Unstable internet connection and Safari/Firefox do not load

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Level 2

214 points

Unstable internet connection and Safari/Firefox do not load

I'm trying to help a friend who has an iMac G5 running OS 10.4. with an ethernet connection and a Netgear router. AT&T/SBC is her ISP. She had no connection to the Network at all but I've didled with the settings including re-installing the router software. Now, she has an unstable connection to the Internet but neither Safari nor Firefox will load any site even when everything says it's connected.

When I run Network, Assist Me, Diagnostics, all lights are green. The modem will then occasionally flash red and lose the Internet connection even while I'm looking at Network Diagnostics showing all green and connected. Then the modem will find and return to solid green for Internet. Throughout all the solid green connections, Safari/Firefox will not go out and find and load any bookmark or new site. I assume I've missed something in the Network settings that's causing the instability and failure to run a browser.

Any suggestion to correct the Network settings would be appreciated. I assume that will fix the browser problem. Thanks.

BTW- She says it started when AT&T/SBC announced they were making email connection changes this month but I'm uncertain how that would change her ability to connect to the Internet. I think they're separate issues. Hopefully, I can fix the email problem (settings) when the Internet issue is resolved.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 16, 2013 8:43 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Jul 16, 2013 10:03 AM in response to Dedo

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/10.8.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.

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.

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Answer 2

Dedo Author

Level 2

214 points

Jul 16, 2013 10:29 AM in response to BDAqua

BD -

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm working w/OS 10.4 but assume the wheel will be there to Set Service Order? Also, it wasn't locked. I had my iPad and a hotspot so was able to search and enter 2 ATT/SBC DNSs.

Would something as simple as Set Service Order make the difference? She lives 12 miles away and I'd like to be able to fix it in one trip. :-)

BTW- I just noticed that my Service Order was not set properly and hasn't made a difference ... so ... can it be that as a fix?

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Jul 16, 2013 11:20 AM in response to Dedo

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.

Also might try putting these in Network>TCP/IP>DNS Servers:, for that Interface...

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

Apply. These Servers have been patched to guard against DNS poisoning, and are faster/more reliable than most ISP's DNS Servers.

BTW- I just noticed that my Service Order was not set properly and hasn't made a difference ... so ... can it be that as a fix?

It could be, OSX tries from the top down for Internet, and may try the wrong order, yet it seems DNS is part of the issue.

Also, to possibly save a trip...

PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.

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Answer 4

Dedo Author

Level 2

214 points

Jul 16, 2013 11:34 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks again. I've printed it out and will: Set Service Order, change the DNS #s, and reset the PRAM 3 times. I'll post back after I've done these things (most likely tomorrow).

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Jul 16, 2013 11:39 AM in response to Dedo

OK, good luck... looking forward to hearing good news! 🙂

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Answer 6

Dedo Author

Level 2

214 points

Jul 16, 2013 11:47 AM in response to BDAqua

LOL - looking forward to giving it. Thanks again. 🙂

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Answer 7

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Jul 16, 2013 7:25 PM in response to Dedo

Is this wired or wireless?

If wireless, turn off password until you get it to work. Try an ethernet cable connection.

You need to get some other device connected & see if that device works.

I had my iPad and a hotspot so was able to search and enter 2 ATT/SBC DNSs.

Not sure what you are saying here.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Now, she has an unstable connection to the Internet but neither Safari nor Firefox will load any site even when everything says it's connected.

You can download these browsers at your place. Put on a dos/fat32 drive. Do not expand. On the mac double click. In general, drag to applications folder. Or drag to shortcut icon. Might have to double click on the resulting folder or virtual disk drive.

Well, this isn't the communications problem, you'll need to ensure you have the latest browswer. FireFox doesn't work with all sites.

I run TenFourFox on Tiger.

TenFourFox -- It's a port of the latest FireFox to run on older hardware and software.

"World's most advanced web browser. Finely tuned for the Power PC."

-- works for me on 10.4. Supports 10.5

http://www.floodgap.com/software/tenfourfox/

alternative download site:

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/37761/tenfourfox

OmniWeb uses the lastest Safari framework. The open source WebKit. Other browsers like Safari and iCab use the OS version of WebKit. The OmniWeb downloaded dmg includes it's own copy of the latest WebKit.

http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omniweb/

Safari 4.1.3 for Tiger

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1069

iCab - The Taxi for the Internet

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Answer 8

Dedo Author

Level 2

214 points

Jul 17, 2013 7:05 PM in response to rccharles

rccharles - it's an ethernet connection.

had my iPad and a hotspot so was able to search and enter 2 ATT/SBC DNSs.

Not sure what you are saying here.

I had a connection of my own and was able to do searches even though the computer I was working on had no connection.

Everything worked on this machine until a couple of weeks ago. I don't believe it's Safari and Firefox doesn't connect either. 'Tis a puzzlement. I'm sure it's some small thing in the settings.

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Answer 9

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Jul 17, 2013 8:00 PM in response to Dedo

Could be a hardware problem with ethernet port / cable / rouer / isp.

This might help narrow down.

You can use

harddrive > applications > utilities > network utility

to diagnose the situation.

# see whether software is defined correctly

ping 127.0.0.1

# ping you router address. Will have to look for address.

You can ping google.com.

Result:

Ping has started ...

PING google.com (64.233.167.99): 56 data bytes

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=0 ttl=244 time=215.362 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=1 ttl=244 time=279.597 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=2 ttl=244 time=189.747 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=3 ttl=244 time=250.657 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=4 ttl=244 time=183.232 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=5 ttl=244 time=243.753 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=6 ttl=244 time=173.108 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=7 ttl=244 time=230.239 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=8 ttl=244 time=180.639 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=9 ttl=244 time=232.177 ms

--- google.com ping statistics ---

10 packets transmitted, 10 packets received, 0% packet loss

round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 173.108/217.851/279.597/33.615 ms

If that does work, try pinging 64.233.167.99 Result:

Ping has started ...

PING 64.233.167.99 (64.233.167.99): 56 data bytes

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=0 ttl=244 time=189.655 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=1 ttl=244 time=213.471 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=2 ttl=244 time=257.873 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=3 ttl=244 time=172.745 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=4 ttl=244 time=226.723 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=5 ttl=244 time=171.883 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=6 ttl=244 time=260.308 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=7 ttl=244 time=172.963 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=8 ttl=244 time=198.840 ms

64 bytes from 64.233.167.99: icmp_seq=9 ttl=244 time=181.215 ms

--- 64.233.167.99 ping statistics ---

10 packets transmitted, 10 packets received, 0% packet loss

round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 171.883/204.568/260.308/32.247 ms

If pinging 17.254.3.183 works but pinging Google.com doesn't. You have a bad DNS Server address.

I use Google.

Google provides free dns lookup. Their numbers are:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

BDAqua suggests in a post.

You can use OpenDNS for looking up web addresses.

Put these numbers in Network>TCP/IP>DNS Servers for a try...

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

I think they now pretend you need to join to use, but you don't.

https://www.opendns.com/homenetwork/start/device/apple-osx-tiger

(Please note that you do not need to a joint Open DNS to use it.)

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5908432#5908432

Robert

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Answer 10

Dedo Author

Level 2

214 points

Jul 18, 2013 5:30 AM in response to rccharles

Thanks, again, Robert, I'll try these if she'll let me back in the house again. :-)

How do I find her IP address? When I hit Renew DHCP Lease, it comes up 10.0.0.1 or 2 but I want the 9 digit #. She knows nothing about computers so asking won't result in an answer. I've looked through all the files she has hoping someone wrote it down but there's nothing and calling AT&T is never productive.

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Answer 11

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Jul 18, 2013 7:47 AM in response to Dedo

While 10.x.x.x and 192.168.x.x are equally valid for intranet addresses. 192.168.x.x is more commonly used by home routers in my experience.

blue apple > System Preferences... > Network

Sometimes I get this screen. Double click on your connection, in my case built-in Ethernet.

The Router address displays when displaying TCP/IP.

You can also issue the trace router to google.com or any other address. Will display routers addresses for those routers who want to be known.

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Answer 12

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Jul 18, 2013 7:59 AM in response to rccharles

She had no connection to the Network at all but I've didled with the settings including re-installing the router software. Now, she has an unstable connection to the Internet but neither Safari nor Firefox will load any site even when everything says it's connected.

Could try reseting the router to factory defaults. It's usually a small button or insert paper clip on the routers.

I know for a fact that FireFox barely works on on 10.4. FireFox is very down level. FireFox 3.6.23 works with google.com ( the main search page ).

Don't know what version of Safari, but you need to last released version of safari.

you need to get a more currrent version of a web browser.

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Answer 13

Dedo Author

Level 2

214 points

Jul 18, 2013 8:30 AM in response to rccharles

Thanks for hanging in, Robert. I've done her Network address. It shows 10.0.0.1, or 2, or 5, and I've done Renew DHCP Lease and it resets the address, usually one number up. And the Router IP also shows up in the same format.

I have the 9 digit IP address for the Netgear router, and her current AT&T DNS addresses. I need her 9 digit IP address, perhaps resetting all of them to that format would do it.

I don't know how to find her 9 digit IP address. Is there a way to identify her IP address when I can't connect to the Intermet? All Network Diagnostic lights are green, and the modem lights are green through the Internet light. There is very little going on with the activity light but some when it's trying to go out to a site.

Her mail needs to be reset to the new AT&T settings or I'd try that to see if I could connect there to see if it's just Safari. Safari is updated and so are all other available Software updates. I've run Permissions, reset the PRAM (3 times), reinstalled the Router software, rebooted (several times each) the router, the modem, the computer, and I've unplugged connections.

I'll see if I can search the changes AT&T wants made to email settings and see if I can check the validity of the Internet connection lights that way. Needless to say, clicking on the link in her email message from AT&T re: how to make changes, goes nowhere.

But ... right now, what I need most is a way to find her 9 digit IP address w/o connecting to the Internet.

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Answer 14

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Jul 18, 2013 10:14 AM in response to Dedo

Give Att a call when you are out there. You need to find a laptop and see if that works with her setup. Have her contact here neighbors.

Thanks for hanging in, Robert. I've done her Network address. It shows 10.0.0.1, or 2, or 5, and I've done Renew DHCP Lease and it resets the address, usually one number up. And the Router IP also shows up in the same format.

I have the 9 digit IP address for the Netgear router, and her current AT&T DNS addresses. I need her 9 digit IP address, perhaps resetting all of them to that format would do it.

What?

In the first paragraph you said her ip address was 10.0.0.1. The version 4 tcp/ip number is 32bits. The number is in the form of:

0-255.0-255.0-255.0-255

There is the hardware MAC address for each ethernet card. It is 48 bits. You can configure a router to filter on the address. I've never had a need to know what my MAC address is. MAC is in all upper case.

I don't know how to find her 9 digit IP address. Is there a way to identify her IP address when I can't connect to the Intermet? All Network Diagnostic lights are green, and the modem lights are green through the Internet light. There is very little going on with the activity light but some when it's trying to go out to a site.

Why do you think the number is 9 digits? There are no 9 digit number associated with Internet addressing ( at least not on the top of my memory. I'm not an internet heavy. ) Of course, by chance the number could be 9 digits in the actual possible 0-255.0-255.0-255.0-255

Anyway, I gave screen shots of in an above post.

blue apple > System Preferences... > Network screen.

All the numbers are there.

Her mail needs to be reset to the new AT&T settings or I'd try that to see if I could connect there to see if it's just Safari. Safari is updated and so are all other available Software updates. I've run Permissions, reset the PRAM (3 times), reinstalled the Router software, rebooted (several times each) the router, the modem, the computer, and I've unplugged connections.

I'll see if I can search the changes AT&T wants made to email settings and see if I can check the validity of the Internet connection lights that way. Needless to say, clicking on the link in her email message from AT&T re: how to make changes, goes nowhere.

Ping will tell you what is going on. Mess with one thing at a time.

But ... right now, what I need most is a way to find her 9 digit IP address w/o connecting to the Internet.

See above. Do not know of a 9 digit number. & you state her ip address in the first paragragh.

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Answer 15

BDAqua

Level 10

239,111 points

Jul 18, 2013 10:18 AM in response to rccharles

10.0.0.1 would likely be the Router/Gateway IP, not the Computer's IP... generally Apple Routers come set as 10.0.0.1

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