Macintosh OS Troubleshooting Guide

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My connection isn't working! What's wrong?!

First of all, when you have problems with the ResNet, please keep track of everything you try to do to fix it. If you end up having to contact a Computer Assistant (CA) this information will help them diagnose your problem. If you are getting error messages from Internet programs saying that there is no connection, or errors from Netscape or other programs which complain the Domain Name Servers cannot be found, then something is probably wrong with your connection to the ResNet.

Ensure you have followed all the steps in the MacOS Setup guide on the IT Services page.

What should I check next? Which OS do I have?

MacOS 8.5 - 9
MacOS X
For Macs with built-in Ethernet

 

MacOS 8.5-9

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1. Go to Apple Menu: Apple System Profiler
2. Click on the blue triangle next to "Network Overview"
3. Ensure that the Link item indicated UP for Built-In Ethernet

MacOS X

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1. Open a new window (Apple-N)
2. Navigate to your Hard Drive: Applications: Utilities : Apple System Profiler
3. Click on the gray triangle next to Network Overview
4. To the right, by the Flags heading, check that it says "UP"

 

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What should I check next?

For MACS with an Ethernet card
 

Look at your Ethernet card (the back of your computer). You should have a link light that comes on when the cables are all connected correctly and the computer is on. If you do not see a link light then you may have a cable problem or wall port problem.

If there is no link
If you do not see a Link Up indication or a Link light, you may have cable or wall port problems. Try another Ethernet cable that you know to be good. If you Mac then connects to the Internet you have a bad cable. If this doesn't work, try connecting your Mac to another wall port. If it then works, your wall port is not activated or may have a problem. Contact the University Support Center at extension 6990 for more help.
If there is a link, but you still cannot connect
If the Ethernet port is on a separate card, then the appropriate extensions should have come with that card on a disk or CD. If you cannot get those extensions then download from the website of the vendor. Such as Farralon or Asante.

If your connection was working and stopped working, try and think about what changes you may have made with your system around the time the connection stopped working.