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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Networking With Imac Os X And Ibm Pcs

amattiel - Mar 22, 2005 - 5:30 pm

Hello,
New to APPLE, been a IBM PC user since the 80's. Bought a iMAC G5 two weeks ago. I have a home network using a LINKSYS with 4 port Ethernet and Wi Fi. I have 3 to 4 IBM PCs connected to the LINKSYS and have all been working nicely for two years. The PCs are wi fi or direct connected to LINKSYS.
When I brought the APPLE home a fired it up - it blew the PC off the network. Had to re-cycle and all was ok until the APPLE came back on the network. I recently direct connected the APPLE via new Ethernet calbe and it knocks the PCs all off if it is not the first one up.

Not sure what else you will need. I called Linksys and they updated me and I called Apple Care and they were stumped.

Thanks,
Art

kainjow - Mar 23, 2005 - 12:01 am

Art,

How exactly do your PC's get disconnected from the network? What happens if there is no internet connection available when the Mac is connected to the network? Does it happen via AirPort and ethernet?

Make sure your Mac has all security updates installed and is running the latest version of Mac OS X (10.3.8).

Try connecting your Mac to the network, and then connect 1 PC to it at a time, and see if you can determine if all PC's are effected or only certain ones. Also, make sure your PC's have all XP updates installed too.

Have you tried hard resetting your router? Usually you can do this by unplugging the power or turning it off (if there is a switch) and waiting for about 30 seconds.

Kevin

amattiel - Mar 23, 2005 - 9:04 am

Hello Kevin,
The PC's lose internet connection. The MAC when it gets powered up afterwards - all the PC's lose connection...meaning AOL AIM will stop, VPN connections stop and this will happen only when MAC comes up afterwards. This also happens if I use the AIRPORT EXTREME or the ETHERNET wired connection to the LINKSYS.
I just got the APPLE week from SUNDAY. I will update the software as suggested. I tried to static define the addresses but wasn't successful - lack of knowledge on my part.
If I connect the APPLE to the network first - all pc's will comunicate via the internet ok .... it's only when the apple comes up and connects to the internet after the PCs.
The only way to get back to the interent is to reset the LINKSYS and CABLE MODEM which I use a powerstrip plug.
Thanks,
Art

amattiel - Mar 23, 2005 - 7:45 pm

Hi - My son came home from College with his APPLE - he bought the same as I the same day. Apparently his iMAC does the same thing as mine. When he powered up his iMAC and fired up the Safari the other PC's no longer communicated until I reset the Linksys router. I am now thinking the LINKSYS has a DHCP issue or the apples are sending out some bad packet .... not sure what is happening.
Thanks
Art

kainjow - Mar 23, 2005 - 8:07 pm

Since both Macs are doing this, I bet it's a Linksys problem. I've never heard of this kind of problem before. See if you can find an Linksys firmware update or try hard resetting it again.

amattiel - Mar 23, 2005 - 8:14 pm

Hi - Yep I have to agree ... .my engineer (I work for a tech company) will come over next week with a sniffer and see if we can see what is happening.
I'll will also try to get an update on the firmware.
Thanks - I'll post an update when I know more.
Art

amattiel - Mar 23, 2005 - 9:09 pm

UPDATE! I was able to find a new firmware for the LINKSYS model I have. Apparently, the LINKSYS support line said I had the latest, but after I loaded the firmware on to the LINKSYS - both mine and my son's Apples came up and did not knock any PC off. We are good to go. Thanks for your help - you pointed me into looking back on the LINKSYS....thanks - great web site!
Art

kainjow - Mar 23, 2005 - 9:15 pm

Art,

Great, I'm glad you got it working!

Kevin