Mac OS X 10.5.2 Special Report: AirPort slowness, disconnects and more

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 2:25 a.m. PT

6 min read

Users continue have reported serious problems with AirPort connectivity after the 10.5.2 update. These include repeated disconnects, degraded speed and signal reception and more. Exemplary reports:

"We have both two g4 powerbooks and a macbook connected to an Airport Extreme base station. we also have a macpro on wired LAN. the macpro doesn't exhibit a reduction in upload speed.
"Since applying the 10.5.2 update on my Macbook 2 GHz intel it seems like my MacBook needs to be quite close to my airport express for good operation, if I take it 40 feet away (a distance that used to present no problem) Web pages usually take ages to load and if I click the airport icon it always says 'AirPort scanning' which I've never seen before. (Actually even when I am right next to the airport express it says "airport scanning" which after a few seconds changes to 'Airport On.' My wifes ibook, which does not have the 10.5.2 upgrade, using the same airport express, is working as normal. -- Mark Bau

Other readers are reporting that third-party wireless cards are not usable after the update. MacFixIt reader Mike writes:

"When 10.5 shipped, I was happy to find that both 802.11n WiFi PC Cards worked perfectly and continued to work under 10.5.1. I was able to connect to my Netgear Rangemax NextN 802.11n router and Linksys 150n router (set as repeater using DD-WRT) at fast connection speeds. This helped with large file transfers and installs.

"Now I applied the 10.5.2 combo updater to my TiBook and both 802.11n WiFi P Cards are no longer recognized by the PowerBook. My trusty old Belkin 802.11g WiFi PCCard does work under 10.5.2."

If you are experiencing the aforementioned problems, navigate to /System/Library/Extensions and drag the following files (if they exist) to the Desktop or another location outside the System folder (you will need to hold down the Command key while dragging the file to move it if you are not an administrator):

AppleAirport2.kext
AppleAirportFW.kext

Also remove the file:

/System/Library/Extensions.kextcache

Do not remove AppleAirPort.kext. Restart and check for continuance of the problem.

Failing that, check our wireless troubleshooting tutorial and run through some of the suggested fixes. Performing the procedure listed under "Reverting to older AirPort kernel extensions" is assured to resolve some of the aforementioned problems -- particularly newly introduced incompatibility with third-party wireless cards -- but is also risky and could introduce other significant system issues immediately or in the future. If you attempt it, make sure to use the AirPort kernel extensions from Mac OS X 10.5.1.

Several users have found success with suggestions listed in our wireless troubleshooting tutorial. The latest report indicates success with switching the channel.

"Installed 10.5.2 update - wireless continues to work, but download seems a bit slower (2.5 to 3 Mbps) and could not connect to a router. Changed wireless router from channel 9 to channel 4 - wireless speed returns to normal (4.5 Mbps). Changed router back to channel 9 and problem returned. Back to channel 4 and connectivity restored. Channel 10 - connection lost. Back to channel 4 and connection returned. At this point I'm staying on channel 4."

Firmware, firmware, firmware! At the risk of being Ballmer-esque: Firmware, firmware, firmware! (clap hands). Out-of-date firmware can spell disaster for external devices under new iterations of Mac OS X, and 10.5.2 is no exception. One reader was having issues with wireless connectivity that were instantly resolved by updating his Verizon DSL modem's firmware:

"Being quick to blame Apple for my newly defunct wireless connection after the 10.5.2 update, I called AppleCare, but found that all machines on my wireless network were no longer working. I suggested to the AppleCare tech that I would call Verizon and find out what I did to my modem, which had been working fine before the upgrade. (It wasn't working for my Windows connections either, by this point.) Verizon had me update the firmware on my Westell modem, and Voilá, everything now works fine in both platforms. For the do-it-yourselfers out there with Verizon DSL, the address is http://verizon.net/versalinkupdate. Make sure you have the correct model and subtype, then download the update, and update it via the maintenance tab of the router's homepage. "

Change radio setting Some users have found that changing their AirPort Extreme Base stations' radio mode to 802.11n 2.4GHz from another setting can result in elimination of disconnects. To change this setting, open AirPort Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities, select your Base station from the left-hand pane, then select "Manual Setup" from the "Base Station" menu. Click the "Wireless" tab then toggle the "Radio Mode" setting.

MacFixIt reader Bashar writes:

"The problem only happens when the airport extreme is set to 5 GHz n speed, Stepping down to 2.4Ghz with N speed seems to fix the problem for good."

Problems with printers connected to AirPort Base stations Problems with printers connected to AirPort base stations -- particularly Samsung printers -- are resurfacing under Mac OS X 10.5.2. Reports:

"After the upgrade to 10.5.2 not only my Samsung CLP-510, but also the laser printer HP Laserjet 1300 has issues if connected to Airport Extreme: the drivers (both) say 'device busy' and the printer go in timeout after a time delay."
"After the upgrade of Leopard to 10.5.2, my printer Samsung CLP-510 (connected with Airport) doesn't print more both with my MacBook Pro and PowerBook: or the printer goes in timeout or it gives the message 'device already in use.' I tried to reinstall the drivers (they are *only* for Tiger), but no luck. The printer works if connected directly to usb, *not* if connected to Airport (Extreme) via Bonjour."

Here are some fixes:

Downgrade firmware on Base station (For AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Stations) In AirPort Utility, select your Base Station, then select "Base Station" from the menubar, and choose "Upload Firmware." From the "Upload Firmware" menu, select "7.1.1" then press "OK." Some users have experienced success with this older iteration.
Restart Base Station In some cases, powering of then back on the Base Station can result in disks appearing.
Power issues In some cases, the problem is a lack of power delivery. This case is typified by printers that only print portions of pages or disks that routinely drop from access. The solution is generally to connect an externally powered USB hub to the AirPort Extreme.

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