2005 Mac Mini not connecting to Internet

Question

Level 1

19 points

2005 Mac Mini not connecting to Internet

I just inherited a 2005 Mac Mini. When I check the network status via software preferences, it claims to be connected to the Internet via built-in Ethernet, but when I open Safari or another browser, I get a message that the server can't be found. Nor am I able to "Software Update." I have reinstalled the system software and checked the Ethernet cable (other computers can connect to the Internet using the same cable and I can "see" the other computers on my network).

Mac Mini 2005, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Jul 9, 2010 6:40 PM

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Answer 1

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jul 10, 2010 4:14 AM in response to Eden Feuer

Based on the facts you present, typically the problem is that your Mini isn't configured with valid DNS (Domain Name Servers). These are the agents on the internet that take names like macsales.com and turn them into numbers like 69.64.140.38 that Safari uses internally to connect to macsales.com - to give an example.

Often the problem can be solved by manually setting your DNSes in Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network to the free DNSes supplied by opendns.com

These OpenDNS servers are:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

You can test if DNS lookup is the problem by typing the IP number 69.64.140.38 for macsales.com into your address bar in Safari, and seeing if it connects successfully. If it does, then setting your DNS servers to the two OpenDNS numbers above, may solve your problem.

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Answer 2

Eden Feuer Author

Level 1

19 points

Jul 10, 2010 10:15 PM in response to Boece

Your solution works! Thank you.

I will say that it sometimes stops working, meaning I will have been browsing the Internet successfully for awhile, will quit Safari, and then, when I re-open Safari to surf some more, find that the page won't load. I restart the computer and once again, I am able to surf the Net, update software, etc.

I noticed, too, that sometimes the computer doesn't register mouse clicks. For example, I will click on the red button to close a window and nothing happens. Sometimes I have to click 4-6 times before the click actually registers. Any ideas on what to do about that?

Again, many thanks for your assistance.

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Answer 3

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jul 11, 2010 7:16 AM in response to Eden Feuer

Glad to hear that I could help (somewhat).

Could you give us some more information? Under Apple Menu > About this Mac, what does it say for Version, Processor, and Memory?

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Answer 4

Eden Feuer Author

Level 1

19 points

Jul 11, 2010 1:41 PM in response to Boece

Version 10.3.9
1.25 GHz PowerPC G4
256 MB DDR SDRAM
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz

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Answer 5

Eden Feuer Author

Level 1

19 points

Jul 11, 2010 1:52 PM in response to Eden Feuer

And it gets weirder.

When the Mac Mini is able to connect to the Internet, one of the two other computers on the network (a year-old iMac) is unable to connect and vice versa. (The third computer on the network, an eMac, has no problem.)

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