Which modem to buy for Mac OS X?

LinLin · Mar 01, 2008, 18:58:36

Hi,
My old SpeedTouch adsl modem is no longer working on my Mac (OS X 10.4, Tiger). It's time to get something new, and I've been reading that ethernet modems are good.

I bought a Zoom X4 but can't get the router control panel to come up. So I'll likely be returning that unit. Any other suggestions? I've heard that Netgear has very good diagnostics to help with installation, which sounds very helpful. I'm looking for something WITH wires rather than wireless -- helps keep the cost down and keeps the computers tethered to the office.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

LinLin

Sebby · Mar 01, 2008, 19:06:40

When you buy an ethernet modem, you don't need to look for anything specifically for Mac OS as no drivers are required for ethernet-based devices. Therefore, your Zoom X4 should be working fine. I wouldn't return it just yet as there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get to the control panel. How are you going about trying to do this?

Rik · Mar 01, 2008, 19:16:46

Hi LinLin

Welcome to IDNetters, have a karma.

What Sebby said, but I would add that IDNet themselves do use Macs, so will be in a good position to help you if needed.

LinLin · Mar 01, 2008, 19:33:31

Hiya --
Thanks for the warm welcome and quick responses! Very impressive. Am on the verge of changing internet providers, too, and stumbled upon IDNet and this forum. You may tip the decision to IDnet. :-)

What I've done is opened my browser and typed into the URL box http://10.0.0.2. It says "loading" for ages, but ultimately it stops. Then the next time it won't even try.

When I type in http://10.0.0.3, the control panel comes up fine. But I understand this is for the USB connection. And when I try to connect, it tells me it can't find the phone line. But the line is fine -- it's the same line I'm using now with my PC and the old SpeedTouch adsl modem. All that I changed was using the ADSL filter that came with the Zoom x4.

Really baffled.

Willing to try and and all ideas.

LinLin

P.S. What are the karma points? Think I like it. :-)

Rik · Mar 01, 2008, 19:34:46

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the Zoom. Let me see if I can Google out a manual and get back to you...

Rik · Mar 01, 2008, 19:37:57

Right. Haven't found much (yet), but the URL is correct. Do you have a firewall which could be blocking access?

Rik · Mar 01, 2008, 19:45:39

Hi LinLin

Couple more things I've found.

This site:

http://home.visi.com/support/dsl/dhcp/macosx_dhcp.html

has specific Mac setup info.

I've also found a reference to the filter being built into the router, so if it's using a BT plug at the remote end, it could be that the filter supplied was for other sockets in the house, and by using it you're cutting off the ADSL to the router - has to be worth trying without as the ADSL side of a filter is actually unfiltered, if you see what I mean. It's the phone side that has the filter on it.

Karma is our way of saying thanks, or 'that was a good joke', or 'I appreciate you saying that' etc. You can award karma by clicking on the [Give karma] link below a member's name. You won't see the link beneath your own name, of course.

LinLin · Mar 01, 2008, 19:56:23

Hi, Rik,
Wow, thanks for your help. I'll give you some karma if I can figure out how.

Actually I found that visi.com page earlier but still can't get connected.

As for the filter, I think I understand what you're saying but that that's not it. Without using the filter, it's not possible to connect to the wall phone outlet. Why -- the phone cord supplied is a US-style squarish one The filter plugs into the long & skinny jack on the wall, and it has one output that says "modem" with the US-style squarish plug, and the other says "phone" and is UK-style long & skinny.

Sigh...

LinLin

Rik · Mar 01, 2008, 20:08:38

Hi LinLin

The filter idea was a bit of a longshot. It's worth switching with your old filter, though as the new one may be faulty. The squarish plugs are known as RJ11s, btw, and are similar to, but smaller than, the plugs on the ethernet leads, which are RJ45s. You can, though, plug an RJ11 into an RJ45 socket, so it would be worth double checking that you haven't done that (I'm not trying to suggest you have - but it could explain why you couldn't log in to the modem, so it's worth checking the possibilities - even though it seems unlikely as you're getting an error message about the phone line...).

How about the firewall, do you run one, could it block access to that address? It's the only other thing I can think of.

You might find the forum FAQ, of interest, btw:

http://www.idnetters.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=5684.msg99681#msg99681

There's another one on that board dealing with common connection issues, but that's more to do with the ADSL side.

If you're anywhere near me (Milton Keynes), I can lend you an alternative router to try.

I'm off shortly for the evening, but others will do their best to help you. Meantime, I'll move this over to our help board where it will get seen by a bigger audience.

LinLin · Mar 01, 2008, 21:24:46

Thanks, Rik. The responsiveness is really amazing. This feels like the Rolls Royce of service.

I've managed to find a "diagnostics" page, and everything appears to be fine. It passes tests of the ethernet connection, the adsl line, pings, autentication with the server. It even provides an ISP address when I click on "renew DHCP lease" in the network tabs.

When I go to connect, it tries for a long time and then says "no carrier detected -- please check your phone settings..." Again, this is the same line and adsl filter I use to successfully connect to the internet on my PC with the SpeedTouch.

Any ideas?

The only possibility I can think of it that there used to be in the Internet Connection dialog box an option for Ethernet. That has now disappeared. Is it necessary, and how would i go about it, to restore the "ethernet" option in the Internet Connection dialog box?

Thanks in advance --

LinLin

Simon · Mar 01, 2008, 21:33:55

Hi LinLin, and

Sorry, I'm not able to help any further, but hopefully someone will be along later who can.

Oh, just a thought, I know the error message doesn't really point to this, but is your ISP user name and password correctly logged in the router?

LinLin · Mar 01, 2008, 21:41:01

Yes, the username and password are correct. I've checked them a dozen times and they are fine.

Many thanks for your help and that of others on the forum.

Ever hopeful,

LinLin

Gary · Mar 01, 2008, 21:41:07

Can you drop the inbuilt mac firewall, then try and enter the router address, once you have but your IDNet info into it, the router will connect to idnet, I'm just wondering like Rik if the firewall is blocking it, I think you have to activate your ethernet I found this hope it helps
"Open Systems Preferences > Network set 'Location' to Automatic & 'Show' to Network Status. Choose Built-in Ethernet (which should have a green dot) & then select TCP/IP. Set 'Configure IPv4' to Using DHCP. In PPPoE make sure 'Connect using PPPoE' is unchecked. In AppleTalk, 'Make AppleTalk active' should be unchecked. In Proxies, these should all be unchecked. Finally, Ethernet should have 'configure' set to Automatically. Click the Apply Now button to action your changes" it may be a bit different on your mac but it should give you an idea

Gary · Mar 01, 2008, 21:46:57

I would re activate the mac firewall after you have set your Ethernet port up

Ted · Mar 01, 2008, 22:06:17

Gary, where did all that come from. i thought you were a windows man?

I always thought macs were for when it was raining outside

Gary · Mar 01, 2008, 22:14:51

Quote from: xild on Mar 01, 2008, 22:06:17
Gary, where did all that come from. i thought you were a windows man?
I always thought macs were for when it was raining outside

I am a windows man only because of the machine I use has it as are most people and I have not tried Linux yet, I would love a mac in fact I have to replace my PC this year but cash is a issue and Macs are lovely but expensive sadly saying that the PC's I have looked at are about the same price, thing is I use my machine for a social life while Justina is away and all my friends use msn messenger for web cam chats and i think the mac version of that wont let you use the web cam feature sadly. I just did a bit of research in the end, just hope it helped $:-\$

Ted · Mar 01, 2008, 22:24:16

I have to say that if i didn't use Linux, i'd definitely go for a mac. they look fantastic and the people i know who use them have nothing but good things to say.
Have to try one, one day

LinLin · Mar 01, 2008, 22:51:10

Quote"Open Systems Preferences > Network set 'Location' to Automatic & 'Show' to Network Status. Choose Built-in Ethernet (which should have a green dot) & then select TCP/IP. Set 'Configure IPv4' to Using DHCP. In PPPoE make sure 'Connect using PPPoE' is unchecked. In AppleTalk, 'Make AppleTalk active' should be unchecked. In Proxies, these should all be unchecked. Finally, Ethernet should have 'configure' set to Automatically.

OK -- feeling a bit like a detective here. I found the firewall, and it was already off.

On the setting above, it was all as you describe EXCEPT "connect using PPPoE" wasn't checked. When I checked that, the "ethernet" connection option reappeared in the Internet Connect dialog box. BUT -- it still wouldn't connect. And when i tried to open the control panel for the router (http://10.0.0.3) which had previously worked, it no longer worked. Checking "connect using PPPoe" also removed the DHCP option for configuring IPv4, and the router manual was very clear that the DHCP option is the one I need.

So -- still as confused as ever and really wondering if there isn't a piece of hardware out there that's easier to install?

$:-\$

Linlin

Ted · Mar 01, 2008, 22:54:33

Hi Lin
In Gary's post it said that PPPoe should be unchecked

you need to use PPPoa
Ted

LinLin · Mar 02, 2008, 00:01:11

Right -- I've been at this too many hours.

It was originally unchecked. I've changed it back to unchecked and it's back to square one. All the diagnostic tests come out fine. It just won't connect.

Again, does anyone have a modem they use with a PowerBook that was _easy_ to install? At this point I'd very happily trade this one in.

Thanks, and will check in again tomorrow,

LinLin

Lance · Mar 02, 2008, 00:10:12

I wonder whether uninstalling the speedtouch drivers might help. Also, you say when you go to connect it takes ages and then says about the phone line. Is that on the router or in the os? If the router is passing the diagnostic tests, including pings, then it must be connected to the net. I don't use a mac, so may be wrong here, but when using a router you don't have to install anything and it should automatically find the internet connection.

Rik · Mar 02, 2008, 09:29:55

At this point, I'd be suspicious of a faulty router. Ideally, LinLin, see if you can borrow another one to try.

Najarak · Mar 02, 2008, 10:27:26

Quote from: LinLin on Mar 01, 2008, 22:51:10
OK -- feeling a bit like a detective here. I found the firewall, and it was already off.

On the setting above, it was all as you describe EXCEPT "connect using PPPoE" wasn't checked. When I checked that, the "ethernet" connection option reappeared in the Internet Connect dialog box. BUT -- it still wouldn't connect. And when i tried to open the control panel for the router (http://10.0.0.3) which had previously worked, it no longer worked. Checking "connect using PPPoe" also removed the DHCP option for configuring IPv4, and the router manual was very clear that the DHCP option is the one I need.

So -- still as confused as ever and really wondering if there isn't a piece of hardware out there that's easier to install?

$:-\$

Linlin

I use Macs and used a Netgear DG834G v 2 for a few years and now use a 2Wire 2700 dual SSID. In the Tiger Network pane of System Prefs ( in Leopard the panel is slightly different ) the settings that you have are correct, you never use the Internet Connect application, the Network panel in System Prefs does the lot.

Does the TCP/IP pane in Network show an IP address for the router ?.
Presumably you are using Safari to try to connect to the router, have you got Firefox or Camino available to try ?, at one time the Netgear interface was a bit "dodgy" with Safari but worked well with Firefox ( Safari works fine now though).

If possible in your situation I would try a Netgear, they are a doddle to set up, put the routers address in Safari , enter your user name and password from your ISP in the connection wizard and a couple of minutes later you are connected.

Rik · Mar 02, 2008, 10:42:04

Thanks for that, Steve.

Sebby · Mar 02, 2008, 11:03:46

Come to think of it, I've seen this on another Mac with a Zoom X4, and - knowing very little about Macs - I couldn't get to the bottom of it. The page displayed fine on a PC though.

EDIT: Ignore me, it was an X-Modem (the one ADSL Nation sell).

LinLin · Mar 02, 2008, 11:20:45

Thank you, thank you, thank you for answering the original question about what works well with Macs. Very happy to know about the Netgear product.

On the zoom product, I've tried using Netscape 7.2 and Safari, both programs the manual says will work. But in neither case does the internet connection come up. That's what prompted me to try the Internet Connect panel. As I understand it, there's no good reason for there to be no connection. The diagnostics all pass, the pings pass, adsl and ethernet connections pass...

I really appreciate all the help and assistance here. Thank you all. Will let you know when I migrate over to idnet and become part of the "family".

Rik · Mar 02, 2008, 11:25:56

We'll be able to help more then, LinLin, as we'll have an idea of what's happening on the other side of the modem, so to speak. (Plus you'll have a support team who know Macs...)

Lance · Mar 02, 2008, 12:26:47

I wondering if the problem here is that the router is all connected fine to the web, its just that there is something dodgy going on in the mac which is causing it not to find the internet connection via the router. Maybe it's looking for a dial up connection instead?

When you say all the diagnostics pass, Linlin, is that from within the routers config pages? Or your mac?

Najarak · Mar 02, 2008, 12:59:24

Quote from: Lance on Mar 02, 2008, 12:26:47
I wondering if the problem here is that the router is all connected fine to the web, its just that there is something dodgy going on in the mac which is causing it not to find the internet connection via the router. Maybe it's looking for a dial up connection instead?

When you say all the diagnostics pass, Linlin, is that from within the routers config pages? Or your mac?

Lance,
With a Mac it should connect automatically as soon as the ethernet cable is connected. A friend once brought his iMac over here, the iMac had only ever been used on dial up; I connected the ethernet cable and within 10 seconds it was up and running on the internet. I did not have to set anything on his iMac.

Reading post #3 in this thread

QuoteBut the line is fine -- it's the same line I'm using now with my PC and the old SpeedTouch adsl modem

I wonder whether LinLin is trying to run the Speedtouch and the Zoom at the same time. If he gets the Zoom working on the PC using ethernet then, the Mac should work as soon as the ethernet cable is connected to it.

lozcart · Mar 02, 2008, 13:08:45

LinLin, I've used a Belkin router with my Macs for many years operating on OS 10.3,10.4 and 10.5 and had no problems.

Have you tried manually entering the IP address, subnet and router information into the network preferences ? I have found this sometimes helped with DHCP problems.

As others have posted you do not need to use the Internet Connect program if your new router uses ethernet.

I'm not familiar with the Zoom router does it have a wireless facility and if so is this activated?

Edit:
Having read though all your posts again it is possible that the Mac is still trying to find a connection first by using your Speedtouch settings, that is why you are referring to the Internet Connect dialog box.

Launch, Preferences and click Network. In the box that appears click and hold 'Ethernet' and drag this to the top of the list of items. Click 'apply', and close Preferences. This should then force your Mac to look for a Ethernet connection first instead of the Speedtouch.

Hope this helps.

Sebby · Mar 02, 2008, 13:15:12

LinLin, do you know anyone with a Windows laptop that could pop round? It might be an idea to try and see whether it's the Mac or the Zoom.

LinLin · Mar 02, 2008, 19:15:59

Hi, all,
After spending somewhere around 6 hours trying to get this sorted, I decided late this morning today to send the Zoom back. I've ordered a Netgear DG834 (MANY thanks for the suggestion) and am eagerly awaiting its arrival and, hopefully, a pain-free setup. The Zoom is back in its box, else I'd try some of the other suggestions that have been offered.

Just for the record, the Zoom did not have a wireless facility. As for the preferences, they were entered manually. I first tried auto-detect but after 30 minutes it was still stuck on a dialogue box that said it was checking preferences. The only thing I wish I'd tried before boxing it up was forcing the Mac to look for the ethernet connection first. That said, my understanding is that it is designed to find the ethernet connection by itself.

Also awaiting my MAC code from my current ISP so as to be able to join the very helpful folk here. Really, I have been astounded at the level of helpfulness and value the support and knowledge of the people here.

With best wishes,

LinLin

Rik · Mar 02, 2008, 19:21:47

Hi LinLin

Sorry we couldn't solve the issue with the Zoom, but we're on much firmer ground with a Netgear, so if you have any questions, just yell.

lozcart · Mar 02, 2008, 21:20:57

While you are waiting for the Netgear to arrive I would recommend that you try to delete the Speedtouch settings from the network settings in preferences and make ethernet the priority setting as previous mentioned.

To delete the Speedtouch select it in the list of connections under Network in preferences and click the minus (-) button.

If you have problems doing this I would advise you set up a new location, done from the location menu and set this new location up for ethernet only. If you need help doing this let us know.

Good luck with the Netgear.

Niall · Mar 02, 2008, 22:31:52

I second the above post. I've just had to do this with my sisters PC, and the Zyxel router I set up. I couldn't get the bleedin thing working at first because of the ICS network and USB modem installation. All is jubbly now though

LinLin · Mar 04, 2008, 16:13:41

Woooowwww -- the Netgear DG834 arrived today. Setup took about 5 minutes, totally trouble-free.

I changed none of the settings on my Mac from where they were when I last tried the Zoom X4 -- was saving that as a last resort.

Manual was easy to find, really simple to follow instructions. Plugged the modem/router in, rebooted the computer, and within 2 minutes was on the internet. I'm writing this from my mac, and am very happy to say the least.

Go Netgear!

And again, thanks for the recommendation. This feels like the Rolls Royce of the internet highway.

Looking forward to joining the IDnet family as soon as my current ISP cuts me loose.

Thank you again,

LinLin

lozcart · Mar 04, 2008, 16:16:45

Great news LinLin, glad you got it sorted

Rik · Mar 04, 2008, 16:27:49

That's great, LinLin, has to have been a duff Zoom. We'll keep your place warm, but you don't have to wait to join IDNet to get stuck in here.

Lance · Mar 04, 2008, 22:30:18

Glad its all working now, linlin!

Najarak · Mar 04, 2008, 23:21:43

Pleased to see that the Netgear is working and that your Mac connected with no problems. Just in case you have not already done it, it is important to change the password in the Netgear from the default one.

Rik · Mar 05, 2008, 00:08:44

Good point, Steve. If you have the wireless side enabled, LinLin, also change the default SSID of Netgear to something meaningful to you, but not personally identifiable.

Edit: Typo

Lance · Mar 05, 2008, 20:36:07

Glad you have it all working, LinLin

Inactive · Mar 06, 2008, 01:17:59

Quote from: Lance on Mar 04, 2008, 22:30:18
Glad its all working now, linlin!

We heard you the first time Lance..

Rik · Mar 06, 2008, 01:19:07

Speak up, In, I can't hear.

Gary · Mar 06, 2008, 01:55:29

Quote from: Rik on Mar 05, 2008, 00:08:44
Good point, Steve. If you have the wireless side enabled, LinLin, also change the default SSID of Netgear to something meaningful to you, but not personally identifiable.

Edit: Typo

I went for something in an eastern European language

hard to guess and its hidden, just because there are not many wifi networks around here, so as I see it if they cant see the network its at least little harder to find the house so to speak.

Rik · Mar 06, 2008, 01:57:16

The trouble with using an Eastern European language these days, Gary, is that there's a lot of people around to read it...

Gary · Mar 06, 2008, 02:03:44

Not round here rik, its also got numbers and symbols etc as well it makes no sense i went for the whole alphanumeric bit with it to confuse that matter

Sebby · Mar 06, 2008, 13:13:34

Great news, LinLin. A router is much better than a modem, too, so you've killed two birds with one stone.

Lance · Mar 06, 2008, 19:43:12

Quote from: Inactive on Mar 06, 2008, 01:17:59
We heard you the first time Lance..

I really am losing the plot!

Actually, the first one I posted from my phone, but thought it had disconnected before actually posting it so gave up and went to bed. It must have posted before disconnecting!

Rik · Mar 06, 2008, 19:53:44

Don't worry, Lance, I've completely forgotten what a plot is...