Macbook Wireless problem

[llama64]

This is a weird one, and I'm wondering if anyone else has the same problem.

When I try to hook up an external monitor to my Macbook, my wireless card gets cut out. Pings to my router will take just over 1 ms before plugging in the miniDVI connector, but as soon as I plug it in, they often take upwards of 9000 ms, and any other protocol gets completly timed out.

Now, that said, if I close the lid and use the external monitor exclusive (rather then the laptop screen + monitor), my wireless connection returns.

I've found some information on the internets suggesting that my DVI cable might be causing some interference. Any one know if this could be the case?

The hardware involved:
Macbook (core2duo 2.2 ghz, 2Gb Ram, middle tier "white" model)
Apple's miniDVI to DVI adaptor
Samsung 931bw 19" LCD display (connected with packaged DVI cable - has those small cylinders near the ends)

Just curious if anyone else has had the same trouble.

[Traditional_Ale]

If the monitor output (I'm assuming a blue VGA connector) is beside or very near the wireless card in your computer, I would be willing to bet the geniuses at Mac didn't insulate/isolate it properly and it is interfering somehow.

[llama64]

I've kept the cable as far away from the laptop as possible to prevent what you suggest. But it seems simply opening the lid is enough to trigger the interference.

This is usually what happens when a computer is designed predominantly on style rather then function.... If only I wasn't so married to OS X.

[mykalberta]

Not knowing anything about a Mac, I would say that its a power issue.

As in the wireless card is to low on the totem pole of power resources when you have these things plugged in. I assume you have your power adapter plugged in. I would check the Mac version of the power options in control panel to see if there is anything in there you can change.

It would make sense because when you close your notebook panel it would shut off the monitor (prob the largest power user on the notebook.

Friendly advice from PC.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by llama64

I've kept the cable as far away from the laptop as possible to prevent what you suggest. But it seems simply opening the lid is enough to trigger the interference.

This is usually what happens when a computer is designed predominantly on style rather then function.... If only I wasn't so married to OS X.

I meant internally,...inside the computer. Which means there is sweet eff-all you can do about it, except return the computer and demand a refund.

EDIT: It has also occoured that maybe your monitor is emitting some kind of interference that it should not be.

[Barnes]

The antenna is in the bezel around the screen. Top left corner I think. can you put the Macbook in a different location then where it is but still have it plugged in.

I am thinking that when it's up, it's getting interference but when the lid's closed, it's far enough away to not get interfered with.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Barnes

The antenna is in the bezel around the screen. Top left corner I think. can you put the Macbook in a different location then where it is but still have it plugged in.

I am thinking that when it's up, it's getting interference but when the lid's closed, it's far enough away to not get interfered with.

What a completely ######ed problem to have though hey? For such an expensive (read: way-over-priced) computer to have these problems in 2008 is just plain unacceptable.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

What a completely ######ed problem to have though hey? For such an expensive (read: way-over-priced) computer to have these problems in 2008 is just plain unacceptable.

I don't know what you are talking about....Mac doesn't have any problems.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

What a completely ######ed problem to have though hey? For such an expensive (read: way-over-priced) computer to have these problems in 2008 is just plain unacceptable.

Interference in the 2.4 an 5 ghz spectrum's are common because so many devices run on it. Apple is using a standards based protocol that has its warts.

Is it ######ed that your cordless phone doesn't work standing next to the microwave when it's on? Can you figure out a way to take a swipe at Apple while this is happening? Can you tell us one more time that you can make a computer for $17 that does everything awesome to the max?

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Interference in the 2.4 an 5 ghz spectrum's are common because so many devices run on it. Apple is using a standards based protocol that has its warts.

No argument here. Based on the problem the user is having I believe their unit to be of poor quality and shoddy workmanship.

Is it ######ed that your cordless phone doesn't work standing next to the microwave when it's on?

Never noticed, but then I could just move away from the microwave. The computer on the other hand, needs to function in a certain way and it doesn't because of poor quality/build, bad design...etc etc.

Can you figure out a way to take a swipe at Apple while this is happening?

If I thought hard enough, but in that context the lengths I would have to go to would make it an extemely lame/dweeb-like thing to do.

Can you tell us one more time that you can make a computer for $17 that does everything awesome to the max?

No computer does everything "awesome to the max". Its all about identifying needs. In my case, I don't need graphics power because all I use a computer for is making music. I don't play games.

In this user's case, he needs to be able to run two monitors and wireless internet simultaneously. I have an old Dell from 1999 that can do this just fine and it cost me 30 minutes of my life giving a Cubase lesson. What is the price of the Mac in question?

[llama64]

Checked the power setting on the Macbook... Apple doesn't give me much visible control over things.

Another odd symptom with this problem is that my AirMac card (the wireless card) goes into super overdrive when I run both displays. The CPU will be at 41 C while the wireless card is sitting at 61 C. Turning off my wireless card causes it to cool down, as does closing the lid of the laptop or removing the miniDVI adaptor.

Definitely something fishy going on here. Gonna do some testing with alternate cables and adapters soon as I get a chance.

Strangely enough, this only affects me at home. At my office, I'm able to run a much larger monitor off the same adapter without any interference or shenanigans. The overheat issue occurs every now and then though.

Give all this, I'm relatively sure it's the cable or adaptor at fault.

When I bought my Macbook, an equivalent Dell would have cost me $1500 (mine worked out to $1370 or there abouts), so I've never understood the "overpriced" argument. Just because Apple doesn't offer a $600 low end machine doesn't mean their products are overpriced. The only Apple products that I'd say fall in that category are the Macbook Pro's, but those arn't wildly out of range of their direct competators. It all comes down to what you're looking for.

The new Macbooks are rumored to be priced at $900 USD though...

(Ooh, just remembered, Apple charges about $200 just to make your Macbook black, so that model is definitely overpriced)