Downloading kills connection to router and Internet

grengama · #1 September 2nd, 2008, 07:46 AM

Hello,

I just bought an iMac and am having a problem connecting it to my wireless home network (a Netgear Wireless Firewall Router that I've been using since 2007). Currently, I have 2 Windows XP machines and a networked hard drive running without problem.

After installing the iMac, I can connect to the Internet just fine. When I try to download a file -- any file -- from the iMac, the system begins the process ("Downloads" window opens), then after a few seconds, the Downloads window stops showing progress, then my entire network goes down. My XP Machines are affected as well. Nothing gets online and I cannot access the shares on the network. Note that I have no problems at all downloading files of any size from the net using the XP Machines. Therefore, I suspect something with the iMac and not the Router.

Pinging the router form the iMac after the network crashes returns "host is down". After resetting the router (and waiting about 20 seconds), the network is back online and ping returns normally.

Any thoughts?

ElDiabloConCaca · #2 September 2nd, 2008, 09:30 AM

Have you tried turning off IPv6 for your network interface in the System Preferences?

Some routers don't play nicely with IPv6 yet, and Macs have IPv6 turned on by default.

MisterMe · #3 September 2nd, 2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grengama

... When I try to download a file -- any file -- from the iMac, the system begins the process ("Downloads" window opens), then after a few seconds, the Downloads window stops showing progress, then my entire network goes down. My XP Machines are affected as well. Nothing gets online and I cannot access the shares on the network. Note that I have no problems at all downloading files of any size from the net using the XP Machines. ...

Are you trying to download from the iMac or to the iMac? You also contradict yourself. You say: "My XP Machines are affected as well." You also say: "Nothing gets online and I cannot access the shares on the network." But, you end up saying: "... I have no problems at all downloading files of any size from the net using the XP Machines." Huh?!

My guess is that you have a "custom" setup on your router. It worked with Windows because you are used to it. You have not been able to get your iMac to work with the same setup because you are not familiar with MacOS X.

I have two suggestions. You may accept one of them:

Explain how you have your network setup. Perhaps, someone here can then help you to properly configure your iMac within your setup. Or,
Restore your router's default settings. A Mac will "just work" with just about any new out-of-the-box router. When you have everything working, then add your customizations.

ElDiabloConCaca · #4 September 2nd, 2008, 10:15 AM

I think he's talking about downloading from the internet with a browser (hence, "Downloads" window) on the Mac.

grengama · #5 September 2nd, 2008, 12:51 PM

Ok -- I'll try that (turning off IPv6) and get back...

**fryke** · #6 September 2nd, 2008, 01:32 PM

Also: Even when no other machines show problems with the router, make sure the router has the latest firmware installed.

grengama · #7 September 2nd, 2008, 01:38 PM

Ok, turning off IPv6 had no luck. I'm going to check the firmware version info now...

grengama · #8 September 2nd, 2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterMe

Are you trying to download from the iMac or to the iMac? You also contradict yourself. You say: "My XP Machines are affected as well." You also say: "Nothing gets online and I cannot access the shares on the network." But, you end up saying: "... I have no problems at all downloading files of any size from the net using the XP Machines." Huh?!

My guess is that you have a "custom" setup on your router. It worked with Windows because you are used to it. You have not been able to get your iMac to work with the same setup because you are not familiar with MacOS X.

I have two suggestions. You may accept one of them:

Explain how you have your network setup. Perhaps, someone here can then help you to properly configure your iMac within your setup. Or,
Restore your router's default settings. A Mac will "just work" with just about any new out-of-the-box router. When you have everything working, then add your customizations.

Sorry for the confusion. I should have said: "I have normally no problems at all downloading files of any size from the net using the XP Machines, but cannot even access the Internet from them after trying to download from the iMac."

Also, I'm not sophisticated enough to create any sort of custom config for my router (

). The only thing I did was set up WEP. Everything else is factory.