[Edit 6/29/2006: GUI Scripting needs to be enabled for the AppleScript below to work. To do so, open up AppleScript Utility (in /Applications/AppleScript) and select the “Enable GUI Scripting” checkbox.]

Every so often, the AirPort connection on my Intel Mac mini would drop off for no apparent reason. Searching on the web reveals that I am not alone. This problem seems to affect the Intel Mac mini, MacBook and MacBook Pro. While I am optimistic Apple will fix this problem eventually, I couldn’t wait. So I wrote an AppleScript to test the network periodically and restart it when necessary.

Here’s the script:

http://yellowmug.com/blog/files/AirPortRestarterScript.zip

You can also download the runnable version here:

http://yellowmug.com/blog/files/AirPortRestarter.zip

The script writes to a temporary log file. Here’s what mine looks like during one particular 2-hour period.

Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:18:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:23:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:28:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:33:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:38:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:43:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:48:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:53:15 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:58:17 PM AirPort down. Restarting.
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:03:31 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:08:31 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:13:31 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:18:31 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:23:33 PM AirPort down. Restarting.
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:28:46 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:33:46 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:38:46 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:43:46 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:48:46 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:53:46 PM AirPort OK
Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:58:46 PM AirPort OK
Monday, June 26, 2006 12:03:46 AM AirPort OK
Monday, June 26, 2006 12:08:47 AM AirPort OK
Monday, June 26, 2006 12:13:47 AM AirPort OK

I have the script running continuously the last few days without any problem. Until Apple releases a real fix, I’ll be using this workaround.

One drawback of this script is that once you launch it, the only way to quit it is using Force Quit on it.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 26th, 2006 at 10:26 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.