Mac OS X 10.2.8 Ethernet Problems: Apple Official Workarounds

Mac OS X 10.2.8: Can't Connect via Ethernet After Installing Update

After updating Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server to version 10.2.8, you may
not be able to connect to the Internet or your network. This only
affects some computers using a 10BASE-T Ethernet connection.

Symptom

You cannot access the Internet or local network resources after
updating to version 10.2.8.

Your computer's IP address is in the 169.254.x.x range.

Products affected
o Mac OS X 10.2.8
o Mac OS X Server 10.2.8
o Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) - dual 450 MHz and dual 500 MHz
computers only
o Macintosh Server G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) - dual 450 MHz and dual 500
MHz servers only
o Any 10BASE-T network hardware (hubs, switches, routers)
o Many DSL (digital subscriber line) and cable modems with 10BASE-T
Ethernet ports

Note: The built-in Gigabit Ethernet ports on the affected computers
can automatically switch between 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and 1000BASE-T
speeds to match the network they are on.

Solution

Apple has removed Mac OS X 10.2.8 until an update that resolves this
issue can be made available. This update is expected to be available
soon, and this document will be updated at that time.

Workarounds

Consider using one of the following workarounds until the update is available.

Note: Wherever a hub is mentioned, a switch or router could be
substituted if properly configured. See the device's manual for
configuration information.

1. For cable and DSL modems with 10BASE-T ports: Do not connect the
computer directly to the modem. Instead, connect the computer and the
modem to the same 10/100BASE-T hub.

2. For local area networks (LANs): If you can connect the computer
directly to a 10/100BASE-T or 100BASE-T hub, you should do that. If
you don't have that option, place a 10/100BASE-T hub between your
computer and your normal 10BASE-T connection.

3. If a wireless network is available, use an AirPort card to connect.

4. If you have a third-party Ethernet PCI card, install it in your
computer in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Change
the computer's settings in Network preferences to use this card.

5. If you don't have access to the hardware items mentioned above,
you can perform an Archive and Install from your Mac OS X 10.2
Installation disc. After reinstalling, use the Software Update
feature of System Preferences to update to Mac OS X 10.2.6. For more
information, see technical document 107120, "Mac OS X 10.2: About the
Archive and Install Feature".

Note: If you perform an Archive and Install installation, it's OK to
select Preserve User and Network Settings.

Zapptek release iPod It 2.1

iPod It version 2.1, is now available to download at http://www.zapptek.com/Downloads/ipodit21.sit. This release adds a number of usability enhancements, the ability to transfer Entourage Tasks to the To Do list of 2.0 iPods and fixes a number of bugs. For full details of this release visit http://www.zapptek.com/ipod-it/.

About iPod It:
Who needs a PDA when you have an iPod?
Transfer your PIM data to your iPod so it's available whenever you need it;
iPod It supports transferring information from Entourage, Stickies, Mail,
Address Book and iCal. You can even download weather forecasts and news
headlines directly to your iPod.

Adobe executives webcast next week

Adobe Systems will webcast a keynote speech by CEO Bruce Chizen from its product-launch event in New York City on September 29. The keynote will include "new product demonstrations, as well as presentations by Bruce Chizen and Shantanu Narayen, executive vice president of Adobe's worldwide products".

The speech takes place at 10am (3pm GMT) Monday September 29, and will last one hour, the company said . (source MacWorld)

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2.8 problem Tech Info

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2.8 problem Tech Info

Apple has released further information detailing the Ethernet problem that derailed the release of the Mac OS 10.2.8 update, which remains unavailable. Apple's notes read: "After updating Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server to version 10.2.8, you may not be able to connect to the Internet or your network. This only affects some computers using a 10Base-T Ethernet connection."

The company has confirmed the bug affects only dual 450MHz and dual 500MHz Power Mac G4s and (Gigabit Ethernet) dual-450MHz and dual 500MHz desktop and server Macs. It also affects any 10Base-T network hardware (hubs, switches, routers) and many DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and cable modems with 10Base-T Ethernet ports.

Apple has removed Mac OS X 10.2.8 from its servers until an update that resolves this issue can be made available. This is expected to be available "soon", according to Apple. The tech-support document that details these changes will be updated when the update is re-released. The company has supplied several workarounds for affected users. These include performing an archive and install operation using the Mac OS X 10.2 Installation disc. (source MacWorld)

Apple pulls 10.2.8 update

A day after it was released, Apple quietly pulled its Mac OS X v10.2.8 Tuesday afternoon, both from its Web site and through the Software Update system preferences pane.

Some Mac users complained that their Ethernet networking connectivity was deactivated following the software update's installation. The problem seems mainly isolated to certain Power Mac G4 models.Details about when a new update would be posted were unavailable as we posted this article, and Apple stopped short of offering a specific remedy to correct the issue on Power Mac G4s already stricken by this problem.

Several participants of the discussion groups on Apple's own Web site have noted that it's possible to restore Ethernet connectivity on these computers by downloading the previous copy of the AppleGMACEthernet.kext file used by Mac OS X and reinstalling it, either by issuing a series of commands from the Terminal application or by rebooting the Power Mac G4 into Mac OS 9 and dragging and dropping the file into its appropriate location. Apple does not support these solutions, however, so proceed with utmost caution.

It is the second time only that Apple has to "Pull" a up date; the first time was the iTune 3 one! Word to the wise; wait patiently and in a few days a new "Fix" from Apple will be available for download, that should stop this kaos.

iSync, iCal updates just days away

Sources said that iSync 1.2 and iCal 1.5 are on the way, and will soon be posted to Software Update.

Apple is expected to release the updates within the next few days, or next week. The updates have already been provided to a number of Apple employees.

iCal 1.5 (build 644) and iSync 1.2 (build 117) will both include several updates. iCal will feature aesthetic tweaks as well as some interface changes; the event inspector will be an integrated drawer instead of a separate window. Users will also be able to customize calendar colors beyond the presets.

iCal 1.5 will also support different time zones: Users will be able to control what time zone each event is in on an event-by-event basis, or, instead, will be able to set the time zone for the entire application.

The new iCal will require iSync 1.2, and won't work with the older Version 1.1. iSync 1.2 will offer full support for Symbian-based phones like the Sony Ericcson P800 and the Nokia 3650, and will work with iCal's calendar.

Sources said not much else has changed in iSync 1.2, though error messages include more detailed problem descriptions. For example, one tester was having problems synchronizing via Bluetooth due to connection errors, and iSync 1.2 explained that a firewall was blocking the Bluetooth connection.

In other news, Apple seeded build 6R62 of Mac OS X 10.2.8 to developers yesterday. No new details were provided in the seed note. (Source Think Secret)