1
Score
Toby
35
Asked
bad/no wifi signal on my MacBook
I am having terrible signal with my MacBook....
Its become unusable. I only get signal when my mac is next to the router. or within very very close range, it cuts out when im more than a meter away. I have a large antenna on my router, my pc is able to get full signal upstairs and my iPhone gets full signal when on the third level. Just wondering what i can do to resolve this issue?
I have a d-link wireless router... I notice i get a small improvement in signal strength when i have the laptop open at a 95 degree angle...
Hmm maybe my airport extreme card is on its way out? or the antenna in the lcd assembly is broken... orrrr maybe i need a airport base.. my router is old now, from 2005...
1
Score
mayer
148.1k
Answered
This really sounds like your antenna has broken or become disconnected. The router looks fine since your PC has no problems. Here's the teardown guide to look for problems: Installing MacBook Core 2 Duo AirPort Card
I've also seen airport cards fail but I would check the antenna first before replacing the card.
Edited by: Chris Cline ( ) , rj713 ( )
Hi, ive checked numerous times. over and over, the cables are all coneccted securely. Im going to go out and purchase a new wireless router 802.11 n. the current one i have is a 802.11g.... im hoping that will fix the signal problems.....
Toby,
Please don't accept this question till it's answered. As I said, if your PC is connecting from upstairs, the router does not appear to be the problem. Hardwire into you Mac and see if there is a software problem with the Mac. I still think it's the internal airport antenna.
If you don't want to install a new airport card, here's an alternative: http://www.weloveMacs.com/usbwiad.html You can also contact them for an Airport card replacement: http://www.weloveMacs.com/maprome1.html
0
Score
Toby
35
Answered
Ok so i finally fixed the problem... I installed Windows 7 ultimate onto my machine natively using a separate hard drive. Windows 7 recognized majority of the drivers, including the airport card. But still the problem with bad signal was still there even with Windows installed... So i had a thought, i had an older Acer aspire sitting around that had a Atheros 802.11g wireless card... so i pulled it out of that laptop, stuck it into my MacBook, Windows 7 recognized it immediately and installed the drivers. And voila!! 100% signal all around the house on all 3 levels, plus it showed somewhat 8+ other networks in the area. So after all the antenna wasn't the problem, it was obviously that the airport card was faulty!! So im going to purchase another airport card in the future, but for now i'll continue using windows 7 with my Atheros 802.11g card or until i find mac os x compatible drivers..
That's great. I am surprised that a atheros card actually works in a Mac. Although I didn't see the part in iFixits' inventory they may have it in stock and just not up yet. Ask them here for the part: http://www.ifixit.com/Info/contact Feel free to accept the question now so we can remove it from the list of unanswered questions. Thanks for coming to the site.
0
Score
Alex
1
Answered
Hello!
Use Netspot to do an active survey once you've sorted your wireless out, this will help you pick the correct power levels on the aps and if you need more.
U can download FREE NetSpot here: http://www.netspotapp.com/
Good luck.
