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

Thanks BDAqua, I've just done it.

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Thanks for your help in getting rid of the message, but I now seem to have a new problem--not sure if it's related or not, so if I should be in a new thread, I'm sorry. But I thought I'd check here first. I deleted the files suggested, the message disappeared, and I reentered my network settings. But, now I can't connect to my laptop from my desktop. I can connect from my laptop to the desktop just fine, but when I try and connect in finder (and I tried connecting through network and through going to the laptop's ip address), it just spins for a while and then stops. Any notions?

The com.apple.nat.plist file didn't regenerate, but I put an old one in. Didn't seem to solve the problem.

Thanks!

Hi chriskam,

Certainly, feel free to start a new thread for the best attention to your problem, perhaps here...

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

Does anybody know how Apple intends to handle this (proofed) bug in the meantime ? I think there was enough time for them providing a hot fix via software update, especially since we talk about more than just a small issue.

Nope, nobody knows & nobody's talking, in fact I doubt we'll see a fix.

Wish I knew the key, I had no problems, I even reinstalled to one Mac in an attempt to get the problem, but could not!?

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'm afraid this did not work for me. I tried copying, deleting the original and renaming the copy, but same problem.

I'm beginning to wonder if the issue isn't more closely related to Preferences because every once in a while I see a small message notice that my preference changes won't be saved.

The only work-around that has been effective is to check under Security "require password to unlock each secure system preference". More than once I've had my Preferences window lockup with the beachball from **** and had to force-quit.

Like many Mac users, I'm deeply chocked by the silence at Apple's.
The question isn't "how" but "when" Apple intends to handle this (proofed) bug ?
Everybody understood now the last security update is liable for the damage.
I refuse to do anything with my network settings.
I think the only thing we can do without "collateral damages" is clicking "Require password to unlock each secure system preference" in Security preferences to prevent the apparition of the window with the message "Your network settings have been...".
You cannot change your settings but you can "consult" them ...
And then ... waiting for the next security update... only the vendor can "treat" the bug!
I will waiting one month more and then put my Mac into the garbage!
Someones will think : one more ******* french! Yes, I am and perhaps one the worst ...

I will waiting one month more and then put my Mac into the garbage!

I wouldn't go so far, but generally agree with you that Apple has to optimize its testing procedures before giving new updates to their users.

Especially since the hardware platform is limited to a set of computer models even under control of the software vendor. There are no unknown components and unforeseeable side effects like it would be for Windows (here we have millions of possible hardware combinations, Windows has to work with).

Again I think that a quick hot fix should be possible for Apple done within no time. Such discussions as we do here are surely not good for the reputation of a company that claims to be a professional global IT player.

By the way, if you still intend to give up your Mac... think recycle and send it to me (I take over shipping fees 😉

Hello

I initially had this problem and the solution of deleting system config files worked, thanks. I now an unable to use Ethernet or scan for wireless networks using AP. I connect an Ethernet cable and get no IP or IPV4 address the LAN light on the router doesn't light either. It's as if the port is faulty. Tried known good Ethernet cable also. The airport card is connected and the aerial is also secure. System profiler sees the card but I am unable to scan for wireless networks. It just won't do a thing and when I click on the AP logo it shows a AP not configured. I've removed the ports for both Ethernet and AP and recreated them.

It's really odd it's like my network pref are corrupt and deactivated. I should point out the Mac is a G4 Flat Panel iMac running 10.4.3. Do you think it has something to do with the dodgy security update? Shall I download the combo update to another machine then transfer it and install?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

Matt

Hi Mr_ED, If your problems started with the 2008-006/7 Security Updates you should know that the system requirement is 10.4.11 for these updates.

Adrian

Jona, you are simply AWESOME. Not only did deleting the prefs files fix the maddening error window trouble, but it seems to have resolved the problem with the airport card disconnecting from my wireless network every time I put the machine to sleep or restarted it. That's been going on for some time, so maybe it's a separate issue. I suspect it might even fix the recent trouble I've been having losing my DSL connection. Too bad it took me over a month to come here for help.

By the way, before I restarted I used the Assistant to re-establish the preference files, and the troubles seemed to go away right away.

One more thing you fixed: My Inner Consumer now has no reasonable argument for buying a new computer before I'm truly solvent. Dang it!

Rant:

Oh, and count me in with the chuffed users on this thread. The September update caused my eMac itching and burning that I eventually worked out by randomly fooling around with system settings. Now I find that I have to go into system files in order to fix problems caused by the October update.

Is it possible that they're trying to pressure us into paying $130 for Panther??

I use a Mac specifically to avoid having to mess with system files to keep the beast fed, as I had to do with PCs. Lately I've been surprised at the reliability of my office PC compared with the eMac's frequent network troubles, glacial Help function(10-15 seconds to start despite several attempts to repair it), clunky program startups (Firefox takes a full 10-15 seconds to get started here, while it takes only a few seconds at work; I don't like Safari, even though it starts up fast), and now updates that break my computer.

All these problems are starting to overwhelm the cool-and-groovy factors that made my love Apple. At the point where Apple's performance and reliability drop below the much cheaper and more common PC...well at some point it makes Dark Side seem awfully attractive. At the moment, I'm annoyed enough that the only reason not to switch is because I already own this one. But if Apple wants my future business it better do better.

grumblegrumblegrumble...

Is it possible that they're trying to pressure us into paying $130 for Panther??

This was also my first thought 😉 But guess you mean Leopard... cat is cat 😉

I still hope Apple fixes this quickly.

Jona's solution worked, with the mod of only deleting the preferences file; deletion of the others didn't seem to be needed. Thanks very much; and a big raspberry to Apple for not spotting this and fixing it in advance.

Another thank you, thank you for a solution. I thought I'd done it messing around trying to get an old G4 desktop to connect via ethernet to my extreme base station. That didn't work (ethernet port apparently damaged), but a new-used original Airport card is working just fine — and my iBook also is working and online fine. Problem is just that nagging message that won't let me access network settings.

So, I want to get things right again, but given I'm still up and running, a little hesitant to do anything ... Can I remove the prefs and replace them with the ones on my backup drive to save myself the trouble of redoing them? Think I installed that security update fairly recently, since my last backup, and because it's bootable can check that first, I think.... It's logged somewhere, isn't it? Or will doing that be the same as having the prefs recreate themselves without the settings?

And can you open those preference files in text edit? Believe someone suggested it, but not sure anyone confirmed here that you can.

Once again, thanks to all; thought I was going nuts....