AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#4): Continuing problems, reverting firmware

Users continue to report issues after applying the AirPort Extreme 2005-001 update.

MacFixIt reader Shawn writes:

"Since we installed the update we have been experiencing extremely annoying and frequent drops in connectivity via Airport Express when sending audio to our stereo home stereo. This happens while sending streamed audio from iTunes radio stations or from music in our iTunes library.

"We have tried resetting the Airport Express to a number of specific channels, in hopes of eliminating the difficulty, without success.

"The problem has become so severe that we are reluctant to attempt using our Mac for music with our stereo, which is the main reason we purchased the device in the first place. Calls to Apple did not help our problem."

Dick Thorpe adds:

"Prior to the the update my Airport Express was stable, but did not give me the fast down loads that I had experienced in the previous version.. Since updating, in order to get access, I have to physically carry my PowerBook closer to the base station to get a connection. Once I get connection it is very slow and appears to download most of a URL and then stalls about 70% of the time. Once the PowerBook goes to sleep, I lose connection 30-40% of the time and lave to start over again, as described above. It is hard note to download a new Airport Version when you are dissatisfied with performance of the version you have, but the last 2 updates have certainly taken it in the wrong direction."

Slow throughput A handful of readers are reporting drastically reduced network throughput after the update, resulting in slow Web page loads and more.

Oner reader writes:

"I upgraded the airport software and have verified that the update was installed correctly. Web pages have loaded slower in Safari. Some pages will not load at all. AOL quits unexpectedly, especially, when downloading mail attachments. My wifes powerbook (an older titanium 500) did not get the upgrade and works flawlessly on the same network.

James Blandford-Baker adds:

"I have a very similar problem following the Airport update to that mentioned. I use a G4 desktop iMac with a Netgear Router. Pages go through periods of slow loading, or get to 80%-90% loaded and then stall. Occasionally I have to reboot the router to re-establish the connection. Curiously the problem seems worse in the evenings but this is probably spurious."

In some cases, these issues can be resolved by downgrading to AirPort Extreme Firmware 5.5.1 using the available installer. (Note, however, that reverting firmware can pose security risks, eliminating measures to thwart vulnerabilities included in later firmware releases).

In other cases, a more drastic workaround -- reverting to Mac OS X 10.4.2 -- may be necessary.

MacFixIt reader Bernard Azancot found the latter option was the only way to restore an operable connection:

Bernard writes:

"Impossible to apply the Mac OS X 10.4.3 update, on my iMac G5 2 GB Airport extreme card, without having connection drop issue. I have tried:

• Applying the update from through Software Update and combo file
• Reformatting HD and installing Tiger 10.4 from scratch before reapplying Mac OS X 10.4.3 update
• Applying 'Airport Update 2005-001' file Soft and hard resetting of my AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet aka snow)
• Re-applying the Mac OS X 10.4.3 combo updater

"None of this fixed this issue

"As soon as I return to the 10.4.2 backup, connection is perfect again."

You may also want to try some of the suggestions listed in our tutorial, "Improving AirPort reception, avoiding dropouts/lost connectivity, working around card/Base station recognition issues."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

• AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#3): Checking if the update was applied; Lapses in connectivity; more
• AirPort Extreme 2005-001 (#2): Greater than 1 GB of RAM AirPort connection drop issue fixed for some
• Apple releases AirPort Extreme 2005-001

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