Is your Internet connection down? Part 1

You know the drill.

You launch Safari and all you see is a spinning beach ball. Or you’ve been away from your computer and then you come back to go to a web page. All that you get is a spinning beach ball.

So what is going on?

Why can’t you get that web page?

Did your computer mess up--again?

Now, hold on just a minute! Your computer is probably not at fault. And, more than likely it is not the fault of your AirPort (if you have one). In fact it is probably the fault of your electric company or ISP.

However, call your ISP and they want you to start making changes. Don’t!

If you were on the Internet a few minutes ago (or yesterday), the same settings on your computer will probably get you back on the Internet tomorrow. There is nothing wrong with your settings! You have just hit a slight snag, and diagnosing the problem and fixing it are best left up to the tools and utilities hidden away in your computer.

Often the first sign of trouble is this message:



It amazes me how many Mac owners simply close the page instead of clicking on the button for Network Diagnostics! If you see this page pop up, CLICK THE BUTTON! It is the fastest and best way to determine what is wrong with your Internet connection. Clicking the button will bring up this window:



There will be some combination of red, yellow and green lights on the left side of the window. Network Diagnostics will determine what seems to be working and what seems to be broken.

Sometimes, all the buttons will be green as soon as Network Diagnostics opens.



If this happens, it means that your modem or router was taking a cat-nap. It took a short siesta while it was waiting for a new command from you. If it happens only occasionally (once every few months), don’t worry about it--just close the window and continue on.

However, if this happens all the time, it is time to call your ISP. Tell them what is happening and insist that they do something to their equipment to fix the problem. Fixing it DOES NOT involve making changes on your computer. They might need to do as little send a refresh signal over the network to your modem, but more than likely, there is a problem out at the street. They will send a crew to check the equipment outside of your house. Once again--do not let them suggest changes to your configuration! It is their problem--not yours!

Let’s get back to those red lights. Your screen may not look exactly like mine, but what you need to do remains the same. Answer the question at the top of the window, then click the Continue button.



In my case, I turned the AirPort setting off in my menu bar, so choosing the AirPort and clicking the Continue button brought up this screen:



It was not necessary for me to make the trip to the menu bar, it did it for me! Then it gave me a list of AirPort Networks that it could “see.”



Now it is going to check the settings in my keychain. At this point, choose Always Allow and Network Diagnostics will make sure your settings in Keychain Access are correct and up to date. The next screen will be the one that tells you that you are back on the Internet and things are working correctly.



There can be more to this story. Check back tomorrow for Part 2!

Pat

iCalInternet, Troubleshooting, WiFi