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Early 2009 mini, 10.6.8. Having steadily increasing trouble connecting to network, involving a process to get it working including somewhat random disconnecting/reconnecting/ Airport off/on/off/on, browser quit relaunch, reboot, ...eventually it just works all of a sudden but today no go-- I either get "invalid password" or "timeout" upon trying to connect to my Asus router (no trouble at all with my MBA).
Would you try futzing with software, or just grab a cheap wireless USB dongle?
I have no experience with the latter-- will it work just as seamlessly as the internal card is supposed to?
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Black,
Any chance you can check a hardwire ethernet connection? If that doesn't work as well, you could be looking at a bigger problem. Regardless, I'd futz with the software for at least a little while. Delete prefs, add the network again, etc. But, it will quickly get to the point of diminishing returns.
If none of that makes a difference, I'd look for a USB dongle that doesn't require a driver of any kind. From what I've seem, many people in the forum use them successfully. Wonder if Asus makes one? If so, I'd look at theirs first to help ensure rock solid compatibility.
Robert
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try working from another user account.
how long has the problem occurred?
might be worth popping open to ensure that the antenna is connected.
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....can you use 'Head & Shoulders'.....??
_____________________________________
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
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Black wrote:
I cracked it to add RAM and upgrade hard drive when I first received it and have never really felt good about the way it went back together (as I believe is customary after this type of upgrade on this model...) The AP antennae are in a really stupid place.
I would bet that's it right there. In general, the antenna plugs on the Airport hardware are ridiculously small, and in this particular case, the connection gets compromised anytime you open up a Mini and remove the optical drive to get at the hard drive or RAM slots.
I'd check that first, then try different user accounts.
Jeff
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also try booting from another OS (external or OS X disc) and test connection from there to rule out software.
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If you're using DHCP, try setting up manual IP, including DNS info...
that seemed to help us.
///
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Replacing the internal card isn't too hard. Assuming the antenna hasn't come loose (easy fix) or is broken (less easy to fix), I'd just get a nice internal mini PCI-e card.
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Sorry I haven't been able to provide a satisfying solution-- little time.
I can only say I tried this morning and had no trouble connecting; I'd had a USB card reader sitting on top of the mini and front right corner, and was thinking what if I only had one working antenna and I'd put something on top of it... so I took it off. Who knows . . . definitely need to crack this thing and make sure the antennae are connected.
