ibook g4 won't connect to internet

Question

Level 1

8 points

ibook g4 won't connect to internet

Please be patient as I'm not familiar with macs. I'm helping my mother with her ibook g4. She lives next door in a side by side house and gets her internet from our dlink router. The signal seems to be working as my wife's laptop gets the internet in our house. My mother has a dlink booster in her house that seems to be getting the signal as its light is flickering which means it's working. Her ibook seems to be getting the signal as all bars on top are black. When trying safari or mail an error shows that the server can't be found. Any ideas what to look for?

ibook G4

Posted on Nov 13, 2009 7:57 PM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

124,267 points

Nov 13, 2009 8:47 PM in response to Larrycleve1

It sounds like a DNS problem. Try using the following DNS values:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

Is the iBook getting a good IP address? or does the IP address start with 169?

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Answer 2

Larrycleve1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 13, 2009 10:12 PM in response to Duane

I'll check that tomorrow and let you know. Those are good suggestions.

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Answer 3

Larrycleve1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 14, 2009 12:38 PM in response to Duane

I tried those dns numbers which didn't work. The ip address began with 169. What should I change that to?

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Answer 4

Duane

Level 10

124,267 points

Nov 14, 2009 7:08 PM in response to Larrycleve1

The DNS information is not going to work if the IP address is invalid.

The IP address starting with 169 indicates that the iBook did not properly communicate with the DHCP server in the router. Are you certain that the iBook is properly connecting to the wireless network?

If you have enabled MAC address filtering on the router, you need to ensure that the wireless MAC address of the iBook is on that list.

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Answer 5

elko

Level 2

278 points

Nov 15, 2009 3:28 AM in response to Larrycleve1

169 means that you are not getting an IP address from the DHCP server. There are lots of reasons, and as many things to try to troubleshoot.
Start with rebooting EVERYTHING. Computer, router and modem. Actually cut the power to the router and modem. You do this by unplugging them from the wall. Turning them off is not the same. Turning off the power strip is not the same. Keep them that way for a full minute or longer, then plug everything back in. Wait for it all to reconnect with each other and try again.
If that doesn't work:
Try to connect with an ethernet cable instead of wireless. You can also repair permissions and if none of this works:
you can try creating a new network to see if you can connect to it.
Report back if you don't get anywhere with these.

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Answer 6

Larrycleve1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2009 9:27 AM in response to elko

I think I'm screwing things up more. I turned the ibook on this morning and no network is showing. I tried creating a network naming it default on channel 11. It gives a strange symbol instead of the bars and said a computer to computer connection was made.

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Answer 7

Duane

Level 10

124,267 points

Nov 15, 2009 12:06 PM in response to Larrycleve1

You have configured the iBook to create an adhoc wireless network. In that mode, it can not join a wireless network. You must turn that off.

After that is turned off, you need to go to the AirPort menu on the iBook and select the network that you want the iBook to join.

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Answer 8

Larrycleve1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Duane

When I click on the airport icon it says no network selected in the network box. If I click the dropdown box it just says other and create network underneath it. If I try to create a network it says it is creating a computer to computer network. If I delete this it says what was above. If I restart the computer it says no network selected, other, and create network. How do I create a wireless network from this point? There are no diagnostics showing from the safari tab saying can't find server.

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Answer 9

Duane

Level 10

124,267 points

Nov 15, 2009 5:26 PM in response to Larrycleve1

You don't want the iBook to create a network. From the information that you provided, you want the iBook to join the network provided by your D-Link.

If the network isn't detected are you certain that the D-Link is creating a 802.11b/g compatible network? It must be for the iBook to connect.

Is the D-Link broadcasting the SSID (network name)? If not, change that setting so that the SSID is broadcast.

Is the iBook in a location where you know that the wireless network is good? Have you tried placing the iBook near the router?

Have you tried selecting "Join Other Network..." from the AirPort menu and typing in the name of the network created by the D-Link?

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Answer 10

Larrycleve1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2009 8:16 PM in response to Duane

I got the network back. The router somehow had the channel changed to 6. I changed it to 11 and the ibook connected to the network. However I'm still back to the original problem of not connecting to the internet. When going into network from system preferences it says about airport- Airport is connected to network default. Airport has a self assigned ip address and may not be able to connect to the internet. The configure ipv4 is using DHCP and the ip address begins with 169. Right back to square one.

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Answer 11

Duane

Level 10

124,267 points

Nov 16, 2009 8:54 AM in response to Larrycleve1

That indicates that the iBook did not properly communicate with the router's DHCP server.

Ensure that the router has the DHCP server enabled.

If you have enabled MAC address filtering on the router, you need to ensure that the wireless MAC address of the iBook is on that list.

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Answer 12

Larrycleve1 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 21, 2009 12:47 PM in response to Duane

Got the problem solved, sorry I was so long getting back. It turned out that it was the router. I took the laptop to the apple store and it worked fine with their wifi. My router was 10 years old and apparently showing its age. I went to best buy and bought a belkin n+ router and everything is working great. Thanks for all your help.

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