the imac and the internet

Hey david_k.

Start with the basics.

1-open System Preferences
2-click on 'Network'
3-select Location:Automatic and Show:Network Status, at the bottom select Assist me... .

This should take you through a Network Assistant to setup your network. It should be easy from there. You just need to know any particulars of your provider.

I hope this helps. Post back and let us know.

So you have the iMac plugged directly into the cable modem via ethernet? Did you unplug the cable modem's power for a couple minutes and then power it up again after plugging the ethernet into the iMac?

lenn

If you're using a hub then i think you have to manually enter an IP address. Like 10.0.1.201. then the next computer 10.0.1.202 and so on. At least that's what i did before i got an Airport Express.

lenn

"i went through that when i first tried to setup"

And that itself should have been unnecessary, if the setup procedure had gone well for you. It was how you answered the setup questions that determined things, and if you plugged the ethernet cable into the iMac and your network was not immediately recognized, then it's clear you must have answered the setup question with some answer other than "network" when it asked how you were to connect to the internet. Most likely you answered with "ethernet" instead, but since you were not setting up a modem, that was where the wrong turn was made.

It is unlikely that anything is wrong with any of your hardware, or with anything having to do with your isp (since you already know that you have a working connection).

I have the exact same problem with one of my work's new iMacs - wireless works well but the ethernet connection has been flaky out of the box. I'll be completely re-doing that machine when I return to work on Tuesday and see what happens.

how odd - I know its never that helpful to say "well mines working" but for me - I don't even know what I did but my NTL internet access was immediately there. I plugged in my ethernet cable, turned everything off (iMac and Modem) and switched modem on first - then botted up the iMac and viola!

I'm a total nOOb too - but was really chuffed that it just seemed to work. Anyway - good luck sorting yours chum.

Could you let us know how that goes? Because I think I have the same problem and I'm thinking of re-installing. I don't understand what the heck is wrong with this thing and why it keeps generating a random IP number. It sticks to the proper one for a while, and then just randomly changes it and the internet stops working.

I will be doing a new install sometime over the next day or two and get back to you...

My home iMac CD never experienced the problem. Neither did the first Intel iMac that I had bought for a department at work. The second one had the problem out-of-the-box but 'cleared up' after applying some system updates (could be a coincidence). The problem has now returned.

I'm hoping that it's nothing more than a software issue - I've already generated interest in these machines with a number of Windows users and would rather not go down the eMac road again! 😟

Hey again david_k.

Try to reboot your modem.

When I had problems Charter tech was very helpful:
1-disconnect cable to modem
2-power down modem and router let sit for a few minutes
3-reconnect cables and power up modem and router
4-go to Network in Sys Prefs, Location:Automatic Show:Built-in Ethernet, click 'Renew DHCP Lease'

I hope this works for you.

"plugged it in and boom internet access. I ran software update on everything and brought it home and guess what? No access."

david_k,
Sounds like a problem with your line.

Last year I assumed that when my isp charged me a connection fee to hook up to dsl, that it would be a good connection. Worked fine for a week, then started getting iffy. I thought it was the modem, so I called and asked them for an RMA to return the modem they'd sold me. They gave me an 800# to call, I explained again to that person, they put me on hold, then came back and said they'd been able to do a line check.

There was something wrong, but they'd have to do a more in depth check over the next couple days to determine if it was my wire or their wire at fault. They called back two days later - it was their wire. It was fixed within 24 hours and I've never had another problem since. Good luck.