Question: Reset Network settings to default

Question

Question: Reset Network settings to default

I want to reset my network settings to the way they were when the computer was new. I think all this involves is deleting a .plst file? I am not sure. Can anyone provide me with step by step directions.

IMAC, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 19, 2009 7:59 PM

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Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

(62,363 points)

Mar 19, 2009 8:05 PM in response to Mark Mester In response to Mark Mester

Delete com.apple.NetworkUtility.plist and then System Preferences->Network->Assist Me and follow the steps to reset the network.

Mar 19, 2009 8:05 PM

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Answer 2

★ Helpful

Kappy

Level 10

(361,153 points)

Desktops

Mar 19, 2009 8:07 PM in response to Mark Mester In response to Mark Mester

Navigate to the /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ folder and delete:

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
preferences.plist

In /Home/Library/Preferences/ByHost delete:

com.apple.preference.internet.xxxxxxxxxx.plist

Restart the computer.

Mar 19, 2009 8:07 PM

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Answer 3

baltwo

Level 9

(62,363 points)

Mar 19, 2009 8:13 PM in response to Kappy In response to Kappy

Thanks for jumping in. I don't do wireless, so always forget about that stuff.

Mar 19, 2009 8:13 PM

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

(361,153 points)

Desktops

Mar 19, 2009 8:18 PM in response to baltwo In response to baltwo

These must not be present in Leopard, at least they don't appear on my machine. I assume they are specific to Tiger?

Mar 19, 2009 8:18 PM

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

(62,363 points)

Mar 19, 2009 8:23 PM in response to Kappy In response to Kappy

This is from my Leopard installation: com.apple.NetworkUtility.plist and the Network prefPane has quite a few options.

Mar 19, 2009 8:23 PM

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Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

(361,153 points)

Desktops

Mar 19, 2009 8:28 PM in response to baltwo In response to baltwo

Aha, I forgot I'm running beta here. Guess it's disappeared.

Mar 19, 2009 8:28 PM

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Answer 7

Mar 19, 2009 10:28 PM in response to Kappy In response to Kappy

It did not work. I tried deleting com.apple.NetworkUtility.plist and I am still connecting to the internet. Then I tried com.apple.airportutility.plist (I could not find the one that you said airport.preferences) and then I tried com.apple.preference.internet.xxxxxxxxxx.plist. None of this worked. I am still connected to the internet with my old configuration. Any ideas as to what I am doing wrong?

Mar 19, 2009 10:28 PM

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

(62,363 points)

Mar 19, 2009 11:25 PM in response to Mark Mester In response to Mark Mester

Did you shutdown? Restart? Disconnect manually and delete the plists and run the Network Utility? Many things to do.

Mar 19, 2009 11:25 PM

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Answer 9

Mar 21, 2009 8:46 AM in response to baltwo In response to baltwo

The reason I want to reset it is because I think I accidentally deleted the automatic option in the locations area. What I would like to do is just go into edit locations and choose automatic but that option is not there. I just have one location in the edit locations box and I can't delete one location. At least it does not give me the option to delete the one location. Would resetting it bring back the Automatic option or because I deleted that does that mean I can't get that back?

Mar 21, 2009 8:46 AM

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Answer 10

baltwo

Level 9

(62,363 points)

Mar 21, 2009 12:58 PM in response to Mark Mester In response to Mark Mester

Then, go and reinstate the Automatic location, using the + button while in the Network utility. That should be doable, al least it appears so on my machine—I didn't delete it, so this is a SWAG.

Mar 21, 2009 12:58 PM

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Answer 11

Mar 21, 2009 1:06 PM in response to baltwo In response to baltwo

I am not going to try and reset my settings anymore. It seems to be working ok. My question is I deleted that NetworkUtility.plst file. Is that ok or will the system need that file?

Mar 21, 2009 1:06 PM

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Answer 12

baltwo

Level 9

(62,363 points)

Mar 21, 2009 1:13 PM in response to Mark Mester In response to Mark Mester

I have no idea, but if it's now working, then it shouldn't be a problem.

Mar 21, 2009 1:13 PM

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Question: Q: Reset Network settings to default

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Question: Reset Network settings to default