Ethernet connected but unable to load pages

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Level 1

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Ethernet connected but unable to load pages

I'm currently studying and staying in student accomodation abroad, where the internet connection is from a wall jack. I bought a new ethernet cable and handed in my (ethernet) MAC address. I'm using the late 2011 15" Macbook Pro, with Lion. I've run the diagnostic check multiple times and every time I get all green, but I still can't load any pages. I've spent hours looking for answers online, but although there seem to be a lot of people having problems, nobody seems to actually get an answer! When I registered the MAC address I had to choose a username and password, but I've tried using this with PPPOE settings (No PPPOE settings found in the network) and also with proxies, but as I haven't been given a proxy code that doesn't work either.

I've spoken to the office who have told me that there are no proxies required, and if I can't connect it must be my computer. However, I just spoke to a technician at the university who told me that as I can connect to the university wifi network without any problems, the problem must lie with the network itself (possibly that I need to connect to a proxy server).

I vaguely rememeber having problems connecting to the wireless at home when I first got the computer, it was something to do with Lion connectivity issues, could this be the problem with the ethernet? (Unfortunately I can't remember how I fixed this!!)

Can anyone shed any light on why I can't connect and settle whether it's the network or my laptop?!

Thanks

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011)

Posted on Jul 9, 2012 1:31 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,590 points

Jul 9, 2012 4:46 AM in response to charlie2609

What does it say for an IP address in Network System preferences? Is it an IP address on the network, or is it self-assigned (169.xxx.xxx.xxx)? If it is self-assigned, you aren't connecting to the network, either because it won't let you or because it can't find one. I'm not sure why they would assign a username and password if you didn't have to put it in, but maybe that is done on a web page like with wireless hotspots.

If you're not connecting to the network, can you try connecting to a different wall jack and/or another ethernet cable?

If you're all green on network diagnostics, it might be the DNS isn't giving you anything to use. What are you DNS settings under Ethernet in Network system prefs. Try adding OpenDNS (208.67.222.222/208.67.220.220) or Google's DNS (8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4).

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Answer 2

charlie2609 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 9, 2012 4:57 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks for your reply!

The IP address starts with, I think, 172. It hasn't been 169 at any point. I assumed the username and password was like you said, on a webpage.

I've tried the cable in another room and another flat, and I'm still getting the same result. I can connect, but I can't browse. The cable is brand new, I only bought it a few days ago so I'm confident that it isn't a faulty connection.

I think the DNS is slightly shorter than the IP, I think it might be the same as the router number? 😕

I'll give your suggestions a go when I get back, fingers crossed!

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