Continuing Wireless Problems with 15" MBP

[Dnovelta]

I have yet to find a real solution for my problem.

I have a horrible wireless connection in my house, but it's fine everywhere else. I've used the internet in the PowerMac Center in GB3, and at my school today - flawless. I come home, connect to our network (broadcast through an Airport Extreme Base Station) and I get maybe a few seconds and then nothing (I monitor this via a ping).

For whatever reason (I can't really explain it because in both cases it was like dumb luck), I've been able to maintain a stable connection twice. I don't really know what I did - I tried many things, mostly using Network Diagnostics with Ethernet plugged in, then unplugged running the diagnostic, combinations like that.

In both cases, when I turned my computer off and then back on, the problems came back.

It has to be something with my network, but I don't know what it could be because my previous generation 15" MBP and 24" iMac are connected fine - it's just my new 15" MBP.

Any idea or possible solutions? I'll probably bring my computer in on Friday and have them look at it over the weekend.

I just tried something new: reset my AEBS and created a new network - same problem.

I'll be using my laptop at school again tomorrow, probably more internet usage so I'll have a better feel of the connection there. As it stands now, I have the problem only at home. I don't understand what the problem is. I've changed broadcasting frequencies; 5Ghz n-only, 2.4Ghz b/g/n, 2.4Ghz n-only. I've reset my PRAM countless times already. I don't think it's an actual Airport Card problem, because it works with other networks easily, just the one at home, which is odd because all other computers at home work flawlessly.

[mac_daddy]

sounds like real head ache you've got over there. From the facts you have provided, I reckon that you've got a router issue, but I wouldn't rule out a local machine problem either. I am assuming that the Network connection is disconnecting (either losing the wireless signal or its assigned IP address) rather than losing ability to browse the internet.

Just somethings to consider.
1. Local setting on your MBP that may have a wrong configuration. Try changing or creating a new network Location.
2. Static IP addresses either manually set on your MBP or AEBS (perhaps wrong gateways configured). DHCP, subnets and gateways that are misconfigured has caused me hours and hours of sleep before so double check, it doesn't hurt, if you have already, check again.
3. Resetting the AEBS or any apple base station sometimes re-uses old configurations and settings. If you can source (read: borrow) another wireless router do some tests. Try using different IP Classes.
4. Note that your mac address on the wired adapter vs. wireless adapter is different, check to see that its not conflicting with any other machine, AEBS mac address (if set manually) or other devices.
5. If your not already using bootcamp running XP, I would take this as a good reason to experiment. Try to check what sort of errors your getting, if its similar to OSX, then you're really looking at a router issue.

If you can also post some technical info (ei: ping; traceroute (tracert) info from your other Macs, and any pertinent network configs) that would be a lot of help.

[mig]

any chance you could tell me how your school internet works? mine needs a few proxy settings and that needs to be removed when i use it at home.

[olidex]

I had the same problem. I would get intermittent signals and my MBP would just shut down. When I brought it to the Power Mac Center Service Center in San Juan, they at first thought the software just needed updating.

After a week, I experienced the same problem. I brought it back to Power Mac San Juan and was adviced that my MBP might need to be reformatted. When my driver picked up my MBP after a few hours, the technician said that my MBP's Airport card just needed to be reseted.

[Dnovelta]

sounds like real head ache you've got over there. From the facts you have provided, I reckon that you've got a router issue, but I wouldn't rule out a local machine problem either. I am assuming that the Network connection is disconnecting (either losing the wireless signal or its assigned IP address) rather than losing ability to browse the internet.

Just somethings to consider.
1. Local setting on your MBP that may have a wrong configuration. Try changing or creating a new network Location.
2. Static IP addresses either manually set on your MBP or AEBS (perhaps wrong gateways configured). DHCP, subnets and gateways that are misconfigured has caused me hours and hours of sleep before so double check, it doesn't hurt, if you have already, check again.
3. Resetting the AEBS or any apple base station sometimes re-uses old configurations and settings. If you can source (read: borrow) another wireless router do some tests. Try using different IP Classes.
4. Note that your mac address on the wired adapter vs. wireless adapter is different, check to see that its not conflicting with any other machine, AEBS mac address (if set manually) or other devices.
5. If your not already using bootcamp running XP, I would take this as a good reason to experiment. Try to check what sort of errors your getting, if its similar to OSX, then you're really looking at a router issue.

If you can also post some technical info (ei: ping; traceroute (tracert) info from your other Macs, and any pertinent network configs) that would be a lot of help.

1. You mean as in going into System Prefs and instead of selecting Automatic etc. use a new location correct? I'm already using my own which I created before when this problem arised the first time.

2. Where would I check this and how would I determine if it was wrong?

3. Ok, I'll try to find another router to use, but I'm not hopeful - I think we tossed the other one when we got the AEBS.

4. Where would I check this as well?

5. I do not have a copy of Windows to install on my computer sadly.

@mig

I do have to use different proxy settings at school, and when I go home I just tell FF3 to connect directly to the internet instead of going through the proxy, that's it.

EDIT:

Not sure if it helps at all, but even when I have no connection (to the router - I ping the router 10.0.1.1 and get 100% packet loss) my Airport indicator in the menu bar says I'm connected with a strong signal.

[mig]

@mig

I do have to use different proxy settings at school, and when I go home I just tell FF3 to connect directly to the internet instead of going through the proxy, that's it.

out of interest, how'd you do that? i can't tell mine to bypass school proxy settings so i had to set a different location for school, home, etc. if i don't, i can't properly use my wireless at home either.

[Dnovelta]

out of interest, how'd you do that? i can't tell mine to bypass school proxy settings so i had to set a different location for school, home, etc. if i don't, i can't properly use my wireless at home either.

I just use FF3 at school, so when I need to use it there I go to preferences->advanced->Network->Connections->Use Proxy

That's it.

[alikishi]

or add the switchproxy add-on for firefox 3. It lets you change the proxy on the toolbar na

[Dnovelta]

Anyway, any thoughts on what could be the cause of my problem? I can't figure it out.

[alikishi]

did you try moving nearer to your AEBS?