[driven]

I've been having a problem with my new Powerbook. Everytime I power it up, or wake it from sleep the Airport refuses to connect to my wireless network unless I explicitly tell it to "connect". It's quite annoying and this is the only machine that I have experienced this on.

So ... I was in the mall anyway so I put myself into the queue for the genius bar. (2 hours!)

I wonder around shopping with my family.

I stop back about 20 minutes early for my appointment. (I get there at 1:50 for a 2:15 appt). This is where the first problem arises: The guy says I didn't respond to my queries and if I'm more than 30 minutes late for my appointment I'm removed from the queue. I politely tell him that I'm in fact 20 minutes early. He replies "Oh yeah, my clock must be off." Sheesh. So, he yeilds to my question.

I describe the situation to the guy. This is what transpired from that point forward: (Note: The entire conversation is paraphrased due to my non-photographic memory)

Genius: "Run repair permissions, that will fix it."

Me: I'm not sure what that's got to do with it, but I did in fact do that .... (I did!) Same problem.

Genius (with an immediate response): The only thing left to do is to reinstall your OS.

Me: This is a brand new machine. It's only 48 hours old, and it's not Windows. I've never had to do a full reinstall of OSX.

Genius: Lot's of Macs ship with mis-installed OSes. That's probably the problem. It's ALWAYS a good idea to do a fresh re-install as soon as you receive a new Mac.

Me: Any other ideas?

Genius: Send the computer in for service.

----

Now: Is it me, or is this "genius" off his rocker and perhaps woefully ill-equiped for this job. I'm really happy that I waited 2 hours for this. <sigh>

Meanwhile, my problem persists.

[SimpleLife]

Originally posted by driven:
I've been having a problem with my new Powerbook. Everytime I power it up, or wake it from sleep the Airport refuses to connect to my wireless network unless I explicitly tell it to "connect". It's quite annoying and this is the only machine that I have experienced this on.

So ... I was in the mall anyway so I put myself into the queue for the genius bar. (2 hours!)

I wonder around shopping with my family.

I stop back about 20 minutes early for my appointment. (I get there at 1:50 for a 2:15 appt). This is where the first problem arises: The guy says I didn't respond to my queries and if I'm more than 30 minutes late for my appointment I'm removed from the queue. I politely tell him that I'm in fact 20 minutes early. He replies "Oh yeah, my clock must be off." Sheesh. So, he yeilds to my question.

I describe the situation to the guy. This is what transpired from that point forward: (Note: The entire conversation is paraphrased due to my non-photographic memory)

Genius: "Run repair permissions, that will fix it."

Me: I'm not sure what that's got to do with it, but I did in fact do that .... (I did!) Same problem.

Genius (with an immediate response): The only thing left to do is to reinstall your OS.

Me: This is a brand new machine. It's only 48 hours old, and it's not Windows. I've never had to do a full reinstall of OSX.

Genius: Lot's of Macs ship with mis-installed OSes. That's probably the problem. It's ALWAYS a good idea to do a fresh re-install as soon as you receive a new Mac.

Me: Any other ideas?

Genius: Send the computer in for service.

----

Now: Is it me, or is this "genius" off his rocker and perhaps woefully ill-equiped for this job. I'm really happy that I waited 2 hours for this. <sigh>

Meanwhile, my problem persists.

I suggest you reinstall your OS.

Maybe that will make a difference.

[Mafia]

Originally posted by SimpleLife:
I suggest you reinstall your OS.

Maybe that will make a difference.

this is the first thing i always do after receiving my mac. hell if that doesn't work i guess send it off for service.

[d4nth3m4n]

not to mention that you're only 48 hours in, it's not like you have years of mods and crap saved on there.

just do it.

[Scifience]

For a real suggestion:

Tell System Preferences to automatically connect to that network in the Network settings preference pane. If you have a WEP/WPA key, enter it there. See if that helps.

There is also a setting somewhere for "Automatically Connect To Network With Best Signal Strength," but I'm not in front of my Mac right now.

I had the same problem with my 15" PowerBook and I solved it using a combination of those two settings.

[Mastrap]

I sympathize, but the guy did have a point. I always, always, always do a fresh install on a new Mac. Doesn't excuse the snotty behaviour of course.

[driven]

Originally posted by Scifience:
For a real suggestion:

Tell System Preferences to automatically connect to that network in the Network settings preference pane. If you have a WEP/WPA key, enter it there. See if that helps.

There is also a setting somewhere for "Automatically Connect To Network With Best Signal Strength," but I'm not in front of my Mac right now.

I had the same problem with my 15" PowerBook and I solved it using a combination of those two settings.

I've done that.

This problem existed out of the box. I figured that there was a setting (other than the above) that I missed. I already installed my apps. I'd prefer to not have to reinstall them.

But, baring any other suggestion I'll do a reinstall. (It sure does feel like defeat though ... like a Windows system.)

I'll try it later.

[driven]

BTW: Judging by your comments, the "genius" was right?

[d4nth3m4n]

Originally posted by Scifience:
For a real suggestion:

Tell System Preferences to automatically connect to that network in the Network settings preference pane. If you have a WEP/WPA key, enter it there. See if that helps.

There is also a setting somewhere for "Automatically Connect To Network With Best Signal Strength," but I'm not in front of my Mac right now.

I had the same problem with my 15" PowerBook and I solved it using a combination of those two settings.

oh, sorry, figured you'd tried this already.

set up a location with a setting that auto magically connects to your home SSID.

if that doesn't work though, give a fresh install a whirl.

[alligator]

Why in the world would you do a fresh install on a brand new Mac? That's absurd. It should work right out of the box.

[Big Mac]

First of all, this issue is reported often, and there is no common cause for the lack of automatic Airport connections. You were probably used to a different Mac that may have had a different version of Airport installed. My iBook used to connect to my closed network automatically, but after one of the Airport updates it no longer did. If you have it Join a Specific Network by default, it should comply with your request. And, slightly off-topic, it is infuriating hear suggestions that people should get their brand new computers serviced. Apple may try to foist a repair on you, as if it is not a brand new system. If your Mac is truly dysfunctional out of the box, it should be replaced, not repaired.

[driven]

Originally posted by Big Mac:
First of all, this issue is reported often, and there is no common cause for the lack of automatic Airport connections. You were probably used to a different Mac that may have had a different version of Airport installed. My iBook used to connect to my closed network automatically, but after one of the Airport updates it no longer did. If you have it Join a Specific Network by default, it should comply with your request. And, slightly off-topic, it is infuriating hear suggestions that people should get their brand new computers serviced. Apple may try to foist a repair on you, as if it is not a brand new system. If your Mac is truly dysfunctional out of the box, it should be replaced, not repaired.

Agreed. But ... do you honestly believe that there is a hardware problem here? (I need to know ..)

[frankiec]

Originally posted by driven:
Genius: Lot's of Macs ship with mis-installed OSes.

That statement does not make any sense.

It's so stupid I don't even know how to disprove it... What are these "mis-installed OSes"? What does it look like -- what exactly is wrong with it? Take a drive image of a "mis-installed OS" and take a drive image of a "non-mis-installed OS." Where are the file listings with md5 hashes? What's wrong? Where's the proof? Are we not people who try to understand the technical side?

Originally posted by alligator:
Why in the world would you do a fresh install on a brand new Mac? That's absurd. It should work right out of the box.

Agreed. These are people who believe in voodoo-like fixes. They wave a feather over their Mac, chant the Lord's Prayer backwards in Latin, and repair disk permissions*.

* I'm not saying repair disk permissions isn't legitimate, just overused.

[driven]

Originally posted by frankiec:
That statement does not make any sense.

It's so stupid I don't even know how to disprove it... What are these "mis-installed OSes"? What does it look like -- what exactly is wrong with it? Take a drive image of a "mis-installed OS" and take a drive image of a "non-mis-installed OS." Where's the proof? Are we not people who try to understand the technical side?

Would you have continued to ask questions or even continue the conversation after that statement?

I didn't either.

I am fairly certain though that Apple wouldn't appreciate one of their "Geniuses" spurting information like that.

[frankiec]

Originally posted by driven:
Would you have continued to ask questions or even continue the conversation after that statement?

I didn't either.

I am fairly certain though that Apple wouldn't appreciate one of their "Geniuses" spurting information like that.

Exactly! I can't believe that the guy said that.

It's such an absurd statement to make about products that one is representing.

Dealer: "Yeah, sometimes GM just gives us lemons. Still interested in a car?"

Good grief, those "Geniuses" are pretty naive and stupid. Another story about how a "Genius" is more looks than substance -- and you know what I mean.

[driven]

FWIW:

Creating a location worked. I called my location "test" (I didn't think it would work). Instead of hard-wiring it to a specific network I chose "automatic" and badda-bing, it worked. (Since my neighbor's unsecured wireless keeps hijacking my Tivo I am waiting to see if it ever highjacks my PowerBook.) It's too soon to say....

[CharlesS]

Originally posted by driven:
FWIW:

Creating a location worked. I called my location "test" (I didn't think it would work). Instead of hard-wiring it to a specific network I chose "automatic" and badda-bing, it worked. (Since my neighbor's unsecured wireless keeps hijacking my Tivo I am waiting to see if it ever highjacks my PowerBook.) It's too soon to say....

If it does, just print something to his printer explaining why he should secure his network.

[driven]

On a hunch, I deleted the location and changed the "network" to automatic.

Guess what? It works.

When I set it back to my network name, same problem. I set it back to automatic, it works again.

I guess I should send my computer in for service.

[Buckaroo]

Try this:


Open up your System Preferences.

Double click on "Airport network"

Click on "Airport" Tab.

Change "By default, join: "The specific network"

That might fix it.

[Buckaroo]

Oops, I didn't read all of the posts.

I guess you already figured it out.

[driven]

Originally posted by Buckaroo:
Oops, I didn't read all of the posts.

I guess you already figured it out.

Yeah, but it was exactly the opposite solution to fix it.

Go figure.

[theolein]

I wonder if this isn't an issue of a corrupted pref file?

[Eriamjh]

Fixing permissions fixes a lot of weird problems.
The best time to reinstall the Mac OS is when the computer is new before you have configured a ton of stuff.

Obviously, he could have been more of a genius. You should have come here first.

[driven]

Originally posted by Eriamjh:
Fixing permissions fixes a lot of weird problems.
The best time to reinstall the Mac OS is when the computer is new before you have configured a ton of stuff.

Obviously, he could have been more of a genius. You should have come here first.

You really shouldn't have to reinstall an OS on a new machine. That said: I already had transferred my docs and files to this machine. (That was an effort in itself ... getting files off of a dead laptop!)

That said: I really wish I divided this machine into 2 40GB partitions so I *could* easilly reinstall should this happen again. I may pick up an external hard drive for this purpose in the future. (I think the Powerbook has FW800???)

As for coming here first: I did post a message in the networking forum, but it didn't get a lot of responses.

I didn't go out of my way for the Apple store, I was at the mall anyway. I guess I just expected more out of the Genius. I can't help but wonder what impressions a non-technical user would have of this guy. (His arrogance didn't help my impressions much either.) He kind of talked to me like I'm an idiot for daring to ask him a question. (That started when I pointed out early on that he read the time wrong when he bumped me from the queue.) <-- I was extremely polite about it, even though it didn't help much.

[JHromadka]

I have this problem with my work network. Even after creating a location for it and specifying to join it by default, it still doesn't do it. The problem is that when I made my first connection, I told it not to automatically connect in the future, so now it won't. :/

At home it's automatic, so it seems to be on a per-connection basis. I haven't found where the setting is yet though.

[Paco500]

I'll admit I have not spent a huge amount of time at a genius bar, but I asked questions twice and been there for about 30. Not once have I heard an insightful bit of information. I know they probably don't pay these folks much, but if they spent a few hours a week online reading support forums they'd pick up some knowledge.

The sales people are even more frustrating. I was having a terrible time trying to decide between a new 12" or 15" PB and I asked about the differences in the video card- they're they same he tells me. This was at least a month after they were released. So I gently let him know one is nvidia and one is a radeon. Oh, he says, so maybe there are some benchmarks online, so he opens up safari and tries www.radeon.com. Come on, the people at Gap know more about their products than this clown did.

[driven]

Originally posted by Paco500:
I'll admit I have not spent a huge amount of time at a genius bar, but I asked questions twice and been there for about 30. Not once have I heard an insightful bit of information. I know they probably don't pay these folks much, but if they spent a few hours a week online reading support forums they'd pick up some knowledge.

The sales people are even more frustrating. I was having a terrible time trying to decide between a new 12" or 15" PB and I asked about the differences in the video card- they're they same he tells me. This was at least a month after they were released. So I gently let him know one is nvidia and one is a radeon. Oh, he says, so maybe there are some benchmarks online, so he opens up safari and tries www.radeon.com. Come on, the people at Gap know more about their products than this clown did.

ROFL: The sales guy told me that the PowerBook 15" with the 128MB VRAM had a GeForce Ultra 6800 inside, but he didn't recommend it because all of the fans make the laptop much louder. (Which brings up another point: Don't these guys get product information classes?)

[dcmacdaddy]

I am thinking you need to go old-school and trash some preferences. It always worked in the days of OS 8/9, I don't see why it wouldn't work here.

Go into /home/Library/Preferences/ and look for a preference files having to do with AirPort. Trash it and then reboot. When you start up again create specific location profiles and configure each one separately.

I've got 8 different network location profiles on my iBook depending on where I am (home, work, school, friends, mom, dad, sister, etc.) and each one is customized for the kind of network connectivity I will have at that location.

And do an automatic connection but make sure you give the network a password and save the settings.

[mitchell_pgh]

I would reinstall the OS.

[synthfiend]

At least he didn't ask you to try holding the shift key down on boot.
Some of them still ask that. :-D

[ink]

I had this problem until I updated the firmware on my Actiontec WAP. After that, everything worked.

[eddiecatflap]

i was in the apple store regent st the other day

what a dump

total let down

the entire place was full of kids looking up their emails , and when i asked for a demo , nobody was able to give me one , total bunch of idiots , the guy just said , go ahead , i told him i was an experienced mac user and knew all the basics but it went right over his head

won't be buying anything there , i'll stick with the smaller stores , thank you

[ghporter]

Originally posted by driven:
Genius: Lot's of Macs ship with mis-installed OSes. That's probably the problem. It's ALWAYS a good idea to do a fresh re-install as soon as you receive a new Mac.

This is a combination of absolute BULL and some somewhat useful advice.

The manufacturing plant doesn't install the OS; they write a disk image onto the brand new hard drive. The OS CANNOT be "mis-installed" because Apple created the drive image in the first place. The so-called "genius" is now working on minus IQ points. (And I hope he reads this-telling a customer a lie is just plain dishonest.)

The second part is somewhat useful. New Macs come with a lot of stuff you may not want on your hard drive. My wife has no use for Tony Hawk skateboard games, so why is it on her iBook? If she gets to a point where she worries about disk space, we'll delete it. What about Microsoft Office? It's pseudo-preinstalled, and it takes up a lot of room. I think if you're going to really take control of your laptop, you should wipe the drive clean and install the OS yourself, making a disk image for later restoral immediately afterwards-write this to CD. Then load your apps and make a second image with all the apps installed, and make another CD. These two images, along with simply backing up your data files regularly, are a substantial insurance policy, particularly if you have to have your Mac serviced, since Apple service makes no guarantee you'll have anything on your hard drive when you get the computer back.