Bought my Macbook finally! Why can't I keep a connection??

[Parks]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:28am

For some reason, my Macbook doesn't want to keep a connection. My other laptop (old old old laptop) was able to keep a connection just fine, so I don't know what's up with it.

Sometimes my Macbook decides to work and others it decides not to--like 5 minutes ago, when I was sitting when I was sitting literally about 2 minutes away from the router.

I'm wondering if our wireless connection is being affected due to the fact that our network is unsecured. We don't have a password or anything protecting it. Could this affect it?

If that probably isn't the case, is there a way to improve the signal strength?

[scott68]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:30am

You can't keep a connection because you're emotionally unavailable and self-absorbed. Also, you're fat.

<3 <3 <3

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:35am

I don't think that being on an unsecured network or how close you are to the router is your problem. If you had a connection with your other computer and it did not happen, it should not happen with this one. You might have to zap your PRAM and see if that helps. You should also repair your permissions.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:39am

How do I do either of those things? Thank you :).

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:42am

One thing I wondered about is this-if your network is unsecured, isn't it possible that so many people are using it that it makes the connection weaker ? (for everyone, including you.)

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:43am

Go to Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility

Or just do a spotlight search for "Disk Utility"

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:44am

To repair Permissions go into your utilities folder and run the Disk Utility program. Once it has started you will see a button that says Repair Permissions, just click on it and wait for the Permissions to be repaired.

To zap the PRAM:

1. Shut down the computer.

2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.

3. Turn on the computer.

4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.

5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.

6. Release the keys.

Some people will actually let the startup sound chime three times before releasing the keys.

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:49am

This should not be causing the problem but what kind of router do you have? I'm pretty sure that your new Macbook has 802.11n wireless and I assume that your router has 802.11a, b or g. You Macbook should be backward compatible but it was just something that came to mind.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:57am

Netgear MR814 802.11b Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router.

I'm trying to do the Repair Disk Permissions right now. It's finally getting somewhere. It said "Estimated time: less than 1 minute" for about 5 minutes--but now it's finally getting somewhere. I'll let you know what happens!

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:58am

"It said "Estimated time: less than 1 minute" for about 5 minutes--but now it's finally getting somewhere."

That's normal actually.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:59am

Your laptop may not be optimized for a wireless B router. It's kind oflike the Windows 98 or 2000 of wireless technology. I would recomend upgrading to a wireless g or n router.

Updated On: 3/13/08 at 12:59 AM

[Parks]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 1:09am

No luck .

Updated On: 3/13/08 at 01:09 AM

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 1:15am

Did you zap the PRAM also?

[Parks]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 1:16am

I did. :-/

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 1:20am

Can you try and connect via the ethernet port to be sure that it's not a computer problem? If you stay connected via a hardwire connection then you can have a better idea what you are dealing with.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 1:24am

I just used my brother's ethernet cable and it worked fine--iChat even stayed connected.

My Macbook will rarely allow me to browse in Safari, but it WILL NOT stay connected on iChat.

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 1:33am

Okay so it's obviously something to do with your router/wireless connection. If you can stay connected with the ethernet cable I don't see it being a problem with the laptop itself. Try another router and see if you experience the same problem.

Updated On: 3/13/08 at 01:33 AM

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 1:43am

One more thing, outside of a possible router problem, you may want to ensure that your airport card is seated properly. Check your manual to see how to access the card and see if it's properly seated. I doubt that this is the problem but if all else fails it's something that you can try.

I would also carry my laptop to someplace else that has a wireless connection and see if you experience the same problems there.

Updated On: 3/13/08 at 01:43 AM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 11:08am

I am SO one of the technological impaired....

but I just love techie threads.....

Pab you never cease to amaze me

[artscallion]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 11:15am

I bought a new computer recently and had to upgrade from a wireless B router to a wireless G router in order to maintain a connection.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:01pm

If your network is not secured my a password, others can jump on your network and steal your bandwidth which can weaken you signal and cause it to drop from time to time.

Also, if you just bought the MacBook you do have three months of support help over the phone. Why are you wasting time trying to get help through this chat board? It would be a lot fast just to call Mac support. How tedious.
Updated On: 3/13/08 at 12:01 PM

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:35pm

"Why are you wasting time trying to get help through this chat board? It would be a lot fast just to call Mac support. How tedious."

Do you really think that Mac support is going to tell him to try something different? You don't really have a clue what experience the people on as chat board might have to make such a statement.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:45pm

A little touchy, aren't you pab?

I said nothing about your experience or knowledge. But it's probably taking twice as long for him to troubleshoot/fix the issue while he waits for you to respond and tell him what to try. Mac support could at least talk him through it while he is on the phone with them. It's what there there for. They are being paid to help.

Relax!
Updated On: 3/13/08 at 12:45 PM

[pab]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:51pm

I don't expect that Parks is a fool. If he had wanted to call Mac support I'm sure he would have.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:58pm

Then I suspect he completely lacks common sense.