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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Low transfer speed intel and powerpc

pedersen - Dec 9, 2006 - 8:49 pm

I have a brand new intel imac and a powerbook G4 connected wirelessly to the same airport network. When transferring files between the two computers I see extremely low transfer rates - a fraction of the transfer rate I saw when I transferred files between my previous imac g4 and powerbook.

Is this low transfer rate between intel and powerpc to be expected or is there a setup thing I am missing here?

rsilvernail - Dec 11, 2006 - 2:49 pm

well, is your base station and Airport Extreme, or the original Airport? and because you have G4 machines, is the PowerBook using the old Airport, or is it Airport Extreme?

pedersen - Dec 11, 2006 - 8:05 pm

The base station is Airport extreme. The airport card in the powerbook is also Extreme.

rsilvernail - Dec 15, 2006 - 9:23 pm

hmmm... I'm not sure, I'm going to reopen this question to other techs. I apologize for the delay i've been very busy at work installing new network equipment.

Robert Silvernail
rsilvernail@gmail.com

earthsaver - Jan 1, 2007 - 11:02 pm

Much as I'm curious, Dan, as to why you're seeing such low transfer rates via AirPort, I'm more curious why you're not simply transferring over FireWire or, at least, wired Ethernet. You're limited to 54Mbps in AirPort Extreme in a best case scenario. Ethernet is likely to run at least 100 and FireWire 400.

Have you considered simply hooking up both Macs by FireWire and using Target Disk Mode?

- Ben

pedersen - Jan 1, 2007 - 11:41 pm

You're right that for bigger file transfers I do use a wired connection - my ipod mainly to transfer files. The two computers are located different places through out the house so I cannot permanently hook them up with cables.

As you see I will survive the reduced transfer rate (using my ipod) - I was just curious why it in my case at least works well between powerpc computers and why it does not work at all well between powerpc and intel...

earthsaver - Jan 2, 2007 - 10:37 am

Then, I suppose the next question is: do you see any difference when you connect from the PowerBook to the iMac, compared to from the iMac to the PowerBook? Also, have you noticed any difference in the AirPort signal level (in Internet Connect) between the iMacs?

- Jan 7, 2007 - 3:45 am

Hi again! No - no difference in transfer speeds when tranferring from powerbook tom imac or vice versa. Same low rate.

When running the Intenet connect app. I see that the signal level on the powerbook is full (100%) where the imac is below half...

Natobasso - Jan 7, 2007 - 12:47 pm

I've heard other reports of new Intel Macs having slower internet/wireless connection speeds. Check your Activity Monitor for any possible bandwidth hoggers.

Is it possible you have one of your macs set to 'share internet'? If so, turn that off and have both comps link to the wireless transmitter individually.

You could be experiencing some interference (wireless hates foilage such as trees) so turn on 'Interference Robustness' on both comps and see if that helps. Stay away from house plants as well.

Let us know what happens.