MacBook Pro - Problems with Your Internet Connection

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Problems with Your Internet Connection

Your MacBook Pro has the Network Setup Assistant application to help walk you
through setting up an Internet connection. Open System Preferences and click
Network. Click the “Assist me” button to open Network Setup Assistant.

If you have trouble with your Internet connection, you can try the steps in this section
for your type of connection or you can use Network Diagnostics.

To use Network Diagnostics:

1

Choose Apple () > System Preferences.

2

Click Network and then click “Assist me.”

3

Click Diagnostics to open Network Diagnostics.

4

Follow the onscreen instructions.

If Network Diagnostics can’t resolve the problem, there might be a problem with the
Internet service provider (ISP) you are trying to connect to, with an external device you
are using to connect to your ISP, or with the server you are trying to access. You can try
the following steps.

Cable Modem, DSL Modem, and LAN Internet Connections

Make sure all modem cables are firmly plugged in, including the modem power cord,
the cable from the modem to the computer, and the cable from the modem to the wall
jack. Also check the cables and power supplies to Ethernet hubs and routers.

Turn off your DSL or cable modem for a few minutes, and then turn it back on. Some
ISPs recommend that you unplug the modem’s power cord. If your modem has a reset
button, you can press it either before or after you turn the power off and on.

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Chapter 4

Problem, Meet Solution

Important: 

Instructions that refer to modems do not apply to LAN users. LAN users

might have hubs, switches, routers, or connection pods that DSL and cable modem
users do not have. LAN users should contact their network administrator rather than
an ISP.

PPPoE Connections

If you are unable to connect to your Internet service provider using PPPoE (Point to
Point Protocol over Ethernet), make sure you have entered the correct information in
Network preferences.

To check your Network preference settings:

1

Choose Apple () > System Preferences.

2

Click Network.

3

Click Add (+) at the bottom of the network connection services list, and choose PPPoE
from the Interface pop-up menu.

4

Choose an Interface for the PPPoE service from the Ethernet pop-up menu. Choose
Ethernet if you are connecting to a wired network or Wi-Fi if you are connecting to
a wireless network.

5

Click Create.

6

Enter the information you received from your service provider, such as account name,
password, and the PPPoE service name (if your service provider requires it).

7

Click Apply to make the settings active.

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Chapter 4

Problem, Meet Solution

Network Connections

Make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into your MacBook Pro and into the network.
Check the cables and power supplies to your Ethernet hubs and routers.

If you have two or more computers attempting to share an Internet connection, be
sure that your network is set up properly. You need to know whether your ISP provides
only one IP address or multiple IP addresses, one for each computer.

If only one IP address is provided, then you must have a router capable of sharing
the connection, also known as network address translation (NAT) or “IP masquerading.”
For setup information, check the documentation provided with your router or ask
the person who set up your network. The AirPort base station can be used to
share one IP address among multiple computers. For information about using an
AirPort base station, check Help Center or go to the AirPort Support website at
www.apple.com/support/airport.

If you can’t resolve the issue using these steps, contact your ISP or network administrator.