User profile for user: Caroline Archambault
Caroline Archambault Author
User level: Level 1
30 points

Can't load certain websites - help

Since I configured my Airport Extreme Base Station with WPA2 Personal security, there are certain websites that will no longer load.

These include mac.com (ironically enough), yahoo.com and gmail.com, as well as other non-email type websites.

If I remove the security settings or change them to WEP or WPA, it is still the same problem.

I've made sure that the Firewall in Sharing Preferences is off for both computers on this network (iBook and iMac).

Can anyone help solve this (very annoying) mystery? Thanks!

ibook g4, Mac OS X (10.4.7), imac g3 (10.3.9)

Posted on Sep 25, 2006 6:54 AM

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19 replies
User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
158,286 points

Sep 26, 2006 11:04 PM in response to Caroline Archambault

A few things you can try:

- Can you ping the websites that you are not able to reach? For example, using Terminal, issue a "ping www.mac.com" command and does it return with an IP address? If not, your having a DNS problem. It either not set or it's the wrong one for your ISP.

- Are you using proxies to access the Internet?
System Preferences > Network > Show > AirPort or Built-In Ethernet > Proxies tab
All proxies should be unchecked, unless your ISP requires that you use them.

- Disable IPv6
System Preferences > Network > Show > AirPort or Built-In Ethernet > TCP/IP tab > Configure IPv6
Set to "Off"
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User profile for user: Caroline Archambault
Caroline Archambault Author
User level: Level 1
30 points

Sep 28, 2006 4:56 AM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for the suggestions. Here are the results:

I was able to ping www.mac.com and some of the other "unreachable" websites.

All my proxies were unchecked - on both the iBook and the iMac.

I've disabled IPv6 on both computers - but doesn't IPv6 make it easier for Airport to function?

In the end, it is still the same situation. There must be a simple explanation to this - at least I hope so! Any help is appreciated.
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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
158,286 points

Sep 28, 2006 9:13 AM in response to Caroline Archambault

I've disabled IPv6 on both computers - but doesn't IPv6 make it easier for Airport to function?

Some folks have reported problems with connecting to certain sites when IPv6 is enabled. Since disabling it didn't resolve the problem you're having, you should go ahead and re-enable it.

In the end, it is still the same situation. There must be a simple explanation to this - at least I hope so! Any help is appreciated.

It's possible that the AEBS may need to be reset back to it's "out-of-the-box" condition, since you are still not having any luck connecting with any level of encryption. To perform a "hard" reset: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107451

It also could be a communication problem between the modem and the AEBS, you may want to consider doing a power recycle to try to resolve this.
Modem/Router Power ReCycling
- Power-off the Cable modem, AEBS, & iMac. (If possible, leave the modem off overnight.)
- Power-on the Cable modem; Wait at least 30 minutes.
- Power-on the AEBS; Wait at least 5 minutes.
- Power-on the computer(s)
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User profile for user: Caroline Archambault
Caroline Archambault Author
User level: Level 1
30 points

Oct 3, 2006 6:16 AM in response to MichelJ

It is definitely a problem with the AEBS, as I get the same results (or lack of) with Firefox and Camino as on Safari. This is true for the iMac, the iBook and my housemate's HP laptop running Windows XP.

Could it be a protocol issue as a friend mentioned? This is a refurbished AEBS bought from Apple Canada about 2 weeks ago. Should I be calling them for support or trying to get another AEBS?

Thanks for all the help!!
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User profile for user: MichelJ
MichelJ
User level: Level 1
130 points

Oct 3, 2006 8:14 AM in response to Caroline Archambault

Hi Caroline,

If I were in your shoes, I would try to eliminate as many variables as possible and I would do the following:

- either with the iBook or the XP, connect directly to the modem (I guess you have cable or DSL) and see wether you can download those sites. If yes, the problem lies somewhere with the Airport. If no, there is something wrong with the computer's configuration.
- repeat same operation with the other laptop (i.e. if you tested first with iBook, repeat with XP)
- if both steps above OK, make sure security settings are set to none and connect to the Airport Ethernet port (this would eliminate the wireless protocol) any computer and try to download (one computer at a time).
- if step above OK, try with security settings still set to none, but this time on the wireless network and see wether you can download

Certainly tedious, but this is the only way to isolate the issue to a given network component.

Good luck and let me know.
Michel
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User profile for user: davestew
davestew
User level: Level 1
14 points

Oct 4, 2006 12:00 PM in response to Caroline Archambault

I'm not sure if this is relevant to you in Canada as I've had this problem in the UK. - not being able to access some websites but fine with others. I couldn't get onto Software Update either.

After a lot of research I found that my ADSL supplier had changed something that meant I needed to change the MTU settings for my internet connection.

I needed to change my MTU to 1482 instead of the default higher setting. This solved the problem completely.

On OS X 10.3 or upwards you can do this in the network pref pane, for each mac. Unless you have a router that lets you change it there in which case you only need to make that one change at the router of course.

The ABS does not have any MTU switch within it's settings as far as I know.

good luck!
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User profile for user: MichelJ
MichelJ
User level: Level 1
130 points

Oct 4, 2006 1:58 PM in response to Caroline Archambault

Salut Caroline,
I would second davestew's suggestion. As both OS (XP and Mac) experience the same issue, it could be your ISP changed something and the MTU value has to be adapted accordingly (1492 seems to be the magic number).

However, it is a bit of a pain as it has to be done at the computer level (not the base station) and there is no way to easily make the change permanent.

Some info:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303192

Bonne chance
Michel
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User profile for user: Caroline Archambault
Caroline Archambault Author
User level: Level 1
30 points

Oct 5, 2006 8:09 AM in response to MichelJ

Merci davestew and Michel - Success, I'm happy to report!

I changed the MTU setting on the iMac (which connects through Built-In Ethernet to my DSL modem) to the magic 1492 - and all the websites now load like a charm.

At first, when I tried to change the MTU settings in Terminal for the iBook (Airport Network connection), I had no luck with either 1492 or 1482... I even replied as such... But then - a miracle! I can access the websites after all.

Both the iMac and the iBook are currently set at 1492 for the MTU.

But I guess the trick is now that this has to be done on the iBook every time I restart the computer... That is not very pleasant, but I'll live with it until a better solution comes up.

I can't thank you enough as this situation has been driving me crazy for the past three weeks!! And to think that it was as simple as changing a little number...

Forever grateful in Canada - un gros merci! caroline

ps. Michel - I tried to select your message as well as solved for the points, but it would not allow me to do so - mes excuses!
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Can't load certain websites - help

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