.

What I wanna check is wether the actual card has come loose, but it would be nice if I knew the location of it before opening the cover.

[zircopax]

Also, do you have a 2.4 ghz cordless phone? They can interfere with each other since they communicate on the same frequency. It's best to keep the base station away from it if possible. You could also look in the Airport Admin to see if all your settings are correct. Mine were recently and mysteriously fouled up, but resetting the incorrect info worked.

Todd

[iWrite]

It's very easy: Take a Torx 8 screwdriver or wrench, turn the TiBook over on a soft cloth (turned off of course), remove the battery, and remove all of the screws. The Airport Card is directly up above the battery on the right hand edge (when flipped over). You'll see the hard drive down on the left of the battery. Make sure that once you open it up that you touch a piece of metal (NOT on the inside of your Powerbook) to discharge any static electricity. You'll see where your card is right there and simply sneak the wire that goes into the Airport Card up and out, then grasp the clear plastic tab attached to the card and pull firmly but gently to the right. As soon as it slides toward you slightly then carefully pull the wire OUT of the Airport Card. Remove the Airport Card completely because you're going to reseat it. Once it is out carefully re-insert it slightly. Re-attach/insert the antenna wire then push the Airport Card all the way back in FIRMLY. You won't feel it click or anything but you'll know it's all the way in (be sure to reinsert it the way you took it out with the label the right way up).

Then put your case bottom back on. The easiest way to get it back on is to start at the front (where the DVD slot is) making sure it is aligned there FIRST. Then fit the rest of it on -- pushing gently but firmly UP toward the hinge areas so that the curved area just below the hinges seats correctly. You may have to push upward a little to get it to fit.

It may stick slightly to the area just on the left of the battery housing. You'll notice that there is a plastic divider/clip there. It needs to be flush right there or the case will be bowed. If it's bowed then put the bottom panel back on SLIGHTLY to the left (1/2mm).

NEVER EVER FORCE THE BOTTOM. It should go back on easily. If it doesn't then it's not aligned correctly. Just take it off and try again.

Once you get the bottom back on only put in three or four of the screws then reinsert the battery. Turn it on and see how it works then.

If it works great then put the rest of the screws back in. If not then you might want to consider buying a new card and putting it in. In the meantime you can either take the bottom back off and take out the Airport Card or you can simply put the rest of the screws back in and send it off to Apple.

I'd call you to help you through it but you're in Norway not the U.S.!

Good luck.

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally posted by zircopax:
Also, do you have a 2.4 ghz cordless phone? They can interfere with each other since they communicate on the same frequency. It's best to keep the base station away from it if possible. You could also look in the Airport Admin to see if all your settings are correct. Mine were recently and mysteriously fouled up, but resetting the incorrect info worked.

Todd

Nope, no phones. Haven't had a landline for three years. AirPort Admin checked and reset a few times. Tried different channels, IPs. No dice.

[iWrite]

A couple of links to take a look at:

Here...

And here.

[schuey100]

I had the same problrm a while ago. Exactly the same thing happened two or three times in an hour! Everything's fine and and then all of a sudden..bang..can't get on to anything. Airport signal strength was ok and couldn't figure it out. I reset the base station and it started working again. Then it stopped again a few days later..another reset and it's all good again and hasn't been a problem since. I know of one other person that had the same problem with the 17" so I'd be suprised if it was a loose cable. We can't all have loose cables can we??

[hall]

I've had the same problems. Only on my AE basestation. My 12" PB and IBM seem to work o.k. The weird thing is that it works fine when very close to the AP. It's only when you start moving over like 5 feet does it get weird. See if this helps below:


http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=161562

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=160664

AppleCare told me to take it to a Apple store and see if it worked there. Now thats a sharp "technician".

[iWrite]

He probably has blown capacitors.

(On the Airport Base Station, that is.)

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally posted by hall:
I've had the same problems. Only on my AE basestation. My 12" PB and IBM seem to work o.k. The weird thing is that it works fine when very close to the AP. It's only when you start moving over like 5 feet does it get weird. See if this helps below:


http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=161562

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=160664

Yeah, this seems to be related. However I just can't see why this is a base station problem. A PC one floor down gets internet just fine and so does my other mac. It also only happens when the powerbook is at an angle.

And yes, the signal strenght is just fine. Two to three black bars all the time.

[hall]

same thing with me. the 12" PB and a IBM are fine at any distant with the AE AP. it's just the 17" even when it's showing black bars.

have you tried calling applecare?

[iWrite]

Well, I guess I misunderstood.

I thought the ABS wasn't working at all.

If the ABS is working fine except for certain locations and angles then that seems to be a Powerbook problem, yes.

I've found that my signal strength diminishes greatly if it's less than three bars. In fact, if I have less than four bars (which is rare) I notice a significant drop in performance.

My ABS usually shows four bars, like right now.

Are you working with Airport Extreme Base Station?

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally posted by iWrite:
Are you working with Airport Extreme Base Station?

Yeah, it's an Airport Extreme Base Station. It's been working fine so far today, although I haven't exactly stressed it that hard on the net or in different locations.

I've also posted on the Apple discussion forums, so I'll guess I just have to see how this one pans out.

As for calling Apple Care, as I've mentioned in another thread this is an US-imported laptop (I'm in Norway) so I didn't get AppleCare and I'm a bit stoked on where to turn for support.

[hall]

fyi,

i took to the advice of a post at the apple discussion board and it seemed to work. so far im back to surfn' anywhere in the house. hears what i did


deleted my ae utility config file from my lib directory

turned my airport on my 17" off

did a 5 second reset on the AP

redid the config on the AP

no it's working like it should


maybe this will help others!

i'll let you know if it craps out again.

[iWrite]

That's really great news.

I was wondering how it was going with your AEBS.

I had to send my Powerbook in today for LCD check up. I'm freaked out enough by the posts in this forum about Powerbooks being sent off and returned with scratches, dings, and dents that I powered it up to the Apple "Hot News" site that displays the date and I shot videotape of the thing with Apple System Profiler open showing the serial number alongside of the Apple Hot News site with the date.

I also had the Airborne rep personally box up the machine and seal it.

If it comes back damaged then I have a case against Apple.

I have to say, however, I've sent in Powerbooks umpteen times and have never had a problem.

Glad your Airport is back working correctly -- good going!