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RobOnTheCape · Dec 23, 2009, 03:28 PM

My daughters ibook G4(core duo) has a strange reception problem. She has spotty reception picking up a wireless signal even if a few feet away from the airport base. Further, she'll only have reception for a few minutes, and then nothing. To get internet she has to shut down her machine. Shutting down for ten minutes gets her about two minutes of reception. Overnight gets her about 20 minutes.

Could this be her wireless card giving up after 3+ years?

Thanks

ghporter · Dec 23, 2009, 06:57 PM

First, there's no such thing as an iBook G4 "core duo." Core Duo applies to MacBooks and MacBook Pros. It makes a difference because the different machines have different cards.

As for the experience your daughter is getting, I'd have to ask if she has her computer on a hard surface, or is she trying this with the computer on top of a quilt or blanket. If the later, she's overheating the computer and the card. But your description of the symptoms sounds very much like the card is getting too hot and cutting out.

RobOnTheCape · Dec 23, 2009, 08:42 PM

sorry about that. It's a Macbook core duo from 2006ish.

I was thinking it was a heat issue too. I opened it up and it was filled with dust, but she's had the problem whether on her lap or on a desk. I have two airport extreme cards hanging around, but once I opened it up I found it was an older card. Have one of those, but where is another story.

ghporter · Dec 23, 2009, 09:10 PM

I'd vacuum the living daylights out of the computer to start, paying special attention to any heat exchangers and especially to the areas around the fans. That could be a big part of the problem. While you have the machine open, make sure the card is securely installed and that the antenna cables are also secure on the card. Heat not only affects the electronics, but those tiny RF connectors could be expanding enough that if they're not really, REALLY secure they could be losing electrical contact with their mating connectors. Which part number is the card? I just updated the AirPort card in my 2006 MBP with a new A/B/G/N card and it was pure cake to do; maybe the same card would be applicable to your daughter's computer-my new card cost $50 shipped.