System Preferences / Network

21 Oct 2008 11:55:40

John Nicholas

Have changed ISP recently and as a result I needed to tweek my Network Settings.

Connections to internet more or less fine, but after a couple of days when I thought I ought to check the Network settings, I had a problem.

As soon as I select Network, it opens but a box drops down saying......... "Your Network settings have been changed by another application"

The only button offered is "OK" but when this is clicked it disappears momentarily but immediately returns. As a consequence I cannot access 'Network'.

Access to internet is possible but the odd glitch, hence I need to get at the settings.

Re: System Preferences / Network

21 Oct 2008 12:28:12

Mick Burrell

Have you tried setting up a new location?

Re: System Preferences / Network

21 Oct 2008 14:53:07

John Nicholas

Now tried that.............and, adapting the words of Laurel & Hardy.............what another fine mess I've got myself into.

The mac disconnected from the net and refused to reconnect, so I couldn't Wamug chat further, or get online help, or anything. However, now have managed to get reconnected.

Network now appears not to include Speedtouch USB Modem (it did before) even though that is how I've connected. The same message as before blocks the use of the Network System Preferences and the only way beyond that point is (as I should have said before) is to Force Quit the System Preferences.

Re: System Preferences / Network

21 Oct 2008 21:22:45

Terry Willis

John - What operating system are you running and what model is the Speedtouch Modem?

Re: System Preferences / Network

21 Oct 2008 21:34:44

Terry Willis

Re: System Preferences / Network

22 Oct 2008 00:14:51

John Nicholas

Thompson Speedtouch 330 connected directly via adsl filter to a dedicated phone line and also to the Powerpc Mac not the keyboard or the powered hub. Running with OS 10.4.11 and the driver upgraded as per the quoted web-link even though the modem has worked fine for 2 years, and continues to connect to the web ok.

Re: System Preferences / Network

22 Oct 2008 23:26:55

Terry Willis

You are not alone....
http://www.applelinks.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/166/

The page has a few links with several suggested remedies which may be worth trying.

Re: System Preferences / Network

22 Oct 2008 23:49:21

John Nicholas

Thanks Terry.

My Mac-room will be off-limits until after the weekend due to the presence of visitors from Europe, but will get amongst this then.

Maybe Apple will produce a patch to rectify what they caused, soon ?

Re: System Preferences / Network

23 Oct 2008 22:08:42

John Nicholas

Mick.............If I sounded a little terse it was not aimed at you. Only realised on a re-read that it may have seemed so. Your suggestion of opening/creating a new Location, whilst not curing the problem which we now find is an Apple Security Update consequence, it did resolve the minor annoyances I was having anyway with my internet connection. So thanks for the tip; it did act as a workaround insofar as why I had otherwise needed to access my Network preferences.

Terry...........the link you gave me lead of course in turn to several other links which make interesting reading but only as regards workarounds not permanent cures; that will be for Apple to resolve. I tried the suggestion of using the Enter key to respond "OK" and almost simultaneously mouse clicking the drop-down location menu which does indeed get rid of the infuriating/ blocking message which enabled me to delete/edit/rename/duplicate whichever locations. As some of the forum suggestions said I then locked the changes etc. Success no message now............... yes BUT.......upon restart the Preference pane has quietly unlocked itself and the dratted message is back again. Anyway I now know how to workaround the problem when I need access to the pane but as others on the web forums have said Apple should deal with its error pdq.

Re: System Preferences / Network

24 Oct 2008 12:01:10

Mick Burrell

I've just re-read this John and I still can't see anything I'd have put down as terse but you may wish to send a terse reply to this one ;-)

If I come across anyone using any kind of USB modem, I try to suggest as tactfully as possible that they will cure or avoid many headaches by forking out for an ethernet router. I'm sure you'll find lots of recommendations as to which brand should you choose to ask on here but from personal experience I've always found Netgear easy to set up and very reliable. Most people seem to opt for their DG834 or the wireless equivalent DG834G. The newer DG834N which supports the draft N wireless standard is very good but more expensive.

Re: System Preferences / Network

24 Oct 2008 18:46:36

John Nicholas

Thanks for your comment re modems versus routers. Being a "miser", I dare say I shall soldier on, but at least I have your advice to hand when I moan next.

Re: System Preferences / Network

14 Nov 2008 12:41:57

John Nicholas

One of the updated entries on the Forum links mentioned by Terry suggested:-

Systems Preferences/ Security/ Tick box for "Require password to unlock each secure system preference".

It works.(Problem solved?) Yippee.