11-11-2009, 09:55 AM

I really hope someone can help me I am running a AEBS wireless network at home, I have a MacBook which is connected and is able to use the internet, when I check my Airport Utility it shows my iMac G4 as being connected and on the iMac it is connected, but the status shows it is not receiving and IP address.
I have gone through numerous troubleshooting steps, resetting the cable modem, resetting the AEBS, no security, I am currently running only Mac Address Filtering as security, since the iMac fluctuates on what type it wants to accept (LOL)....

If anyone can please help me with this, this is my little one's computer for games and he is getting impatient...thank you very much

11-11-2009, 11:21 AM

Just a quick update...I performed another troubleshooting, did a factory reset of my AEBS set it up on the iMac and it assigns IP address's via the Airport Utility, but still will not let me connect to the Internet...

Very, Very puzzling....

11-11-2009, 12:49 PM

open up network utility and see if you can ping the ip address 208.67.222.222.

Did you try plugging the iMac directly into the AEBS? Are you getting a 192.168.x.x address or 169.254.x.x one?

11-11-2009, 03:28 PM

I tried pinging the IP you gave me with no luck....I have not tried direct connection of the iMac but it would defeat the purpose of my setup, my network was working fine until I moved it into another room which is closer to the AEBS, I know it is not signal strength, because the iMac picks up our neighbors wireless 2 houses away.

This is so frustrating, it is as if something is just blocking my iMac from accessing the internet?

11-11-2009, 03:36 PM

So further info:

Internet in AEBS is set: DHCP
IP: 75.182.127.157
Share a Public IP Address

Also No Security right now...

Don't know if any of this has anything to do with the problem?

11-11-2009, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by mojo69

I tried pinging the IP you gave me with no luck....I have not tried direct connection of the iMac but it would defeat the purpose of my setup, my network was working fine until I moved it into another room which is closer to the AEBS, I know it is not signal strength, because the iMac picks up our neighbors wireless 2 houses away.

This is so frustrating, it is as if something is just blocking my iMac from accessing the internet?

The suggestion for wired is to rule out any problem on your ISP's side. That point is moot since this only happened after you moved the iMac to another location, that info changes things.

First: disable MAC filtering for now. Isn't very secure anyhow.

Second: has the Airport Assistant been run on the iMac? What does it tell you?

Third: What is the IP address that the AEBS hands out to your iMac? What is the IP address of your Macbook?

If the 75.182.127.157 is what is on the Macbook, then DHCP is not working.

Post your answers and we can troubleshoot from there.

11-11-2009, 08:50 PM

Ok so Mac Filtering is disabled.

Yes I used the Airport Assistant, it did not do anything that I saw.

The IP address 72.182.127.157 is the same on the iMac and MacBook

I am confused...lol

11-12-2009, 12:55 AM

If DHCP is working properly and the AEBS is using NAT, every computer should be getting an IP address of 192.168.x.x

The IP address 72.182.127.157 is your public IP, so the AEBS should be set to that.

Not having an AEBS try this first:

1) Unplug the power cords from everything.
2) Boot your cable modem back up and wait until the ready lights are on.
3) Connect and power on your AEBS.
4) Start up the iMac, then the macbook.

If your IP address on the Macbook and iMac are the same, make sure they're still set for DHCP, and if so, enable NAT on the AEBS and make sure the MAC address of the AEBS is one used to register with your ISP.
(Meaning if you used your Macbook to set it up originally with the cable co., use that MAC address on your AEBS, so to the company, AEBS = Macbook.)

Let us know how you do.

Found this link - will help explain AEBS setup and the concepts

11-12-2009, 11:33 AM

Well how did I do...hmmm...still a headache.
The Mac Address on the AEBS and the MacBook are not the same even it is the I originally registered and setup the network with.
NAT is enabled...did one more thing checked Network in System Preferences on iMac there is nothing there is no IP, DNS, nothing...not like the MacBook
Also when I startup the iMac it gives me a time and date warning that I have not been getting before.

Also somehow the Firefox icon keeps removing itself from the dock mysteriously, I put Safari there also this time also just to test it...lol

This is getting frustrating and old....but I know the iMac is old and it comes with it...

I do want to thank you for the help so far and hopefully we can figure this out...

11-12-2009, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by mojo69

Well how did I do...hmmm...still a headache.
The Mac Address on the AEBS and the MacBook are not the same even it is the I originally registered and setup the network with.
NAT is enabled...did one more thing checked Network in System Preferences on iMac there is nothing there is no IP, DNS, nothing...not like the MacBook
Also when I startup the iMac it gives me a time and date warning that I have not been getting before.

Also somehow the Firefox icon keeps removing itself from the dock mysteriously, I put Safari there also this time also just to test it...lol

This is getting frustrating and old....but I know the iMac is old and it comes with it...

I do want to thank you for the help so far and hopefully we can figure this out...

Let's create a new admin acct for you - it sounds like you're having more problems with the iMac than before.

Back up your Home folder (you should have backups anyway).
Create a new account in System Prefs --> Accounts, make it admin.
Log off, and sign in as the new account.
Copy your stuff over to the new account.
When everything's accounted for, delete the old admin account.

Let me know if that fixes it.

Also call your cable company and make sure they have the correct MAC address for you. If the AEBS won't clone your computer's, then give them the hardcoded one for the AEBS to use. It should be on the bottom.

FYI:the time/date thing is your internal battery dying inside the iMac. Don't worry - they go out after a couple years and a few dollars to replace.
A check though - zap the PRAM by holding ⌘ + option + 'P' + 'R' on startup until after you hear the second chime. If that doesn't fix, then its the battery.

11-12-2009, 02:55 PM

tried everything...even called RoadRunner and got a bunch of runaround saying I need to call Apple, they say they checked the AEBS MAC Address....all they would tell me is that the Cable Modem was working properly and to call Apple.

Made a new admin account....deleted the old one

Even deleted the Wireless connection...something funning happens when I use the "Network Setup Assistant" to create a connection, It tells me first in Network (System Pref) "Your network settings have been changed by another application."
Then when I go back to "Network Setup Assistant" it says..."Unable to establish a network connection."

Boy is this getting fun or what....

11-13-2009, 12:42 PM

went one step further....entered all the DHCP info manually and still it did not work..

11-13-2009, 02:53 PM

Well I have it setup with WPA security but still am not receiving and IP address for the iMac, the MacBook is just fine.

11-13-2009, 08:21 PM

I have tried everything....this iMac is connected to the AEBS I have WPA security, I have done a PMU reset, I have done a Factory reset on the AEBS and have reset the Cable Modem.
I have spoken with Road Runner and they say everything is good on their end.

I have removed the .plist files and restarted to no avail, made a new admin account to no avail.

I still am not receiving a IP address through DHCP, something is blocking it, I have the Firewall completely off.

Please, I am not much for begging, but this is my boys Mac and I could really use the help....

11-13-2009, 09:53 PM

What version of OSX is on the Macbook? The iMac? On the Macbook under Airport in Network what is the DHCP IP Address?

I have been messing around with an AEBS I just bought used from a thrift store for $5. Works great. Default IP it hands out to the first computer is 10.0.1.2 and 10.0.1.3 to the next computer. That can be changed, but if you reset it, that is the IP Range DHCP hands out. I have 3 systems working on it right now and all have a consecutive IP address (10.0.1.2, 10.0.1.3 and 10.0.1.4).