Big Apple schools refuse Macs over Wi-Fi flaw

The New York City school system has refused to accept any more iMac shipments until Apple fixes a Wi-Fi flaw, according to a report.

MacBook shipments are on hold to Big Apple schools until the other Apple fixes a Wi-Fi problem.

(Credit: Apple)

MacNN is reporting that the city's Department of Education has instructed Dell Managed Services, which is apparently the DOE's IT partner, to stop all iMac shipments until Apple fixes a Wi-Fi connectivity issue. The exact nature of the issue wasn't explained in MacNN's report, which cited an e-mail from Apple to school faculty apologizing for the problems.

It's unclear how long this problem has been going on, but AppleInsider reported that some shipments have been on hold for almost two months, which was right around the time Apple shipped the 10.5.2 release of Leopard. A News.com reader directed us to several discussions on Apple's user forums regarding Leopard Wi-Fi problems that go back as far as November.

AppleInsider also believes that Apple is getting set to fix the Wi-Fi flaw in the next release of Mac OS X Leopard, which will be 10.5.3. That's expected sometime in the next few weeks, although signs have appeared that the update will be here sooner rather than later, as Apple also works to correct a QuickTime flaw with that release.

An Apple spokesman said the company is looking into the issue. If you have been running into any kind of Wi-Fi connectivity problems with your Leopard machine, let us know.

[vrkiran]

Macbook Filesharing (SMB) from windows sucks

Its just too slow and too painful. I am not sure if this is due to WiFi, but it seems be far better when I connect to LAN. I don't see this problem with a Windows laptop on WiFi.

[petejohnson]

No problems connecting to Windows networks

I connect to the network at the school I work at via wifi every day, <br />and have no problems or speed issues. I can browse the network <br />and all shares with ease and with excellent speed. I think perhaps <br />you have a configuration issue or possibly a problem with the <br />router or access point. My previous MacBook did well connecting <br />with Tiger, but I find my new MacBook with Leopard to do a much <br />better job connecting to my wireless Server 2003 network with <br />ease.

[Thedavew]

802.11n drops

If it is the same issue I've been having with 802.11n consistently <br />dropping, then they are justified. It's annoying and unexplained so <br />far. I have to back down to G to keep things connected, but occasionally it will loose the connection for an unknown reason <br />when connected G. My wife vista PC does not have this issue on <br />either setting, n or g.

[Seaspray0]

Unable to get specific on the root cause

That's an interesting observation and I hope you find the problem. However, your wife's computer does not contain the same hardware and you could be receiving interference from other unknown sources. So, without an OS comparison using the same hardware or same OS on each other's hardware, there is no way to relate the issue to specifically the software or hardware, or a combination of both.<br /><br />Either way, the following is a common issue I see and here's how to check it:<br /><br />Briefly turn off your wireless transmitter to scan for other wireless networks in your area. If found, adjust your wireless transmitter to NOT use the same channel. Wireless G defaults to channel 6 on most home routers and most people have no clue how to adjust them or never do. You'll be surprised how much better reception you can get when you move a few channels away from channel 6.

[wfseube]

No problem with Draft-N here

I'm using a new MacBook Pro and a D-Link DIR-655 and it works <br />great with the draft N support. Much, much faster than 11G and <br />100% reliable. My wife's Toshiba drops in G mode, but the MBP is <br />rock solid.

[libertyforall1776]

It's 802.11 draft N, not finalized!

What do you expect of an UNFINISHED "standard"?! Sheesh. You <br />want reliability, then use 802.11G, which is a FINALIZED standard.

[goalcam]

WPA + WDS = Trouble

If you have WDS running on a WPA encrytpted network, sooner rather than later, OS X seems to think that the wireless network has been compromised and denies access to it. Not cool!<br /><br />It works fine under WEP though.

[gefitz]

Yeah, great...

WEP works fine. but a third grader with the right software can crack WEP encryption. <br /><br />Smells like Apple being Apple. "I just can't understand why the business market doesn't buy Apple."

[sciontcya]

Problems with both Vista and Leopard

We have a large, secure corporate wireless network, and both new <br />OSes refuse to work with it.<br />We have re-designed it to function as it's using what may consider <br />legacy protocols.<br />It's not just Apple, and it's probably due to the school using <br />something old like us.<br /><br />Quit the bashing, fools.

[Kimsh]

Read a bit

You should read the other posts on this thread...

[Goodbye Helicopter]

WEP stinks.

WEP is the problem generally.<br />Most wireless router manufacturers use their own <br />implementation of WEP. <br />WPA on the other hand has a standard that is implemented <br />better.<br />If you're using WEP you're less secure (though not by a lot).<br />But WEP will also give you more trouble with more wireless cards <br />regardless of brand.<br /><br />Interference anybody?<br />2.4 ghz &#38; 5 ghz are the frequencies used by wifi devices. ...<br />Oh gee, these are part of the FCC's open spectrum in the USA, <br />and they're also the same as those used by cordless phones....<br />oh, and microwave ovens generate RF noise in this range...<br />oh, powerlines and substations too...!<br />gee, I guess WiFi itself is sham...<br /><br />idiots.<br />You are schools.<br />Do your homework.

[haggaret]

MacBook drops connection

I've had trouble staying connected to the access point on my home network since day one with my new macbook. I've been connected for maybe an hour or more continuously but it will randomly drop the connection. I've always been able to reconnect with no issues, but it's definitely a pain. Also makes for a real pain when attempting to stream music to an airport express.<br /><br />Never had any issues using a windows laptop off the same access point - it hasn't ever dropped the connection.<br /><br />Here's hoping they do fix it.

[templetonrl]

Macbook drops connection

I was having the same problem. Do all your software updates, then <br />find and install the firmware update for airport extreme thru the <br />utilities folder. I did this and have had no problems since.

[Rmiami225]

Very interesting!!

I tried to upgrade from a linksys "g" router to a Netgear "N" router the other day and had nothing but problems with getting online with the Macbook .... I called Netgear, and Apple but could not resolve it ... so I hooked the "g" back up and returned the router! My toshiba M700 was not setting any speed records on it ether ... but the Mac was on and could have been effecting it!!?? I guess I should take back what I said to the Netgear tech!!!!!

[espeed623]

Dropping the Home Connection-100% of the Time.

I'm starting to get really mad here--I'm working in GarageBand 3 <br />and I'm also doing some YouTubing, MySpacing, and checking my <br />email. Not to mention IMing using MSN 6.0.3 and iChat--when <br />*Apple funk noise!* and my sound starts to goof up. Whenever <br />AirPort goofs, it has to take its wrath on the sound. I hope 10.5.3 <br />WILL FIX ALL of this.

[sciontcya]

Dolt

If you drop your connection 100% of the time, you have no <br />connection.<br />Maybe your $20 router is your issue.<br />Maybe you just don't know what the heck you're doing.<br />Lord, there needs to be a test before people are allowed to buy <br />technology.

[dtrots]

Thank You

Thank you to whoever made this decision. My sister bought a <br />brand new Mac Book with the same issue. There are over 5000 <br />posts on Apple's support forums regarding it. All you can do is sit <br />and wait for an update. You feel like an idiot spending $1500 for a <br />laptop that doesn't work right. Finally someone with some buying <br />power may get the point across.

[driven01]

Dell ships the iMacs?

Did I read that right? Dell Managed Services ships the iMacs to the <br />schools?

[sjsobol]

It's possible

We're a Dell Small Business reseller and we can get all sorts of stuff through them (the one notable exception is HP printers, since they don't buy anything from HP, HP being their #1 competitor). Most of the stuff is probably sourced through one of the big IT distributors like Ingram Micro or Tech Data.

[janstett]

I think I know what it is -- 802.1x authentication

Because I have this problem too -- Leopard broke 802.1x authentication for me and I haven't been able to get on my company's corporate wireless network. Ironically this is at the company that invented it (Agere) and more ironically I heard Tiger broke it when it was released too. We filed a bug within days of Leopard coming out but Apple still hasn't fixed it. I bet that NYC schools have ancient equipment, probably donated, that have 802.1x.

[SLIPPYSLOPE]

It's been unacknowledged by Apple for too long

Hopefully, the NYC school system will bring a response to long <br />standing problem, which only affects MBPs running Leopard <br />10.5.2 and which Apple has remained totally silent on. <br />AppleCare claims to know of no such issue and the so called <br />Genius' in the Apple Stores can't fix it and don't acknowledge it <br />(one tried looking it up in the internal Apple knowledgebase and <br />found no reference). The many threads on the Apple Discussion <br />fourms and hundreds of posts and thousands of views speaks <br />volumes. Apple's silence also speaks volumes.

[ez4ryder]

Why Mac Why!

You make such a good product, why haven't you just fixed your WI <br />Fi glitch.<br /><br />Get your act together guys! I'm a new AppleGuy and suprised at <br />you delaying behavior...<br /><br />ezjoe

[smokified]

LOL

New Mac guy. As a new mac user you better get used to the fact that Macs are just overpriced PCs that run an operating system that has not been through near the market testing as Windows has. You will soon see as Macs become more popular (if they do) that more and more complaints and bugs will surface.

[fadeluca]

Leopard Wi-Fi issues

I have had WiFi issues on my home iMac ever since upgrading to Leopard (or at least to 10.5.1). The machine came with Tiger preinstalled and a Leopard upgrade disk. Everything worked fine under Tiger. When I "upgraded" to Leopard and applied the 10.5.1 update, I started noticing that my WiFi connection would be good for a little while after I booted the machine, then it would appear to progressively degrade, until I would start getting "You are not connected to the Internet" messages when trying to browse with Safari. I have since given up on the WiFi, turned AirPort off, and hooked an Ethernet cable from the iMac to my router.<br /><br />If you search the news sites, you will find articles about reports of slow wireless degradation that came out right after Leopard was released. There have been all sorts of posts on Apple's discussion forums about Leopard WiFi issues dating all the way back to last year. I have found it very disappointing that Apple has done nothing to fix this problem for so long.

[medavis824]

WiFi problem with OSX 10.5

I will add my "me too". Ever since upgrading to 10.5 my MacBook Pro randomly drops the WiFi connection with my access point. There no warning or notification from the OS. Then it just re-connects on it's own. Hope it gets fixed in the next update.<br /><br />Mdavis

[macwater]

This problem has driven me crazy. For the first 6 months my Macbook WI-FI was perfect. Then frequent dropouts started occurring. I even had my ISP visit to check the connection and, after much deliberation, announced the problem was with my Mac. (Had I visited this forum sooner, it might have saved a lot of time). The end result is I am now running a 10 metre ethernet cable from my Macbook to the Wi-fi router/modem. Not happy at all. (I'm currently running OS 10.4.11). I work from home so this is more than just an annoying problem. Anyone know if and when Apple will address???

[TinoDude]

I got a Mac Book Pro. I really like it but it has that really annoying problem. The wireless card only works when the router is one meter away from the laptop. Is there a way to increase the range of my card? I did that with the router and now it is at full range but still my mac dont find it if i'm in other room! <br />IF anyone can help me, please mail me. [e-mail]