AIM connection timed out

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Level 1

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AIM connection timed out

For the past few days I haven't been able to login to either AIM or iChat. I usually only use AIM. I have been useing AIM on this computer for over a year and this is the first time I've ever had this type of problem. I am wirelessly connected to a cable modem via a wireless router (the connection is shared with a desktop PC).

When I try to sign onto AIM (version 4.7 for mac) it usually stalls at the login process screen saying "looking for service" or "connecting." Next I get an error message ("Your Attention Please" box) that says "The connection could not be completed because it timed out."

I have tried changing the way I connect to the internet, but that didn't work. I then tried to change the port (several times) but that would not work either. I have also tried to uninstall and reinstall AIM, but that also failed.

Like I mentioned before, I have been using this software for over a year. No settings have been changed on my computer, the connections, the router, or the cable modem until after I started to have problems loging on.

Please help!
~ Amanda Elizabeth

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on May 19, 2006 3:21 PM

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Answer 1

May 19, 2006 3:29 PM in response to pandaad

Hi adegon9,

Welcome To The Apple Discussion Pages.

Try this FAQ to check your password in the various places it is kept.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=121885

11:29 PM Friday; May 19, 2006

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Answer 2

pandaad Author

Level 1

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May 20, 2006 5:37 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

It's not a password problem as the password is saved. I also have loged on on other computers at different locations.

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 3

pandaad Author

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May 20, 2006 8:22 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

I also tried to access the aim website on the desktop pc that is directly connected to the router and I was unable to. After trying to sort through various other posts from people that seemed to have the same problems and using the instructions on your website I tried to change the login address and made sure that the firewall allowed access to the various ports. I should also mention that while I have had this computer for over a year, I am still a novice with a Mac.

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Answer 4

May 21, 2006 12:23 PM in response to pandaad

Hi Amanda,

So you have a Mac which has AIM 4.7 and iChat on there.
Neither application can Login to the AIM servers.

You have now changed your Profile details to read 10.4.6 and this is in iChat 2.x which will be 10.3.x

In iChat 3 the Mac Firewall has to be set up slightly differently as it inclused both UDP and TCP ports (If it is ON).
In the Advanced Button it is also possible to Block ll UDP Traffic which needs to be deslected if it is (selected)

Also in iChat 3.1 onwards you have an option in iChat > Preferences > Accounts > AIM account > Account Information tab to select whether multiple logns are allowed.
If this is not selected IChat will not let AIM Login if iChat is started first.
IF AIM is started first iChat will not startup.
This will also effect other computers trying to log on with the same AIM name.

At this stage I would think it is the Mac Firewall that is the problem.

Other possible factors are included in this FAQ http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=278760

8:23 PM Sunday; May 21, 2006

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Answer 5

pandaad Author

Level 1

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May 21, 2006 2:25 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Okay. I tried everything listed in your last post and the faq that you sent me. I have changed the settings of my Firewall, but my firewall is not turned on. I have also made sure that I have the multiple login box is selected. I was having unrelated software problems which required me to upgrade my operating system software. I went through the faq and checked all the settings but nothing seemed to be in dissaray although I'm not really sure that I know what I'm looking at or for. I'm not sure if this stuff will help but I am copying and pasteing all the information from my system profiler...

AirPort:

Type: AirPort
Hardware: AirPort
BSD Device Name: en1
IPv4 Addresses: 192.168.1.100
IPv4:
Addresses: 192.168.1.100
Configuration Method: DHCP
Interface Name: en1
Router: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Masks: 255.255.255.0
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
DNS:
Server Addresses: 66.189.0.29, 66.189.0.30, 66.189.0.5
DHCP Server Responses:
Domain Name Servers: 66.189.0.29,66.189.0.30,66.189.0.5
Lease Duration (seconds): 0
DHCP Message Type: 0x05
Routers: 192.168.1.1
Server Identifier: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: Manual
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: Yes
Auto Discovery Enabled: No
Ethernet:
MAC Address: 00:11:24:8f:10:07
Media Options:
Media Subtype: autoselect

Built-in FireWire:

Type: FireWire
Hardware: FireWire
BSD Device Name: fw0
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: Manual
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: Yes
Auto Discovery Enabled: No
Ethernet:
MAC Address: 00:11:24:ff:fe:78:52:b0
Media Options: Full Duplex
Media Subtype: autoselect

Location
Location (5/21/06 4:58 PM):

Active Location: Yes
Services:
Internal Modem:
Type: PPP
IPv4:
Configuration Method: PPP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
PPP:
ACSP Enabled: 0
Display Terminal Window: 0
Redial Count: 1
Redial Enabled: 1
Redial Interval: 5
Use Terminal Script: 0
Dial On Demand: 0
Disconnect On Fast User Switch: 1
Disconnect On Idle: 1
Disconnect On Idle Timer: 600
Disconnect On Logout: 1
Disconnect On Sleep: 1
Idle Reminder: 0
Idle Reminder Time: 1800
IPCP Compression VJ: 1
LCP Echo Enabled: 1
LCP Echo Failure: 4
LCP Echo Interval: 10
Log File: /var/log/ppp.log
Verbose Logging: 0
Bluetooth:
Type: PPP
IPv4:
Configuration Method: PPP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
PPP:
ACSP Enabled: 0
Display Terminal Window: 0
Redial Count: 1
Redial Enabled: 1
Redial Interval: 5
Use Terminal Script: 0
Dial On Demand: 0
Disconnect On Fast User Switch: 1
Disconnect On Idle: 1
Disconnect On Idle Timer: 600
Disconnect On Logout: 1
Disconnect On Sleep: 1
Idle Reminder: 0
Idle Reminder Time: 1800
IPCP Compression VJ: 1
LCP Echo Enabled: 0
LCP Echo Failure: 4
LCP Echo Interval: 10
Log File: /var/log/ppp.log
Verbose Logging: 0
Built-in Ethernet:
Type: Ethernet
BSD Device Name: en0
Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:11:24:78:52:b0
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
Built-in FireWire:
Type: FireWire
BSD Device Name: fw0
Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:11:24:ff:fe:78:52:b0
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
AirPort:
Type: Ethernet
BSD Device Name: en1
Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:11:24:8f:10:07
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0

I hope this helps you to understand my problem more than me trying to explain...

Thank you soooo much.
~ Amanda Elizabeth

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Answer 6

May 21, 2006 4:33 PM in response to pandaad

Hi Amanda Elizabeth,

I see that the Wireles connection is using DHCP.

Is the Wireless Router set to use Port Forwading to have th ports for iChat open ?

If so is it set to the IP your computer currently has ?

12:32 AM Monday; May 22, 2006

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Answer 7

pandaad Author

Level 1

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May 21, 2006 5:20 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

How would I check the port forwarding and the IP of my computer?
~ Amanda Elizabeth

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Answer 8

May 22, 2006 2:20 AM in response to pandaad

Hi Amanda Elizabeth,

Ok. You can look up your IP on your computer in System Preferences > Network.
Then you have to select your connection method in the second drop down. (Airport)
Then click on the TCP/IP tab to bring it to the front if it is not already.

This will tell you that it is Using DHCP (based on your post above)
Under this it will tell you your IP.
Lower down it will list the "Router" IP

This "Router" IP is likely to be the default to access the set up pages of the device.
This IP needs to be typed into a web browser just like a web page address.
At this point you have not stated which Wireless router device you have. Many need a User ID and Password at this point.
This page will help here http://portforward.com/routers.htm

Choose your device from the list.
Click on it.
Choose iChat from the next page.
This will then show you the set up pages and instructions for Port Forwarding.

At this point do not do the Port Forwarding but use the instructions to find out if there any settings already set.
Also check any UPnP setting to see if it is On.

Can you tell us what device you have ?

We will alos ned to know how the router is set up to connect to the modem.

10:20 AM Monday; May 22, 2006

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Answer 9

pandaad Author

Level 1

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May 22, 2006 3:24 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

I'm not exactly sure how it was fixed but my connection seems to be working fine. I have a linksys wireless router and wasn't able to log into the IP address website. I called the linksys and basically all I needed to do was reset the router and everything worked fine.

Thank you so much for your help
~ Amanda Elizabeth

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Answer 10

pandaad Author

Level 1

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May 22, 2006 3:25 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

I'm not exactly sure how it was fixed but my connection seems to be working fine. I have a linksys wireless router and wasn't able to log into the IP address website. I called the linksys and basically all I needed to do was reset the router and everything worked fine.

Thank you so much for your help
~ Amanda Elizabeth

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Answer 11

May 23, 2006 12:56 AM in response to pandaad

Glad to hear you have a solution.

8:56 AM Tuesday; May 23, 2006

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Answer 12

Jun 20, 2006 10:11 AM in response to pandaad

I am also getting the -
Could not connect to AIM. Connection could not be completed because it timed out.Try again.

I had been getting the same problem reported by many others that the video failed to start as host refused connection and I tried deleting the files .com.apple.ichat.... (as recommended in one discussion) and now I can't connect to AIM.

I am in Adu Dhabi, UAE using ibook G4 connecting on 1MB broadband, trying to video chat with my family in Scotland.

iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 13

Jun 20, 2006 11:27 AM in response to George Carrigan

Hi George,

Open iChat.
Go to the Preferences > Accounts
Select the account on the left.
Select the Server Settings tab on the right.
Change the port to 443.

This should get you to be able to login to AIM.

A/V chats from some ISPs in the Middle East can be difficult.

Western Business Parks or specific Resdential areas are sometimes required.
Sometimes there in a National firewall for "Security Issues" that gets in the way.

Can you tell us more about your set up and whether it has ever worked before.

7:27 PM Tuesday; June 20, 2006

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Answer 14

Defcom-UK

Level 6

15,488 points

Jun 21, 2006 9:41 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

George posted in August 2005 that he had it working http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1019737&#1019737

Tony

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Answer 15

Jun 21, 2006 10:10 AM in response to Defcom-UK

Good memory.
I got it working in augaust last year and it worked ok when I was in a hotel in Abu Dhabi last month. But not now.

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