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

Can I remove the prefs and replace them with the ones on my backup drive to save myself the

This should be possible, at least you cannot damage anything by giving it a try (ensure to make a backup of the files being replaced as well).

However I can't say whether or not its structure is the same...

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

When you double-click a preference file, the prefs editor opens automatically 🙂 (Not sure if this requires the development tools installed)

I still hope that Apple fixes this...

The following was recommended at a couple of other sites as another workaround for the "Your network settings have been changed..." error:

Check and enable the "Require password to unlock each secure system preference" in the Security System Preferences.

I was also getting a "Could not find PPPoE server" error at the same time as I mistakenly checked the PPPoE box when configuring my Network Preferences for Airport. After doing above, I was able to enter the correct settings for my wireless modem and got it working properly. The modem connects to the internet using PPPoE, but I needed to set my Airport to use DHCP. Checking that box allowed me to use my computer password to get in and make the changes. I hope this is helpful. It worked for me.

Hello everyone- Help! (Trying to get network panes back from that annoying message) I copied plist files:
com.apple.airport.preferences.plist, NetworkInterfaces.plist, preferences.plist, com.apple.nat.plist-

to a folder on desk top and deleted what was in library & restart. Now I have no file icons visible on desktop, in Users there's only a Library icon and a Desktop icon with nothing in it; mouse moves slow; Dock is reset to default. Used verify & repair disk and still no go.
What did I do now?
Help!

Autsch, deleting the library wasn't really decent. Did you already empty the trash? If so, you can only restore from a backup volume (hopefully you have one); rename the library in your home folder (eg badlibrary), copy the backup library (from backup usersyourname) back to user on your actual system.
If the former library files are still in the trash, try to copy them from the trash back to your_home>library.
You have to restart after the procedure anyway.
If you don't have any intact library anywhere, you'll be lost, and so will be all your mails, bookmarks, addresses etc, etc.
If so, do a [archive and install|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1545?viewlocale=en_US] from the installer disc. This should make your system behave normal again, but it will not bring back the lost data.
Trashing com.apple.airport.preferences.plist, NetworkInterfaces.plist, preferences.plist and com.apple.nat.plist would be OK, but who the heck advised you to trash the library?
Good luck P

I have the same problem except that I am still able to get on the internet all right. My DSL company says that the so-called application made my computer the authenticator instead of the modem but every thing still works the same. Still I would rather have it the way it was and I still get the Pop Up box in Network preferences.

But I installed Security Update 2008-07 last week and the last application I installed was Quicken 2007. I first blamed Quicken for the problem but apparently Apple has a bug somewhere in that update.

Rich

Is there anything new about Apple fixing this bug so that it gets everything back the way it was?

Rich

For what it's worth, and I'm not holding my breath, I spoke to a first line (low level) Apple rep. on phone about a week and a half ago who said he had been informed that it would be fixed with the next security update. When, he couldn't say. I pointedly asked him if he was just guessing or assuming this. He said no.

The suggestion on the very top of this thread is a permanent fix for the issue:

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

Be aware that you have to reenter your network information and, for heavens sake, don't trash anything else from the library.

Regards P

WZZZ wrote:
For what it's worth, and I'm not holding my breath, I spoke to a first line (low level) Apple rep. on phone about a week and a half ago who said he had been informed that it would be fixed with the next security update. When, he couldn't say. I pointedly asked him if he was just guessing or assuming this. He said no.

Good news 🙂

Either you wait for Apple or you fix it yourself, it's up to you.
I guess they aren't in a hurry fixing 10.4 issues.

Jona, Does your procedure just solve the pop up box problem or does it also reset your original Network settings back to the way there were?

I am still able to get on the internet now and my DSL company informs me that the changed address is still correct and am wondering if I should wait for an Apple Fix instead of trying a procedure and worrying that my particular system could balk and keep me from getting back on the Internet.

Thanks for any clarification you can provide.
Rich

Excuse me for interfering, I think Jona left the thread long time ago.
The procedure will fix the pop up issue but your network settings will definitely be lost, you'll have to type them again.
If not available elsewhere, you can temporarily block the pop up by checking "SystemPreferences>Security>Require password to unlock each secure system preference".
After that you can read out your network settings in "SystemPreferences>Network" .
You can find hidden passwords in "Applications>Utilities>KeychainAcces.app" (Admin password is required).
It's a good idea to write everything down and store it on a safe place, things tend to go wrong.
After having reestablished your internet connection, don't forget to uncheck "SystemPreferences>Security>Require password to unlock each secure system preference".
Good luck P

Thank you Philo2 for contributing that information but as as some followups:

1. I can click on SystemPreferences/network (in between the pop ups) and change the "Network: setting back to "Built in Ethernet" (which I have done to confirm PPPoE connection.It shows my DSL
e-mail name and my password (in dots)

I am confused though about what you mean when you say "hidden passwords" unless it's the password that I already know which is stored in my DSL modem. In addition, I know I can call DSL to walk me through if needed.

Finally, as long as I am able to connect to the internet under existing conditions, what harm is there to wait for Apple to fix it on their own? Sorry for my lack of computer sophistication. Rich

Hi Rich
I wasn't aware that you can access your network settings. By "hidden password" I mean the password in dots.
If you know all your network settings, it is safe and easy to get rid of the annoying pop up by the mentioned procedure.
There's absolutely no harm to wait for a fix by Apple, personally I hate to wait for the mercy of the great
🙂
Regards P

Hi Philo2,

Yes, I can click on Network Settings (as I hold down the Return Key) in between the popups and check on the settings and even revert them at that moment I suppose. But I gather that first I must get rid of the popup window by that procedure described otherwise it will continue to appear.

My DSL company says that the way it is now is really not a problem (other than that popup) because the new settings are still correct and it has just made my computer the authenticator password instead of the DSL modem. Technology! Thanks for your input. Rich