iBook Networking Woes

I

init6

Registered
I got my iBook back from the local shop after the Logic Board and RAM were replaced and it's never "played nice" on my home network since. It worked fine in 2005 before I left for Russia, where my iBook died, but since I've been back it's flaky as hell.

Standard procedure is switching it on, logging on and enjoying a good bit of connectivity. It usually stays connected from the time I turn it on until I leave for school (usually about two hours), and today it was connected for well over four hours with no problems.

But...anytime there's the slightest network interruption it won't reconnect. The signal strength indicator usually ranges from 3-4 "waves" and I'm literally about 25 feet from the WAP, although the signal is coming through a wall. The wall isn't the problem because my PC laptop is right next to my iBook and it stays connected all day, every day.

I've triple-checked all the network settings and everything seems copacetic. There was a time when it disconnected that I could just go to System Prefs=>Network=>Assist Me=>Diagnostics and it would reconnect. Those days ended this past weekend. Now it will never reconnect via that procedure.

Sometimes logging out and back in works, sometimes I have to reboot. It
always reconnects when I reboot. Router/WAP work, the iBook connects flawlessly at two other hotspots in town (B&N and my local pub) and never disconnects, while my PC laptop stays connected without incident as well via WiFi.

So what gives? Any and all help much appreciated.
 
No one has any suggestions? I reseated the Airport card, and still it flakes out. It may be the room I use it in mostly, but my PC's wifi works fine in there and I always got good signal strength with it -- it just disconnects from the network.

This is really bothering me, as it's the only complaint I've got about my iBook, but it's a major one!
 
Reseating is a good idea, but have you checked the aerial connection?

Is your room getting interference from mobile or microwave? Try enabling interference robustness.

Try changing the channel of your base.

Are you actually connected to your router? When set to automatic, my iBook sometimes connects to a nearby open wi-fi.
 
Robustness is on, and there's no telephones or microwaves in the room I'm in. The antenna cable is as tight as it gets to the Airport card as well (I just pulled the keyboard off and checked ;)). There are no other wireless networks in range, but I will try changing the base channel.

It didn't used to be this bad, and my PC laptop stays connected 24/7 and it's literally right next to me, whereas the iBook drops the connection all the time and the only way to reconnect is to reboot (logging out no longer works -- the procedures for reconnecting have gotten progressively longer over the last two weeks).

It's just driving me nuts because 100% of the usual suspects have been eliminated and still the problem remains. I'm basically convinced it's material in the walls, since this house was built in 1979. I'll probably end up installing a standalone WAP in here (which is just more expense, an unnecessary one). :(
 
Change base station setting to "Always Stay Connected In some cases, you can resolve AirPort connectivity issues with AirPort base stations by modifying certain settings.

Launch the AirPort Admin Utility (located in Applications/Utilities), select your base station, and click configure (you may need to enter the base station password). Once you are in the base station's configuration pane, click on the "Internet" tab. Make sure the setting "Always stay connected" is selected.

Unplug and re-plug Base station/router You may want to try unplugging your wireless router (including AirPort base stations), waiting a few minutes, then reconnecting the router to power. Doing so can re-establish some faulty connections.

Check AirPort connectivity tutorial There are a bevy of AirPort-related fixes listed in our tutorial "Improving AirPort reception, avoiding dropouts/lost connectivity, working around card/Base station recognition issues." Failing the above solutions, look at the tutorial and run through the listed fixes until one restores proper connectivity.

and also be aware of that disabling coconutWiFi -- an application displays you a small aqua-bubble at the top of your screen which indicates whether you're in range of a wireless network or not -- resolves an issue where AirPort connections toggle between normal speed and dismal speed.
 
I'm such an idiot thinking I would get a great deal purchasing an PowerBook G4 at the Pawn Shop. Little did I know that the admin. account was already set and I can't get certain privliages as an standard user. This shit (excuse my French) really sucks!
 
Get your hands on an OSx install CD and reset the admin password, by starting from the CD, and it will allow you to easily do this.
 
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