OS X 10.5.2 Update May Cause Wireless LAN Problems

breakman

Glad to hear that you could fix your router, and thanks for the link to the firmware file!

Hi Jochen, hi everyone,

thanks to your blog my connection problem with the Arcor-router ZyXEL P-660HW-T7C has become history after a firmware-update.

Not having found the bin-file in the download-area on the german zyxel-homepage here's a link that worked for me after the arcor link by member ricjan posted in different forums did not:

http://www.zyxel.de/img/support/faq/340AHS2b5.bin

Greetings
breakman

The D-Link thresholds settings also works splendid for the DIR-655 and my shiny new MacBook Pro. Tnx 8-)

I have seen similar problems with wired setups on two different Mac Pros running 10.5.6. The 1st Mac ties directly to a Zyxel DSL modem. The 2nd Mac ties to a Linksys BEFSX41 that serves a Zyxel DSL modem.

On the 2nd setup, a Mac Mini running 10.4.11 never has problems. Although pages take a dozen seconds longer to be found. The Mac Pro will only connect tot he internet a few times or for an hour before losing the connection. So far, the only solution is to cycle power on the DSL modem and router - every hour.

There may be firmware available for the DSL modem and route, I'll need to check. One site recommended changing the MTU to 1400 or 1500. I tried it to no avail.

If there is a better place for these comments - please let me know.

Nick: you're right, some users have run into problems, but a lot haven't, and, unfortunately, there does not eems to be consensus so far on what the cause is...

Ramii: good point, so while others have encountered new problems, yours were fixed. It's called Update Karma, I think. ;)

adapter:

Which model router do you use? Have you checked that it is updated to the most recent version of the firmware?

I'm not sure why the new update causes this problem, but i want to find a way to inform apple. how do i do so? because i really would like this problem to be fixed. I have tried everythng with my router, from turning off the wpa-personal security etc. etc.

Jose:

If your Mac can see these WLAN networks while running OS X, but can't under Windows, this must be an issue that is related to the Windows installation and not the 10.5.2 update.

Hence, I'd suggest you check whether it has been adressed on macwindows.com and/or re-post this problem in a Windows-related forum.

The windows (XP) running on a Mac 10.5.2 can't see some wireless networks. The Mac side and my iphone does see those networks. These networks use a wireless router not controlled by me. They are operated by hotels or restaurants, so I have no access to update these routers. Is there a Mac fix for this?

Switching to Channel 9 did the trick on a ZyXEL P-660HW-D1 router -- connection timeout on a machine running 10.5.2 (Under Network -> Wireless LAN).

I have been wrestling with this problem since my WRT54G turned to a brick last week. Now, one D-Link returned to Circuit City, and one WRT300N dialed down to 802.11g with WPA-AES and my connection has more or less stabilized. What a hassle! It amazes me that Apple can let this problem last from Feb. 12 to Tax day! Such lack of care for their customers makes Micro-smersh look good.

Repeatechie

On the Firmware page, you should see a button labeled "Choose File". Click that button, locate the firmware file you downloaded, hit the Choose button to dismiss the dialog box, and finally click on Upload to install the new firmware in the router.

Hi! all,

I am using a zyxel P-660 HW-T7 HW version A2 from arcor DSL 200 router. As suggested above to update the router, when I connect to the router, and on the webpage ask for update, it says there is no update available. Should I go ahead with installing the .bin files for P 660-HW- T7C version. and if this doesn't work, could someone tell me how to go back to the previous firmware for the router??

Thanks,

Repeatechie

Luke:

To install the firmware update, you need to log into your router to see its configuration screen ( the configuration "website" built into the router). On the firmware update page on that "site", you can select which file to use for updating the firmware. Choose the file you have downloaded to your Mac, and the router should know what to do with it.

gfm:

Have you tried connecting to the router via Ethernet to double-check that your login credentials are valid? You could also try the "Join Other Network…" command from the AirPort menu to run a fresh connection attempt. If that still does not work, delete any entries from the list of Preferred Networks found in the Network Preferences -> AirPort -> Advanced… pane and try connecting again.

Also, do you have any other WLAN devices that you could try connecting to the router with, just to be sure that this problem is actually caused in conjunction with your Mac running 10.5.2?

MacBook Pro, brand new, just updated to 10.5.2 and now no wireless.. :-( Updated my WRT54G to the latest firmware and that does NOT seem to fix things.

*cries*

I downloaded the ZyXEL firmware upgrade. But how do I install it?

I doubleclick it, it outputs a .cpgz file. Doubleclick the .cpgz file, it outputs a .bin again.

It may be a silly question. But I am stucked here. :(

"...you control settings like RTS and Fragmentation threshold. I have heard dropping those from the default 2347 to 237 or 2306 fixes the issues."

That was a typo, it's meant to be 2347 to 2307 or 2306. My bad (use the Preview Nick!).

Ok, so I had the same issues with my wife's Macbook, but not my MacBook Pro (??? WTF???). I'm using a 2Wire router (AT&T OEM) at home - the 3800 DGsomethingaruther. You can't get any updates for that, nor can you control settings like RTS and Fragmentation threshold. I have heard dropping those from the default 2347 to 2307 or 2306 fixes the issues. Interestingly I had an older b/g Linksys router that I brought with me from the UK when I moved to the US. I had installed DD-WRT on it, so I hooked it up to a LAN port on the 2Wire router, and set it up as a new wireless network, which is acting as an extender to the original 2Wire network (different SSID's, but IP address etc comes straight from the 2Wire router). I then set RTS and Fragmentation thresholds to 2306 each, set up WPA, and hey presto - problems solved.

I would have continued to have been screwed without that Linksys running completely controllable firmware though. I suggest if you can change those settings on your router to 2306 or 2307 you should give it a try.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

Try this. This is the only remedy. I just did it and my Mac Pro works as a charm.

So i had the same problem as described above after i installed 10.5.2 i was unable to use the wireless router at work. But everywhere else i went that was not an "N" router seem to work. After about a week it came to me that i had not use the network assistance. This morning i tried it and now my Mac book is now connected to the router.

I had the same problems with the P660HW-T7C.

I emailed the support at Zyxel and today I updated the firmware. Now everything is running again and even better than before.

To help out the guys who have the same problem with the p660-HW and can't find the update on the Zyxel website here is the link:

http://www.zyxel.de/img/support/faq/340AHS2b5.bin

And thanks to those who found out how to fix the problem! And shame on you Apple for sending such a messy update...

for USR 8054, install the lastest firmware update, you will be fine.

texeter

Thanks for pointing out that the firmware update is no longer available via the site I linked to. In the meantime, I've found another download option on the zyxel.de website.

Unfortunately, though, I don't share your enthusiasm for Zyxel's support. The firmware update is still not available on the firmware downloads page and what's even worse: searching for the string "660HW-T7C" in the FAQ will yield no result, even though there is a FAQ page with two items about that specific router, which, in turn, are not found when searching for "660HW-T7"...

Pete

Thanks for sharing that useful tidbit with us!

I ran into a similar issue which would allow me access to my internal network but not get out to the internet. I called Verizon FiOS support and the fix was to reset my WEP key on the PowerBook.

Simple as that and I was back in business. The FiOS tech said that when Apple pushes OS updates they sometimes scramble the WEP key making it impossible to access the internet. Well at least WWW as I was able to Skype the whole time. It was pretty strange.

I blogged about it as well
http://blog.petelanglois.net/2008/02/wireless-lan-woes-on-mac-os-x-leopard.html

If you have an Arcor modem type P660HW-T7C then I would like to confirm that there is a new firmware version available from Zyxel. Please note that the address given in the blog (http://home.arcor.de/ricjan/fw/index.html) is no longer available.

To get the upgrade go to the Zyxel site and fill in a support form and unlike Apple who don't acknowledge that there might be a problem or Arcor who simply don't answer any emails, you can expect an answer almost immediately from the good people at Zyxel. I am amazed.

I have a US robotics USR 8054 and after updating the 10.5.2 on my mac book pro, I can't connect via airport anymore.
connection via the cable and my iPhone works fine.
I've tryed to call my local Apple dealer in Herentals Belgium, but it looks like he's got no time for me right now :-(
Can anyone tell me what to do for this type of router.
Thanks
Willy

Turnip

Verizon provides the update as a *Windows* exe.

Since usually the router installs the updated firmware and not the client machine, the reason for this file being an executable most probably is that it comes packaged as a self-extracting archive as a convenience to Windows users -- and a nuisance to us Mac-heads.

I think I remember being able to open some of these archives with StuffIt expander. If that doesn't work for you, I'd suggest you contact the Verizon support department and ask them to provide this file as a .ZIP archive, or similar.

The funny/sad thing about being directed to work around Apple's new problem with OS 10.5.2 using Verizon's update for the Westell DSL modem is that Verizon provides the update as a *Windows* exe. What am I supposed to do with that?!

Terry:

And give me a break, the Zyxel Prestige is an old 802.11b router made in 2003.

The P-660HW-T7C is a b/g router; the one I have was produced in May 2006.

Don't you think its time to get a new router at the office?

The router worked flawlessly so far and usually only serves a single MacBook on a 2Mbps connection (technical limitation of the last-mile cable). Why upgrade?

The moral of the story is when you have problems with your home wireless router, the FIRST thing you should always do is see if there's a new firmware update for the thing.

I generally agree, but even routers with up-to-date firmware were affected. So, out-of-date router firmward is not the only cause for problems between such routers and the Mac OS X 10.5.2 update.

The problem has nothing to do with updating router software, it was caused by the 10.5.2 update! I reinstalled 10.5 and then updated to 10.5.1 but the problem persisted until, after advice from level 2 Apple Support I reset the PRAM. Both Black MacBook and G5 iMac now working again on Aiprot network.

Jochen writes:

Nick: you're right, some users have run into problems, but a lot haven't, and, unfortunately, there does not eems to be consensus so far on what the cause is...

Jochen, I can spot the cause from here...the majority of people seemingly having problems are ones who don't keep up with the firmware updates for their routers.

And give me a break, the Zyxel Prestige is an old 802.11b router made in 2003. Don't you think its time to get a new router at the office?

The moral of the story is when you have problems with your home wireless router, the FIRST thing you should always do is see if there's a new firmware update for the thing. If not, then go blaming the client.

I have had severe connection problems after the 10.5.2 update using an Apple Airport Extreme snow base station. I can no longer connect at all via airport and the base station is no longer recognised by either my Black MacBook or my G5 iMac.

Using Airport utility, nothing is seen, including 2 Airport Express units unless I connect by ethernet.

All in all, a disastrous update for me and I will not in future make system updates without waiting to check out the negative repercussions on others first!

After the well documented airport problems suffered by 1000s of users over the last year, this only adds insult to injury!

I had problems with my Arcor DSL Wlan Modem 200 ( P-660HW-T7C ) after upgrading to 10.5.2. Just wanted to confirm that updating the firmware as suggested above solved the problem and I now have wireless again.

Thanks a lot for the help

If you are using a Linksys WRT54G router, be sure to download and install the latest version of the firmware. To be able to download the firmware you can connect directly to your modem using your PPeO login info provided by your Internet service provider.

http://www.linksys.com (in the download section, select your specific router model number. it is written under your router. Mine is WRT54G v.5)

To install that firmware update, you should connect your Mac to the back of the router using an Ethernet cable (major bug: I wasn’t even able to access the control panel of the router using air port ????? ) Select the administration Tab / Firmware upgrade. Select the “.bin” file that you downloaded from the linksys website and press “Upgrade”. Disconnect the Ethernet cable between your computer and the router, select your wireless network as you usually do and it should work fine. Probably even better than before.

It totally solves the problem for me.

Hope it can solve many peoples problem, especially the non power user that probably want to kill somebody right now !@#$%?&*()

Success! Turns out that updating the firmware on the Westell 327W hosed a bunch of its settings. You have to log into the (confusingly new--it's a Verizon branded interface instead of the Westell one you may be expecting) interface and re-set your SSID and security settings.

Did this and my network is up and running, including the MacBook with 10.5.2 on it. Hope this helps others.

I've got the same problem with a Billion 5102g wireless & when it's wired it also works perfectly.

I have found that my iCal is also playing up. When I move entries and close and reopen iCal, the entry has duplicated the new location and back to the original location. What is interesting is that if move the location close iCal and reboot the machine, it works fine - maybe a Cache problem!? Installed Cocktail and it's not working either.

Any helps? At this point I am archive and reinstalling back to 10.5.1 - I'll wait for 10.5.2.1 or another solution... because this one doesn't work
*grumble* *grumble*

I have same problem with Zyxel Presige 660 and 10.5.2 wifi ..

Had the same problem, but fixed it ;)
Updated to 10.5.2 and I could not connect my macbook pro to my D-Link router, no more. After restarting my router and my mac about 5 times each, tried different encryptions, I reached this conclusion: Network preferences --> network --> create a new Location and it works flawlessly. WPA encryption.

Hope this works for you.

Updating the firmware doesn't always work either. I've got at Westell 327W (Verizon model), updated the firmware today, and the MacBook with 10.5.2 still can't see the network. It was fine at 10.5.1, and the MacBook I'm typing this on is fine, running 10.4.11.

The network is wide open, but I think you're on the right track with the authentication idea. When I use Network Diagnostics it gets to the bit where it wants the network password and I can't get any further because there is no option for an open network.

Hi,

I had the same wireless problems at home with the router Zyxel "Prestige 660HW-T7C" and I solved them by applying the firmware update that it is available at the Zyxel web site:

http://www.zyxel.de/web/support_category.php?ProgramNo=PRG2006027

(Once you are in that page you should search for "Broadcom" and then choose the second link that will appear)

I took this solution from the discussions in this forum:

http://www.apfeltalk.de/forum/wlan-10-5-a-t126775-3.html

In my case it works really good, but you should take into account that the update can be applied only to the "Prestige 660HW-T7C" router.

Best regards,
J.Alfonso Briones

I am using only Apple hardware: Airport Extreme at home, Macbook, and iPhone. Since upgrading to 10.5.2, I find that my wifi access is very slow: any page will start to load, for example, then the progress bar in safari stalls about halfway towards completion. After about a minute (!) of waiting, the page then loads. This is true both on the iPhone and the Macbook. On the Macbook, same problem whether using Safari or Firefox.

Interestingly, if loading a page is stalled, turning the wifi on the device on and off again seems to get it going again -- for awhile.

After upgrade to 10.5.2 last night: No connection between my Black Mac Book and the airport extreme nor the airport express on the same network.
Airport on my MacBook is trying so hard to connect that I can't use the mouse -or anything else. The fan speeds up, and so on. The Book is freezing so I have to force quit. With an ethernet connection to my airport extreme it works.
But … an upgrade for the better?? What can you do?

Sighz... after installing the mac osx 10.5.2 update, i am completely buggered. I can't even connect to WLAN and i can only access the internet if i plug it through an ethernet cable to my router (D-Link DIR 635).

I'm not sure why the new update causes this problem, but i want to find a way to inform apple. how do i do so? because i really would like this problem to be fixed. I have tried everythng with my router, from turning off the wpa-personal security etc. etc.

My pc works perfectly fine on wireless, therefore i'm confident it was the mac osx 10.5.2 update which caused such problems connecting to the wlan.

dzung tong

My Macbook Pro can't connect to my US Robotics router after upgrading to 10.5.2. My iBook running 10.4.9 can connect to it and I can still use the Macbook on other wireless networks. Disabling authentication does not seem to fix the problem either.

I was able to fix my problem by updating my Westell router from the verizon website. Perhaps firmware updating may fix others' issues as well.

Best,
Wally

i'm using wireless g on an unencrypted network, and i too am experiencing connectivity problems since the 10.5.2 update. i wish i would have known about his problem before i updated, or else i just wouldn't have done it...

I have the same issue at home. My old Powerbook running Tiger connects perfectly. My new MBP failed (and continues to fail) to connect to my Westell wireless router right after the 10.5.2 update. Yikes!

Thanks for your comments!

Nick: you're right, some users have run into problems, but a lot haven't, and, unfortunately, there does not eems to be consensus so far on what the cause is...

Ramii: good point, so while others have encountered new problems, yours were fixed. It's called Update Karma, I think. ;)

From what I could gather so far, the hiccups must be linked to authentication, as I can go online with the Zyxel router if I disable authentication completely. As soon as I have had a chance to see if I can still connect to my AirPort Extreme base station at home, I'll post an update.

That is bad...I had a problem up until i installed this update! I couldn't use my Linksys wrt600n router until i just did this update. Looks like they fixed some routers & broke others! hopefully they will fix everthing soon & not have you wait as long as others had to wait to get this update to use their wireless at home! (me included) I ended up having to get an Airport extreme to be able to use wireless!

it's not all routers. i use a belkin pre-N, installed 10.5.2 last night on my macbook, and had no connection issues after the update. i'm using wpa2 security, though, no MAC address access list.