Mac keeps losing internet conneciton

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Hi, I have an iMac 10,1 running on Mac OS X Version 10.6.8. I also have a PC and both are hard wired (connected) to a Netgear Router, however, the iMac loses its connection constantly but the PC doesn't so, that seems to suggest there's nothing wrong with the PC nor the router connection so, does anyone have any idea please, why the Mac loses connection anythying up to 20 times a day! It's so frustrating. We've already swapped the leads so there's nothing wrong with those either. Thank you for reading. I'd be delighted to hear anyone's thoughts and suggestions please.
 
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Is the router using DHCP? Any static IP's on the network?

What are the symptoms of losing the connection?
Does it lose just internet or both internet and network?
 
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Not sure what you mean by network and internet, but, it loses connection to the internet and also e-mails but, the PC is still working and receiving e-mails and getting onto the internet on the same router. I hope that answers what you're asking, thanks for trying to help.
 
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Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac10,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 3.06 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: IM101.00CC.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.53f13
Serial Number (system): W8940B2S5PE
Hardware UUID: 736454B0-32A9-5328-8BE7-404034F36798
 
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It's the 27" iMac

Please let me know if you need more info. Thanks. Di
 
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I'm off to work now for a few hours but would be delighted to hear your thoughts please mrplow, thanks.
 
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OK.

Can you try a couple of things for me?
Disconnect the ethernet cable from the PC.
Try the Mac. Does it still lose connection?

If so:
open Finder, navigate this file on your MacHD
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist
rename it to
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.old
Restart your Mac and try again.

If not:
You have an IP clash - which I can help you resolve.

Post back either way.

Good luck
 
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Hi. I did the first bit, no change.

When I went to change the /preferences.plist to /preferences.old, it told me I did not have the permissions to change it and every which way.... it would not save it or let me overwrite .plist..!! Could you please guide me?

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it.

Thanks
Di
 
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The IP clash sounds quite logical so, if I can't change the .plist to .old, should you perhaps talk me thru how to check if there's an IP clash? Thanks.
 
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Hello mrplow

Okay.... we closed down the pc overnight and the iMac had held its internet connection overnight. I've done it again this morning and closed the pc down for a few hours and the iMac is still fine. So, does that help you perhaps with helping to tell us what we need to do? I do hope so, thanks.

I'm in the UK by the way. Not sure if you're in the UK or USA? I'm off to work again now for a few hours. I'd be grateful to hear what you think we might be able to do.

Thank you.
Kind regards
Di
 
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I'm in the UK. At work myself at the moment but it definately sounds like an IP issue.

To avoid a clash you can go one of two ways:
- have static IPs on both machines (not ideal, especially if you have other devices on the network)
- have dynamically assigned IPs using DHCP on the router.

It may be that you need to have a static IP on one device but with your Netgear router you can still achieve that.

Once you're home post back with the version of Windows you're using and the model of Netgear router and I'll give you some specific instrcutions if you would find them useful.
 
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Here's some info and setting up the Windows PC and Mac to use dynamically assigned IPs from the router.

If your settings are already like this then we can look at the router settings in due course.

On your PC
1. go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. In the "View Your Active Networks" section, select Local Area Connection.
3. Go to Properties - The Local Area Connection Properties window will display
4. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties - The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window will display
5. Click Obtain an IP address automatically
6. Click obtain a DNS server automatically
7. Click OK etc until you've dismissed all screens.
8. Restart the PC

On your Mac
1. Open System Preferences
2. Click the Network icon
3. From the Location drop-down list - select Automatic
4. Select Ethernet
5. Select Using DHCP for Configure IPv4: pull down menu
6. Click Apply
7. Restart your Mac
 

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