Ethernet port is broke

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Ethernet port is broke

I have had my iMac for 2 or 3 years. I have never used the ethernet port until a few weeks ago. The iMac won't detect the ethernet cable at all. I have tried different cables and many other things. Is the port broken?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 24 inch model

Posted on Feb 16, 2011 12:22 PM

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Answer 1

babowa

Level 9

78,580 points

Feb 16, 2011 1:38 PM in response to ExplicitG

Have you checked in System Preferences -> Network to see if Ethernet is listed and shows active with an IP address? If you want to use it, it needs to be in the top spot on the left and showing an IP address.

And, if you've never used it, how did you access the internet previously?

Also, you said you've tried "many things" - exactly what were they?

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Answer 2

ExplicitG Author

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Feb 17, 2011 7:53 AM in response to babowa

Barbara Daniels1 wrote:
Have you checked in System Preferences -> Network to see if Ethernet is listed and shows active with an IP address? If you want to use it, it needs to be in the top spot on the left and showing an IP address.

And, if you've never used it, how did you access the internet previously?

Also, you said you've tried "many things" - exactly what were they?

Yeah its listed, it says not connected. Even when its plugged in. I used wireless to access the internet but now the iMac and router are in the same room so I want to use wired.

I went through some troubleshooting guide on the Apple website, tried what it said on there and none of it worked.

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,580 points

Feb 17, 2011 8:56 AM in response to ExplicitG

That's the same setup I have (router and iMac in same room); and, since you used it wirelessly before, it should be recognized by the router. Is it the same router? And do you have the wiring from modem to router and from router to iMac? Have you already tried setting up a new location in the Network Preferences (call it something like home)?

It also sometimes helps to reset both the modem and the router - my ISP suggested I do this about once a month.

As a last resort and just as a test, can you take the router out of the loop and just see if it will connect when hooked up to the modem directly?

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Answer 4

ExplicitG Author

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Feb 17, 2011 11:23 AM in response to babowa

Barbara Daniels1 wrote:
That's the same setup I have (router and iMac in same room); and, since you used it wirelessly before, it should be recognized by the router. Is it the same router? And do you have the wiring from modem to router and from router to iMac? Have you already tried setting up a new location in the Network Preferences (call it something like home)?

It also sometimes helps to reset both the modem and the router - my ISP suggested I do this about once a month.

As a last resort and just as a test, can you take the router out of the loop and just see if it will connect when hooked up to the modem directly?

Yes its the same router and its a router and modem. I have tried setting up a new location, it didn't work.

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Answer 5

babowa

Level 9

78,580 points

Feb 17, 2011 2:42 PM in response to ExplicitG

Did you reset them both? that involves powering down the computer(s), unplugging the modem (from power and Mac), unplugging the router. Wait 5 minutes. Plug in modem. Wait until all the lights are on (steady). Plug in router. Boot up computer.

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Answer 6

ExplicitG Author

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Feb 17, 2011 3:31 PM in response to babowa

Barbara Daniels1 wrote:
Did you reset them both? that involves powering down the computer(s), unplugging the modem (from power and Mac), unplugging the router. Wait 5 minutes. Plug in modem. Wait until all the lights are on (steady). Plug in router. Boot up computer.

Yeah I have already tried it, doesn't work.

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Answer 7

babowa

Level 9

78,580 points

Feb 17, 2011 3:42 PM in response to ExplicitG

Unfortunately, I am out of ideas; at this point, I'd make an appointment with your nearest Genius Bar and get a free diagnosis. If you're no longer covered by the warranty, at least you should then know if it is the port and how much it would cost to fix it.

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Answer 8

ExplicitG Author

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Feb 18, 2011 3:15 AM in response to babowa

Barbara Daniels1 wrote:
Unfortunately, I am out of ideas; at this point, I'd make an appointment with your nearest Genius Bar and get a free diagnosis. If you're no longer covered by the warranty, at least you should then know if it is the port and how much it would cost to fix it.

Do Apple have a support email?

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Answer 9

Feb 18, 2011 3:42 AM in response to ExplicitG

A couple questions: if you open System Profiler, look at the Ethernet information and see what the ethernet address is. Paste that in here if you can. Does your network interface card information say you have a Broadcom chipset? If so, and most likely you have that set, there are problems with some of the Broadcom chips in that they change the Apple ethernet address to the Broadcom ethernet address which is not recognized by most routers or internet locations.

So, if you can, copy in a response with that address, please.

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Answer 10

Feb 18, 2011 7:04 AM in response to ExplicitG

Have you tried using the Apple Hardware Test utility on the disk that came with your apple?

Here is a link to apples info on how to use it: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

Rick

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Answer 11

ExplicitG Author

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Feb 18, 2011 7:42 AM in response to Ralph Landry1

Ralph Landry1 wrote:
A couple questions: if you open System Profiler, look at the Ethernet information and see what the ethernet address is. Paste that in here if you can. Does your network interface card information say you have a Broadcom chipset? If so, and most likely you have that set, there are problems with some of the Broadcom chips in that they change the Apple ethernet address to the Broadcom ethernet address which is not recognized by most routers or internet locations.

So, if you can, copy in a response with that address, please.

en1:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.36.1)
Locale: ETSI
Country Code: X3
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Wake On Wireless: Supported
Status: Connected

ethernet:

Type: Ethernet Controller
Bus: PCI
Vendor ID: 0x10de
Device ID: 0x0ab0
Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x10de
Subsystem ID: 0xcb79
Revision ID: 0x00b1
BSD name: en0
Kext name: nvenet.kext
Location: /System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/nvenet.kext Version: 2.0.15

rdvholtwood wrote:
Have you tried using the Apple Hardware Test utility on the disk that came with your apple?

Here is a link to apples info on how to use it: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

Rick

No so I just did it then, no problems found.

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Answer 12

Feb 18, 2011 7:56 AM in response to ExplicitG

That is a different Broadcom set than has been the problem here:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2641278&start=0&tstart=0

But look to see if you get an ethernet MAC address like 00:10:18:00:00:00

If so, then the Broadcom is resetting your MAC address incorrectly.

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Answer 13

Feb 18, 2011 8:11 AM in response to ExplicitG

Maybe this was already asked.

When you connect the ethernet cable from the mac - where is it plugged into? directly to a router? or a hub? Do you see lights flashing on the connection to the router and/or other device you are plugging into?

Have you tried resetting your PRAM? http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

Message was edited by: rdvholtwood

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Answer 14

Feb 18, 2011 12:32 PM in response to ExplicitG

I found something interesting today myself as it relates to your ethernet issue. I had moved my imac to another room temporarily and used it in wireless mode. Since I had a wall jack in this room that had an ethernet connection to a laptop, I thought I would move the cable to the iMac - and - even though the laptop had a solid connection - the iMac did not recognize the cable? Why? I have no idea and am trying to figure that out. The cable is definitely not bad; however, in the mac it appears to be....

Try what was suggested above - connect directly into the router and see if you have flashing lights. Even if you do and these cables are not new - maybe you could try purchasing some new cables.

Let us know how you make out.

Rick

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Answer 15

babowa

Level 9

78,580 points

Feb 18, 2011 1:24 PM in response to ExplicitG

+Do Apple have a support email?+

No, they do not. There is a phone number for tech support but they will charge you if you're no longer covered by the warranty. That is why I had suggested making an appointment with the Genius Bar (the diagnosis is usually free).

Do try the suggestions by the other posters first.

And to add to rdvholtwood's last post: coming to think of it, when I first signed up with Comcast (and, at that time, all I had was a modem, no router), although all the lights on the modem were on, the (then) iMac would not connect. Only after calling them did it work (they said they reset the modem on their end). I have no idea if that could have something to do with it, but maybe their servers are "refusing" to recognize an additional machine?

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