Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

DSL-2750U router problems with POP Mail

I have just upgraded my router to a D-Link DSL-2750U.

As the installation CD would not run on the Mac, I used my Windows XP laptop to set up (successfully, by the way). I then disconnected the laptop and connected the Mac.

Surfing was fine, as was the wireless connection but I get an intermittent problem when using Mail. I often get the message from the connection doctor that

The server returned the error: The server “pop3.telkomsa.net” cannot be contacted on port 110.

SMTP works fine.

I can connect to the POP server successfully with Microsoft Outlook from my Windows XP laptop; the problem only occurs with the Mail program on the Mac.

Telkom not much help as they are only trained on Windows; D-Link do not think that it is the router and suggest the problem lies with the Mac.

My previous router, the Telkom ADSL 5102G worked with no problems - and still does, if I swap them.

What could be causing the problem?

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 11, 2013 1:43 AM

35 replies

Oct 9, 2013 10:00 PM in response to DJ_Kliche

Hi Damien,

I tend to leave my computer on 24/7 and found that the problem only occurred when the hard drive on my Mac came out of sleep mode.

I have therefore set the drive to never turn off. An unsatisfactory solution, I feel, but it worked.

My previous router was a Telkom ADSL 5102G. I didn't realise it at the time but there was a similar problem with that one also. I would come back to my computer, touch a key, bring the hard drive out of sleep mode, and I always had a display - only for a few seconds - that I had no internet connection. It would then immediately resolve itself so I never worried about it.

I hope that one day, Apple and the router manufacturers get together to resolve this. The fact that I never had either of these issues when running Windows and Microsoft Outlook, even when I had the Mac and a Windows computer connected to the same router at the same time, implies to me that the problem lies somewhere with Apple.

Regards,

Keith

Oct 17, 2013 1:51 AM in response to travellerblogs

Hi Keith,

I found a solution. It appears to be a DNS problem. Go to System Preferences>Network>Advanced then click on the DNS tab. Under DNS Servers delete your routers address and type in the Google Public DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Restart mail and it doesn't lose connection again. It worked for both my macbooks.

I'm no techy, but I assume this is just some sort of work-around that keeps the communication between the router and computer open. I read about it over a number of pages listed here (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4268728?start=90&tstart=0). While some suggest it is slightly inefficient, there hasn't been any noticeable change in my download speeds.

Hope that helps.

Cheers, Damien.

Oct 20, 2013 3:57 AM in response to DJ_Kliche

Thanks DJ,

I switched over on receipt of your post and it has worked fine since. I was also intrigued as to why my first post did not pick up the thread that you sent. The problem seems to have been around for a long time and many people mention that Apple should provide a fix.

I am glad that I can now put the computer to sleep.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Keith

Oct 22, 2013 12:38 AM in response to DJ_Kliche

Hi DJ,

I set my hard drive to go into sleep mode after 20 minutes.

If I leave Mail running whilst I am away, when I return the connection doctor is displaying the same error on both my Gmail and Telkomsa accounts.

However, if I give it a few seconds for the hard drive to come fully out of sleep mode and I then click to check for mail, connection is made to the mail servers.

Clearly this is not the ideal situation but I will stick with it rather than keep the hard drive on permanently.

Regards,

Keith

Oct 22, 2013 3:40 AM in response to travellerblogs

Yeah, it's clearly not a perfect solution. The problem came back for me yesterday. I just couldn't be bothered anymore so I boxed it up and put it in the cupboard and plugged in my old router. Everything is back to normal so far, althought I am significantly out of pocket - what a waste of money.

DSL-2750U router problems with POP Mail