iMac does not connect to wireless network automatically when it starts

jstra good luck.

It is best if you get all the information to hand before you start the process. Hope this helps.

IP Address: Make sure this is a different IP address than your router will issue under DHCP. Normally the router will hold the first 100 numbers so go higher than this. For example I used 192.168.2.101

Subnet mask: Check with router instructions for details but normally something like 255.255.255.0

Router: Check with router instructions for details. For example mine is 192.168.2.1

DNS Servers: Get details from ISP.

Enter all these under the TCP/IP tab with Configure IPv4 set to 'manually' then click 'apply now'

As you also have another computer that connects OK to the router you can copy down the Subnet Mask and router deatils from that and use them.

Any problems let me know.



ibook G4 14 , imac G5 17 Rev B, imac 17 Core2Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Is the DNS setting dictated by the service provider?

OK. I found the DNS settings for AT&T/Yahoo broadband and used your settings for IP address and router but no go. Might be the wrong settings. I sent Apple an e-mail about the problem and with the speed problems other people are having (not me, 5.8 Mbs on speed test) hopefully they'll get a fix out here soon. I just need to turn off then on Airport every time I restart.

I have checked the log of the dhcp server in our network and when the IMac conntects to the wlan and gets this self-assigned IP address there is no dhcp request in the server log.

iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 24inch Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi, this is really starting to drive me crazy. Still can't get my machine to automatically connect to internet. I have to connect manually through the airport icon on top. I'm using a wifi system from my internet provider. Anyway, all this happened after installin gthe firmware update. It worked fine before. Have since spent over 3 hours on line with apple support both in the US and france where I live. Cost me a fortune... They are stumped. We tried everything. One idea that comes close is when we dumped the file
System Configuration: MacHD/Library/Preferences/System Configurations onto the desktop. The next time the mac boots(prior I connected to the airport manually) it WILL recognize my connection. Cool I thought, until I tried a second restart. Same problem. I'm now sending my logs to apple who said they will work on this. They found this really strange as well. Has anyone found a fix and also tried working with the System Configuration file?
Thanks for your input.

M

I've tried both of these fixes and they don't work.I
have to turn off Airport and then turn it back on and
then it will find my network and connect. Even when
it doesn't work my network in the list is checked as
if it is working.

Very same problem here in Germany. I just bought a brandnew iMac and I was hoping to have something really up to date that I wouldn't have to worry about.
Just talked to the apple hotline for an hour and all the fixes they offered don't work. Last thing they said was that the router must be having some problems and since this is not an apple brand there is nothing they can do for me.
This REALLY ***** APPLE!!!!

Hi, just been having the same problem with my iMac 24". Like yourself my Powerbook G4 has no problem getting full wireless signal nearly everywhere in my house but my imac, just 15ft from the wireless base station never gets more than 3 bars strength.
If you go into System Prefs and open Network, click on Airport, then click on the configure button. This should show a panel with Airport, TCP/IP etc. Click the lock to make changes, bottom left and type in your admin password. You will then see a list of the networks available. I have deleted the belkin 54g setting that my imac found first and left my personal wireless setting as the only option. When the computer restarts it will only find your personal settings in the prefered networks menu. This now enables me to access wireless connection from start up and I no longer have to enter my network and password.

I have had the same problem as you. Both of my intel Mac mini's would not automatically connect to wireless 100% of the time. And would sometimes refuse to connect at all. My 20" intel Imac had the problem a few times, but I have done the same as Ian Bunch and it works fine.

Same problem here with Core Duo 20" iMac. The support article refers to WPA2 connections but mine is WPA Personal and I have tried the method given several times to no avail. Apple, please acknowledge the problem and tell us you're working on a fix - that's all we ask! 🙂

Oddly enough, my Core Duo MacBook is still ok, and that's on 10.4.8

Yes, this is one of the two fixes listed by Apple Support but did not solve my issue. I thought last night's security update might have fixed it as it was automatically connected after restart following the update. But to check I restarted again and no luck, had to again turn off Airport and turn it back on to connect.

I have installed the security update to my iMac C2D last night, lo and behold now it connects to internet at startup without any problem!

PS: I have no speed problems, maybe because I use Airport Express.

I have been having the same problems as others. I cannot even connect manualy at the top, when i do, it says Error joining network. I have to change the network settings from Preferred Networks to Automatic, then next time i start up, from Automatic to Preferred Network, then again the next time i start up back to automatic and so on and so forth.

Isnt there anything that will fix the problem?!

I'm having the same problem as descirbed in this topic: no ip-address from DHCP server. Turning Airport off and then back on seemed the only solution... till yesterday. This trick seems to be a workaround:
- Open Network in System Preferences
- Select Airport in the Show combo-box
- Click the Options button
- Activate 'Disconnect from wireless networks when I log out'
- Clik OK on all the open windows

Now every time I start my iMac it works like a charm. Hope this solves your problems as well 🙂

You'r not alone...
Having the same problem with the software update - Since then it went down hill with the automatic connection with the Internet. I have had an Apple-vizard in my house (he is writing Apple programs) helping me trying everything possibel. No solution. He believes that updating (or downdating) to the previous 10.4.7 software for the internet part is the right thing to do.

What does Apple think? (or do?).
Bo

"What does Apple think? (or do?)."

I only spoke with one "Genius" at a single Apple Store, so perhaps others have different opinions. But, he said that based on everything I'd tried there was no hardware that could be replaced at this time that would make any difference. He suggested that I'd just have to wait for Apple to introduce something in the way of a software or firmware update, or stay at 10.4.7 and not add the final 10.4.8 update at this time, or put up with how it behaves in 10.4.8.

What's difficult to deal with is the fact that I had the Core Duo working perfectly ever since it arrived 30 days after the Jan. introduction. After the intro of the Core 2 Duo, I could see in new threads here that some of those owners were having connection problems, so I was happy I had the Core Duo. Then, when the 10.4.8 Update posted and the Read-Me noted improvement for AirPort, I thought that was good that the Core 2 Duo issues were being addressed so fast. Little did I know ...