Software update says not connected to the internet...but I am!!

Question

Software update says not connected to the internet...but I am!!

Can anyone help me please? whenever I try to use Software Update (from either the apple menu or System Prefs-network) I get a prompt saying I am not connected to the internet, but I am as I can launch Safari.
The prompt also asks if I want to run a diagnostic on the network, if I accept and follow the instructions I get a window saying there is nothing wrong with my connection.
Why can this be? Can anyone throw some light on this for me?
Many thanks, Robert

Powermac G4 AGP Mac OS X (10.4.8) wireless network

Posted on Mar 5, 2007 10:32 AM

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Answer 1

gaith

Level 1

15 points

Mar 5, 2007 12:02 PM in response to Robert Gillam

are you on a company network, or home network?
i had this issue for a long time at work. there was a setting on our server that controlled the software update feature only. they had it activated so that they can control who updates to what OS version! otherwise our internet was fine.
so i guess that i am saying that there is a way to control where your software update looks for updates! by default it would be apples website, but there is a way to change that if you are going through a server.

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Answer 2

Mar 5, 2007 12:30 PM in response to gaith

thanks for your input, I have a home wireless network (802.11b) I connect to the internet using a BThomehub (which I think is made by Thompson) My internet connect tion is fine for all other apps.
Any more clues to my dilemma?

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Answer 3

W.J. Llope

Level 4

3,270 points

Mar 5, 2007 12:36 PM in response to Robert Gillam

hi robert

in System Preferences > Network (then pick your connection type then the Proxies tab) - is there a checkmark next to "Web Proxy (HTTP)"?

if so, uncheck it and try Software Update again...

cheers

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Answer 4

Mar 5, 2007 1:09 PM in response to W.J. Llope

Thanks WJ I just tried that...no boxes checked under proxies tab.
To confuse matters even more I just fired up another mac I have upstairs and it did an update search, found relative updates and is now happily downloading, the mac downstairs however is still blissfully adamant that I am not connected to the internet???????? arrrrrrrgggggg!!!!!!! HELP

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Answer 5

W.J. Llope

Level 4

3,270 points

Mar 5, 2007 1:09 PM in response to Robert Gillam

hi again

hmmm.
you could try creating a new user account (System Preferences > Accounts > "+"), then log into that account and see if software update works from there....

cheers

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Answer 6

Mar 5, 2007 1:23 PM in response to W.J. Llope

Very cool....I did as you said and bingo...loads of updates, this is where I appear really dim... (A) if I install them using the new account and then I trash the new account will I lose the installed downloads?
(B) how do I rectify my account to see the internet?
Many thanks for your help and I am sorry to be so reliant. Robert

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Answer 7

W.J. Llope

Level 4

3,270 points

Mar 5, 2007 1:30 PM in response to Robert Gillam

hi again robert,

the updates should stick across accounts.... there is something wrong with your default account though. perhaps a bad preferences file (com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist perhaps)? try comparing the network & firewall settings used in the two accounts - any differences?
cheers

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Answer 8

Jpfresno

Level 4

3,020 points

Mar 5, 2007 1:38 PM in response to Robert Gillam

Very cool....I did as you said and bingo...loads of
updates, this is where I appear really dim... (A) if
I install them using the new account and then I trash
the new account will I lose the installed downloads?
(B) how do I rectify my account to see the internet?
Many thanks for your help and I am sorry to be so
reliant. Robert

Hi Robert, Welcome to Apple's Users Help Users Forums.

You should be OK if you don't install into the User Account Home. Put them, as appropriate, into System Applications or Shared.

Joyous Computing, JP

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Answer 9

Mar 5, 2007 1:40 PM in response to W.J. Llope

I cant see any obvoious differences, I am going to try to download the updates and install them then reboot to see if the updates cure the problem for me.....I will be back..

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Answer 10

Mar 5, 2007 2:10 PM in response to Jpfresno

Thanks JP, I am affraid I didnt understand a word of your your advice, I wonder if I might ask if you could dumb it down a little for me? apologies for my ignorance.

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Answer 11

Jpfresno

Level 4

3,020 points

Mar 5, 2007 2:26 PM in response to Robert Gillam

Sorry to be so opaque.

You did say they were updates. They should, on their own go into the proper places.

Save my advice for future reference when you do a down load and are given a choice on where to put it.

Applications normally go into HD / Applications

A game can probably be installed wherever you want.

I hope that helps a bit.

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Answer 12

Mar 5, 2007 5:56 PM in response to Jpfresno

Hi, thanks for your reply, WP mentioned that I might have a bad preference file called: com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist , I have found two of these using spotlight, should I trash them?

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Answer 13

Jpfresno

Level 4

3,020 points

Mar 5, 2007 6:04 PM in response to Robert Gillam

Hi Robert,

Drag it to your desktop and a new one will be generated. A new one will be generated. If that one works then you can trash the old one. You will need to reset your preferences.

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Answer 14

Mar 5, 2007 6:30 PM in response to Jpfresno

Absolutely marvellous!! I dragged and dropped to desktop both com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist icons but was told that I didnt have a suitable application to open them, so, in frustration I trashed them both and before emptying the trash clicked Update software from the apple menu and....it connected. do you think it is now safe to empty the trash?
Kindest regards and respect for your intelligent input, it is highly appreciated.
many thanks, Robert

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Answer 15

Jpfresno

Level 4

3,020 points

Mar 5, 2007 7:05 PM in response to Robert Gillam

Hi Robert,

That's good news. Probably OK to trash but wait a while won't hurt either.

Glad you got it solved. When you are sure.

Thanks in Apple Forums is through the Stars system. See the blue box at the top of the thread as well as the Apple emails re new posts to the thread.

With the buttons just to the left of "Reply" for the OP = Original Poster.
1 Green Solved available. 10 pts
2 Gold Helpful available. 5 pts.

Mark the buttons at the appropriate post.

Joyous Computing, JP

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