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robirr · Apr 1, 2005, 01:42 AM

Sometimes my iBook will refuse to hold a connection. It will show 4 little signal's in the top right hand corner, but the next second it will disconnect. It continues to do this and it is literally impossible to access the internet. This is really frustrating and if anyone had a solution it would be appreciated!

I forgot to mention, when I got my iBook back from repair this problem occured, but after I tried it again this issue wasn't prevelent. It seems to come and go, but for the past 2-3 days it has been tempermental.

This iBook is like an expensive sports car. I love it and all, but as soon as one thing is fixed.. another thing breaks!

Thanks,
Rob

Insaneous · Apr 1, 2005, 04:38 PM

I am working on this exact problem with two other people. There are a couple of factors involved, distance and barriers between the iBook and the WAP are the most common. There is a good possibility for interference as well. Microwave ovens, wireless phones, and Bluetooth devices all use the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Also neighbors with wireless networks could be causing interference. I am working directly with an Apple Genius and am myself a certified Apple consultant. I will post any new developments to this thread as they become available.

Matt

robirr · Apr 1, 2005, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by Insaneous:
I am working on this exact problem with two other people. There are a couple of factors involved, distance and barriers between the iBook and the WAP are the most common. There is a good possibility for interference as well. Microwave ovens, wireless phones, and Bluetooth devices all use the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Also neighbors with wireless networks could be causing interference. I am working directly with an Apple Genius and am myself a certified Apple consultant. I will post any new developments to this thread as they become available.

Matt

Same problem occurs even when the laptop is placed within 6" of the base station.

ghporter · Apr 1, 2005, 08:14 PM

Getting your laptop within six inches of the base station is probably overloading the receiver in the AirPort card. If you move it away, does it get better really quickly?

robirr · Apr 1, 2005, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by ghporter:
Getting your laptop within six inches of the base station is probably overloading the receiver in the AirPort card. If you move it away, does it get better really quickly?

I was just making a point that nomatter how close/far I am.. the same issue occurs.

Insaneous · Apr 1, 2005, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by robirr:
Same problem occurs even when the laptop is placed within 6" of the base station.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I had the same experience with the people I am helping. The information I listed above are guidelines, not necessarily the solution. In this particular case it appears that the distance is not a factor.

Matt

robirr · Apr 3, 2005, 02:19 AM

haha, this problem is so odd.. magically it started connecting to the router again..

i guarantee in a couple days the same thing will occur though

ghporter · Apr 3, 2005, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by robirr:
haha, this problem is so odd.. magically it started connecting to the router again..

i guarantee in a couple days the same thing will occur though

That's a really big clue that there's some kind of interference causing your disconnects. Any 2.4GHz signal could do it, whether it's a baby monitor, cordless phone, leaky old microwave oven-anything that puts out a 2.4GHz signal.

Of course the trick is to locate that signal source...That's a toughie. How friendly are you with your closest neighbors? You could ask them about cordless phones and the like. Another tack to take is to change the channel your network is on. Go to one end or the other and see whether the disconnect problem crops up again. If it does, go to the OTHER end and watch some more.

robirr · Apr 7, 2005, 12:21 AM

Yea, I tested out my iBook at my friends house and it connected to his WAP flawlessly. Its obviously some sort of interference thing . . .

I unplugged the microwave and that didn't really help at all. We don't have any 2.4ghz phones either :/

ghporter · Apr 7, 2005, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by robirr:
Yea, I tested out my iBook at my friends house and it connected to his WAP flawlessly. Its obviously some sort of interference thing . . .

I unplugged the microwave and that didn't really help at all. We don't have any 2.4ghz phones either :/

Neighbors? Does the connection problem follow a time-pattern? (I.E. no earlier than 6pm, clears up after 9pm?)

You might consider relocating your WAP to a different spot; it could be as simple as that.