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

Question

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

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Answer 1

elko

Level 2

278 points

Jul 18, 2007 8:45 PM in response to AndyL

any chance you downloaded the QT 7.2 and iTunes updates and then started getting this connection problem?

As far as the base station, I know there was an issue with it, and for some reason I'm thinking you had to clone the IP address to get it to work. Google that and see if you get anything similar to your base station problem.

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Answer 2

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 19, 2007 3:51 AM in response to elko

any chance you downloaded the QT 7.2 and iTunes
updates and then started getting this connection
problem?

This iBook is still running iTunes 6.0.2 and QT 6.5.1.
I've not updated them further as I understood there to be issues with QT7 and Logic 6.4 (which I use a lot).

As far as the base station, I know there was an issue
with it, and for some reason I'm thinking you had to
clone the IP address to get it to work. Google that
and see if you get anything similar to your base
station problem.

Will do, thanks- but I'm pretty much over the whole airport express idea now, it's created way more hassle than it's worth!

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Answer 3

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Jul 19, 2007 5:12 AM in response to AndyL

The iBook seems to have lost is IP address. It does not seem to be connecting to the router, and therefore not the internet.
If you router's address is 192.168.178.1, then the other three computers will have an address with the last digit different, so your iBook might be 192.168.178.4 so they may be
192.168.178.1 (router)
192.168.178.2
192.168.178.3
192.168.178.4

Check the IP address that appears in the Network Settings, second entry in the TCP/IP section, are correct for the router and the iBook.

Also the location should be set to Automatic, unless you have a reason for it not to be.

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Answer 4

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 19, 2007 8:30 AM in response to roam

Hi Roam, thanks for replying...

The iBook seems to have lost is IP address. It does
not seem to be connecting to the router, and
therefore not the internet.

Makes sense...
I'm pretty sure the IP addresses are
192.168.178.1 (Router)
192.168.178.20 (Desktop)
192.168.178.21 (12" iBook causing the trouble)
192.168.178.22 (14" iBook)

I checked out TCP/IP Network settings-
The Location is/was set to Automatic.
The IP address there is 169.254.48.221, Subnet mask 255.255.0.0; and the DHCP Client ID, Router, DNS Servers and Search Domains spaces are all empty.

But I can't seem to see a way to alter the IP address or the router IP address- what do I need to do?
Thanks again, Andy.

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Answer 5

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Jul 19, 2007 8:42 AM in response to AndyL

As you can see the address doesn't match what you think it should be.

Select the Configure IPV4-option from "Using DHCP" to "Manually", and change it to 192.168.178.21 if that is the iBook causing trouble.

Try that.

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Answer 6

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 19, 2007 10:46 AM in response to roam

Select the Configure IPV4-option from "Using DHCP" to "Manually",
and change it to 192.168.178.21 if that is the iBook causing trouble.

Try that.

OK, I've put in the IP address manually, copied the same subnet mask that the other iBook has (255.255.255.0), and put in the router IP address.
The Network Status has now changed from the amber I mentioned in my original post to a nice promising green one...
("Airport is connected to the network. You are connected to the internet via AirPort.").
Restart, and...
No change. Safari still can't find the server. 😟

Having changed the IP address I tried to go back to configure 'using DHCP', but the IP address & subnet mask changed straightaway, & the router IP just vanished.
Repeated both to double check... same thing.
Aagh! What am I doing wrong?
Thanks... Andy.

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Answer 7

Jul 19, 2007 5:36 PM in response to AndyL

Have you removed the troublesome Airport Express and disconnected its power so that it cannot be messing up this experiment?

Are you using encryption? or have you limited your network to only certain M.A.C. Addresses?

Is the Wireless Router which is supposed to be providing proper service set to allow the connection of slower 802.11b devices like the iBook? Are you connecting to a Wireless Router and not to another Macintosh computer?

You will not be able to get anywhere until you have an IP address in the same subnet as your Router (generally high octets the same, last octet different). Can you think of any reason why your Router should not give you an IP address in this range?

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Answer 8

elko

Level 2

278 points

Jul 21, 2007 12:40 AM in response to AndyL

I just read your problem again and let me get this clear, you added an airport to an existing ethernet AND wireless network?
If so, what device is the DHCP server? The base station wants to be, but what was dishing out the IP addresses before you added the base station? because maybe it still is and you can't have 2 on the same subnet. which is where the cloning comes in....

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Answer 9

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 21, 2007 7:35 AM in response to elko

Hi elko, thanks for getting back to me again...
For clarification: I'm running an AVM 'Fritz!Box SL WLAN' DSL Router (I guess this is the DHCP server?), which is connected via an ethernet switch to my G4 desktop. Also connected to the WLAN network is a 14" iBook, and (until recently!) a 12" iBook.
I plugged in an Airport Express Base Station to try and organise some airtunes and wireless printing for the iBooks, and this is where the problems stem from. I've now disconnected- and don't aim to reconnect!- the Airport Express. So the hardware is now exactly the same as it was before I messed with things, I just can't seem to get the 12" iBook to talk to the Router anymore!
Frankly, I'm out of my depth!... I followed the advice in your previous post, and found myself even deeper in AcronymLand (MAC addresses, WAN ports, NAT routers)... which was some distance over my head!

Can you see any way to undo whatever it is that messed up?!
Cheers Andy.

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Answer 10

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 21, 2007 7:57 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant, thanks for jumping in...

Have you removed the troublesome Airport Express?

Certainly have, that was Step 1 several days ago!

Are you using encryption?

Yes, I have to enter a password every time I've tried to use Network Set Up Assistant. I'm pretty sure I've got it right- it won't accept anything else.

Have you limited your network to only certain M.A.C. Addresses?

Not as far as I'm aware. Could I have done it inadvertently?

Is the Wireless Router set to allow the connection of slower 802.11b devices like the iBook?

Guess it must be... it worked fine before, and is still ok with the other 14" iBook.

Are you connecting to a Wireless Router and not to another Macintosh computer?

Hmm... I ASSUMED I was connecting to the WLAN router. The G4 desktop has no wireless capability itself, could I still be connecting to that regardless?
Internet access has never been affected in the past by that machine being on or off...

You will not be able to get anywhere until you have an IP address in the same subnet as your Router
(generally high octets the same, last octet different). Can you think of any reason why your Router
should not give you an IP address in this range?

Err... now I'm lost, sorry! What's an octet?

I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out Grant... sorry I'm not really up to speed!
Cheers, Andy.

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Answer 11

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 21, 2007 8:46 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Are you using encryption? or have you limited your network to only certain M.A.C. Addresses?

I just found Apple KB Article 108046 "Airport Express can't join network in Client Mode", which describes exactly the situation I encountered a few days ago (amber flashing light etc)...
This would seem to indicate that perhaps my network IS protected with an ACL, limiting M.A.C. addresses.(?)

Would that explain why trying to re-configure using Network SetUp Assistant results in a message telling me "Your Network Settings have been changed by another application'?
Does this mean I need to update the ACL with the IP address of the now-moody iBook? If so, how do I do that?

...Or am I grasping at straws?!
Cheers Andy.

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Answer 12

Jul 21, 2007 7:44 PM in response to AndyL

I wanted to revisit when you changed to Manual IP Address. You said the light turned green (which is what it should have) but that when you did a restart it went back to the old way. Did you "Save Changes" when you set it to Manual IP address?

Also, did you manually enter a Router Address? You may have to manually enter the router Address so it knows where to send its packets.

I am thinking that maybe you have always had these set up as Manual Addresses. What do your other Macs says when you inspect the TCP/IP pane of the
System Preferences > Network > (main network interface)

Are they set to manual or DHCP? Is the router address listed?

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Answer 13

Jul 21, 2007 7:47 PM in response to AndyL

If you did not hunt down the M.A.C. Address of each piece of gear and deliberately enter it into a list of allowed devices, you are not using that method, and it cannot be the source of your problem.

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Answer 14

elko

Level 2

278 points

Jul 21, 2007 11:43 PM in response to AndyL

I don't know remember if this was possibly overlooked, but have you unplugged the DSL router from the wall, completely disconnecting the power to it for a few minutes? If not, it's the first step to troubleshoot.

I googled your router and found many links for help, but I only know English and there weren't very many that I could read.
Have you gone to the router through the browser to see if all the settings are correct? It has quite a few more encryption methods than I'm familiar with. You could get to it by typing in fritz.box or else the IP address 192.168.178.1

Is there any chance that in the time the 12" used to connect, and no longer does, that the airport card was taken out and put back? It would need to come out if you were switching the keyboard. I can't remember now if the 12" can connect to ANY wireless network or not, have you tried?

ibook Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 15

AndyL Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 22, 2007 9:38 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Did you "Save Changes" when you set it to Manual IP address?

I wasn't sure, so I just went back and tried it again. Saved changes, logged out and in again, restarted- it's holding the new settings fine (green light etc). Safari still can't find the server though.

Also, did you manually enter a Router Address?

Yes, as per Roam's suggestions above... iBook had been 'using DHCP' but appeared to have no router settings/IP address listed; I've changed it to 'Manually' and entered the Router IP address which I've copied from the other wireless iBook (also cross checked it with the ethernet desktop).

What do your other Macs says when you inspect the TCP/IP pane
Are they set to manual or DHCP? Is the router address listed?

On both the desktop and other iBook, the TCP/IP settings are 'Using DHCP', and the IP addresses (Desktop-192.168.178.20 & iBook-192.168.178.22), Subnet Mask (255.255.255.0), and Router IP (192.168.178.1) are all listed automatically.

Re M.A.C. addresses;
I looked again at the set up page of the router, and noticed there IS a list of the 3 M.A.C. addresses of the 3 machines on the network. I never added them to the list myself, but they're the same numbers as on each computer anyway. (on the iBook, it's listed on Network -> Airport, as "Airport ID", and on the desktop as "Ethernet ID").

Does this make sense to you?

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