Speed suck

April 18, 2009 11:26 AM

Recent Mac software update crippled my online speed/connection.

The other day I allowed the Software Updater to run on my iMac. Included in the OSX update was some sort of Airport tweaking as well. Now my connection to the internet has slowed considerably. I've posted 'help' questions on Apple's website and MacFixit. No one answers. I've rebooted both the computer and the cable modem, and router. Nada.

Anyone here have any suggestions? Can I 'undo' the update that happened to Airport in that update? (No, I don't run Time Machine on my computer).

Thanks

posted by zenpop to computers & internet (5 answers total)

- Go into /Library/Preferences/System Configuration
- Remove the files com.apple.airport.preferences.plist, networkinterfaces.plist and preferences.plist
- Reboot
- Rejoin your wireless network (the password will probably still be saved)

If that doesn't work find out whether the speed is any better over ethernet. If it is, try resetting your NVRAM (boot and hold cmd+alt+p+r until chime repeats).

There's also the obvious reinstall but I'm going to hold off advice on that until I have more info.
posted by fearnothing at 1:22 PM on April 18, 2009

zenpop: The exact same thing here, so you're not crazy. Datapoint: just as bad over ethernet connected through the Airport Extreme, so it's not the wireless. Speed is about 1/5th what it should be. It never occurred to me it might be the update, but now I think about it, it did happen about then.
posted by The Bellman at 1:32 PM on April 18, 2009

zenpop: I don't know if it will help, but you CAN undo the upgrade. Here's how:

To downgrade to 7.3.2, open the Airport Utility (under Utilities folder.) Highlight the Airport you need to downgrade. In the menu bar select Base Station -> Upload Firmware… A popup appears, from the drop down list select 7.3.2 for the Upload Version and click OK. That’s it. Well, you may have to hard reboot and create a new wireless network.

If 7.3.2 is not there, then press cancel. From the menu bar, while holding the Option key down, select Airport Utility -> Check for Updates… You’ll see a list of all the old and new firmwares which are available. Select the version you want for your Airport (note different Airports have different firmwares.) After downloading 7.3.2 for your Airport, try the upgrade above again.


I'm about to try.
posted by The Bellman at 2:52 PM on April 18, 2009

Ok, for what it's worth, that quadrupled my DL speed. The test was: run the speakeasy net speed tester; downgrade the firmware; ten, without even closing the browser, rebooting, or doing anything else to the machine, run it again. The difference between 7.4.1 and 7.3.2 firmwares was 4x. YMMV.
posted by The Bellman at 2:59 PM on April 18, 2009

Thanks for this feedback folks. When I get home to my computer I'll try it and let you know how it goes. Wow, this is freaky.
posted by zenpop at 5:50 PM on April 18, 2009