Comments on: MacBook Pro Wireless Problems Solved, Update #2

By: Suchir

Suchir — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:53:53 +0000

Here is the solution to your problems. I had the same issues (with my MBP preordered before it even came out years ago). The following steps will reset your mac’s PRAM. I don’t know what PRAM is, but it won’t do anything to your computer (such as erase harddrive, or wipe something else out). I just did it and my connection issues are fixed. My computer is back to normal with all of my files intact.

1. Click the Apple button on the top left hand corner of your screen
2. Click “System Preferences”
3. Click “Network”
4. Click the drop down menu “Show:” and go down to “Network Port Configurations”
5. Click the Port Configuration “Airport” (make sure the box is checked), and drag “Airport” to the top of the list
6. Click “Apply Now” at the bottom of the window
7. Close out of the window, and shut down computer
8. THIS IS THE LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT STEP: Turn on computer, and immediately press and hold “Command (Apple Key)”, “Option,” “p,” and “r.” Hold these four buttons until you hear the turn on sound TWICE. The screen will turn gray like it normally does when you turn on the computer, make the first sound, then turn black again, then turn gray and make the second sound. The apple logo will come up again and you can let go.
9. Log in like normal and you will no longer have any problems.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:24:19 +0000

I think this is exactly what I have been looking for the past few days. I, like you, have tried every voodoo trick I could find via Google, all to no avail. Thanks for suggesting the idea that it could be the antenna; never would have thought of that (thought I did consider the card perhaps).

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:27:51 +0000

Wow, thanks for posting this. I’ve been having similar problems with my Macbook Pro for several months now. Genius Dad took it apart and put it back together again, on the off chance that the connections had come slightly loose. It actually worked for about 3 days before producing the same symptoms again. No such luck when he tried the same thing one more time. Looks like a new antenna could be a solution!

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:40:16 +0000

I have an early 15″ Macbook Pro 2.16 GH Intel Core Duo, 2 GB 667 MH DDR2 SDRAM, 7200 RPM Hard Drive. I started having connectivity problems right after a software update like many others. I have tried every fix except hardware fixes. I am now in need of a new second laptop but I am afraid if I spend another $3400 like I did on this one I’ll get screwed again. I love OSX but I’m not going to deal with this again on such an expensive laptop.
I feel Apple has let us down on this big time and I have lost the cult-like zeal I used to have about Apple and it’s products.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Wow! Been thinking of going Macbook Pro, but after seeing all the apparent wireless problems, I’m not sure.

Seems if I have to spend so much time troubleshooting problems, I might as well stick with my Windows POC.

Any upbeat encouragement out there??

By: Jim Warnock

Jim Warnock — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:31:09 +0000

Thanks to all of you for your detailed accounts– they describe exactly the problems I have experienced with my new MBP purchased last week. After dealing with the dealer tech support on day one of my purchase I returned to the dealer for a new machine and the same malady persisted. Particularly maddening since the wireless performance on my old MacBook (black) was flawless. I’m heading back to the authorized Apple dealer tomorrow. Your insights have been very helpful, particularly about the antenna. Is this a major hardware defect that warrants a recall???

By: Justin Cohen

Justin Cohen — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:03:20 +0000

Thank you for the detailed description of your troubleshooting and resolution. My 2 Ghz Macbook Pro has the same symptoms. I’m going to ask Apple to replace the antenna.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:33:25 +0000

My 1.8GHz MBP wireless just started dropping Friday. One site suggested cleaning out preferred networks, which did not work. My wireless starts dropping after the machine has been on a while. If I restart, the wireless will be one briefly and then cut out. After it is off overnight, it seems to work fine. This mornig, I moved my laptop to a cooler place that has a laptop stand and fan, and it quickly regained a signal. I wonder if the heat of the laptop combined with old hardware might be causing, or at least, impacting this problem.

By: Chad

Chad — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:03:38 +0000

I can’t get the CIOs mac to connect to my Cisco 1250. All windows laptops work just fine. Airport sees the ssid but wont get a ip from dhcp. Help. I love this 1250 but becasue the cios laptop (the only mac) wont connect, he’s suggestign I return it and replace). seems backwards but if I can get a solution I can avoid that pain altogether.

By: Bev

Bev — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:50:10 +0000

Macbook Pro late 2008 10.5.6

Wireless doesn’t connect automatically, – have to select my network each time even though network preferences are set to automatic. Once connected it stays connected but when computer is shut down it requires manually selecting my network in Airport.

Any resolutions?