Several times daily I must reboot my iMac, and my wife must reboot her iMac, because the internet connection is lost. I was blaming WiFi but we both are now wired via Ethernet and the same thing is happening. The Windows PC sitting next to my iMac has no connection issues, using the same cable modem and router. It must be OSX Lion!
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2), 8gb RAM, Core i5 processor
What make/model router is it?
Have you tried updating the firmware in the router?
Are you losing the connection to the router (bars go gray), or are you just not able to connect to the internet?
Please provide your internet provider and router you are using if any and what mode did your provider give you.
All these other posts are a good start but it really will make no difference.
Since your Windows PC has no problem getting and retaining a internet connection with and through your router to your modem and out to the net it must be a OS X problem.
Does this happen while you are surfing the net or after times of inactivity?
If it is any consolation you are not the only one that has this problem.
One suggestion is to turn off the WiFi in you Mac computers and just use the Ethernet conncetion.
I have found with my MBP that if both Eithernet and Wifi are being used the Mac defaults to using the WiFi first as its main connection to the LAN and internet. That is even after a reboot/startup with the Ethernet cable connected.
I first noticed this because of really slow file transfers from other computer on my LAN to the Mac or from the Mac to other computers. Once I turned off the WiFi the transfers went up to where they should be for a Gigabit LAN connection.
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of this exercise is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on some Macs.
Test. Same problem(s)?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
Shootist007 wrote:
All these other posts are a good start but it really will make no difference.
Since your Windows PC has no problem getting and retaining a internet connection with and through your router to your modem and out to the net it must be a OS X problem.
That is a possibility, except that some routers have been extensively tested with only Windows. Every router is not the same and may not respond to current protocols that Mac OS X uses, but works well with the protocols that Windows uses. Sometimes, updating the firmware will fix the problem. In this case, yes it would be associated with Lion in that Lion is using new/revised protocols whereas the router either doesn't understand them or wasn't tested sufficiently and has problems that won't appear on Windows because it is using the old ones.
I've seen some PCs running Windows have problems connecting to networks that other PCs and Macs can connect to just fine. In every combination there is both software and hardware on each device that all must be compatible and talking the same language.
1. Router is part of the Ubee DOCSIS 3.0 WLCM cable modem, 40mbs service. Bright House Cable Networks. ISP is Earthlink.
2. If you read my post, you'd know that the router is not losing the internet.
3. The router is managed by the cable company and is frequently updated.
4. I do not know what "what mode did your provider give you" means.
5. WiFi is turned off.
2. If you read my post, you'd know that the router is not losing the internet.
And if you read my post, you'd know that I asked if you were getting disconnected from the router or if you were staying connected to the router, but losing internet access on the Mac.
Those are two different problems.
Barney, you are right. I am not losing the connection to the router. That does happen every time the iMac sleeps, but is always restored automatically.
Barney-15E wrote:
That is a possibility, except that some routers have been extensively tested with only Windows. Every router is not the same and may not respond to current protocols that Mac OS X uses, but works well with the protocols that Windows uses. Sometimes, updating the firmware will fix the problem. In this case, yes it would be associated with Lion in that Lion is using new/revised protocols whereas the router either doesn't understand them or wasn't tested sufficiently and has problems that won't appear on Windows because it is using the old ones.
I've seen some PCs running Windows have problems connecting to networks that other PCs and Macs can connect to just fine. In every combination there is both software and hardware on each device that all must be compatible and talking the same language.
Barney that is just jibberish. If the router works with Windows, a smart phones including a iPhone, iPad, wireless printers and all other wireless devices, whether the OP uses any of these other devices or not, it is not the router that needs updating. The Protocols in use are Wireless Networking Protocols. Apple has to conform to those not the router or the consortium that controls WiFi netwroking conforming to Apple specs.
Just like all other devices that have a wireless feature included in them.
It is Mac OS X or the hardware in the computer.
I really don't understand why the Mac users have a hard time understanding that and constantly defend Apple in this respect. It is always the routers fault. Simply it is not.
I have used a Linksys WRT54G V1 and V2 rotuer for years, like 8+ years, and have never had any problem connecting any of my computer, Mac or PC, Phone, printers, you name it. The last time I updated the firmware was at least 7 years ago when I installed a aftermarket/Hacked firmware so I could boost the output from the router. The version 1 died about 2 years ago so I hooked up a version 2 which I updated the firmware at the same time i updated the frimware on the V1.
I still use one of these router when go out to jobsites so I don't have to ask for the peoples/businesses wireless password. I plug my WRT54G, set as just an access point, into there network Ethernet system and I then have wireless connection for any of my devices.
Have you tried changing the DNS settings on the Mac to something like OpenDNS or Google.
OpenDNS is 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220; Google's are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
With WiFi selected in the Network system preferences, click on Advanced… then DNS tab.
Click the add button at the bottom of the DNS list and enter either of the pairs above. Click Ok, then Apply.
See how those work at keeping the internet connection.
Monty,
I have the same Bright House 40mb/s service in Orlando with the same Ubee modem, and I am having the exact same problem as you. This has been driving me NUTS since I upgraded my MacBook Pro and my daughter's MacBook to Lion.
A few extra observations I've made over the last few months while trying to sort this problem out:
*Resetting PRAM, starting in safe mode, changing DNS settings, and all the other common fixes people have suggested do nothing to help solve the problem.
*It seems to be restricted to web browsing and email. Downloading files off usenet is done at full speed, even while web pages are continually timing out.
*Switching from WiFi to ethernet and vice versa makes no difference in surfing speed and reliability. I still get constant time outs even when hooked up via ethernet.
*WiFi almost always shows full bars connection, but I continually get 'server not responding' errors.
*90% of the time web browsing is slow slow slow... way slower than dialup. Web pages constantly time out and/or Mail cannot download email. It makes no difference if I am using Safari, FireFox, or Chrome.
*When running Win 7 Bootcamped on my MacBook Pro, I have zero connection issues. Web browsing is as fast and responsive as you would expect. When I reboot back into OSX Lion, web browsing goes back to being sporatic and slow, at best.
*Sometimes rebooting helps, but it's always temporary.
*I downgraded my daughter's MacBook to Snow Leopard and internet issues went away on her computer as well.
Bright House has not been able to provide any help, and from my experimentation it seems to strictly be a Lion problem.
Fed up with Lion - keep losing internet connection ???
