An update! On Wednesday, January 26, 2005, I wrote:
"At my University, we have a wireless "cloud" that blankets most of the
campus, using "Cisco 1200 IOS AP" access points. Short version: I get no
signal no matter what settings I try. ...When I say "I", I actually mean,
"everyone I know with an iBook G4, running OS 10.3.x, with an Airport
Extreme Wireless card".* ..."
With no solutions to "weak signal w/ Airport Extreme Card" on the Apple
Support site (but many similar complaints on the Discussion Boards), I had
to conduct further research through other means. As a result I've come to
the conclusion that the "AirPort Extreme Card (Part Number: M8881LL/A)"-
is a piece of junk in comparison to the "old" "Airport" Wireless card:
- This morning I went down to the Network Services office. With my laptop
sitting 2 feet away from an enterprise level access point, they measured my
signal strength with their fancy test equipment- I got less than 50%
signal...
- In one on-campus location widely known as the "strongest" signal
on-campus, I get "1 bar...", at my desk, I get zero (note- on my other
laptop w/ the "old" Airport Card, I would receive 100% at both locations).
..
- Numerous entries on numerous forums (incl. "Apple Discussions")
discussing a weak signal w/ various routers and the Airport Extreme Card..
.
The only "solution" found-- extending my network w/ "Dr. Bott's Antenna" or
Airport Express APs- both useless suggestions for my campus in which I have
no control over their network, and where I use my laptop the most. Apple
Tech Supports suggests I find an Apple Store and have them test the card on
their network.
Any other thoughts from the Mac-contingency?
(NOTE: I take back my earlier statement that "...This (iBook G4) laptop
connects flawlessly to my network at home (Belkin Router) and at my friend'
s house (Linksys Router)..." After it was mentioned that, within a 20
foot radius, if I'm not getting 100%, thats not very good.)
