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johnt519 · Nov 9, 2005, 03:17 PM

I have an odd problem. My set up includes a Linksys Cable router and a DLink AP-900 wireless access point. I have a Powerbook G4 (just prior to the new widescreen model), and also an iMac G4, both connected wirelessly.

On the Powerbook, if I'm running on battery, when trying to connect to sites and webpages, the network connection stalls - Safari shows "Contacting...." in the status bar - for a long time, some times even failing outright.

The odd thing is, if I plug in the power, as soon as the battery indicator in the menu bar shows the power connection, the network connection resumes. The iMac doesn't have any problems, and if I leave the Powerbook plugged in, it seems fine, so I'm pretty sure the router and wireless access point are fine.

I've tried resetting NVRAM and the PMU, and I've reinstalled the combo update to 10.4.3.

I have no idea why this is happening, just that it started withing the past day or so, after the update to 10.4.3. Both systems have had the Airport update.

Anyone have any clue? it's driving me crazy!!!!

Thanks.

johnt519 · Nov 10, 2005, 12:56 PM

Oddly.. it looks like it might have been the latest CHUD tools that was a problem (4.2.3). I removed them and so far so good.

I'm going to reinstall and see what happens...

johnt519 · Nov 22, 2005, 01:49 PM

Well, I'm still having the problem, even after removing the CHUD tools.

It even happens if I try to transfer a file from a shared folder from another system on my own network. Mounted via AFP, if the power is disconnected, if I try to transfer a file, the status window shows, but nothing happens. The Finder will show it's spinning cursor and just stall. Once I plug in the power, the transfer proceeds fine.

I have no idea what the problem is - I've never heard of such a strange problem and I'm hoping that it's not the Airport card failing.

I can ping websites just fine, connecting via a browser doesn't work - most of the time.

I've even tried using the Terminal and telnet to retrieve a page:

telnet www.macnn.com 80
GET /

Doing that when the power is connected returns the page. Unplug the power and it just sits and eventually disconnects.

Anyone? Something to look at?

Fusion · Nov 22, 2005, 02:07 PM

I've been having this issue as well, but not related to the power adapter. It just happens whether on battery or on power. But it is getting annoying.

johnt519 · Nov 22, 2005, 02:16 PM

It's definitely something to do with the power for me. As long as I keep the power in, I have no problems.

Unplug and go on battery, and I have all sorts of connection problems. I also forgot to mention, if I'm on battery, iChat will disconnect, saying it lost connection with the network.

seanc · Nov 22, 2005, 05:07 PM

Have you tried the latest Airport update?
Check Software Update.

johnt519 · Nov 22, 2005, 06:09 PM

From my original post:
"... Both systems have had the Airport update. ..."

So yes, it's installed. No difference.

seanc · Nov 23, 2005, 08:07 AM

How much RAM have you got?

I read somewhere that over 1gb in the last gen. Powerbooks and latest iBooks affects the Airport Card but it was supposed to be fixed with the Airport update.

johnt519 · Nov 23, 2005, 09:29 AM

I have 1.5 gb. But mine isn't the lastest gen (higher res. screen). It was purchased back in early 2005 (Jan) and hasn't had a problem until the 10.4.3 and possibly after the latest Airport update.

seanc · Nov 23, 2005, 09:55 AM

in the last gen.

Try taking out a stick to make it 512mb, yes I know it'll be slow but it's just for testing puposes. If it works then you need to try re-applying 10.4.3 and the Airport Update.

jkelley · 12:35 PM

I'm just wondering if anyone's had any luck alleviating this problem yet.

I have a 15" Powerbook and have also been having this hanging network problem over my home wireless connection after the 10.4.3 (and latest Airport?) updates. I hadn't noticed a correlation with the power adapter being plugged in, but I'm certainly going to check that out.

Both http and imap requests are slow and often hang. But I can never detect anything weird with ping or traceroute. In fact, when I traceroute to a "hung" address, it will (say, 90% of the time) "unstick" the connection and the page will load.

netstat will also often show connections stuck in a normally transient state, such as FIN_WAIT_1, with packets waiting in the send queue forever. But I'm not an expert at TCP, so I'm having a hard time interpreting what this is telling me.

Thanks!

jkelley · Dec 3, 2005, 03:43 PM

I can confirm that (like johnt519) the network hangs only occur when I'm running off the battery. Plugging in the power adapter immediately alleviates the problem. I poked around in the energy saver settings to see if I could find anything there that might be related to the problem, but I didn't see anything.

johnt519 · Dec 3, 2005, 04:20 PM

Re: Memory... The system has been working just fine since I got it, back in January. This problem is within the last few weeks or so.

One thing I have noticed, if I am in another location, using a different wifi network, the system seems to work fine. I have a feeling it may be something with my wireless access point (DLink AP-900+). Maybe it's time to dump it and get something else.

...or I can just use it while plugged in.