WIFI Internet sharing iMac to Macbook (OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8) "Connection Times Out"

Question

WIFI Internet sharing iMac to Macbook (OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8) "Connection Times Out"

I would really appreciate some advice / help on the following issue:

I have a 27" iMac (2010 i5) running OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8 and a first-gen MacBook running OS X 10.6.8 with all updates. I currently use a 3G USB modem plugged into my iMac to connect to the internet and have enabled internet sharing to create a WIFI hotspot so my MacBook can share its internet connection.

ISSUE

The MacBook cannot connect to the WIFI hotspot due to a "Connection Timeout" error.

*I can connect my iPhone 2G (iOS 3.13) and my iPhone 4S (iOS 5.1.1) to the WIFI hotspot with no issues.

**I previously used OS X Lion on both computers and had no issues with internet sharing.

***I prefer Snow Leopard as I do not need all the iOS-like extras that come with Lion and also found that performance on both my iMac and MacBook suffered under Lion.

NOTE: I also just realized this should have gone into the MacBook forum - my apologies!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 27" 2010 (Core i5 2.8Ghz, 4Gb)

Posted on Aug 21, 2012 8:55 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Aug 23, 2012 1:18 PM in response to pixelatedscraps

Hi,

I also dislike iOS7 & iOS8, who needs a 27" iPhone??? 😟

Let's se if we can get any clues...

Open Console in Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when this happens.

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Answer 2

Aug 29, 2012 11:16 PM in response to BDAqua

I actually ended up upgrading to OS X Lion (now on 10.7.4) in a bid to resolve this issue.

However, my new problem is that the option to share from my USB modem to create a WIFI hotspot now does not work at all.

ISSUE:

After setting it to share from my USB modem to WIFI; I select to turn on internet sharing and the settings automatically default back to sharing from ethernet/WIFI.

Any ideas on how to resolve this? It worked fine with no issues the last time I was on Lion (10.7.2 I believe)

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Aug 30, 2012 1:34 AM in response to pixelatedscraps

Internet Shaing seems really messed up lately, I haven't been able to do it. 😟

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Answer 4

Aug 30, 2012 1:48 AM in response to BDAqua

I hope something can be done about this because my mobile / cell phone operator here in Hong Kong (Three) does not offer 2G data services anymore, which means not only do I need to share this single USB internet connection with my MacBook, but also my first-gen iPhone which I use as an office phone.

Anyone else with any ideas?

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Answer 5

Sep 7, 2012 8:43 PM in response to pixelatedscraps

I've just upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) and the issue is still there...neither my MacBook, iPhone 2G or iPhone 4S can connect to WIFI that's been enabled via internet sharing

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Sep 8, 2012 12:43 AM in response to pixelatedscraps

On the off chance...

Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712

10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x instructions...

System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.

System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.

The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.

Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.

For 10.5/10.6, System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

Click OK.

Also, turn off IPv6:

System Preferences » Network » AirPort » TCP/IP tab » Configure IPv6

Or whatever interface you connect with.

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