08-03-2010, 05:34 PM

I am not a Mac user, but I have the responsibility for supporting an Imac. We have a wireless network with one PC and one Macbook connecting seamlessly. We have an Imac which will only connect if one of the other computers disconnects. Is there some minimum bandwidth requirement or some other reason that this might be happening?

08-03-2010, 05:54 PM

Moved to correct forum.

If your network signal and bandwidth strength is such that it can only accommodate two WiFi connections at a time, adding another connection may cause that to happen.

Try moving the machines closer to the signal or move the wireless router to a more central and higher location. (if possible) You may need to use a different router that has a stronger signal output.

You didn't give any specifics about your wifi network. There may be other factors involved.

Regards.

08-04-2010, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by gglmac

I am not a Mac user, but I have the responsibility for supporting an Imac. We have a wireless network with one PC and one Macbook connecting seamlessly. We have an Imac which will only connect if one of the other computers disconnects. Is there some minimum bandwidth requirement or some other reason that this might be happening?

This is probably a MAC address issue.*

*MAC: a data communication protocol sub-layer, also known as the Media Access Control, nothing to do with the computer made by Apple

The router is likely using the cloned IP of the PC (since it was there first) as its MAC address, so consequently other computers (Mac or PC) would be "locked out" until the PC is disconnected from the network.

Reset your router to use its own MAC address (this will involve changing settings and power-cycling the router) and you should be good to go for the Mac and any other future computers that want to join that network.