Forums | MacLife

differentvoice · 2009-09-09 2:29 pm

My 2008 model MacBook Pro (running Leopard) has a LOT of trouble staying connected to the Internet when I'm using wireless (which is pretty much all the time, as I work from multiple locations). I'll stay connected for a few minutes, then be dropped completely or have very intermittent connections thereafter. Turning on and off the wireless occasionally, though rarely, does help me to get reconnected.

The problem occurs regardless of where I am (home, coffee shop, etc.), so my home DSL router is ruled out. I had read that some 2008 MBPs need to have something updated - a driver or utility or something - and I tried installing the update, but received a message that it was not designed for my particular model.

Also, though I can't say this with 100% certainty, it does seem like the problem has occurred more frequently since upgrading from Tiger a few months ago.

Should I suspect a bad wireless card, or something else? Thanks!

Robert B Technician · 2009-09-09 4:27 pm

Very timely question. One of our techs here has that same MBP and we were just discussing his dropping airport signal this am.

Since you're running Leopard (10.5) and are having this issue on whatever network you're on, it may be that upgrading to 10.6 could be a good move in trying to troubleshoot/fix your issue. If it doesn't, there's a good chance that your Aiport module may be defective and would need to be replaced.

Although your setup is different than our tech's, the symptom is the similar and your MacBooks are the same, so I thought I'd shed some light on what he's got going on.

He's got an early 2008 MBP running 10.6 and a Time Capsule.

After being connected for about 10 minutes his book looses the signal and he has to restart. The restart fixes the issue but then it happens after another 10 or 20 minutes. His iPhone and other computers on the network are fine.

He noticed it after going to 10.6 and updating the software on his Time Capsule. Was working fine before.

He's going to do some more troubleshooting tonight but the consensus seems to be that it's a software issue, either with the Airport software or 10.6

I'll let you know if it turns out to be hardware related or we get any more details. He's hoping that 10.6.1 fixes the issue.

We can always take a look and let you know if your card is in fact defective (we'll boot using a completely different HD and run hardware tests on the airport module)
http://www.myservice.com/diagnostics.html

differentvoice · 2009-09-09 4:36 pm

Good thought about 10.6 - that's sitting on my shelf awaiting the time to do the install. Guess I'll bump that up in priority to see if that helps. Mine is also an early 2008 model - seems to be a somewhat common complaint.

I'll look forward to hearing if you determine anything else. I'm under warranty for another month or so, so a new card wouldn't be a problem (and I've got a bad locking mechanism I'd planned to have them look at anyway.)

Robert B Technician · 2009-09-10 1:06 pm

Hopefully the 10.6 upgrade will solve the issue. If not...

Did a little more digging and it could be an issue with logic board itself and not with the card (most of the times the issue will persist with a new card and the logic is swapped to solve the issue.) In either case, since your MBP is still covered under warranty, I'd definitely get it in for service before that expires if 10.6 doesn't work.

Good luck!

Forums | MacLife

#1 2009-09-09 2:29 pm

Dropped connections on a MacBook Pro

#2 2009-09-09 4:27 pm

Re: Dropped connections on a MacBook Pro

#3 2009-09-09 4:36 pm

Re: Dropped connections on a MacBook Pro

#4 2009-09-10 1:06 pm

Re: Dropped connections on a MacBook Pro

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