Question :
After the update to OSX 10.7.4 the “WiFi : no hardware installed” error is back on my Mac that has an Atheros AR9280 AirPort card, how can I fix this ?
Answer :
The solution is the same as in OSX 10.7.3 :
(Re)install the “Edited Atheros Kext for Lion*3″ you can download here :
https://macmanusnl.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/edited-atheros-kext-for-lion3-zip.doc
Note : after downloading the file “edited-atheros-kext-for-lion3-zip.doc” you need to rename the file to “edited-atheros-kext-for-lion3.zip” and double-click it to unzip. To install follow the instructions as lined out in the “CAUTION ! (Read Me).txt”-file
The latest version of the .kext-installer that’s needed can be downloaded here :
http://cvad-mac.narod2.ru/Kext_Utility
or here :
TIP : your Atheros AR9280 AirPort card and AirPort network are automatically detected when you restart in Rescue Mode… so restart with the ‘CMD’ + ‘R’ keys pressed (‘Rescue Mode’), then use Safari (listed as ‘online help’) to go online and download both files from the links above. If you get a warning that there’s no space in your download folder (because you’re in Rescue Mode), just go into Safari’s preferences and change the download folder to a USB-stick or external hard drive. Now do a normal restart and install the old .kext file and restart afterwards. Done.
————————–
Some background info for those interested :
What is installed by the 10.7.4 installer :
IO80211Family.kext (v4.1.2)
– including these Plugins :
AirPortAtheros21.kext (v4.3.1)
AirPortAtheros40.kext (v5.0.4)
AirPortBrcm4331.kext (v5.3)
AppleAirPortBrcm43224.kext (v5.0.1)
IO80211NetBooter.kext (v4.2)
…which gives the “no hardware installed” error yet again on systems with the Atheros AR9280 AirPort-card…
What I’ve tried and didn’t work :
1- normal restart with ‘reopen windows when logging back in’ unchecked ; still the same ‘no hardware installed’ error
2- repair disk permissions, followed by a full shut down with ‘reopen windows when logging back in’ unchecked, followed by a normal startup ; still the same ‘no hardware installed’ error
3- installing the OSX 10.7.4 Client Combo Update (from Apple.com) ; still the same ‘no hardware installed’ error