itsMeFred
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: MacMini-as-Airport-Base no longer working?  Is my Mini dying?

Multi-Mac family, we run our satellite internet into the Mini ('07 1.83GHz C2D 10.5.8) and then the Mini is the Airport for everything else.  It's worked fine up until this week.  Now my MacBook ('10 2.4GHz C2D 10.7.5) is having trouble getting online via the mini. 

I've tried resetting the Airport on both machines, resetting the satellite receiver, restarting both computers with APs on, and off, renaming/password on the mini, dumping all WiFis out of the laptop's prefs as well as keychain... 

My satellite provider has said that the problem is on my end.  (Of course.  Even when it's them, they still tell me it's me.)

 

 

The computers share with no issues.  I can work online via Screen Sharing through the mini, but I can't go straight online through its Airport.

 

 

But I AM having trouble with just the Mini, sometimes, also.  Pictures won't always load when online, non-internet programs,, as well as online sites are occasionally sluggish or completely non-responsive, and I've had a couple of restarts where I just had a grey screen and no load. 

 

This is my third Mini, so I know 6 years is a pretty good run, but what are the odds that this isn't really a WiFi issue, and is actually the death throes of my desk top?

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on May 9, 2013 7:36 AM

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itsMeFred

Q: MacMini-as-Airport-Base no longer working?  Is my Mini dying?

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua May 9, 2013 10:29 AM in response to itsMeFred
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    May 9, 2013 10:29 AM in response to itsMeFred

    Hi, which interface does the Mini use for internet? How exactly do the others connect?

     

    This has worked for a few...

     

    Though all of these steps may or may not be needed, I'm including them all.

     

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

     

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

     

    10.5, 10.6, 10.7 & 10.8…

     

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

     

     

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

     

    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.

     

    10.4 instructions...

     

    Is that Interface dragged to the top of Network>Show:>Network Port Configurations.

     

    If using Wifi/Airport...

     

    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 10.5/10.6/10.7/10.8, 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

     

    (There may be better or faster DNS numbers in your area, but these should be a good test).

    Click OK.

  • by itsMeFred,

    itsMeFred itsMeFred May 9, 2013 5:10 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 9, 2013 5:10 PM in response to BDAqua

    Yeah, I've already tried all of that, except changing my DNS numbers.

    I'm fairly sure it's the Mini.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua May 9, 2013 6:55 PM in response to itsMeFred
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    May 9, 2013 6:55 PM in response to itsMeFred

    Could be easy enough, but DNS is simple to change & back.