[ClaraT]

I am NOT able to use the wireless service here at the Hilton in Honolulu. I am not getting anywhere near the benefits that Apple claims you get with their computers.

I have an AE card in this 6 mos. old ibook, G4, OS 10.3.4. I have used it at Starbucks, Panera Bread on the mainland (Washington DC area) so I know what it feels and looks like
to be able to be wireless.

It sucks that I'm sitting in the hotspot of this hotel, with other people, some who are using apples (powerbook spotted nearby). and are able to sail along effortlessly on their machines without wires while I'm restarting, trying this configuration and that configuration. . . .

There are NO bars on the airport icon.
I have been on the support line with the hotel's tech support. They even sent a manager over to the area where I'm SUPPOSED to be getting wireless--nothing, nada, no signal!
What is up with my computer that I am not getting a signal.

Is it me or do I have a friggin lemon of a machine. Nothing, I mean nothing has been simple with this ibook.

I'm ranting and going on record here, I know--but is anyone else struggling with this so-called "great little machine"?

Here's my partial list of problems:

Kernel panics 4-6 times a week.
Crashes and freezes several times a day.
Keyboard won't lift--little screw in the middle won't release the keyboard. I HAVE opened it up before--when I initally put in the AE card and the Crucial ram--so go figure??
I want to lift the keyboard to take out the friggin ram, to isolate if the memory is bad and causing the panics and crashes.

Also, I'm not a nerd, geek or engineer and have NOT loaded this thing up with a lot of software. Only Word for Mac has been installed and a couple of sample database programs.

I resent like hell that I have to spend several hours of my time at the Genius Bar at the Apple store when I get back just to get to the bottom of the above listed issues. Now this, not able to use wireless. I resent not being able to actually use this computer the way it's touted it can be used.

After 1600 + dollars I believe a customer should have a much better experience than what I'm having.

I'm really frustrated. . .anyone else?



clarat

[Sod Off Sadr]

The Hilton in Honolulu? You sound really disadvantaged.

Try this:
Boot from the 10.3 cd-rom and run disk utility to check your disk for errors and repair permissions.

They keyboard problem is obviously your fault. It worked before; no reason why it won't work now. Reread the manual.

[psk-ele]

Yeah, with all the crashes and kernal panics, the bad memory would be my first guess.

The keyboards on the iBook G4s are kind of a pain when it comes to putting them on and taking them off. What I have found that works is to get a tiny flathead screwdriver, then unlock the keyboard and slowly and gently starting lifting from the top left (or right) and move across lifting up the keyboard as your go. The problem may lie in the fact you didn't properly seat the keyboard after you took it off the first time. They don't just slide back in all nice and neat (and I have had two of them). If you had to force the top part of your keyboard in place when you took it off and then put it back on for the first time, the bottom isn't seated properly. There are two little tabs, and you have to fiddle with them just right to get them to seat in there respected slots.

I don't know if this will solve your problem with the keyboard, but that is what i have noticed that works from my experience.

Hope this helps!!

[ClaraT]

Originally posted by Sod Off Sadr:
The Hilton in Honolulu? You sound really disadvantaged.

Try this:
Boot from the 10.3 cd-rom and run disk utility to check your disk for errors and repair permissions.

They keyboard problem is obviously your fault. It worked before; no reason why it won't work now. Reread the manual.

I don't travel with the 10.3 cd-rom. Have already run disk errors and repair permissions--SEVERAL TIMES. Not with the cd. Your suggestion does make me wonder if doing a "software" update a month or so ago started all the problems re: kernels and crashes.


Keyboard was fine by my use. (I babied it). . . It was taking it in to the "genius bar" a few months ago where one of the geniuses handed it back to me.


Bottomline---I bought the computer to be able to work with--not on. I don't want to spend hours and hours trying to figure out what it needs, booting, configuring, re-booting.

If I sound angry, yea I am. When we as consumers are told and sold that we will get x benefits and features with a product and in reality we only get half of x it does get to me.
I just want to get what I pay for and what they advertise it will do---go wireless.

clarat

[aaanorton]

Originally posted by ClaraT:
Bottomline---I bought the computer to be able to work with--not on. I don't want to spend hours and hours trying to figure out what it needs, booting, configuring, re-booting.

If I sound angry, yea I am. When we as consumers are told and sold that we will get x benefits and features with a product and in reality we only get half of x it does get to me.
I just want to get what I pay for and what they advertise it will do---go wireless.

clarat

Actually, bottom line is you need to step back and look at both the content and format of your grievances. You're coming from the premise that OS X and iBooks are not designed and/or built well enough to function stably and connect wirelessly to wi-fi networks. This is absurdly silly. Surely this forum in particular would be flooded with posts identical to yours if it were valid. The fact is, iBooks (on the whole) work well, rarely crash and connect to wireless networks easily and effectively. If yours is not like this, well, I hate it for you. But you should be more concerned with getting it fixed while still under warranty than simply maligning the system entirely. No manufacturer can produce 100% perfect products, at least not for what we pay for Apple computers.
Now, why not calmly describe exactly what NETWORKING issues you are encountering, what is going wrong and what you have tried to remedy it/them. Maybe then people here will be able to assist you.

[ClaraT]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Actually, bottom line is you need to step back and look at both the content and format of your grievances. You're coming from the premise that OS X and iBooks are not designed and/or built well enough to function stably and connect wirelessly to wi-fi networks. This is absurdly silly. Surely this forum in particular would be flooded with posts identical to yours if it were valid. The fact is, iBooks (on the whole) work well, rarely crash and connect to wireless networks easily and effectively. If yours is not like this, well, I hate it for you. But you should be more concerned with getting it fixed while still under warranty than simply maligning the system entirely. No manufacturer can produce 100% perfect products, at least not for what we pay for Apple computers.
Now, why not calmly describe exactly what NETWORKING issues you are encountering, what is going wrong and what you have tried to remedy it/them. Maybe then people here will be able to assist you.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I do appreciate that and your point is taken.

I'll carve some time out to spend the better part of a morning at the Apple Store to have them go over it and report back to this forum the findings.

Any suggestions if they insist on keeping it? Will they offer a loaner for me to work on? That's my point here. . .and I hear yours (no manufacturer can produce 100% perfect products. . .) When I've paid for a brand new machine that I NEED for work and depend on and it doesn't stay stable how should the manufacturer compensate me while it's in for repair? What about inconvenience to the customer?

And something really troubles me about leaving a computer that is only 6 mos. old in for repair in the first place.

thanks,

clarat

[aaanorton]

I wish I could offer a brighter prediction, but from my experiences, Apple does not do well in accommodating the business user. My guess is that they will offer to fix it for you and offer nothing in the way of a loaner. Last year I purchased $30k worth of Apple stuff. The manager at the Grove store (flagship L.A. store), where I made the original purchase, would not loan me a battery over one weekend for my 17" PB, even though I had a job scheduled for that weekend. This was simply a battery, from a store I had just spent a lot of money in and my work address is just down the street from them. They had even been to our place to meet us. Still unbelievable to me.
On the other hand, if you talk to the right people and are polite but persuasive enough, you may be able to swing a replacement. I wouldn't bet on this, but I know for a fact that it CAN be done.
In the end, if they have to keep it but fix it completely and do a good job, in a couple months you'll hardly care what happened. Hope it works out.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally posted by ClaraT:
Any suggestions if they insist on keeping it? Will they offer a loaner for me to work on? That's my point here. . .and I hear yours (no manufacturer can produce 100% perfect products. . .) When I've paid for a brand new machine that I NEED for work and depend on and it doesn't stay stable how should the manufacturer compensate me while it's in for repair? What about inconvenience to the customer?

And something really troubles me about leaving a computer that is only 6 mos. old in for repair in the first place.

That's the breaks. Its only a $1400 machine not a $41,000 one. I know of no laptop maker that gives out loaners. You might get that service through a company IT program or maybe a university but not the manufacturers themselves.
Everything you described sounds like it is not the laptop itself but rather a bad install of OSX or something you installed after purchase that is causing the problems. If this only happened in the past few weeks then it is almost certainly that. If that is the case then it is not Apple's fault. If the hard drive died or the motherboard blew then that is a different story but that is not the case. But since it has not been ruled out that the problem was not user caused then they are under no obligation to compensate your inconvenience. Things like the fact the keyboard was removed easily before and now something is wrong points to an error on the part of the last person who took it off not Apple's manufacturing process.

If you are so dependent on a computer for work then you always have a copy of the material (either a hard copy or on CD) to work with should the computer get stolen or if it breaks down. If that sounds unreasonable to you then you are going to be sorely disappointed that the world works like that. Nothing is infallible and service on the spot is not free.

Anyway, so far your post gives nothing to go on for others to help you. Not one fact about what you have done or the computer settings are listed that may give a clue as to why your laptop is not seeing the network. Asking, "why doesn't it work" is rather pointless if you don't include the details. If you want to do that then maybe someone can give you a hand.

[ClaraT]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
I wish I could offer a brighter prediction, but from my experiences, Apple does not do well in accommodating the business user. My guess is that they will offer to fix it for you and offer nothing in the way of a loaner. Last year I purchased $30k worth of Apple stuff. The manager at the Grove store (flagship L.A. store), where I made the original purchase, would not loan me a battery over one weekend for my 17" PB, even though I had a job scheduled for that weekend. This was simply a battery, from a store I had just spent a lot of money in and my work address is just down the street from them. They had even been to our place to meet us. Still unbelievable to me.
On the other hand, if you talk to the right people and are polite but persuasive enough, you may be able to swing a replacement. I wouldn't bet on this, but I know for a fact that it CAN be done.
In the end, if they have to keep it but fix it completely and do a good job, in a couple months you'll hardly care what happened. Hope it works out.

What you've just described about not being loaned a battery is extremely sad and speaks to the lack of personal relationships that are missing in the technical/computer industry.

In 1977 I returned a Hertz rental car to the Dublin, Ireland office. After I paid for the car and turned in the keys I asked the clerk what bus I needed to get to my bed and breakfast.
He looked at me, handed back the keys and said "here, take the car and have it back in the morning." He offered me the car FREE! overnight. I was astounded--but then again it was Ireland.

Service and trust, two commodities that are immeasureable and rare in these times when it comes to electronics and computers.

Can you imagine how the bottomline might increase at that flagship store of Apple's
if you could tell your friends how well cared for you felt after dropping $30k?

So I'll take this 2004, G4, 800, 640, with bluetooth and an AE card in tomorrow and send out my notes.

Thanks all,

clarat

[tooki]

I will point out that many small, independent Apple dealers (as well as many non-Apple-authorized service providers) will provide the level of service that many people pine for. My last employer (an Apple Consultants Network member), for example, went out of his way to make sure that clients got the service they needed -- and that sometimes meant loaning them gear so they could get their work done, or arranging service at odd hours.

Of course, you have to realize they won't do that for free. I mean, they may not charge for those services specifically, but you have to have a previous business relationship to expect things like that.

tooki

[TailsToo]

To Tooki's point, the kind of service you are asking for is VERY expensive. It wasn't affordable for computer companies to do that back when the average price of a laptop was 3k, let alone $1500.

While anyone can have problems with their machines, I use my TI book (and iBook before that) in my PC dominated work place, and I have no problems whatsoever. I can connect to any of their wireless networks, share files with Office or run programs via virtual PC.

[sledsbehave]

i'd get rid of it, get another ibook or better, this one sounds spooked or lemony. i would attempt to demand a full replacement considering the problems you have had and the time you spent trying to solve them. the store you bought it from should be very helpful.

i have two ibooks and both are near perfect, and rarely need any repair or tweaking.