imac g3/500 cannot access network/internet

[mulletpole]

Hello, I'm brand new to Apple. I've been a pc user all my life. I was at a garage sale a week ago and there I found an imac g3/500 for sale. They wanted $10, I paid $5. Decided I wanted to educate myself on how apple works.

The OS is 9.0.4. My plan is to update it to Tiger 10.4 based on what I have researched thus far. In order to do the update to Tiger 10.4, from what I understand, I have to update firmware to 4.1.9. In order to update to firmware 4.1.9., I must first update the OS to at least 9.1. Does that all sound correct? If not please advise otherwise. I do already have a copy of Tiger 10.4 to install on it (4 cd)

My issue is this, I do not have the original cd that should have come with it for the 9.0.4. From what I have read, I can update online using the updater to upgrade to 9.1. Here is where I'm hitting a snag. I cannot access the internet/network in my home.

I have already used to ethernet line on my pc laptop so I know it is working correctly.

When looking at the TCP/IP screen on the g3, I have the following showing/selected.

Connect via: Ethernet

Configure: Using DHCP Server

DHCP Client ID: Corner (it's in the corner of the room)

IP Address: 169.254.84.44

Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0

Router address: 169.254.84.44



When I go to software update and click "Update Now", it shows the "checking for update" box, then after about 10 secs. it says "Software update is not able to connect to the Internet"

Anyone have any idea what settings are incorrect or what I am doing wrong?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/help.

I won't be able to check back here until approx. 6 pm CST, but please feel free to share any of you expertly advise with me in the meantime.

Thank you very much,

John

 

[EvenStranger]

Remove "Corner" from DHCP ID. The DHCP ID was used to control access to a DHCP network, but if you're not using client IDs on the server end, it won't help, and may hinder.

I'm not sure how your network is configured at home. Is the ethernet cable connected directly from your cable or DSL modem to your Windows PC? If so, the modem might be bound to your PC, and would require a reset to connect to the Mac. The modem would need to be disconnected from power and network, let it sit for about 30 seconds, plug in power and then connect the ethernet to the Mac.

An address of 169.254.x.x is a self-assigned IP address, meaning the computer can't get a valid address from the DHCP server, so it assigns one to itself. These addresses are not capable of accessing the internet. When your PC is online and able to access the web, go to the Start menu, and from the Run field type cmd. That'll open your DOS window. In the DOS window, type ipconfig and check the output. Odds are you'll have an address like 192.168.x.x. When your Mac successfully connects to the modem, it'll have an address in the same range.

Give those things a try and let us know what results you get.

 

[harryb2448]

And check out here for OS 9 system updates anc yes to the Firmware update question.:-


Mac OS 9: Available Updates

 

[mulletpole]

Remove "Corner" from DHCP ID. The DHCP ID was used to control access to a DHCP network, but if you're not using client IDs on the server end, it won't help, and may hinder. .

Check. Did that.

I'm not sure how your network is configured at home. Is the ethernet cable connected directly from your cable or DSL modem to your Windows PC? If so, the modem might be bound to your PC, and would require a reset to connect to the Mac. The modem would need to be disconnected from power and network, let it sit for about 30 seconds, plug in power and then connect the ethernet to the Mac. .

I have a cable modem connected to a wireless router and I have a cat5 running from the iMac to the router port 2 I believe. I will reset as described and give results next post.

When your PC is online and able to access the web, go to the Start menu, and from the Run field type cmd. That'll open your DOS window. In the DOS window, type ipconfig and check the output. Odds are you'll have an address like 192.168.x.x.

ipconfig on PC showed the following

IPv4 address: 192.168.1.127

Subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Default gateway 192.168.1.1

These results were from the actual cat5 line that I'm wanting to use for the iMac. Will go reset entire network and await results/your advice.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[mulletpole]

Nope still nothing as far as i can tell. Is there a way to check the ethernet connection on the iMac to verify it is good?

Update: I bypassed everything and went straight wire to the modem. I was able to connect to the software updater and download a few updates for the dvd rom and something else, so I know it WILL connect.

The issue I'm having now is that I have no idea how to connect to the internet once I'm in os x 9.0.4. I found netscape 6.2 I believe on it, tried to load it, it looked like it was loading, then it opened a white screen box and did nothing.

I have no idea what to do now.

 

[harryb2448]

How is your security set up as from memory, which is getting old and frail, a G3 iMac without an Airport card and OS X.4 cannot connect to WPA or WPA2 - must be WEP which is pretty old and unsafe?

 

[mulletpole]

Valid point. I'm pretty sure I'm WPA2. That would only be through the router though?? From the modem (which is the one way it worked) it would allow anything would it not?

If anyone has a copy of OS 9.1(or an 9.1 upgrade disc if one exists) that they would let me "borrow" simply to upgrade firmware, man, that would truly be appreciated.

Kinda crazy I have to upgrade to an OS I won't use for anything but to upgrade firmware when I already have the Tiger 10.4 ready to load.

Question: What would happen if I tried to load the 10.4 now? Would it stop realizing the firmware wasn't ready?

 

[harryb2448]

Here is the firmware update you need but you must be running OS 9 to install it:-

iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9: Information and Download

And as for WPA2 Personal do not think it will work on a G3. The problem is the Airport Card is 802.11a/b format and for WPA2 Personal require much faster card, g or n.

 

[mulletpole]

So even if I were to upgrade the firmware and os to tiger 10.4, I still wouldn't be able to connect to my current network?

 

[harryb2448]

Not if you are using an Airport Card which runs in 802.11a/b format which is what the original G3 iMac card ran at, with a WPA network. Alas that is the problem running eleven year old computers on a modern network. Have a look for Randy B. Singer or Brian Lachore entries and PM either as a suggestion.

 

[mulletpole]

Here's a thought, what about a USB wireless connection? It would have to be 1.1, but wouldn't that be able to workaround?