Wireless on Apple iMac
I have an Apple iBook and newly purchased Apple iMac, however, the Wi-Fi signal bandwidth on the iMac is consistently and considerably less on the iMac versus the iBook laptop. I have moved the iMac around to different areas of the house to see if the bandwidth reception would change or increase, but no dice. I can move the iBook to the same areas of the house and the bandwidth is consistently better. I have even placed the iBook next to the iMac. The iBook Wi-Fi bandwidth is fantastic while the iMac's bandwidth crawls. The ISP is pointing to Apple as having the problem and Apple is pointing to the ISP. If the bandwidth is consistently performing at the same level throughout the house for both devices, I suspect it is a wireless card setting on the iMac that needs tweaking. I have run speed tests on both devices and the iBook is consistently 10 to 12 times faster than the iMac. How and where can I tweak the setting on the iMac’s Wi-Fi card to increase it's bandwidth reception?
ASKER
Mccrick - all good suggestions. I did not mention that this iMac was exchanged for another iMac that was exhibting the same issue. Wouldn't a diconnnected antenna not allow for any wi-fi connectivity? The iMac can conenct, but at a very low speed. In addition, Apple TechSupport has been engaged. They are dumb-founded by the issue. Another paculiarity, unlike a typical WAP, the bandwidth is not split evenly with the users. The iBook seems to rob bandwidth from the iMac. The bandwidth is not evenly shared between the two devices.
I'll report my findings.
I'll report my findings.
a disconnected antenna can cause the described symptom, but I don't think that is your problem. If you want to go down to OfficeMax or wherever, you can have this problem solved in about $40. Get another router.
A more prudent and more technical answer would be to see if you can flash the ROM on your router (firmware upgrade).
A more prudent and more technical answer would be to see if you can flash the ROM on your router (firmware upgrade).
What is the wireless router in use?
I know had that issue where wireless traffic was not being equally distributed between all devices.
I change my router firmware to DD-WRT and enabled QOS. Once I did this, all machines were able to get excellent speeds.
I know had that issue where wireless traffic was not being equally distributed between all devices.
I change my router firmware to DD-WRT and enabled QOS. Once I did this, all machines were able to get excellent speeds.
ASKER
The wireless router is from the ISP, Verizon FIOS. I am hoping it can be fixed with QOS. But the router webpage GUI is not allowing me to input the password. I'll follow up.
some routers have compatibility issues with macs. Try Firefox or if you know someone with a PC laptop, you might get in that way. I haven't seen the mac compatibility issue in awhile, but it might help.
ASKER
Mccrick - I tried access to the router via a windows laptop using IE8; no bueno. The same issue manifested itself as it did on the iMac. I was able to verify that the Airport card on both the MacBook Pro and the iMac had the exact same settings. Speedtest after speedtest garnished the same results. The XP laptop I was using as well had better results/bandwidth access than the iMac. Verizon had us change the encryption from WEP to WPA-Personal to try and resolve, but that should not have made a difference. Verizon was hesitant to acknowledge that Qos would resolve the issue. So, we are still trying.
So which ever computer is the FIRST to connect wirelessly gets the best bandwidth? It that correct?
IF that is the case, QOS is most likley the fix.
Also, what about connecting to a LAN port on the FIOS device? I assume all works normally there, correct?
IF that is the case, QOS is most likley the fix.
Also, what about connecting to a LAN port on the FIOS device? I assume all works normally there, correct?
ASKER
It doesn't matter if the laptop is the first or third device to connect. I tried with my netnook and I had very good speedtest results even with the Mac Book Pro conencted. If the iMac conencts to a LAN connection on the back of the FIOS router, the speed is 25MB. He ended up connecting an Airport Extreme for Wi-Fi versus using the Wi-Fi from the FIOS router. I have not followed up with the user since Tuesday. Will get feedback to and follow up.
ASKER
The issue was resoved by disabling the Wi-Fi of the FIOS router and connecting an Apple Airport Extreme. Access jumpled to 25MB from 2 MB.
out of equation, are the Macs fully up to date with all software updates and firmware updates?
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none of the recommedations helped to determine the root cause or solve the problem.
That said, I recommend going through all relevant Mac fixes. Zap PRAM. Safe Boot. Repair Permissions, etc.
Also look for settings that you can change in your router, particular the channel. You can also change protocols such as turning or "N" and only running at "G" speeds. You might want to take your iMac to a neighbor's or other hotspot to see if the problem follows you or stays home with the router.
The funky things with Routers is assuming that the router is set up properly and working well just because it works with a handful of computers. I would try setting router to factory defaults, then changing channels, turning off security (while testing) and reducing the speed.