Internet Connection Keeps Dropping

laughingbabe16 · Aug 12, 2009, 03:20 PM

Hi Everyone!

I know there are a lot of similar threads all around different forums, but nothing really helped and I was hoping some of you smart ladies/guys can help solve this issue once and for all.

Here's the deal:

My main desktop computer (Compaq windows XP computer) is set-up upstairs where the cable router and linksys wireless router are placed (which is right next to the desktop on the desk). My Macbook (running Tiger and is 3 years old) and iMac (running Leopard and is not even 1 year old yet) are set-up downstairs in my new office. This room is in the basement, however the room is almost directly above the main office where the wired desktop computer resides.

Prior to setting up my office downstairs, my sister lived with my family in the basement and had her windows Vista laptop set-up without any internet connection issues. Her internet never dropped on her laptop, and neither did the connection on her wireless all-in-one printer/scanner/copier. Cell phone reception/internet connection in the basement is also great.

When I set up my iMac and Macbook however a few weeks ago, the internet keeps dropping connection! I do not understand this when my sister had no problems at all with her laptop getting internet connection, when she was living with us. The internet connection will stay good for either 10-30 minutes and then drop, or it could be good for up to an hour and then drop.

What do you think the issue could be?

Also: Would purchasing an Apple Express help extend the wireless connection in the basement area? I know there is information via apple on how to set this up, but is it easy? How do I do it?

THANKS!!

donuttakedonuts · Aug 12, 2009, 09:54 PM

Are you talking about bad signal strength or slow/non existent internet?

laughingbabe16 · Aug 12, 2009, 10:49 PM

Sorry - no, I have full internet connectivity in the basement (all bars). The thing is that every 20 or so minutes the internet just disconnects for a few minutes, at which point I need to reselect my connection on either the iMac or Macbook. Internet dropping/disconnecting never happened on my sisters vista laptop so I don't know why it's happening on my macs.

donuttakedonuts · Aug 12, 2009, 10:56 PM

Isnt a wifi issue, then. When this happens, does the desktop lose internet too? Or does the laptop "forget" the wifi? Also, if you ever do have range issues, you can run a wire to the imac, which can serve as a base station (google it). And jst curious, but how is a basement room above the main office?

laughingbabe16 · Aug 12, 2009, 11:34 PM

The PC desktop upstairs does not "lose" connectivity, nope.

And, ah - I meant that the main office is over the basement room. LOL.

So, what is the fix? Why is this happening to my macs and did not ever happen to my sisters vista laptop?

velocityg4 · Aug 13, 2009, 10:40 AM

Did this happen after the 10.5.8 update or are you still running an older version? I just noticed a Macbook doing this after the update and have seen a few threads pop up on this issue. So I am wondering if there is a bug in the update.

donuttakedonuts · Aug 13, 2009, 12:17 PM

If your wifi is password protected, you should check your keychain/system prefs to make sure it is set so it can automatically connect to known networks. Also make sure you don't have a setting on in energy saver prefs that turns off the wifi.

laughingbabe16 · Aug 13, 2009, 07:04 PM

Yes, my internet connection is password protected, but the password is already saved in the computer and automatically connects to the internet when the computer gets turned on. The issue is that when I'm surfing the internet on either the iMac or the Macbook, the connection will just disconnect. I have to wait a few seconds (30 seconds at least) to up to 2 minutes for it to re-connect.

I just updated my iMac with software updates last night, but I believe this is pre-update 10.5.8. The connection never dropped/disconnected when the iMac was in the same room as the router, etc. so I'm really wondering if the signal strength from the airport is not strong enough to keep the connection (?)

Also: No one has answered my question about the Apple Express. Will this help to extend my wireless range, if I put one of these in the room where my iMac/Macbook reside?

Thanks

Aug 12, 2009, 03:20 PM	#1
laughingbabe16 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2006	Internet Connection Keeps Dropping Hi Everyone! I know there are a lot of similar threads all around different forums, but nothing really helped and I was hoping some of you smart ladies/guys can help solve this issue once and for all. Here's the deal: My main desktop computer (Compaq windows XP computer) is set-up upstairs where the cable router and linksys wireless router are placed (which is right next to the desktop on the desk). My Macbook (running Tiger and is 3 years old) and iMac (running Leopard and is not even 1 year old yet) are set-up downstairs in my new office. This room is in the basement, however the room is almost directly above the main office where the wired desktop computer resides. Prior to setting up my office downstairs, my sister lived with my family in the basement and had her windows Vista laptop set-up without any internet connection issues. Her internet never dropped on her laptop, and neither did the connection on her wireless all-in-one printer/scanner/copier. Cell phone reception/internet connection in the basement is also great. When I set up my iMac and Macbook however a few weeks ago, the internet keeps dropping connection! I do not understand this when my sister had no problems at all with her laptop getting internet connection, when she was living with us. The internet connection will stay good for either 10-30 minutes and then drop, or it could be good for up to an hour and then drop. What do you think the issue could be? Also: Would purchasing an Apple Express help extend the wireless connection in the basement area? I know there is information via apple on how to set this up, but is it easy? How do I do it? THANKS!!

Aug 13, 2009, 10:40 AM	#6
velocityg4 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Georgia	Did this happen after the 10.5.8 update or are you still running an older version? I just noticed a Macbook doing this after the update and have seen a few threads pop up on this issue. So I am wondering if there is a bug in the update. __________________ Quadra 650 040 33MHz 72MB RAM, 2GB HD, 2x CD PMac G5 Rev B 2x2.0; 2.5GB RAM, 600GB HD RAID 0 Macbook C2D 2.0Ghz; 2GB RAM, 320GB HD Home Made Pent DC 2.5GHz, ATI 4850

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Aug 12, 2009, 09:54 PM	#2
donuttakedonuts macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2009	Are you talking about bad signal strength or slow/non existent internet?

Aug 12, 2009, 10:49 PM	#3
laughingbabe16 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2006	Sorry - no, I have full internet connectivity in the basement (all bars). The thing is that every 20 or so minutes the internet just disconnects for a few minutes, at which point I need to reselect my connection on either the iMac or Macbook. Internet dropping/disconnecting never happened on my sisters vista laptop so I don't know why it's happening on my macs.

Aug 12, 2009, 10:56 PM	#4
donuttakedonuts macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2009	Isnt a wifi issue, then. When this happens, does the desktop lose internet too? Or does the laptop "forget" the wifi? Also, if you ever do have range issues, you can run a wire to the imac, which can serve as a base station (google it). And jst curious, but how is a basement room above the main office?

Aug 12, 2009, 11:34 PM	#5
laughingbabe16 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2006	The PC desktop upstairs does not "lose" connectivity, nope. And, ah - I meant that the main office is over the basement room. LOL. So, what is the fix? Why is this happening to my macs and did not ever happen to my sisters vista laptop?

Aug 13, 2009, 12:17 PM	#7
donuttakedonuts macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2009	If your wifi is password protected, you should check your keychain/system prefs to make sure it is set so it can automatically connect to known networks. Also make sure you don't have a setting on in energy saver prefs that turns off the wifi.

Aug 13, 2009, 07:04 PM	#8
laughingbabe16 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2006	Yes, my internet connection is password protected, but the password is already saved in the computer and automatically connects to the internet when the computer gets turned on. The issue is that when I'm surfing the internet on either the iMac or the Macbook, the connection will just disconnect. I have to wait a few seconds (30 seconds at least) to up to 2 minutes for it to re-connect. I just updated my iMac with software updates last night, but I believe this is pre-update 10.5.8. The connection never dropped/disconnected when the iMac was in the same room as the router, etc. so I'm really wondering if the signal strength from the airport is not strong enough to keep the connection (?) Also: No one has answered my question about the Apple Express. Will this help to extend my wireless range, if I put one of these in the room where my iMac/Macbook reside? Thanks