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AirPort: Make sure you're running the latest software to see all options

AirPort: Make sure you're running the latest software to see all options

CNET staff

Over the past couple months, we've covered reports of AirPort reception problems, and offered a number of suggestions to fix these issues. However, reader Doug Eldred reminds us of the need to ensure you've got the most recent version of the actual AirPort software installed:

"Last night I was trying to see if the 'interference robustness' menu item would make a difference in my occasional 'no network' problem. (I don't have a problem with a weak signal, as some do, but sometimes my iMac G5 just doesn't see the Base Station at all.) Part of the help text said that I needed to enable [interface robustness] on my AirPort Express base station, using the AirPort Admin utility. However, AirPort Admin claimed it couldn't even see my AirPort Express, even though the card did, the Express setup assistant did, and Internet access was fine!

"Turns out that apparently the Setup Assistant failed to update the version 3.4 AirPort Admin utility to 4.0. (I had originally set up the AirPort Express in my G4 iMac. AirPort Admin utility there is 4.0.x, but it's only 3.4 on my G5 iMac.)...Finally found a copy of the AirPort Express installer, it did update the AirPort Admin utility to 4.0, [activated interference robustness] and while it's way too soon to be sure of anything, I haven't had a 'no network' outage yet."

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