wifi dropping out

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howienz

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#214075 26-Apr-2017 22:12

Not sure if correct forum but here's my problem:

using Indesign CS6 on an iMac (late 2012, Sierra) and save all files to an external hard drive connected to airport extreme via wifi. This has worked without any issues (since late 2012) until recently - I open CS6 and then attempt to open a file stored on the ext. HD but at this point the wifi drops out and the app just hangs and I have to force quit to close. I can open an Id file (saved to the desktop) without any problem but as soon as I attempt to open a file from ext HD the wifi drops out - coincidently the wifi will drop out for all users online. Have just attempted to open a word (don't have Id) doc (from my MacBook) via ext. HD and it worked so maybe the issue is confined to my iMac...?

Not sure if its relevant by ISP is Orcon/UFB

tommyboy

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#1770974 26-Apr-2017 23:29

try changing the wifi channel to a different channel in your router wifi settings. That may help.

howienz

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#1771142 27-Apr-2017 11:00

Thanks tommyboy for your reply - I'm one of those people who knows a little bit of knowledge...is there much involved with changing channels and are you referring to the router as opposed to the airport extreme - please see rough schematic below:

Cheers

RunningMan

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#1771215 27-Apr-2017 12:40

Is the HDD connected to the AE by USB?

tommyboy

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#1771262 27-Apr-2017 14:00

There should be an option in the AP setting to change the channel number perhaps? Perhaps try googling your make and model of the AP followed by the words 'change channel'.

howienz

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#1771279 27-Apr-2017 14:11

RunningMan:

Is the HDD connected to the AE by USB?

whoops! forgot to illustrate the HDD - yes it is connected to the AE via USB

RunningMan

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#1771294 27-Apr-2017 14:42

It sounds like an issue with accessing the HDD then, causing the AE to crash. I'd suggest opening Airport Utility and see if you can repair the drive. Another possibility is that the power supply is dying on the AE - does the HDD have an external supply?

What happens if you connect the drive directly to the Mac? What happens if you open the same file(s) from another device instead?

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howienz

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#1771326 27-Apr-2017 15:08

RunningMan:

It sounds like an issue with accessing the HDD then, causing the AE to crash. I'd suggest opening Airport Utility and see if you can repair the drive. Another possibility is that the power supply is dying on the AE - does the HDD have an external supply? no - is a power type better?, I did have to reformat it recently as I couldn't save anything to the drive-all files were intact though

What happens if you connect the drive directly to the Mac? I will try this later on tonight What happens if you open the same file(s) from another device instead? - as per original post above I can open word documents from different device (my MacBook), unfortunately I don't have CS6 - could it be that the CS6 file is quite large?

please see my comments above:

RunningMan

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#1771330 27-Apr-2017 15:19

I was thinking that either a corrupt drive (causing the AE to freeze when accessed) or a faulty power supply that can't quite handle the HDD being plugged in, and then causes the AE to freeze when the drive is being accessed.

The CS files could be significantly bigger than a word file - perhaps even copy the CS files over to the other Mac via WiFi and see if that replicates the freeze.

Has the AE got the latest firmware? Check this from Airport Utility, and use it to check the drive at the same time.

howienz

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#1771554 27-Apr-2017 21:13

RunningMan:

I was thinking that either a corrupt drive (causing the AE to freeze when accessed) or a faulty power supply that can't quite handle the HDD being plugged in, and then causes the AE to freeze when the drive is being accessed.

The CS files could be significantly bigger than a word file - perhaps even copy the CS files over to the other Mac via WiFi and see if that replicates the freeze.

Has the AE got the latest firmware? Check this from Airport Utility, and use it to check the drive at the same time.

It looks like it could be the HDD - connected drive to iMac and received the following error:

macOS can't repair the disk '......ADATA'

You can still open or copy files on the disk, but you can’t save changes to files on the disk. Back up the disk and reformat it as soon as you can.

Clicked ok and was able to open the CS file.

Any suggestions for replacement HDD?

RunningMan

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#1771587 27-Apr-2017 21:52

Before you do anything else, back that drive up. Now.

What happens if you have the drive plugged into the AE and try to repair from Airport Utility?

howienz

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#1773912 1-May-2017 22:40

Problem solved: Bought an AirPort Time Capsule 2TB and now have a happy household :)

Thanks for the assistance.