Mac issues

[feuervogel]

My laptop, a 4*-ish-year-old MacBook non-pro, has suddenly started having issues with its wireless network card. Starting yesterday, it drops its connection at random (there may or may not be a correlation to high-use things like flash). If I turn off the AirPort and turn it back on, the problem is fixed until it quits again.

Do I need to take it to the Apple Store (at *hiss* Southpoint) to get it looked at? Is it potentially something fixable? One site I turned up in my google thought that recent MacBook Pros had wifi in the motherboard, but a) this isn't a Pro, and b) it's not that recent.

I really don't want to have to buy a new laptop. I can't afford it right now. I know the thing could use more RAM (which I should just go ahead and order, if this wifi thing is fixable, anyway), which is an $80 solution to it being dog slow. If I just have to replace the AirPort card, hopefully that won't cost an arm and a leg.

*I think I bought it in late 2007.

Comments

[miome]

My macbook pro has pretty much the same issue - I think it's heat damage. I'm using a usb wireless network card now, the Netgear WG111v3, which has worked out ok. It looks like a memory stick but a bit bigger, about 3 inches long. It's a bit of a pain sticking out like that, but better than getting a new laptop.

[feuervogel]

Hum. It does get pretty hot sometimes, though I have it resting on bottlecaps to help circulation (because typing on a hot keyboard sucks).

That would, indeed, be cheaper. I suppose I can take it to Southpoint sometime this week and see if the Geniuses think it's replaceable and how much it'll cost me. I don't have one of the unibodies, so it might be possible. I'll peruse Amazon and see what I can find (and add that in with the RAM I need.)

[pharna.livejournal.com]

My friend who knows EVERYTHING mac recommends to NEVER go with a non-Macbook Pro laptop. :(

And this is from a PSCYHO mac evangelist. :X

I'll ask him later.

[feuervogel]

I can't afford the Pro-level ones; of course, if I can't afford a replacement non-pro, I can't afford the extra $500+ for a pro, either.

The one comment I got on DW said the wifi card is probably heat damaged, and she recommended an external dongle thingy. They run $20 on Amazon, which is far less than I could get anything replaced if it's replaceable at all and saves me driving to the evil mall of evil.