AirPort, AirPort Extreme: Computer Stops Responding at System Startup Time
This article describes and provides a workaround for a startup issue that can be caused when an AirPort card is incorrectly installed.
Products Affected
Power Mac G5, AirPort, iBook, Power Mac, iMac, eMac, PowerBook G4, PowerBook G3
Symptom
A computer with an AirPort card installed stops responding or "freezes" when it is turned on.
Solution
This symptom can occur if the AirPort card is not completely inserted into its connector.
For more information on properly installing an AirPort card, please see the following technical documents:
58535: "iBook: Installing AirPort Card"
58536: "Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics): Installing AirPort Card"
58685: "Power Mac G4 Cube: How to Install an AirPort Card"
88058: "PowerBook G4: How to Install an AirPort Card"
26261: "PowerBook G4 (12-inch): Customer Installable Parts"
26268: "PowerBook G4 (17-inch): Customer Installable Parts"
86622:"PowerBook G4: Troubleshooting Poor AirPort Extreme Performance or Issues Starting Up"
To see a QuickTime movie about installing an AirPort card in an iBook, please see: http://www.info.apple.com/support/ibook/installairport.html
The two most common mistakes in installing an AirPort card are:
Correcting these mistakes should remedy the issue, although inserting the card upside down can result in bent pins inside the AirPort slot.
A computer with an AirPort card installed stops responding or "freezes" when it is turned on.
Solution
This symptom can occur if the AirPort card is not completely inserted into its connector.
For more information on properly installing an AirPort card, please see the following technical documents:
58535: "iBook: Installing AirPort Card"
58536: "Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics): Installing AirPort Card"
58685: "Power Mac G4 Cube: How to Install an AirPort Card"
88058: "PowerBook G4: How to Install an AirPort Card"
26261: "PowerBook G4 (12-inch): Customer Installable Parts"
26268: "PowerBook G4 (17-inch): Customer Installable Parts"
86622:"PowerBook G4: Troubleshooting Poor AirPort Extreme Performance or Issues Starting Up"
To see a QuickTime movie about installing an AirPort card in an iBook, please see: http://www.info.apple.com/support/ibook/installairport.html
The two most common mistakes in installing an AirPort card are:
- 1. not completely inserting the card into its connector
2. inserting the card upside down
- Make sure the card is inserted firmly enough to allow the support clasp to secure the card into place.
- Make sure the AirPort card has been installed correctly. In G3 iBooks, the serial number side faces upward. The AirPort card is keyed to go into the slot one way. However, it is possible to force the card into the slot incorrectly, thus causing the computer to stop responding when it is turned on.
Correcting these mistakes should remedy the issue, although inserting the card upside down can result in bent pins inside the AirPort slot.
Note: Wireless Internet access requires an Internet service provider (fees may apply) and AirPort (or AirPort-compatible) wireless Ethernet card and base station. Some ISPs are not compatible with AirPort. For more information, see article 106590: "AirPort: Requirements for Wireless Internet Access".