PowerBook connects to network, but not the Internet

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Level 2

434 points

PowerBook connects to network, but not the Internet

My PowerBook shows that it's connected to the network, but will not connect to the Internet via WiFi or Ethernet. This problem occurred both on my home network and at the Apple Store's network, so it doesn't appear to be a network issue (plus, I am able to connect to my home network via my iPhone and iMac). And as I can access my PowerBook from my iMac via Back to My Mac it's clear that the PowerBook is able to connect to networks.

In System Preferences > Network, the status says "AirPort has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect to the Internet." I manually changed the IP address to the same one that my iMac uses to connect to my network. No luck.

I ran Cocktail (essentially repairing disk permissions and cleaning a bunch of caches); I was able to get on the Internet afterward--until I rebooted and the problem recurred.

At the Apple Store, the genius booted my PowerBook to a new operating system and had no problem connecting to the Internet via WiFi and Ethernet. Hence he believes the problem is with my OS (10.5.5).

He suggested erasing and re-installing the operating system. Before I perform that labor-intensive step though, I figured I'd check here and see if anyone had suggestions.

Any idea how I can fix this problem?

Thanks!

Message was edited by: The Zach

iMac, 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB HD, Mac OS X (10.5.5), iPhone

Posted on Oct 26, 2008 8:34 AM

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Answer 1

Worm76

Level 2

265 points

Oct 26, 2008 9:55 AM in response to The Zach

Try to verify that your device are recognized.
-Airport pane in menu bar, can you see your network?
-System Profiler, can you see the ethernet/airport ?
-boot to instal disk, connect with airport to the network?

if you cant see the network or devices
-reset PRAM
if you still cant see them your airport/ethernet is the issue, not the network or configuration

If you CAN see your airport/ethernet in some or (hopefully) all of these places:
-remove or rename /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration, (do NOT delete!)
-move airport to the top of Service Order
-create a new network location
-try connecting

Best o´luck

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Answer 2

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Oct 26, 2008 11:34 AM in response to Worm76

Thanks for the response Worm76.

-Airport pane in menu bar: Yes I can see my network and it shows that I'm connected to it
-System profiler: Lists my network under Current Wireless Network
-Boot to Install disk: The CD-ROM drive is not functioning (another problem), so I can't test it and I guess I can't reinstall the OS either

As for your suggestions
-by remove, do you mean to drag /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration to the desktop?
-Airport already is at the top of the service order
-I created a new network location

Unfortunately I'm having the same problem. In Network Preferences under Airport, the status is on, but is still says "AirPort has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect to the Internet."

Also, I ran Cocktail again--this time, however, the problem did not correct itself.

Thanks!

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Answer 3

Worm76

Level 2

265 points

Oct 26, 2008 11:44 AM in response to The Zach

If you get a self assigned IP, try to power cycle you system, before doing anything more.
-shut down your system in this order
Computer(s) > router(s) >(any other devices) > modem, wait for 45sec then restart modem >(any other devices)>router(s) > Computer(s).
Do you still have a self-assigned IP? If not try connecting now.

Still no joy? please continue....

Yes, drag /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration to the desktop, remeber to keep all applicatons closed when doing so. This will remove any network configuration made, so dont detlete it just yet.
-set up network location after this has been done

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Answer 4

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Oct 28, 2008 2:57 PM in response to Worm76

Thanks Worm. I dragged the SystemConfiguration folder which seems to have done the trick--no more self-assigned IP address. Thanks!

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Answer 5

Worm76

Level 2

265 points

Oct 29, 2008 12:49 PM in response to The Zach

Your welcome 🙂

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Answer 6

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Oct 31, 2008 5:44 AM in response to Worm76

Argh--problem just recurred.

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Answer 7

Nick King

Level 4

2,080 points

Oct 31, 2008 6:24 AM in response to The Zach

As a first bit of a total reinstall, why not just run the OS X 10.5.5 combo update as an update. It may just fix any system files that are a bit screwed up without doing a complete reinstall.

Better mark this as unanswered too

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Answer 8

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Nov 2, 2008 8:14 AM in response to Nick King

Thanks 00synner00!

How do I run that update? Right now all of the software on my PowerBook is current.

Also, each time the problem has occurred, I've been able to fix it temporarily my deleting the System Configuration folder.

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Answer 9

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Nov 2, 2008 8:15 AM in response to The Zach

Problem recurred.

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Answer 10

Nick King

Level 4

2,080 points

Nov 2, 2008 8:31 AM in response to The Zach

Here is the [10.5.5 update|http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/macosx_updates/macosx1055com boupdate.html]

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Answer 11

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Nov 6, 2008 10:59 AM in response to Nick King

Thanks Nick--do I need to run it if I already have 10.5.5 installed?

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Answer 12

Nick King

Level 4

2,080 points

Nov 6, 2008 12:48 PM in response to The Zach

Can't hurt if any of the standard files have become corrupt.

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Answer 13

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Nov 13, 2008 8:29 PM in response to Nick King

Ug--deleting the System Configuration folder isn't working any longer, so I can't even get on the Internet to try reinstalling the update. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Message was edited by: The Zach

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Answer 14

Nick King

Level 4

2,080 points

Nov 13, 2008 11:06 PM in response to The Zach

Phone a friend? 😉

Seriously, get someone to download it for you and put it on a CD.

Can I just confirm, you're running 10.5.5 on a PowerBook? What are the specs of the PowerBook and how much RAM and free disk space do you have?

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Answer 15

The Zach Author

Level 2

434 points

Nov 14, 2008 6:49 AM in response to Nick King

I'm running 10.5.5 on a PowerBook G4 with 867 MhZ processor and 1.12 GB of RAM and about 23 free GB of hard drive. I just shut off the firewall in System Preferences, however, and it is working fine again.

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