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Level 1

5 points

"Airport has a self assigned IP address & cannot connect to internet"

Hi, I'd appreciate any insight at all on this...
Apologies in advance for this vast post...!
(but I guess I may as well mention everything I've already tried...)

BACKGROUND:
I was recently trying to add an Airport Express Base Station to an existing ethernet and wireless network, which has been working flawlessly for 3 years.
(Network consists of an ethernet-connected G4 Dual 1.42 desktop running OS X.3.3, and two wireless-connected iBooks- one a 12" running OS X.3.5, the other a 14" on OS X.4.2).
For various reasons, I've now given up with the Airport Express, but ...

PROBLEM:
On the wireless 12" iBook- "Safari can't open the page "xxx" because it can't find the server "xxx"- ie, the internet connection is now wonky.(The problem is the same in Firefox, IE, and Camino too).

The fault must be with configuration on this laptop, as the other two machines on this network are still running and connecting normally with no problems at all.

What is the cause of this problem? (IP addresses? DNS server?)

WHAT I'VE TRIED SO FAR:
1. First looked at System Preferences --> Network --> Network Status, where I see this;
"Airport is connected to the network "Fritz!Box SL WLAN". Airport has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect to the Internet."
Alongside it an amber button (which is usually green).

Then according to JohnHuber1's suggestion in Discussions on May 3rd 2006;
"Go to System Preferences --> Network and double click on Airport to open its preferences. Click on theTCP/IP tab and select Configure IvP4: "Using DHCP" and click on Apply Changes to save it."
I tried toggling this (it was already set this way), and then Restarted, but it hasn't helped.
I also tried clicking the 'Renew DHCP lease' button. Also hasn't helped.

2. Repaired permissions. It hasn't helped.

3. Read Apple KB article No:106798- 'Troubleshooting "Server could not be found" messages'.
From this article, it seems that
a) The problem cannot be caused by "an actual loss of internet connection", as the other 2 machines are still connecting fine.
b) Typing http://17.254.0.91 instead of http://www.apple.com makes no difference, therefore it doesn't APPEAR to be a DNS server problem. (?)

4. Tried to reconfigure the Airport settings using Network SetUp Assistant.
This allows me to select Airport as my connection method, select the network from the list; but once I've entered the network password and pressed 'continue', it then gives me a dialogue box, saying
"Unable to establish a network connection. Your computer could not connect to the internet. Click OK to go back and change your network settings and try again".
Returning to Network Prefs, I now see a box saying "Your Network Settings have been changed by another application".
I can't seem to get out of that vicious circle.

5. Opened a fresh Test Account, behaviour is the same here as in the regular user account.

6. Opened Network Utility, tried to 'Ping' on 17.254.0.91 (Apple site). Then tried to Ping my network router (192.168.178.1), and then also the other 2 computers on the network. Result in each case was "10 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100% packet loss".

What can I do to fix this problem? I suspect it's some small configuration checkbox in Network preferences which I've inadvertently altered.
But have I got any idea what I've done...?

Sorry for the epic post. But you get the idea...!
Thanks for your thoughts...

G4 Dual 1.42, FW800, 2GB RAM, (OSX.3.3), iBook G4 (1.2ghz, 1GB RAM, OSX.3.5) Mac OS X (10.3.3) 3 int.HDs, 3 Lacie ext.HDs, Logic Pro 6.4, RME Fireface 800.

Posted on Jul 18, 2007 2:53 PM

57 replies

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 22, 2007 10:40 AM in response to elko

Hi again elko...

have you unplugged the DSL router from the wall, completely disconnecting
the power to it for a few minutes?

Having removed the offending Airport Express from the equation (step 1), this was indeed my 'step 2' a few days ago. I hadn't tried it since, so I just did it again. Still no joy though... ;-(

Have you gone to the router through the browser to see if all the settings are correct?
You could get to it by typing in fritz.box or else the IP address 192.168.178.1

Thanks, I just tried this... everything SEEMS to be ok there. Anything in particular I should look for?

Is there any chance that the airport card was taken out and put back?

No, I've definitely not done that. Hardware set up is identical to before problems began.

I can't remember now if the 12" can connect to ANY wireless network or not, have you tried?

That's a good idea, but haven't had chance to check yet (no 'open' networks nearby, and no hotspots till I hit another airport next weekend!)...

...This is really driving me barmy now....!

Jul 22, 2007 4:53 PM in response to AndyL

Regarding M.A.C. Addresses:
The M.A.C. Addresses are included in every packet. As long as ALL the computers you want to connect are correctly on the list, it is nothing to worry about. The fear was that you or someone had created a list of allowed M.A.C. Addresses, and your troublesome computer was not on the list.
-----

Can you get to the Router Config by entering

http://192.168.178.1

can you get to Apple by entering

http://17.254.0.91

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 22, 2007 9:25 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

As long as ALL the computers you want to connect are
correctly on the list, it is nothing to worry about.

Fine, they're all there.

Can you get to the Router Config by entering http://192.168.178.1

No. It gives me the same 'Safari cannot connect as it cannot find the server' message.

can you get to Apple by entering http://17.254.0.91

No. It gives me 'Safari could not open the page after trying for 60 seconds' messge.
Both the other 2 machines connect fine, just not this moody iBook...

elko

Level 2

278 points

Jul 23, 2007 6:29 PM in response to AndyL

In your system preferences, click on sharing>internet.
Is your internet connection sharing off? (it should be)

ibook Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Jul 23, 2007 7:48 PM in response to AndyL

The number of Arcs on the Airport Icon gives you a very rough ( 1 to 5 ) idea of how the signal is doing. Another utility, Mac Stumbler, can tell you a bit more and log when it connects and disconnects:

http://www.macstumbler.com/

Maybe the signal is not as strong as it used to be, or someone else has added something on the same channel. There are about 12 channels available, and if you are seeing poor signal quality or interference, you can move to a different channel by re-configuring your Base Station.

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 26, 2007 3:44 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi again Roam, Elko, Grant, all...

Elko, thanks, I checked internet sharing, it's off as you said it should be.

Grant, the iBook's usually showing 4 or 5 bars of signal. I've run MacStumbler; signal strength is healthy/blue, usually around 70-73. There are 3 or 4 other networks around, all of which have a (red) signal of max 37. There is '0' noise coming from any network (including mine!).
Does this sound pretty normal to you?

In the absence of any better ideas from David Pogue, I decided to try and connect via ethernet. Turned off Airport, plugged it in, opened System Prefs -> Network -> TCP/IP; to see it has a new IP address, 192.168.178.23. (I'm guessing this is because the router thinks this is a new ethernet computer, rather than the one it used to see connecting via Airport...??).
It connects fine, using the manual settings I put in a few days ago.
Safari's up and running in half a second.
Changed to configure 'Using DHCP'. Also fine. So it CAN connect.

Unplugged ethernet, switched Airport on again (asked me for password); used new IP address to re-connect using Airport. Zilch.
Changed back to 'Manual', re-entered IP address etc again. Zilch.
Tried again using 'old' IP... 192.168.178.21. Zilch.
"Airport is connected to the network. You are connected to the Internet via Airport'. But. It still just doesn't want to actually connect me using Airport...

I'm gonna be going through some Hotspots in the next 48hrs, I'll try some different networks....

Anyone got any ideas what else I could try before this thing gets the 'through the window' treatment?
Thanks again for your thoughts/time! Andy.

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Jul 27, 2007 6:57 AM in response to AndyL

Hi Andy

1. Try deleting the ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.airport.plist

2. A bit of a long shot and this might seem unrelated but deleting the AppleAirPort2.kext might solve your problem.
Broken wireless following Security Update 2007-4

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Jul 28, 2007 3:51 AM in response to AndyL

Andy

This might have more promise than my previous suggestion.

Try setting a new location, in Network Location change it from Automatic, select New. Set the addresses manually to
192.168.178.21 (12" iBook causing the trouble)
subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Save the Location, give it a name.

and see if that works.

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Jul 28, 2007 6:39 AM in response to AndyL

Andy

Have you seen this? It mentions the problem with self assigned IP addresses and offers a solution.
Mac OS: How to release and renew a DHCP lease

roam

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 31, 2007 10:05 AM in response to roam

Hi Roam,
Thanks for getting back on this.... I tried both your suggestions.

1. Try deleting the ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.airport.plist

This made no difference, still same 'safari can't connect to server' message.

So I tried this one...

2. A bit of a long shot and this might seem unrelated but deleting the > AppleAirPort2.kext might solve your problem.

This seems to have made the situation worse. I copied the kext file to the desktop, deleted it from the system folder as suggested, restarted; computer now doesn't recognise the Airport card at all. So I replaced the kext file back into the system folder, restarted, and got this message:
"System extension cannot be used.
The system extension “/System/Library/Extensions/AppleAirPort2.kext“ was installed improperly and cannot be used. Please try reinstalling it, or contact the product’s vendor for an update."

How can I get the iBook to recognise the Airport card?
Is there ANYTHING I can to do with this **ing machine now or is it just junk now?
Andy.

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 31, 2007 10:10 AM in response to roam

My previous post seems to have edited out the message I got when restarting (after moving the kext file back)...

System extension cannot be used.
The system extension “/System/Library/Extensions/AppleAirPort2.kext“ was installed improperly and cannot be used. Please try reinstalling it, or contact the product’s vendor for an update.

So... what can I do about this?
Now I have a machine that doesn't just fail to connect to the internet, it now also fails to recognise the Airport Card, which, incidentally has remained untouched throughout this!....

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Jul 31, 2007 7:26 PM in response to AndyL

Oh dear, that was unexpected. You will need to install the Airport package from the install disk, and rather than poke around looking for that particular installation, it would be quicker to do an Archive and Install. That will keep all of your documents and settings, in place and restore Airport back to its previous recalcitrant state.

annexit

Level 1

23 points

Aug 2, 2007 4:29 AM in response to elko

AndyL., did you ever get this resolved? I have a similar problem, and despite my search on forums, did not see your post until after I started my own thread yesterday ( http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1065854&tstart=0)

- tried (or had tried) most of what is listed here to no avail - trashing the plist worked to get the button green for airport in network status, but like you still could not connect to the internet.

BTW my G3iMac is an older, slot loading not the chic flat panel - it did not come with an airport card,and I had to get an adapter on eBay to use the airport card I had in the G4 (also added later). I do get a strong signal and do connect to the network, just can't get to the internet.

Help any one?

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 2, 2007 11:49 AM in response to annexit

Hi Annexit...

AndyL., did you ever get this resolved?

I wish!
No, at the moment I'm still lumbered. I'm currently backing everything up before performing an Archive & Reinstall (see Roam's comments above)...
whereupon I 'hope' to be back in the same situation as at the start of this problem a couple of weeks ago!

If you come up with a solution before I do, please do let me know, as this is really driving me up the wall.
Good luck! Andy.

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 2, 2007 3:10 PM in response to AndyL

Hi Roam, Elko, Grant, Annexit...

In preparation for a back up (before Archive & Reinstall to recover my Airport2 Kext driver), I was repairing permissions earlier, and this seems to have jolted my iBook back into consciousness- it now recognises the Airport card, which puts me- as i 'hoped'- (and without the A&R) back where I was a few days ago...

"Airport is connected to the Network. You are connected to the Internet via Airport" ... with a lovely green light under Network Status.

So can anyone tell me what else I might try from here?
I've now tried this machine on 2 other networks besides my home one, with the same result- Safari tells me it can't find the Server.
The other 2 computers on the Network are still connecting fine.

Grant, Elko, Roam, anyone else... thanks so far, I AM better off than when I titled this thread! Any other ideas for a full solution?
Yours desperately, Andy 😉

"Airport has a self assigned IP address & cannot connect to internet"