New connection lost, ethernet problem?

[davetwo]

Hi all, I've just joined paid for a Idnet connection for my non-computer literate mother, and am having major connection issues.

I have managed to get it up and running once, but lost connection after 5 minutes and cannot get it back. The phone line seems OK. The DSL light on the modem is lit up OK. But ethernet connectivity is lost – no light on the modem and computer says 'no ethernet cable attached'.

Of course I've got her to check the connections are in firmly/tried a different port/restarted etc. but to no avail.

Anyone got any ideas where the problem may lie? (To add to the confusion I live in the Netherlands so I can only give her directions over the phone.)

Imac G3 running OSX 10.3 Panther.
Package: Home Starter.
Modem: Netgear DG834

Thanks in advance for any help.

Rye

[Simon]

Hi Rye, and.  
I'm wondering if it might be best for IDNet to call your Mum direct?  If you call them and explain the position, they will be very gentle, and will just run through some basic tests with her at first, and can also test her line.

[Sebby]

I agree with Simon. Plus, IDNet are Mac people.

[Ray]

 

[Rik]

What's been said, Dave. Sounds like a faulty NIC, cable or router to me, so IDNet will walk her through the process, lending her a router if necessary. Whereabouts in the country is she, we might have a member who could visit.

[lozcart]

Have you rebooted, restarted both the computer and the router? If not then please do both.

If this doesn't help on the Mac go to System Preferences>Network and check if Ethernet is showing a connection to the router.
If not make sure it is configured to "Using DHPC" and click apply.
If this doesn't work try changing the DNS Server settings to Idnets 212.69.36.3 and 212.69.40.3 and again apply.
If this doesn't work click "assist me" and "diagnostics" and report back what it says.

[davetwo]

Thanks for all the quick replies!
My initial thought was that maybe the ethernet port on the imac was faulty, but no-one seeems to have mentioned that interestingly.
She's based near Durham which is not exactly a teeming metropolis so I doubt there's an Idnet base nearby. So I think I'll get her to call the helpline.
(She was literally using her mouse backwards until a few months ago, so we're talking a real novice here!)

Cheers.
Rye

[Rik]

I did.

[lozcart]

...and me, but Macs don't break do they?!

Did your mum have an internet connection with this modem before idnet or is this her first connection?

[Sebby]

...and me, but Macs don't break do they?!

You don't know it's the Mac that's at fault yet.