Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference to kick off June 10 at 10 a.m. PDT with Keynote address

The Keynote will be available to stream on apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel. On-demand playback will be available after the conclusion of the stream.

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lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Safari won't connect to internet

Safari won't connect to internet (I'm on Firefox now and glad I had it as a backup!). I am getting a message that the computer isn't connected to the internet. But it is. Firefox works. I used to use it when I had a PC, but have been using Safari since I got my Mac a year ago. I haven't upgraded to 10.6.6 yet as I just got an external hard drive to back up my system with Time Machine before doing the upgrade. My data is backed up on Carbonite so I won't lose it, but after reading so many of the discussions about the latest Snow Leopard Upgrade I thought it best to wait until I backed up the whole system, in case something goes wrong. Software update didn't notify me automatically about the 10.6.6 update so I got a little concerned. I know that is an issue for another forum, but thought the more info ya'll have, the easier it might be to help me find an answer.
Safari worked fine last night. And I can tell from my modem that I am connected to the internet. Plus I am here at Apple Discussions so it must be something with Safari. Is this when I trash a plist? If so, which one? Or do I need to do something else? Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks ahead of time

iMac 21, Mac OS X (10.6.5), Safari 5.0.3 ipod touch

Posted on Jan 22, 2011 6:58 AM

94 replies

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:21 PM in response to andyBall_uk

I haven't ever set up a new user account but I will do that now. I think I know how. If not, I have the "Missing Manual" which ought to help me through it. I have no security software, no extensions, nothing like that.
I did check earlier today and even though my software update said it had checked and there was no new update, when I manually clicked on software updates, it did say that 10.6.6 was available. but I didn't update yet, because I was concerned that would make things worse.

I don't know what fast user switching is. But I will hopefully not run into other problems.

ps
I don't have a password for my account because I'm the only using it now. do I have to have a password for my new account. silly question i know, but i am afraid of doing something that will make things worse.

thanks for responding so quickly.

Message was edited by: laverne's mom

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:29 PM in response to lavernes-mom

I'm sure the missing manual will cover it - or see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8235.html

it takes 30 seconds to create really; make a new one, use it for testing & ditch it when you're done fixing.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:30 PM in response to andyBall_uk

okay, I think I started Safari up with a new user. what I don't know is how to I get back to being myself again. does that make sense?
I guess I am logged in as both?

I'm sorry I sound so confused, but everything seems to be working. How do I know which account I am in?

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:36 PM in response to andyBall_uk

just to clarify: everything (safari, itunes, chome) is connected at least in one of my accounts. I am not logged in to these discussions on safari but am logged in on firefox. which makes me think my test account is the one that is working? But like I said, I don't know how to tell which account is which.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:42 PM in response to lavernes-mom

you can 'logout laverne's mom' from the Apple menu top left, or (if enabled flip them via Fast User Switching at top right, by the spotlight icon.

Fast user switching is enabled via System Preferences-Accounts- Login Options (under the list of account names)

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:46 PM in response to lavernes-mom

whatever name shows top right (if fast switching is on) or under Apple menu - is the current user.
Or doubtless the new account desktop is empty - and safari, Firefox etc have no history, & iTunes/iPhoto/Mail etc have never been setup for the new user, so they'll be empty too.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:47 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Got it. I am going to go back to myself and see if Safari is working. I think it is. I don't think I ever actually logged in on the new account. I am going to close it on both accounts and try to open it and see what happens.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 12:53 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Safari starts up in both. and I think that I never really logged in as my "other self" so when everything started up again, it was as "me" but again was about that 30 - 45 minute time period after I removed the bookmark plist. But as I said, the only bookmark I had added was the one for these discussions.
It feels like a gremlin is taking over. and yes the new account was completly empty. think I'll keep it around for a while.
Do you think it is something with the bookmarks? Do you think updating SL would help? Am I moving too fast to try to get answers?

By the way, I am now using Safari to reply back. Under my own name.

Message was edited by: laverne's mom

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 24, 2011 1:01 PM in response to lavernes-mom

Do you think it is something with the bookmarks?

I'd say not, but time will tell.

Am I moving too fast to try to get answers?

Nope, you're tied by it working again.

Do you think updating SL would help?

It might, not directly due 'new improved 10.6.6' but if the update replaced something.

If you've no extra software, I'd create a new 'network location' via System Prefs-Network & use that - it's easy to switch back to the existing one at any time.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 1:14 PM in response to andyBall_uk

I'm not on a network. I have a modum and this is the only computer in the house. so I don't know what new network location I could use.

I am going to avoid bookmarking anything in Safari for a while and see if the problem recurs. and if it does, I will wait the 30 or so minutes before posting for help. At least that way we will know if bookmarks have anything to do with it.

Last week I had gone to the Apple Store just for a 1:1 on using Time Machine (which I don't want to now until this gets settled. Why back up something that isn't right). I mentioned to him that my automatic software updates didn't know that updates were available (always did before) and he suggested I contact AppleCare. Which I was going to until this happened. Do you think the two things are connected. I know its dangerous to make assumptions, but I thought it was strange that Software Update didn't notify me about the SL updates.

Thank you again for your help. I am afraid I will be seeking it out again in the near future.

Thanks again for your help.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 24, 2011 1:22 PM in response to lavernes-mom

Do you think the two things are connected?

Possibly - if the connection's down, swupd can't find out what is available.

I'm not on a network. I have a modum and this is the only computer in the house. so I don't know what new network location I could use.

A modem & a computer is a network too - look in System Prefs-Network and the 'location' box up top of that window... you already have a 'network location' named automatic - but a new one you give a name to should be just as 'automatic' in operation. It's just a phrase for a collection of settings, that you can easily switch between via System Prefs or the Apple menu.

domo-kun

Level 1

0 points

Jan 24, 2011 1:26 PM in response to TildeBee

I cannot connect to the Internet through Safari and Chrome on the Mac. I am able to browse normally through Firefox and Opera. I am also able to connect to Safari and Chrome on my VMWare Fusion PC (WinXP) setup.

I am unable to connect to Yahoo Messenger or to GTalk via iChat but am able to connect to MSN Messenger, Skype, and .Mac via iChat.

I am also unable to connect to Software Update or to my e-mail accounts via the Mail app.

I have no issues with bookmarks since I use a social bookmarking site (Delicious) to handle those.

Any insight would be appreciated.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 1:34 PM in response to andyBall_uk

I added a location, but it doesn't connect to anything. I know I'm missing something simple. Probably making it harder than it is. What would having a different name for the same system do?

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Jan 24, 2011 1:48 PM in response to lavernes-mom

a different name won't change anything, but the hope is that a new crop of settings may do.
A new one ought to be just as automatic as the original was, but it seems yours isn't 😟 so it may need some tweaking/copying of settings from the 'automatic' one. In theory, only whatever was done originally to get you connected.

'automatic' is just another name, by the way - it can be renamed to anything you wish, and will work the same.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Jan 24, 2011 1:59 PM in response to andyBall_uk

If I get brave I may try to do something. In the meantime I will refrain from bookmarking anything in Safari, will plan on updating my software tomorrow (I have to admit I don't want to face any new problems today if I can avoid it), will wait the 30 - 45 minutes if things get broken to see if somehow repairs happen, if not, I will move the plist to my desktop and wati 30 - 45 minutes and if it is still broken will come back and yell for help.

but I have learned how to set up a new account, learned some things about my network, and learned how to add 🙂 as a way of saying thank you.

Will give a star for helpful too because you certainly have been. I don't see a place to click on the star. I guess that is because I used them before. Well, I would have if I could have.

Message was edited by: laverne's mom

Message was edited by: laverne's mom

Safari won't connect to internet