It has not been fixed for me in 10.5.4 🙁 thanks apple for this product that "just works"...
I feel your pain. I had the same problem as you, and I agree it is very frustrating.
My issues were on a 2008 mac pro, but this should also work for you.
Basically your hardware is probably fine. It's 10.5.3/4 that causes the problem. I'm not sure why it only affects some people and not everyone, but I do have a solution for you.
Update to 10.5.2, then you need to open terminal and create a backup folder. If you're unfamiliar with the terminal i'll try to walk you through it.
Become a sudo user, to do this type "sudo -s" without quotes and enter your password. Then you need to create a folder to move the old wireless kext. So type "mkdir /backup". Now copy the 10.5.2 wireless kext to that folder by typing "cp -R /System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext/ /backup/IO80211Family.kext"
Now you can install 10.5.4. Once that's installed, you just need to move the old kext over that was used in 10.5.2. Gain sudo again "sudo -s", and then type "rm -R /System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext" and move over the old one by typing "mv /backup/IO80211Family.kext /System/Library/Extensions/"
Now reboot and you should have the same wireless stability you had before.
You're welcome.
PS: I know this is retarded that it has to be done, but you and I must be the only ones using wireless since I don't see many others complaining 🙂
For me, removing all "Preferred Networks" from System Preferences => Network => Advanced => AirPort, fixed the wireless dropouts on Leopard.
I was applying fixes one at a time, keeping notes as I went along, verifying that they did not work, until finding a solution.
Here are the details on the fixes for Leopard 10.5.2 AirPort wireless drops.
So my sister is having some problems with her wireless. The connection picks up fine, full bars but after a while it'll just drop. The bars will be full still but nothing will load. The fix is to turn airport off then back on. But that's annoying and shouldn't be happening in the first place. I tried it on my MB (we have same models) and same problem, so it's not just her MB.
I think the issue is some type of address is getting lost (I know practically nothing about routers and airport so forgive me.) But when everything is running fine I get this:
![]()
And when it stops working I get this:
![]()
So obviously something is going wrong. The only problem is I don't know what those numbers mean or how to fix it. I've tried deleteing all networks and passwords and deleting the .plsit file, but still it keeps dropping.
Guys, it seems that wep or wpa are causing some problems.
I'd like to suggest that you remove the encryption alltogether. I have been running with no encryption for years and it is definitely faster and more convenient.
Ironically, my network is more secure than a typical WEP or WPA (fixed key) secured network.
^^hold option when you click.
So my sister is having some problems with her wireless. The connection picks up fine, full bars but after a while it'll just drop. The bars will be full still but nothing will load. The fix is to turn airport off then back on. But that's annoying and shouldn't be happening in the first place. I tried it on my MB (we have same models) and same problem, so it's not just her MB.
I think the issue is some type of address is getting lost (I know practically nothing about routers and airport so forgive me.) But when everything is running fine I get this:
![]()
And when it stops working I get this:
![]()
So obviously something is going wrong. The only problem is I don't know what those numbers mean or how to fix it. I've tried deleteing all networks and passwords and deleting the .plsit file, but still it keeps dropping.