IMAC internet problem

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IMAC internet problem

My folks have an Apple IMAC that can't get web pages displayed.

They have an apple router, on an open network with no security. I have a mac mini on the network that has no problems.

Here's the problem, I can ping www.yahoo.com and it comes back fine. Try to load a web page, no dice. Try to run update, nope.

I installed camino thinking it was a Safari problem, same problem.

I've tried Network wizard, says the network is hooked up fine. It's not a routing problem, it can fine the sites through ping. It's not a dns problem, it's resolving. There is no firewall, on the machine or router. (It's totally open)

I have no idea what my parents did, they say they didn't install anything.

Any thoughts?

IMAC, Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Oct 20, 2010 1:55 PM

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Answer 1

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,972 points

Oct 21, 2010 11:18 PM in response to pikadrew

Perhaps they didn't need to Install anything to have a feature disappear.

An accidental removal of some part of the system, or some important item
in a User/ account folder file may cause certain aspects of the OS to fail.

So, perhaps some damage or delete to system files has occurred(?)
An intentional delete of an incorrect file can mess up stuff, as fast.

How was the Camino browser installed? Was it an older supported
version, say, 1.6.11 vintage? Was it imported to the old iMac via
a USB thumbdrive? Just curious about these tiny details.

A computer running an OS X version prior to Tiger 10.4.11 really
does not have much going for it; however there could be some
kind of hardware issue behind the inability of the Mac to connect.

Does the System Profiler say anything about networks or other
connections to anything remotely networkable; such as Airport
or Ethernet, or other? it should. In a Network preference panel,
is a selection of how the computer is to connect online, chosen?

Those settings in the Network panel, within System Preferences, are
probably the key to most of the problem faced in that computer online.

Have you been through some of the several Apple Support documents on topic?

• Mac OS X: Connect to the Internet, troubleshoot connection & set up small network:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1714?viewlocale=en_US

• Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a cable modem, DSL, or LAN internet connection:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1317

• AirPort troubleshooting guide (primarily settings & base station)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1401?viewlocale=en_US

There are slightly different settings and locations to input them in the Network
panel within System Preference, depending on what is used for internet access.

The method and the ability to drag an item into order of preference
is a choice-method; probably not very refined prior to Panther 10.3.
Mac OS X 10.3.9 support: http://www.apple.com/support/panther/

While I do have other ideas, not being in front of the computer in question
tends to limit my focus on the observable facts which may be visible, there.

Maybe someone else has some ideas on this? (it's been here a few days.)

In any event...
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

+{ edited to add words }+

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Answer 2

Oct 22, 2010 1:24 PM in response to pikadrew

I suspect that there IS a firewall on the router. If you have a router connected to the internet, it will certainly have some sort of NAT, Port Forwarding, Service Blocking and possibly VPN and firewall functionality.
NAT is essential if you have the ability to connect more than one computer to the router. And with that you get port forwarding and service blocking and firewall.

I suspect that you need to check the router configuration, make sure that outbound traffic on port 80 (for HTTP web browsing) is not blocked for the Macs with issues.
Port Forwarding shouldn't affect web browsing, but again check if someone has set port forwarding for port 80 to another computer. Ping works because it uses another port.

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