This page discusses common Internet and network topics, including how to
connect to the Internet, how to troubleshoot your Internet connection, and how
to set up a small network in OS X.
Topics covered:
- Internet Connection and Troubleshooting
- DNS Issues, such as "Server could not be found"
- Troubleshooting Web browser issues
- Setting up the Mac OS X Mail application
- Information for specific Internet service providers
- Creating a small network
- Setting up File Sharing
- Using your computer in different locations
- Setting Internet preferences
I. Internet Connection and Troubleshooting
These are the three major types of Internet connection, with links to
connection and troubleshooting instructions. The following section on DNS issues
applies to all three connection types.
A. PPP, also known as "Dial-up" or "plain old telephone
service (POTS)"
These documents explain how to connect to the Internet or troubleshoot your
service if you use a modem with an analog telephone line (POTS).
106717: "Mac OS X: How to Connect to the Internet via PPP (Dial-Up
Access)"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106717
106748: "Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a Dial-Up/PPP Internet
Connection"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106748
106433:"Mac OS X: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for PPP Modem
Connections"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106433
Unexpected PPP dial-up
If your computer automatically dials to connect to the Internet when you do
not expect or want it to, see these technical documents:
106325: "Mac OS X: How to Disable or Enable Automatic Modem (PPP)
Connections"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106325
106631: "Mac OS X: Some Services Cause Modem Connection During
Startup"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106631
B. Ethernet connection from cable modem, DSL, or LAN
These documents explain how to connect to the Internet or troubleshoot your
service if you have a cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), or a local
area network (LAN). You use your computer's Ethernet port to connect to these
services.
106715: "Mac OS X: How to Connect to the Internet via Cable, DSL, or
Local Area Network (LAN)"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106715
106749: "Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a Cable Modem, DSL, or LAN Internet
Connection"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106749
C. PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)
Use these documents if your cable or DSL Internet service provider requires
you to connect to the Internet using PPPoE.
106716: "Mac OS X: How to Connect to the Internet With PPPoE"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106716
106747: "Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a PPPoE Internet Connection"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106747
106432: "Mac OS X: DSL/PPPoE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)".
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106432
II. DNS Issues - "Server Could Not Be Found",
Loading Web Pages Slow
A. DNS-related alert messages
You may successfully connect to the Internet and yet not be able to load
Web pages or perform other TCP/IP tasks. You may see messages such as:
"The server could not be found."
"The specified server could not be found."
"A connection failure has occurred."
"Connection attempt failed."
"Name servers not responding."
B. Delay before connection
You may be able to load Web pages but encounter delays before the page
loading starts.
Both symptoms A and B may be caused by issues with your domain name system
(DNS) server, which is provided by your Internet service provider or network
administrator for translating names like "www.apple.com" to their
numerical IP addresses. For more information, see technical documents:
106797: "Mac OS X: Slow Startup, Pauses at 'Initializing network' or
'Configuring network time'"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106797
106798: "Mac OS: Troubleshooting 'A connection failure has occurred',
'The specified server could not be found' or Similar Messages"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106798
106799: "Mac OS: Long Delay Before Web Pages Start to Load, Then Load
Suddenly at Normal Speed"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106799
III. Troubleshooting Web browser issues
If your Web browser can connect to the Internet but has other issues, such as
quitting unexpectedly or becoming unresponsive (a "freeze"), then see
technical document 106874, "Mac OS: Web Browser Quits Unexpectedly or Stops
Responding". http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106874
IV. Setting up Mail
For information on setting up the email application Mail, which is included
with Mac OS X, see technical document 106683, "Mac OS X: How to Set Up
Mail".
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106683
V. Internet service provider specific information
A. America Online (AOL)
To get AOL software for Mac OS X, use AOL Keyword "upgrade", or
go to the America Online Web site (http://www.aol.com). If necessary, start
your computer up from Mac OS 9 to download the software. AOL customers cannot
connect in the Classic environment. See technical documents:
106667: "How to Switch Between Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106667
106155: "Mac OS X 10.0: Cannot Connect to AOL in the Classic
Environment"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106155
B. EarthLink
If EarthLink is your Internet service provider, you can get more
information from the Earthlink Mac OS X support page:
http://help.earthlink.net/techsupport/mac_os_x.html
VI. Creating a small network
For information on creating a small Ethernet network, see technical document
106658, "Macintosh: How to Create a Small Ethernet Network".
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106658
Links are provided to AirPort Base Station documentation.
VII. File Sharing
For a variety of File Sharing topics, see technical document 106461:
"Mac OS X: File Sharing"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106461
VIII. Using your computer in different locations
If you use your computer in different locations, which require you to set up
your Internet connection differently, see technical documents:
106653: "Mac OS X: How to Use Locations"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106653
106800: "Mac OS X: How to Create Port Configurations"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106801
IX. Setting Internet preferences
You may have used the Internet control panel in Mac OS 9 to enter settings
such as your email address, preferred mail application, and preferred Web
browser. In Mac OS X, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, then choose
Internet from the View menu.
Information about products or services not manufactured or provided by Apple
is for information purposes only, and does not constitute Apple's recommendation
or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
Document 17159: "Locating Vendor Information" http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=17159
can help you search for a particular vendor's address and phone number.
