The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

Choose text size: Select small text. Select medium text. Select large text.

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Improving AirPort Network Connection Time

TMO Quick Tip - Improving AirPort Network Connection Time

by , 7:30 AM EDT, September 15th, 2006 - Digg This

Usually your Mac can connect to different AirPort, or Wi-Fi, networks quickly and without any problems. If you find, however, that your 'Book takes forever to connect to the different wireless networks you access, your Preferred Networks list may be getting too long. Here's how clear out the list:

  • Launch System Preferences. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
  • Select the Network Preference Pane.
  • Choose AirPort from the Show pop-up menu.
  • Click the AirPort tab.
  • Choose Preferred Networks from the By default, join pop-up menu.
  • You should see a list of the wireless networks you have connected to. Select the networks you want to remove, and then click the minus button at the bottom of the list.

Remove wireless networks you don't use.

If you want to prevent additional networks from being added to the list, you need to let your Mac know:

  • While you are still in the Network Preference Pane, click the Options button.
  • Uncheck Automatically add new networks to the preferred networks list.
  • Click OK.


Uncheck this preference to keep your network list shorter.

Even if you aren't experiencing slow connection times, removing unused networks from the Preferred Networks list is a good house cleaning chore.

if you have ideas for Mac related tips that you think other TMO readers might find helpful.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:gopher Posts: 291 Joined: 28 Mar 2002
Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:23 am Subject: This sounds like a bug

It would be good for Apple to know what that limit is so they can test for that limit and alert the user when the list does grow too long, and ask the user what networks they want to get rid of. I suggest if you encounter this bug, to report it to http://bugreporter.apple.com/

All you need is a free online developer account with your Apple ID to report this. If you encounter it, I would also mention it on Apple Discussions at http://discussions.apple.com/ what that limit is so others can test it and see if the issue is a result of data corruption of your airport preferences, or it is an actual bug, and to ask that an Apple knowledgebase article state what the limit is until Apple can institute an overflow checking program for the preferred networks.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:Guest
Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:22 pm Subject: Already knew
Close Name:gopher Posts: 291 Joined: 28 Mar 2002
Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:24 pm Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
this was on mac fixit months ago

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20060606081405885


The trouble with Macfixit is that their service hides a lot of suggestions behind a pay only site. If you want to report an issue, do it directly to Apple if you want to have any chance of it being noticed by people who can repair it. And that particular link only works for pro subscribers.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:MacKeyser Posts: 2 Joined: 15 Aug 2006
Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:09 pm Subject: Great tip

I missed it on Macfixit (another great site).

I could only think of maybe 4 sites I've logged into, but I found over a dozen. Probably not all that big an issue, but it was a good thing to clear them up. Now, my Powerbook doesn't hesitate when I reconnect via wireless.

Nice job.


 Reply | Quote
Comment on this Article


Guest Posts Visible. Hide Them.
Back to top  Page 1 of 1    

You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated July 9th

Thu, 3:42 PM
Reports - Chrome OS Complicates Apple & Google Boards of Directors
1:08 PM
Deal Brothers - Life ‘09 Software Drops to $59.99 Delivered
11:06 AM
News - TechRestore Posts Stop-motion iPhone 3GS Breakdown
10:17 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Parallels versus Fusion: Reader Favorites
9:32 AM
Product News - LaCie Unveils LaCinema Rugged HD Multimedia Hard Drive
8:54 AM
Product News - CheckUp 2.5 Adds Snow Leopard, New Mac Support
8:37 AM
News - Latest Microsoft Ad Hits at MacBook Price Again
8:06 AM
TMO Appearances - TMO’s Jeff Gamet Dives into Social Media at CoMUG
7:30 AM
The Back Page - Looking Ahead at the App Store’s Future
Wed, 6:48 PM
Games - Pipe Mania Puzzle Game Released for Mac, iPhone
5:36 PM
Product News - Apple Releases Safari 4.0.2 with Nitro JavaScript Engine Improvements
5:30 PM
News - Royalty Crisis Averted for Pandora & Other Internet Radio Stations

The Mac Observer Reader Specials
  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!