Completely disappointed apple customer

[Rxx]

I convenced my girlfriend to get a MacBook as her college computer. I listed reasons why she might go ahead and like it and she took my advice. She has used mine before, and said that it seemed easy and "fast." Her loving the way they looked helped too. Anyway, she gets it, all goes well, I let her set it up, and everything is going smoothly, she was even learning very fast and enjoying it. BUT the problem was airport. It didnt work for crap. Barely at all. Where my Macbook would have a full signal everywhere in the house, hers would struggle to maintain even a single bar. Safari was going terribly slow for her. Downloads would just stop half way through. iChat would drop. All while mine was performing like it always has for me. Really discouraging for her Im sure. So I told her that Im sure it must be a bad Airport card or something, and that apple would certainly take care of it considering its about a 36 hour old Mac.

So I feel like a big dip because I recommended something that was broken to begin with :thumbdown:

I guess thats how it works out sometimes though. How will Apple handle this? Or would it maybe be something else? Because pulling off the same router, there was nothing wrong with mine. Personally I blame that black plastic its encased in. Evil stuff right there. :biggrin:

[dtravis7]

Where did she purchase it? Apple store?

Take it back. That sure does not sound right.

[Rxx]

Ya, the only problem is the nearest one is in fresno. And thats where she got it. In the Apple store at fashion fair mall. (Ha, I love talking to a local) An hour drive in a chevy, and an hour drive back, with gas the way it is, isnt fun. That could easily equate to $80 for something that isnt her fault at all. I told her to call and see what they are willing to do.

I mean you know somethings wrong when you have two MacBooks next to each other in the exact same room, one brand new, and the other half a year old, and the new one can barely even stay connected as the other one just browses the internet like always with a strong connection. Very strange

[dtravis7]

I completely understand. Gas prices are nuts! I know where that Apple Store is also. I keep forgetting where you live. I guess call Apple and see what they recommend.

[MacHeadCase]

Ah most definitely give Apple Care a call.

It could be that the Bluetooth antenna isn't properly seated but this is a new Mac, under full warranty, they should look into to it themselves. There's always a possibility that the Bluetooth thingy is defective anyway.

[Austen Saltz]

ahh gas gas gas.

silly gas. i don't mean to brag (even though i totally am) but in new york we don't worry about gas. you can walk anywhere you need to go and anywhere you don't feel like walking we take the subway.

we don't even own a car.

[bobtomay]

And make sure that the system is up to date.

Leopard had introduced issues with some Airport cards. (Mine being one of those related to being able to maintain a good connection.) Most of them were taken care of with the 10.5.2 update.

With an up to date system, and still having issues, would take it back until you have one that works correctly. I should have done that back with Tiger, as my connection issues return and get fixed, depending upon which version of OS X I am using. It is a royal pita. For myself, still love OS X, that I'll put up with even this before I go sit in the other room using my Win box.

[Sherman Homan]

Call Apple, tell them that you can't drive back to Fresno. If you are firm enough and polite enough they will send you a shipping box. Their turn around time has been really excellent. But have you tried telling your GF that you would love to take her to a mall? You could do the whole "lemonade out of lemons" thing.
:cool:

[bobtomay]

Call Apple, tell them that you can't drive back to Fresno. If you are firm enough and polite enough they will send you a shipping box. Their turn around time has been really excellent. But have you tried telling your GF that you would love to take her to a mall? You could do the whole "lemonade out of lemons" thing.
:cool:

And walk around with her while she does some clothes shopping at the mall? Big time brownie points there. :coolthumbup:

[Rxx]

Leopard had introduced issues with some Airport cards. (Mine being one of those related to being able to maintain a good connection.) Most of them were taken care of with the 10.5.2 update.

You know, now that I think about it, it seemed fine until we updated it. But then again, it was only "out of date" for the first 15 minutes. So I cant be sure.

So she is going to call apple and see what happens. But Im trying to run with the whole "run to the mall, make it fun" thing. :biggrin:

[iBones]

Yep I have have had an Airport for years and never have any problems. I'm downstairs and the Airport is upstairs and it works perfectly.

In the words of the infamous Dr. Henry Lee (of OJ Simpson trial fame)... ``something long".

Bring it back bro!

[Rxx]

Ok, I just got the word. Apple store here we come. Good thing I have two pay checks in my drawer. lol.

I will be sure to tell ya how it went. Should go well.

[iBones]

Ok, I just got the word. Apple store here we come. Good thing I have two pay checks in my drawer. lol.

I will be sure to tell ya how it went. Should go well.
Tell them "Bones sent you"...they fix you up!

[MacHeadCase]

Ok, I just got the word. Apple store here we come. Good thing I have two pay checks in my drawer. lol.

I will be sure to tell ya how it went. Should go well.

Good luck, CL33! :)

[Rxx]

They reinstalled the 10.5.3 update, we updated and reset the router, and changed the routers channel to one that was farther away from the neighbors. Idk which fixed the problem, and I dont care. Its working like the stud muffin computer it is. And she's completely over it and having fun downloading music. We had a good trip too. Thanks everyone

[bobtomay]

Sounds great :thumbup:

[iBones]

Well there it is.

Another happy Apple customer.

[Rxx]

Ahhh, its back. And doing it. But at least less consistently. Well we do know that its not the computer anymore.

Has anyone ever used iStummbler?

According to it, there is only hers and one other network that it can pick up on, but the "noise" or interference is bouncing as high as 40%. While mine here at my home wont go beyond 9% and I have no problems at all. Cell phones? The microwave? There is an electric treadmill workout machine between the router and her room. Would that? Im so clueless, I have changed the channel about 4 times now, and while getting it off channel 6 helped alot, it still happens here and there every 5 mins or so. Just, bam, drop, one signal bar, no more loading webpages, downloading ect. She gets a fine signal (according to iStumbler) but when the "noise" goes way up, it drops her, and load times plummet to dial up speeds.

Edit: So I am pretty dang sure its her house, and the fact that its LOADED with interference

[iBones]

Now she has to move. :blink:

[Rxx]

It would appear so :tongue:

But it still is 10x better, despite the annoyance.

[Sherman Homan]

Now she has to move. :blink:

Closer to the mall!
Seriously, there a whole lot of electronic devices that use the wireless spectrum. Cordless phones, fluorescent lights are two of the heavy hitters. Good going with iStumbler! That will at least tell you when the noise ratio is bad. It won't tell you what is the cause, other than shutting stuff off when the signal gets dropped.
Are you using an "n" speed wireless router?

[MacHeadCase]

CL33 I really don't know if this could be useful to you guys but just got this from MacFixIt (http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=200806061011306);

Mac OS X 10.5.3: Fix for some network dropouts -- turn off IPv6; alternative for Mail.app Hotmail access; more

Fix for some network dropouts -- turn off IPv6 Some users have reported that a previously noted fix -- turning off IPv6 -- results in an elimination of network dropouts occurring after the update to Mac OS X 10.5.3.

In order to change this setting, open System Preferences then the Network pane and click on your currently used interface (Ethernet, AirPort, etc.). Click on the TCP/IP settings for the interface -- at the bottom if you see a button which says 'Configure IPv6...' click that and set it to "Off." Press the Apply Now button.

And I just want you to confirm she really is using a MacBook and NOT a MacBook Pro. For the MacBook Pro there seems to be a conflict with AirPort and Real Player 11. No other Mac models are reported as having this type of problem.

[Rxx]

CL33 I really don't know if this could be useful to you guys but just got this from MacFixIt (http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=200806061011306)

She is currently trying out this. So far it seems ok, but time will tell. She does say it seems much better though. For now, we will assume its working fine. If not, I will be back :coolthumbup:

And yes, its a MacBook

[Rxx]

Well this is pretty terrible.

"Chris I absoulely hate my computer. The airport I have turned off and on like u suggested. ...........(rants on for a while)............ I hate it, i cant load iWork still, I want to take it back. This is ridiculous. I know you like yours, but I hate mine."

Hmmmmm, so I suggested she call Apple care, and try and fix something. And if she wasn't happy with any fixes they might be able to do, go the apple store, ask for a replacement, and if they refused, or tried avoiding giving out a new one (like they did the first time we took the hour drive up there) then to tell them fine, and that you would like to return it for your money back.

We took it over there, and they just passed me off and all my arguments to why its simply not performing like it should. Telling me it is certainly a router issue. I explained that MY macbook, works perfectly fine on the router. No problems at all. They went off saying things like, "Maybe if you tried disconnecting your computer from the network it would help"

You mean like the time I go home to sleep at my house maybe? Or when I work? Truth be told, I dont spend most of my time at other peoples houses.

I am really just as upset about this as she is. Its not working. I have done about 40 thousand things to try and get this better. Some things helped, somethings made it ok for a while. But it always returned. She is tired of it. And I complete understand why. I would hate macs too after all that.

She wants to return it. And I dont blame her. I am having her do just a last few things to rule out any other possiblitys.

Last chances for Apple:
1. Calling apple care, and they somehow fix it on the phone (shes on the phone now trying to find out whats wrong)

2. Replacement computer.

If not, its going to be returned.

[MacHeadCase]

I'm sorry I'm so useless with networking, man. 'Cuz I'd do my very best to get you guys out of this mess. :sad:

[Sherman Homan]

That is beyond annoying, their advice to disconnect yours is ridiculous. That has no bearing on the problem at all. That said, there is still the strong possibility that it is electromagnetic interference, not Apple's fault. I still would like to know if you have a 'n' speed router, and an 'n' speed card in yours.

[dtravis7]

Has she ever brought her machine over to your place?

[MacHeadCase]

That is beyond annoying, their advice to disconnect yours is ridiculous. That has no bearing on the problem at all. That said, there is still the strong possibility that it is electromagnetic interference, not Apple's fault. I still would like to know if you have a 'n' speed router, and an 'n' speed card in yours.

Sherman, I checked his posts since the beginning of this thread and CL33 hasn't yet answered that question you asked twice.

[Rxx]

They are both G. And she over now. Still having problems with it even on MY network. You know, the one that has worked great for me for the last 10 months. I am sure its the laptop now.

[MacHeadCase]

Well I think you have proof to present to the Apple Genius now. I wonder if you'd have better service talking to Apple Care instead, open a ticket with them. Be civil but be firm.

[dtravis7]

They are both G. And she over now. Still having problems with it even on MY network. You know, the one that has worked great for me for the last 10 months. I am sure its the laptop now.


That is why I asked that question. If hers does the same thing over at your place where you know things work great, then it must be the machine.

Good Luck!

[Rxx]

Ok, even on my network. The laptop still has a ridiculous amount of "noise" while mine has barely any at all. So this holds true no matter what network the laptop is on. It does not work on my network, or hers. While mine operates like normal. I will have pictures up in a bit. (thats if I can do it before I have to go to work (20 mins))

[Rxx]

Check it out for yourself. Keep in mind that this applies no matter which network the laptop is on. So compare it with the picture of my laptop

P.S. My network is the "James network"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24305754@N03/sets/72157604905529309/detail/

[iBones]

I'd insist that they give her a new one or return it.

[Rxx]

Thats what Im going to do.

I will ask them for a replacement. Tell them about the calls to apple care. Trying it out on different networks. And with the side by side comparisons with mine. And how the computer simply cannot hold a connection with any router. And how this is our second hour long drive to the Apple store. And after hours of trouble shooting and testing, I have come to the conclusion that it cant possibly be anything but the computer for whatever reason.

We are asking for a replacement. If they refuse or insist otherwise, I will say that I wish to return it.

Hope all goes well. I will report back

[dtravis7]

Check it out for yourself. Keep in mind that this applies no matter which network the laptop is on. So compare it with the picture of my laptop

P.S. My network is the "James network"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24305754@N03/sets/72157604905529309/detail/

Amazing. It makes me think either it's a bad WiFi Nic card or the antenna wire to the card has come off. WAY to much noise there on her system.