Wireless settings are "stuck" - cannot change configuration

Howdy,

I've recently tried changing the authentication method for a network in my preferred network list. However, after I make the change, if I click on Edit the old settings show up. For instance, I've tried setting the authentication method to LEAP but after I hit ok, select the network again, and then click edit, the LEAP settings are gone and it's now selected 802.1x WEP.

I tested this further by deleting the network entirely from my preferred list and then recreating it and not selecting ANY authentication method. Yet the same problem occurs, it always reverts to 802.1x WEP.

I have a feeling that this odd behavior is responsible for my inability to connect to my office network. It was working ok, but all of the sudden refuses to cooperate OR it will work for a short period of time and then crap out.

Is there a way to fix this? Or barring a direct fix, is there a way to wipe out ALL of my wireless settings?

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Oct 16, 2007 6:33 PM

Reply
5 replies

Oct 16, 2007 6:42 PM in response to Elbelcho

Hi, and Welcome to the Discussions! 🙂

First, try repairing Permissions with Disk Utility and reboot.

If that doesn't work, then it's most likely one or more of these files need dragging to the Desktop...

/Users/nnnn/Library/Preferences/com.apple.internetconnect.plist

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.sharing.firewall.plist

Reboot most likely needed afterwards.

Oct 16, 2007 7:34 PM in response to BDAqua

Hrm, I had really high hopes for your solution!

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to have solved the problem.

All of my network configurations were pretty much gone, no networks listed in the preferred list, the airport menubar icon was the empty triangle and the Network applet in system preferences showed no interfaces (at all) when "network status" was selected.

As soon as I add "tsunami" (my work wireless SSID) to the preferred network list, select no encryption, hit ok, select the network again and hit edit, it loads the config dialog for that network, which appears briefly with "unencrypted" selected, then is quickly replaced with 802.1x WEP and displays my wireless user name. I have no idea where it's getting my username from, nothing relevant appears in the keychain access program.

I am throughly confused!

Oct 16, 2007 8:17 PM in response to Elbelcho

Hmmm, if it were me, (and it;s not I realize), I'd get Applejack...
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19596

After installing, Reboot holding down CMD+s, then when the prompt shows, type in...

applejack AUTO

Then let it do all 5 of it's things.

At least if it doesn't fix it, it'll eliminate a few questions. 🙂
Besides, once you really, really need it... you can't install it!

Then, I'd do an Archive & istall... something is missing or muxed, which we could work on if you wish, but the afore mentioned should do it.

Could try reapplying the latest Big Combo update after AppleJack, as an alternative to the Archive & Install.

Oct 17, 2007 6:51 AM in response to BDAqua

Woo!

After hours of googling and reading, I found the right set of terms and came across this page...

http://prowiki.isc-csg.upenn.edu:16080/index.php/MacOS802.1X

Which discusses where the 802.1x settings are kept.
~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.networkConnect.<ethernet MAC address>.plist

After removing that file, rebooting the behavior described above no longer occurs. If I enter tsunami as my network name and set it to unencrypted it STAYS unencrypted.

But I couldn't test it to see if it would actually let me join the wireless at work until today. You'll be happy to know that I'm posting from tsunami as we speak!

I had zero problems selecting and configuring LEAP this morning, and just for kicks and giggles I gave PEAP a try as well and it works too!

Thanks for your help! Although I didn't get to try applejack, I did download and install it for the very reason you specified regarding needing it but not having it.

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Wireless settings are "stuck" - cannot change configuration

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