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Jona Author

Level 1

65 points

'Your network settings have been changed by another app' - THE SOLUTION

This currently reported problem, which manifests after applying Security Update 2008-06, can be fixed permanently by removing the following preferences files:

Go to Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration and delete the following (suggest make copies to the desktop first if in doubt):

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
NetworkInterfaces.plist
preferences.plist
com.apple.nat.plist

All these files will regenerate as necessary when the associated system features are accessed. If you're using Airport or Internet Sharing you'll have to reestablish the appropriate settings, because these will have been lost when the preferences files are removed. Small price to pay, however for a permanent, and very simple solution to this irritating problem.

MacBook Pro 2.16 GHz, 2GB RAM, 100 GB Seagate 7200rpm drive., Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 28, 2008 8:30 AM

169 replies

LargeAl

Level 1

128 points

Oct 26, 2008 8:16 AM in response to Jona

"Your network settings have been changed by another app another" fix.
When you get that annoying message press "return" and immediately click on "Configure" then again on "Configure IPv6" button. Then click "Cancel" and voila! This worked for me on my iMac 2.0 PPC ALS.
You will need to do this each time you open the Network Pane but it works until Apple fixes it.

It may work for you

Oct 27, 2008 2:39 PM in response to Jona

A very big *"THANK YOU"* for this work-around. I was going nuts trying to figure out what I did wrong. Had to use the old Dell to access the internet and the answer came right up! Now the iBook is connected to the net again and I'm happy as can be. Just one question....can I trash the copies I put on my desktop? Just want to make sure before I do it. Thanks again - you're the best!!!

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Oct 27, 2008 6:10 PM in response to Marilyn Ray

Just one question....can I trash the copies I put on my desktop?

Once your new settings are working... yes. 🙂

shadz

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2008 3:23 AM in response to Jona

Hi there, great, I have gone through the steps that you recommend and the problem has been fixed. Thanks for the help. Chris.

fcarigan

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2008 5:38 AM in response to Jona

This solution works perfectly and I thank you very much for your savvy and generosity.

Oct 31, 2008 6:53 AM in response to Jona

after copying and then removing the plists, Now I can't configure the ethernet port it keeps failing to be recognized

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Oct 31, 2008 10:45 AM in response to IchMe

Very interesting, thanks. 🙂

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Oct 31, 2008 10:48 AM in response to dahoodrow

Hi dahoodrow, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

Since your problem deems a bit diff, feel free to start a new topic, as it will get more attention, and your problem(s) can be addressed specifically. 🙂

Here's the link if it's hard to find where to do it...

http://discussions.apple.com/post!default.jspa?forumID=752

Kori

Level 1

119 points

Nov 4, 2008 6:18 PM in response to Jona

As was said before, be quick to select something after you press okay
Select Locations, then Edit Locations.
Using the duplicate, rename and delete buttons in the dropdown, create a copy of each interface you want to keep. Then delete the original.

Apparently the problem is a corrupted location. but copying it creates a good location to use.

tgbell

Level 2

420 points

Nov 5, 2008 8:04 AM in response to Jona

First drag them to the desktop to make COPIES.
Then drag the ORIGINALS to the trash. You'll be asked to authenticate this action, so just type in your password and you'll be able to trash the files.

One of the issues is copying and retaining all the enteries for the network access protocols.

Is this data contained within the files that I'm dragging to my desktop, and can I use a text program to open the .plist and not have to manually, in my lousy handwriting, copy-out each network setting from Preferences/Network??

tgbell

Level 2

420 points

Nov 5, 2008 12:48 PM in response to Kori

Select Locations, then Edit Locations.
Using the duplicate, rename and delete buttons in the dropdown, create a copy of each interface you want to keep. Then delete the original.

Apparently the problem is a corrupted location. but copying it creates a good location to use.

I have disabused myself of the trying to copy the info from each file. While I recognize some of the sites, etc, that I've inputed, the format is line after line of;

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"

I think I'll try the dup, rename, delete method.

Nov 7, 2008 9:05 AM in response to Jona

Why do I have different pref files in my Library/Preferences/System Configuration? Three out of four are the same but I seem to have com.apple.PowerManagement.plist instead of com.apple.nat.plist...

Dani

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Nov 7, 2008 11:30 AM in response to thanksdanny

There can be many things there, here's what is in mine...

NetworkInterfaces.plist
com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
preferences.plist
com.apple.AutoWake.plist
com.apple.nat.plist

Strange that com.apple.nat.plist isn't there, how do you connect to the Internet?

Nov 8, 2008 2:39 AM in response to BDAqua

that's right!

I've found out yesterday that I can't connect anymore...I had problems with my newly installed ISP, I couldn't connect to the internet even if I could see the wireless network. But I thought it was an issue with the ISP and not with my mac, but last night I tested it at a friend's house and bling..I couldn't connect there either!

Why do you think I don't have that file? I haven't looked in that folder before but I've always been able to use the internet, both wifi and ethernet...

D

BDAqua

Level 10

239,495 points

Nov 8, 2008 10:29 AM in response to thanksdanny

It looks like com.apple.nat.plist is only there if you've done Internet Sharing in the past, so no worry on that file not being there.

Since your problem seems quite different you might start a new topic here...

http://discussions.apple.com/post!default.jspa?forumID=755

'Your network settings have been changed by another app' - THE SOLUTION