User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

The common Safari network problem - help!

Hello

I've been involved in a couple of other posts on this topic, but thought it would be easier to pull out my problem into a topic of its own, as it's still unresolved.

The problem is a familiar one I think.

It would be great to have some help and advice as it's driving me nuts!

Here's the symtoms:

Safari takes an age to load pages and often gets stuck trying.

Tellingly, my airtunes stops and starts when I'm playing music over the network to my stereo.

I've got a MacBook running 10.4.8 with AirTunes.

So far, I've tried the following:

- Made sure software is up to date
- Emptied cache
- Ran Firefox which is just as slow
- Repaired permissions using Disk Utility
- Changeed my primary cabel protocol (airport) to be first on the list and deslected others
- Removed any superflous wi-fi locations I don't use
- In the TCP panel>DNS servers, entered 4.2.2.2

Can anyone think of anything else to try?

I read something about 10.4.8 having a few network issues, so someone suggested redoing the update, but I'm not sure I understood what they meant about doing things with permissions before and afterwards?

Can anybody help?!

Many thanks in advance peeps.......

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 3, 2006 4:06 AM

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18 replies
User profile for user: Hawaiian_Starman
Hawaiian_Starman
User level: Level 7
21,415 points

Nov 3, 2006 7:32 AM in response to Community User

You sure have covered a lot of bases. Who is your cable provider? Some providers offer additional DNS server options, which might help.

Another possible step would be to unplug the cable box, wait 3 minutes, and plug it back in to reset the IP info. in your Network panel. Also, make sure you are using the latest version of Airport (you can check this via Software Update in System Preferences).

Reapplying the 10.4.8 combo update in a sense may clean-up any file inconsistencies, especially if you updated initially via Software Update. In the event you do this, I suggest letting the update run with no other computer activity. Once complete, repair permissions - always important after any Apple related OS X incremental, Security or Application upgrade.

Give these suggestions a try and see if it makes a difference.

Post back.
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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 3, 2006 7:44 AM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Hey there HS,

Thanks for posting.

My ISP is Virgin but the problems I've been having listening to iTunes over the network (with it stopping and starting for quater-second intervals every now and again) makes me think it must be network related.

I'll reapply the combo update this weekend as you describe and see what happens.....

Cheers
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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 8, 2006 12:04 AM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Hiya

Well, I've reinstalled the combo update, repaired permissions and restarted - and no joy at all 😟

I tried the DNS numbers too but they made no difference.

I was round a friend's last night, who is on the same broadband package as me, on an old imac, and it shocked me how fast her internet was. Pages load up virtually instantally. I'm glad I saw it really as I remembeed just what a problem I've got. Pages take at least 5 seconds to load, getting stuck about a third of the way through.

I've tried everything anyone's suggested so far......does anybody have any other ideas? I read something about 'deslecting the proxy' which worked for him, although I don't know what this is (maybe I've already done it?)

Thanks!
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User profile for user: Hawaiian_Starman
Hawaiian_Starman
User level: Level 7
21,415 points

Nov 8, 2006 12:12 AM in response to Community User

Proxies would be found in your Network Panel>Airport>Proxies. See if any are listed. If there are, deselect them, select "apply" and restart Safari. See if that makes a difference.

If no, there is always the possibility you have a defective cable box Something you would have to talk to your ISP about.

Also, you could "reset" your Airport Unit via the AirPort Admin Utility.app in your Utilities folder. And of course, the Airport Unit could be problematic.

Post back and let me know what you discover.
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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 8, 2006 12:44 AM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Hi Starman,

Thanks for this.

Had a check for proxies, but none of them are selected.

About the modem (it's a Netgear router) - I don't think it can be a problem with this, as I'm still suffering from the same problems now, bumming off someone else's wireless connection in a cafe.

The same can be said for the airport unit itself, as I'm having the same trouble here in the cafe as at home - therefore two different units.

Is there anything I can do in the Airport Admin Utlility for the actual Airport bits and bobs on the MacBook itself?

PS Hawaii sounds pretty nice.....it's overcast and miserable in England....the only time I get to see any sun is watching Lost!
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User profile for user: Hawaiian_Starman
Hawaiian_Starman
User level: Level 7
21,415 points

Nov 8, 2006 2:23 AM in response to Community User

There is also the possibility that the airport card in the unit is not operating correctly. Why don't you run the Apple Hardware Test to make sure the computer's hardware components are operating properly.

To run the test, start-up from your Tiger Installer DVD, holding down the option key. Eventually, the Apple Hardware Test icon will appear. Select it.

When fully loaded, run the Quick Test - takes about 10 - 15 minutes.

You can also plug the ethernet cable directly into the computer to by pass the airport card. To do so, in your Networks panel (System preferences), deselect "airport" in the network configuration drop down menu, and instead select "ethernet". Check the Ethernet TCP panel to make sure you have an IP number.

post back and let me know what you discover.

ps I'm in Tokyo at the moment - sunny today, but certainly not the warmth of Hawaii.
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User profile for user: mfkne
mfkne
User level: Level 1
15 points

Nov 9, 2006 1:27 PM in response to Community User

Excuse me if I "misuse" this topic, but I'm having the exact same problem on both my 1st gen Mac Mini and my Macbook (both running 10.4.8), both connected via Ethernet to my Netgear DG834GB router on a 16 Meg ADSL connection.

I did restart the router by unplugging the power plug but to no avail. Interesting thing, however: If I take the Macbook to university (with a 100 Meg connection) and hook it to an Ethernet jack there, everything's blazing fast.

While typing this, I realized that I use DHCP at home and a fixed IP address at uni - I'll change my settings at home to see if that should address the problem and let you know!

-Christian
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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 9, 2006 3:07 PM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Okay, well, not too much in the way of success I'm afraid.

Firstly, I can;t find the apple hardware test via the Tiger disc - the closest I can see is disc utility, but cant find any hardware test options there. Is it def on the Tiger install dvd?

Secondly, try as I might, but i can't hook this think up via the ethernet - a fault which is 100% down to my own ignorance. I did everything I thought needed doing, but I remember it was a bit of a guessing game when I first got the modem (before wireless) and was unable to replicate what I did then. A few problems - firstly, it said the ethernet wasnt plugged in, when it clearly was (and on - and reset) the couldnt connect PPOE. Am sure it's just something I'm doing wrong, or forgetting to do, but not sure what. Also didn't have an IP number in the box?

Hello to Christian too - thanks for the info. How do you switch from DHCP to a fixed IP address?
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User profile for user: justinbenson
justinbenson
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 9, 2006 7:22 PM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Sorry to butt in here but I am having the exact same issue.

My MacBook Pro is just over 4 weeks old. It worked fine for the first two and then became slow as molasses.

I just plugged it directly into the Ethernet so it's back to going super fast. It's definitely something in the wireless configuration or the card went bad.

I have PC's that are using the same network and they're not going slow so I know it's the particular machine not anything in the network.
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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Nov 12, 2006 8:17 AM in response to Hawaiian_Starman

Just reporting back on the weekend's testing.

I ran the Hardware test, but it detected no problems.

I also changed my network settings to Manual with fixed IP - but it hasn't made any difference at all.

So I can rule out my netgear router/modem, airport airtunes, safari and my isp (I have exactly the same problems on other wireless networks and also using firefox) and now I suppose my mac's hardware.

Does that just leave
1. the configuration of my network and
2. OSX 10.4.8
then?

Maybe I should just wait for Leopard?!

Do you think it would still be worth trying it out using an Ethernet connection rather than wireless?

If so, would you be able to give me a step-by-step guide, as I find the Network prefs very confusing.

Thank you so much for all your help so far, I'm very grateful - I think this is my longest running Mac problem to date....

I've included some info here from the system profiler:

AirPort Card Information:

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Wireless Card Locale: Worldwide
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 0.1.27
Current Wireless Network: Ben Wireless
Wireless Channel: 1

AirPort:

Type: AirPort
Hardware: AirPort
BSD Device Name: en1
IPv4 Addresses: 10.0.1.2
IPv4:
Addresses: 10.0.1.2
Configuration Method: DHCP
Interface Name: en1
Router: 10.0.1.1
Subnet Masks: 255.255.255.0
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Default Zone: *
Interface Name: en1
Network ID: 65482
Node ID: 151
DNS:
Server Addresses: 10.0.1.1
DHCP Server Responses:
Domain Name Servers: 10.0.1.1
Lease Duration (seconds): 0
DHCP Message Type: 0x05
Option Overload: 0x03
Routers: 10.0.1.1
Server Identifier: 10.0.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: Manual
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: Yes
Auto Discovery Enabled: No
Ethernet:
MAC Address: 00:16:cb:ba:09:8f
Media Options:
Media Subtype: autoselect

Automatic:

Active Location: Yes
Services:
AirPort:
Type: IEEE80211
BSD Device Name: en1
Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:16:cb:ba:09:8f
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
IEEE80211:
AllowNetCreation: 1
JoinMode: Ranked
MAC Address: 00:16:cb:ba:09:8f
Built-in Ethernet:
Type: Ethernet
BSD Device Name: en0
Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:16:cb:8f:88:b1
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Gopher Proxy Enabled: 0
HTTP Proxy Enabled: 0
HTTPS Proxy Enabled: 0
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
RTSP Proxy Enabled: 0
SOCKS Proxy Enabled: 0
Bluetooth:
Type: PPP
IPv4:
Configuration Method: PPP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
PPP:
ACSP Enabled: 0
Display Terminal Window: 0
Redial Count: 1
Redial Enabled: 1
Redial Interval: 5
Use Terminal Script: 0
Dial On Demand: 0
Disconnect On Fast User Switch: 1
Disconnect On Idle: 1
Disconnect On Idle Timer: 600
Disconnect On Logout: 1
Disconnect On Sleep: 1
Idle Reminder: 0
Idle Reminder Time: 1800
IPCP Compression VJ: 1
LCP Echo Enabled: 0
LCP Echo Failure: 4
LCP Echo Interval: 10
Log File: /var/log/ppp.log
Verbose Logging: 0
Built-in FireWire:
Type: FireWire
BSD Device Name: fw0
Hardware (MAC) Address: 00:16:cb:ff:fe:d7:bd:94
IPv4:
Configuration Method: DHCP
IPv6:
Configuration Method: Automatic
AppleTalk:
Configuration Method: Node
Proxies:
Proxy Configuration Method: 2
ExcludeSimpleHostnames: 0
FTP Passive Mode: 1
Auto Discovery Enabled: 0
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The common Safari network problem - help!

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