Further Airport Express woes - playback problems

[professorhat]

Just found this:
It kept nagging at me that the drops were often regular at every 60 seconds and Windows Zero Configuration reportedly checks for a stronger signals every 60 seconds.

So today I tried installing the Manufacturer's Wireless Utility and disabling Microsoft's Windows Zero Configuration. This worked perfectly - no more dropouts.

As before iTunes7 never had the problem - it started with iTunes8 - I assume iTunes8 is less able to buffer network dropouts.

I have spent a lot of time on this - but I am very happy to have working music again.....
Since your issue also seems to be every minute, this is worth a look.
EDIT - I can walk you through disabling the Microsoft Wireless Zero Configuration service if you need me to.
Also, just read creating a closed wireless network has solved the problem for some other people...

 

[PJ1200]

Cheers Professorhat!
My router is telling me (through the router settings) that I'm getting 81xx mbps, hence 8meg. I've done a speed test and that suggests only 4meg.
Second post: Disabling Microsoft Window's Zero Configuration!?!? Never heard of it? I use windows to connect to the router, although I do have the netgear's adapter program open on setup too. It doesn't control my network (XP does) but it obviously has to install on start up to configure the adapter. If that makes sense!??

 

[professorhat]

Okay, to disable the Microsoft Wireless Zero Configuration service, do the following:
1. Go to Start > Control Panel and double click into the Administrative Tools folder, then double click on the Services tool.
2. Scroll down this list until you see Wireless Zero Configuration:

3. Right click on this and choose Stop. A little progress bar will come up and then the status should change so instead of saying Started, it's just blank under that column.
4. Right click on the service again and choose Properties and you'll see in the middle of the window that comes up, it says Startup type: Automatic. Click on the arrow next to Automatic and change this to Disabled and then click OK.
If you now open the Netgear tool, you should hopefully be able to connect to the wireless network using this. Once this is done, try out iTunes and see if it's fixed.
NB - if this doesn't work, just reverse what you did above to put everything back to normal i.e. right click on the Wireless Zero Configuration service, choose Properties and change the Startup Type back to Automatic and click OK and then right click again, and choose Start to restart the service.

 

[PJ1200]

Right, been on the phone to O2. Somehow we've managed to get the old router and adapter to connect at 54mpbs!! This appears to have been done through the magic of 'uninstalling' and 'reinstalling' the adapter!?!?!
A minor miracle I think we can all agree!
However, playback is not improved. I seriously now think it is something to do with iTunes!
Why? Well as mentioned above the playback status bar on the top of iTunes pauses every minute. If I select multiple speakers - ie my living room and my computer - they both drop... surely that suggests an iTunes issue?
Professorhat, I'm not keen on disabling MZC as I've managed to get my 54mpbs.

 

[PJ1200]

Looks like this chap believes the same!
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1787183&tstart=0

 

[John Duncan]

PJ1200:Right, been on the phone to O2. Somehow we've managed to get the old router and adapter to connect at 54mpbs!! This appears to have been done through the magic of 'uninstalling' and 'reinstalling' the adapter!?!?!
A minor miracle I think we can all agree!
However, playback is not improved. I seriously now think it is something to do with iTunes!
Why? Well as mentioned above the playback status bar on the top of iTunes pauses every minute. If I select multiple speakers - ie my living room and my computer - they both drop... surely that suggests an iTunes issue?
Professorhat, I'm not keen on disabling MZC as I've managed to get my 54mpbs.

if anything, it will be a combination of the two - I think iTunes talks with AX to make sure playback at the AX and at the computer are 'in sync'. Am now worried since I've upgraded to iTunes 8 while the stereo was in storage - will be keen to get it up and running again asap to see if I have the same issue.......

 

[John Duncan]

Some other discussions (with possible fixes) here

 

[John Duncan]

And here

 

[professorhat]

PJ1200:Right, been on the phone to O2. Somehow we've managed to get the old router and adapter to connect at 54mpbs!! This appears to have been done through the magic of 'uninstalling' and 'reinstalling' the adapter!?!?!
A minor miracle I think we can all agree!
However, playback is not improved. I seriously now think it is something to do with iTunes!
Why? Well as mentioned above the playback status bar on the top of iTunes pauses every minute. If I select multiple speakers - ie my living room and my computer - they both drop... surely that suggests an iTunes issue?
Professorhat, I'm not keen on disabling MZC as I've managed to get my 54mpbs.
Fair enough, it's just what the fella said in the post I read makes sense (about the Microsoft WZC service trying to find a stronger wireless signal every 60 seconds and this interrupts the wireless signal for the briefest of moments). The theory is then, iTunes 7's buffer was able to handle this and carried on playing the music, whereas with iTunes 8, something has changed and it can't handle this any more. A number of other people in this post also reported success by using this method.
Of course there's every chance Apple will fix the buffer issue in a later version of iTunes.

 

[professorhat]

JohnDuncan:Am now worried since I've upgraded to iTunes 8 while the stereo was in storage - will be keen to get it up and running again asap to see if I have the same issue.......
Am I right in thinking you run a Mac, JD? In which case I reckon you'll be fine as have no issues with mine.

 

[PJ1200]

John/Professor - thank you.
It just seems so strange that so many people have had problems since 'upgrading' to itunes 8??
I wonder whether the might of the WHFSV team might be able to get involved and contact Apple on our behalf?!?!?!
Doesn't appear Apple know of the problem (depsite it appearing so many times on their own forums!)
I must admit I'm now at a complete loose end. Resulting to plugging my ipod into my hifi!
WHFSV guys - if you're reading this, would really appreciate any input/advice you could give in getting it resolved. Can't believe I'm the only one on these forums with this issue!?!

 

[John Duncan]

Quick update, though absolutely no help - got my AX out tonight in anticipation of the stereo coming home this weekend. Took me a while to get it connected back to the network, especially after an attempted update to firmware failed and I had to reset a couple of times......

Anyway, when I finally got it back on the network, both Mac and Vista laptop are talking to it no problem, no dropouts at all (laptop currently streaming lossless to it, listening on headphones). Have tried both AX-only and both AX and Computer Cpeakers, still no dropouts. Further, as far as I can tell, windows zero config is running (though it seems to be called wlan config or something).

So, zero to add, but I'm alright Jack...

Edit - iTunes 8 on both machines.

 

[PJ1200]

RIGHT!!
Professorhat - you are a LEGEND!
Disabled windows' wireless configuration thing, and am currently listening to music (8 minutes in) and NO DROPOUTS!!
Amazing!
Will post again with further testing, but appears to be sorted!
Whilst I'm amazed and pleased that it is now working, I must stress my utter annoyance, shock and complete dissappointment with Apple over this. No support from them whatsoever (something that is becoming increasingly apparent with all their products!)
The fact that I've had to tap into the wonderful world of the internet, utilise the know-how off forums such as this, and initiate all my computer know how (which is by no means non existant) to sort this problem out, is nothing short of disgraceful.
I find it hard to whole-heartedly recommend any Apple product to anyone.
However this frustration has been suppressed with the joy of finally being able to listen to music as intended!
Many thanks to all the people on here for their help - VERY much appreciated.
PJ

 

[chebby]

PJ1200:Whilst I'm amazed and pleased that it is now working, I must stress my utter annoyance, shock and complete dissappointment with Apple over this. No support from them whatsoever (something that is becoming increasingly apparent with all their products!)

This is true. Luckily our iMac and Airport Extreme base station were purchased with 3 year cover (2 years left) and Apple stuff works with other Apple stuff like a dream.

I have also been lucky that the wireless network was established between Airport Extreme and iMac BEFORE we put the other computers (both PC based) on the network. Gawd help anyone trying to host an Airport Extreme/Express network from a windows PC/laptop.

All of our Dell stuff has 3 or 4 year onsite, next business day, support and the only two times we had to use it (a power supply and a screen) the guy was on the doorstep the next morning. Dell's telephone (and online) support is great. (They even managed to talk my wife successfully through a RAM upgrade once which IS very impressive if you knew my wife's lack of technical prowess!)

The only time we ever needed support on the phone from Apple they were useless and I worked out the solution for myself. (Wireless printing.)

I dread ever having to invoke out 3 year Apple Support for something hardware related. (Lucky so far.) They don't send a technician to your door, like Dell. They expect you to drive (or post!) the computer to their nearest approved repair facility (55 miles away) and leave it with them.

 

[professorhat]

Excellent stuff, I'm really glad it's fixed.
As for Apple, if you were being kind to them, you could argue it's a Windows "feature" causing the problem. However, I'm with you on this one, there should definitely be something about this in their FAQs at least and they should be promising a patch which will handle the lack of buffering which, combined with the WZC service feature, is clearly causing this issue since they brought out iTunes 8.

 

[PJ1200]

Just thought I'd update. Listened to music for most of Saturday streamed, seamlessly to my hifi!
Talk about taking things for granted, but it's excellent!
Really pleased it's all sorted out. Not sure whether disabling the WZC will help everyone that has a dropout problem, but certainly recommend trying it.
Good point Professorhat regarding the windows point, however again, don't make a product that works with Windows if it doesn't!!
Just pleased it's finally up and running!
As said before - thanks to all that have helped with this problem, especially you Prof - much appreciated.