iMac G5 Internet Problems

#1 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 - 05:06 68kMLA

Well, my iMac G5 has had internet problems, but it didn't happen as often as it does now. In the past when I first bought my iMac, the internet would only fail once every 20 or so times, but restarting the computer would fix the problem. Now, even when I restart the computer and Safari, I still get problems, only more then before. Symptoms: Slow loading times, "Failed to Open Page" or "Can't find Server" errors as well as "You are not connected to the Internet" errors. What is causing this? Airport Card? Router? Virus? All of the websites that I try to go to are really down?

This is my main computer, so if you know or find out what is wrong, please tell me ASAP.

Thanks

#2 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 - 05:11 68kMLA

I assume this is WiFi?

What do you get when you try to ping your base station? Does it get better if you put in a different wireless router or if you do something like a FireWire ad-hoc to another computer?

#3 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 - 13:59 68kMLA

Yes, it is Wifi.

I don't have Ping and I only have one router, but all of the other computers in the house seem to work fine.

Perhaps the network is too busy?

#4 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 - 16:42 68kMLA

What OS? In 10.4, and probably earlier, you have Ping. Go to Applications/Utilities/Network and there it is.

#5 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 - 17:45 68kMLA

It is running 10.5.

#6 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 - 18:24 68kMLA

Well, 10.5 is the same as 10.4. Go to Applications/Utilities/Network Utility and click on Ping in the screen that comes up, enter your ISP's URL (http://www.comcast.com, for example), select the number of pings to send, 5 is a good number, and start the ping. It will tell you the ping times (anything under about 30 msec should be ok) and if there were any lost packets.

Another thing to try: if you can connect the G5 directly to your internet connection, bypassing the router, try that and see what happens.

If all else fails, try repairing permissions. That sometimes fixes otherwise inexplicable problems.

#7 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 - 18:26 68kMLA

Bah! The system added the http:// to my example...you don't need that, just the www part.

#8 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 - 01:09 68kMLA

Update: I disassembled the iMac, Removed the Airport Card from the Slot, Put it back in and now the Internet is working like new again.

Why is this?

PS: I did this in the past which is why I did it again, so it seems to be a recurring problem. What is causing this?

#9 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 - 19:42 68kMLA

Something could be causing the Airport Card to become loose over time. :-/ I know I get that problem frequently with USB slots, but it's kinda odd to have that problem on an internal component....

Maybe the slot itself is a little worn out?