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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

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Feb 18, 2011 2:55 PM in response to lavernes-mom

hopefully, the new location (with ethernet enabled) will connect automatically, just as before - but you'll have noted the settings just in case, as a double-backup,

since you'll have already made a duplicate location using system prefs-network-Location-Edit Locations-action dropdown (gear wheel) - duplicate connection

You let it make a copy, rename if required, then switch back (left pane) to the original before clicking 'apply'. Nothing should happen, you just made a duplicate, but stayed connected using the current location.

What might help, is creating a new location, having assured yourself that you can recover your previous one... then letting it set itself up automatically as it did originally. Comparing the settings you noted down, if necessary.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Feb 18, 2011 3:26 PM in response to andyBall_uk

I made the copy. I guess only one stays connected at a time? I think maybe I will wait to practice this at my 1:1, though I guess what happens is that it connects itself when you access the internet? Because when I clicked on apply for the copy, the original then was blank. then I switched to the original and tried to get to the iTunes store and the original reconnected. I have to admit, I was a little bit shaky trying this, and won't again, until I have my screen shots made. but it is getting a little bit clearer.

I guess I thought that both would show the settings the same going back and forth between them, but I guess when you click on apply that means that that is the connection which is being used? this stuff is way more technical than what I am used to fiddling with. Thanks for hanging in there with me on this. I will get back and let you know (assuming that I keep my connections - that is supposed to be a joke of sorts? 😀 - ) how it works out.

Have a good week-end.

Message was edited by: laverne's mom

Mar 6, 2011 1:38 PM in response to littleshoulders

Hi littleshoulders,

I saw this discussion and it appears as though you may be able to help me with my problem b/c you have mentioned Xplornet and that is my ISP. I am currently not able to connect to the internet using Safari or iTunes, but am able to do so using Firefox. Knowing that I am with Xplornet, do you know how I can fix this problem?

Thanks in advance.

lavernes-mom Author

Level 2

415 points

Mar 21, 2011 7:07 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Hi Andy

It's been over a month and I haven't had any recurring problem with internet connections. I have to admit I have stayed with Firefox as my default browser but I use Safari also and check the other programs which lost internet connection at least once a day (iTunes, App store, Chrome) to make sure that they are connected also. I did have a 1:1 at the Apple Store to make sure I knew what I was doing about making a new network location and discovered that I had already done it by following your directions. Whether that is what fixed the problem (and the Apple tech at the Store seemed to think that might help), or whether it fixed itself (which I suppose is possible) doesn't matter a lot, except that I don't know for sure what caused it in the first place so I don't know how to prevent it from happening again. I suppose it is also possible that it is still occurring occasionally, but not when I am on the computer, since it seemed to reconnect itself 1 - 2 hrs after disconnecting from the internet.

Anyway, I am marking this as answered and am planning to do a time machine back up this week. Thank you for your help. If I lose the connections again, I will start another post, I suppose. But hopefully, this is solved.

laverne's mom
😀

Safari won't connect to internet