Mac - I need help

[gargamel]

Morning all,

I live in haslemere and I am having issues with my dual core intel mac.

I know that this is an awesome machine but to be honest its my first mac and I am sure I haven't got it set up the best way.

I really need to find someone who can visit on site and resolve a few issues I have, I alo want to use skype and need some assistence with getting the right hardward and setup.

Biggest problem I have is that it will only hold an internet connection whilst the machine is being used, after about five minutes idling it drops the connection, is their a time out setup ?

Does anyone know a good mac person nearby ?

[Leithen]

Give us a bit more info and you might be able to sort it yourself.

Tell us more about your Internet connection - Wireless or wired?

[HiRich]

A good start is "The Missing Manual" for your flavour of OSX. c.£20 for a 2" thick book - full of fancy tips and very useful (I really should try to get commission for the number of times I've recommended it). Also, subscribe to (or browse in WH Smiths) MacWorld magazine - regular articles on getting the most from particular aspects, reviews, new products.

On internet dropout, I would suggest it's your modem/router rather than the Mac, if you have ADSL. Access the router admin via Safari (the address to type in will be in the router manual), then browse the settings. If you are on modem, look in System Preferences/Network (can't help further, as I've deleted my modem settings...).

For other specifics, there are enough Mac people here to ask specific questions - worth a try on many things

[gargamel]

airtouch wireless router, (the apple one)

wanadoo broadband

not at the machine right now so hard to give more specific technical info, will check back tonight

Thanks for the book recommendation, probably advisable.

[olf]

gargamel said:

Biggest problem I have is that it will only hold an internet connection whilst the machine is being used, after about five minutes idling it drops the connection, is their a time out setup ?

Hi there. Are you losing the connection when you log out or when the screen locks or just literally when the computer sits without a user for a little while?

[gargamel]

when it sis without a user for a while

or when for example I am uploading data to a site (big photo files) which can take the machine into "idle"

[HiRich]

gargamel said:

or when for example I am uploading data to a site (big photo files) which can take the machine into "idle"

That's a bit curious, as each element (hd, Airport, router) should be working on something, and therefore staying awake. I'm not on Airport, and I have a nailed-up connection, so I may be wrong, but it may not be the Mac causing the problem. Plans of action might be:
- First, as already suggested, browse the settings of the router to increase the idle time before disconnect.
- Is the system hanging for some reason - ceasing to upload and then just naturally hanging-up/going to sleep? Perhaps the upload site is the problem, or part of the chain is hanging? Might be worth trying an upload and watching progress (without touching mouse or keyboard), to see if data transfer halts.
- You could try increasing the time before the Mac goes to sleep (System Preferences/Energy Saver). Unlikely, but possible.
- Might be worth browsing your Airport settings for a sleep mode (I'm not familiar with Airport)
- If you still haven't got a solution, try linking the Mac to router with an Ethernet cable. With luck it will be pretty close to Plug & Play (if you switch off the Airport station, it should try the next best option. Settings are in System Preferences/Network). Success/failure will give you an idea whether your Airport setup is or is not the culprit.

HTH

[jmorgan]

No expert but looking through other forums for a solution to one of my problems and picked up on repairing permissions to solve odd problems and it worked. I now use Onyx to sort out all the maintenance.

[jsr]

Does your system power down the hard disk after 5 minutes?

On my MacBook, the energy saver will shut down the monitor after a few minutes and then the hard disk after about 10 minutes. In doing this, it will close the network connection.

As you say it only holds connection when it is in use, it might be worthwhile checking your energy saver settings in the system preferences.

[gargamel]

Ok - have extend the energy saver otions and ceced te router settings, despite them saying 0 vale I have now se the to idle for an hour ...will test

thanks for advice

[anonymous-user]

gargamel said:

Ok - have extend the energy saver otions and ceced te router settings, despite them saying 0 vale I have now se the to idle for an hour ...will test

thanks for advice

There is a apple store in Bluewater, they are usually very good for advice.

Apple Discussion Forums also cover most problems if you want to know something.

As said before 'The missing Manual' is very good.