Time Capsule Firmware Update 7.4.1 issues
Apple released last friday a firmware update 7.4.1 for all 802.11n-based AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express base stations, as well as for all Time Capsules.
You can find the details about this update here : link
I have a Time Capsule and an Airport Express (not early 2009 but the older model) so I decided to give it a try. I am usually reluctant to install new updates when things works well, but the new feature to enable remote administration and remote access to compatible USB connected drives via Back to My Mac interested me. Note that you need to be a mobile me subscriber to use it.
As soon as I installed the update on my Time Capsule, the wifi 802.11n network 5 Ghz stopped working. Can’t see my wireless network anymore… I had to revert back to the previous version of the firmware and everything went back as it was.
Other users have reported the same issue on forums, probably it only affects older versions of Time Capsules and Airport Extremes. Looks like Apple has not tested this update on their older devices. Funny. You may want to revert to version 7.3.2 while waiting for Apple to release a bug fix possibly in version 7.4.2.
To revert back to an older version of the firmware, follow this guide :
1. Open Airport Utility (in Applications->Utilities), make sure you have version 5.4.1.
2. Select the device you want to downgrade :
3. From the top menu, select Base Station -> Upload Firmware …
4. Choose the firmware version you want to install :
Wait for the device to reboot.
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I have both an Airport Extreme Base Station that I just got in December 2008 along with an Airport Express that I got way back in November 2005. I uploaded the new firmware and had no problem getting my wireless network back up and running, although, my Mac does not support 802.11n, it’s an older model, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it?
Bobby, 802.11g works fine, the update breaks wifi 802.11n on 5Ghz frequency.
Thank you. That’s been very helpful. M
Thank you! Quickly fixed my wireless with these instructions.
Hi, my Airport Extreme Base Station is an 802.11n, bought on Jan 20, 2009 (yes, bought it just 2 months too early, didn’t I? Anyway, the firmware update has worked for all our devices (even our crappy Vaio), which are a mix of g and n, except my iMac G5 – a Power PC. It worked fine before the update. Don’t think range is an issue as I moved the Airport to about 10 ft away from the Mac and it didn’t improve things. The Mac detects the AEBS for seconds at a time. Checking Airport Utility on the other Big Mac shows data rates of between 130 and 144 for the n devices and 54 for the other g devices but usually just a 1 or 2 for the G5 – not enough to connect to the internet or print wirelessly. I’m loathe to muck around too much when everything else is working ok. I hope there will be a patch or something soon.
We have an original-model Time Capsule. Installing 7.4.1 did not affect wireless, but neither of our iMacs (one Intel, one G5) could access Time Capsule or perform backups. Reverting back to 7.3.2 fixed the problem
By any chance do you still have the firmware 7.3.2, i really need it and i can’t download it from apple now.. Thx
The issue I have with the 7.4.1 update is documented here:http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9533498#9533498