Security Update 2007-004 Special Report: AirPort connectivity issues, fixes

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 1:25 a.m. PT

4 min read

Several readers have noted problems with AirPort connectivity after applying Security Update 2007-004, particularly an inability to recognize wireless networks. This issue may be more prevalent on systems running Mac OS X 10.3.9.

One reader writes:

"I am currently running Mac OS X 10.3.9 on my iBook G3. I ran the Security Update 2007-004 and found that my iBook no longer recognizes my Airport network when it comes back from sleep mode. The Airport network is recognized after a restart, but, when I close the clamshell and open it back up, the network is not recognized. Not entirely sure what to do about this."

Another reader adds:

"After installing security update 2007-004 I lose the connection to my wireless router after a period of inactivity. The only way to get the connection back is to reboot the machine. I don't think I have security set up on my Linksys router, could this be the problem? Things worked fine before the update.

MacFixIt reader Mike adds writes:

"Yesterday I updated my Titanium PowerBook G4 (running OS X 10.3.9) with Security Update 2004-004 and now the built-in AirPort card is acting up. The symptom is that the card can't see any wireless networks. But if I reboot the computer then it works again."

Fixes

Mac OS X 10.3.9 fixes

Remove kernel extensions (Mac OS X 10.3.9) It appears that some AirPort connectivity issues under Mac OS X 10.3.9 can be due to problematic kernel extension cache files. As such, simply clearing the caches may have a similar beneficial effect.

This can most easily be accomplished with a shareware utility like Cocktail or AppleJack but also bears a manual process which involves dragging the following files to the trash:

com.apple.kernelcaches (a folder in /System/Library/Caches)

Extensions.kextcache (a file in /System/Library)

Extensions.mkext (a file in /System/Library/)

You will need to enter an administrator password to move these files.

Restart your Mac after deleting these files and check for restored AirPort connectivity.

Failing the above, 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

Do not delete AppleAirPort.kext.

Restart your Mac and check for restoration of AirPort connectivity

General fixes

Revert to older kernel extension If you are running Mac OS X 10.4.9, are experiencing AirPort connectivity issues after Security Update 2007-004, and have exhausted all other workarounds, you can try reverting to older version of the AirPort kernel extension via the following steps: [WARNING: This workaround is risky because you should not generally mix and match kernel extensions after updates. You will also lose any AirPort-related security refinements brought about by Security Update 2007-004, and new conflicts can ensue. Still, in a bind, it can restore wireless connectivity where other workarounds fail.]

Download the Mac OS X 10.4.9 combo updater appropriate to your system (from Apple's download page).

Download and install the shareware application Pacifist

Drag the Mac OS X 10.4.9 installer package (e.g. MacOSXUpd10.4.9Intel.pkg) onto the Pacifist application icon.

Click the triangle next to System to expand it

Click the triangle next to Library to expand it

Click the triangle next to Extensions to expand it

Scroll down and find the file AppleAirPort.kext. Drag it to your Desktop or another location (you will have to enter your administrator password)

On your Mac OS X startup drive, navigate to /System/Library/Extensions and locate a similarly named file (AppleAirPort.kext). Move it to another location for safe keeping.

Now drag the file from step 7 (the one that you retrieved from the Mac OS X 10.4.9 install package) into the /System/Library/Extensions directory on your startup drive, in effect replacing the newer file (installed by the AirPort updater) with and older copy -- you will have to enter an administrator password.

Restart your Mac

Change channels MacFixIt reader Robyn Phillips, for instance, reports success with switching channels as described in our wireless troubleshooting tutorial:

"There was something (in the update) which I think changed my Airport Card to only recognize up to Channel 11. Last year, I had changed my Airport Network channel to 13, to try to resolve an interference problem. Everything had been working fine until I applied the recent updates, as I believe the error messages above were saying that my Airport card believed itself to be a 'US' card and therefore, would no longer see Channel 13 (my equipment was all purchased in Australia).

"Once I reconfigured my network to be Channel 10, my MacBook is now working much better. The only thing I notice is that when I wake up my MacBook, it does not always join the network. Sometimes I can manually join, other times, I need to wait a few minutes and then it will either join by itself or I can then manually join."

Tutorial For more potential fixes for these issues, see our AirPort/wireless troubleshooting tutorial. If you have success with a particular fix, please let us know.

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