How sh!t is AirPort Extreme?
I purchased an AirPort Extreme base station last night, so that I could connect both by Power Mac G5 and my girlfriends Mac mini to our cable modem.
The base station is sitting about two feet away from the G5 and AT BEST it can manage a two bar signal for about three minutes, before the signal dies and I'm disconnected. There's nothing between the base station and the computer ? no walls, chair legs etc.
This means that trying to connect to download software patches is impossible, and trying to retrieve e-mails is, at best, an exercise in frustration.
This isn't the first time I've seen this happen with an AirPort Extreme base station ? we had the same problem with our base station at work shortly before selling it on eBay.
So the question is, just how close does the base station have to be to the computer? Perhaps I should install the base station inside the G5s case?
The base station is sitting about two feet away from the G5 and AT BEST it can manage a two bar signal for about three minutes, before the signal dies and I'm disconnected. There's nothing between the base station and the computer ? no walls, chair legs etc.
This means that trying to connect to download software patches is impossible, and trying to retrieve e-mails is, at best, an exercise in frustration.
This isn't the first time I've seen this happen with an AirPort Extreme base station ? we had the same problem with our base station at work shortly before selling it on eBay.
So the question is, just how close does the base station have to be to the computer? Perhaps I should install the base station inside the G5s case?
Comments
Originally posted by Messiah
I purchased an AirPort Extreme base station last night, so that I could connect both by Power Mac G5 and my girlfriends Mac mini to our cable modem.
The base station is sitting about two feet away from the G5 and AT BEST it can manage a two bar signal for about three minutes, before the signal dies and I'm disconnected. There's nothing between the base station and the computer ? no walls, chair legs etc.
This means that trying to connect to download software patches is impossible, and trying to retrieve e-mails is, at best, an exercise in frustration.
This isn't the first time I've seen this happen with an AirPort Extreme base station ? we had the same problem with our base station at work shortly before selling it on eBay.
So the question is, just how close does the base station have to be to the computer? Perhaps I should install the base station inside the G5s case?
it sounds like you dont have your airport antenna plugged into the back of your g5. the aluminum kills the signal unless you have the antenna in. i get the same distances with my '5 and i do my pbook.
It's not as though the connection fails without any warning, you can watch it going from three bars to two, to one, to zero over a period of about a minute. I've never seen it at four bars.
If you can't get four bars with the base station about two feet away then when do you get four bars?
I've tried swapping over the ethernet cables, updating the firmware and I've tried moving the base station around the room?
Looks like it's going back in the box and I'll get a Linksys or something?
just a silly thought
[edit] oh, ipodandimac mentioned that already
Originally posted by ipodandimac
it sounds like you dont have your airport antenna plugged into the back of your g5. the aluminum kills the signal unless you have the antenna in. i get the same distances with my '5 and i do my pbook.
Ah!
Messiah backs slowly out of the room ? head held low, tail between legs ? to look for that AirPort antenna that's probably still sitting in the G5s box?
WHAT A DONKEY!!!
Many thanks for all your help guys!
(I trust this little episode won't get brought-up at every available opportunity, right guys?)
Originally posted by Messiah
(I trust this little episode won't get brought-up at every available opportunity, right guys?)
what episode?
This is only like the 20th thread this week I've seen like this. "PRODUCT X SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!" Then..."Oh wait, it was my mistake, NEVERMIND"
People should Slow TF Down and Shut TF Up.
just thought I'd help...
This past weekend I upgraded from an old Graphite base station to the latest Airport Extreme edition. I also added a Airport Extreme card for my G5.
Not only do I get improved performance and reception, but by switching to 100% wireless I've reduced the amount of cable clutter! I used to have cat-5 and coax cable around the perimeter of my apartment, but no longer. I was also able to remove my ethernet switch, its power brick, some ethernet cables, and a bunch of other stuff while I was at it.
I always knew wireless was good stuff, but this weekend was a good reminder about how good it is.
I got an Airport Express (yeay!) and when I set it up it said there was an update for it. So I let it update.
But. It failed to update to upload the new firmware ( 0.61 iirc).
Now, I tried everything to get it to re-update it, but it has never given me the warning that it needs updating...
WTF do I do?
Its working well so far.
It kinda sucks there is a second delay/lag when streaming audio to your speakers, but I guess thats kinda impossible to circumvent (unless they were to put 32MB memory buffer on the thing? hmmm)
Any suggestions welcome...
I went to Apple Support website and downloaded latest Firmware.
All peachy now.
if i have dsl or cable modem, can i just buy an airport express and enjoy the internet as if i had airport extreme?
with dsl or cable modem, what on earth is the best choice. i just bought a new 15 inch powerbook and i want to go wireless already!!!!
plus...as a side note... does anyone have experience with the apple wireless mouse and a powerbook???
Originally posted by ineedag5pbnow
this is probably a VERY stupid question, but whats with the airport product line?
if i have dsl or cable modem, can i just buy an airport express and enjoy the internet as if i had airport extreme?
with dsl or cable modem, what on earth is the best choice. i just bought a new 15 inch powerbook and i want to go wireless already!!!!
plus...as a side note... does anyone have experience with the apple wireless mouse and a powerbook???
You need a wireless base station. If you don't want to buy Apple Express Base Station you can get a Linksys or even D-Link. They will work just fine.
Once you set up your wireless base station, you need a wireless notebook card - Airport Extreme card. Then you can connect.
So its like this:
Cable Modem -> Wireless Router -> Airport Extreme Card (notebook).
Originally posted by dirk gently
yeah, well an airport express IS a wireless basestation. So thats all he needs. and a AE card for the PB.
And what did I say?
Originally posted by Gene Clean
And what did I say?
I think you're too close to your post. "Take a few steps back from the chalkboard" if you take my meaning.
When you said "Apple Express Base Station" I think others read it as "AirPort Extreme Base Station" since the thing you are talking about is called merely "AirPort Express" with no "Base Station" in the name. <phew>
Originally posted by johnq
When you said "Apple Express Base Station" I think others read it as "AirPort Extreme Base Station" since the thing you are talking about is called merely "AirPort Express" with no "Base Station" in the name. <phew>
I remember it being 'Airport Express Base Station', but I guess I remember wrong.
It's a different product., although it can serve the same purpose as well.
Anyway, I meant AirPort Express and thanks for the corrections.
Originally posted by Gene Clean
I remember it being 'Airport Express Base Station', but I guess I remember wrong.
It's a different product., although it can serve the same purpose as well.
Anyway, I meant AirPort Express and thanks for the corrections.
hahaha. i saw it as airport extreme base station but thanx for clarifying everyone. i guess ill be purchasing an airport express soon.