MacBook with BT wireless broadband issues

RichyX

I've had BT wireless broadband for a while now, but it only works with some programs on my mac.
To be specific only Firefox seems to work with it.

I've followed the instructions correctly, everything is set to automatic through the network tab, but still Firefox is the only thing that can connect and use the connection.
Not even OS X can check for updates, although Airport connects with no problems.

Any ideas where the issue may lie?

cpu-dude

RichyX wrote: »

I've had BT wireless broadband for a while now, but it only works with some programs on my mac.
To be specific only Firefox seems to work with it.

I've followed the instructions correctly, everything is set to automatic through the network tab, but still Firefox is the only thing that can connect and use the connection.
Not even OS X can check for updates, although Airport connects with no problems.

Any ideas where the issue may lie?

When you use Firefox, does the BB operate at normal speeds etc.?

RichyX

cpu-dude wrote: »

When you use Firefox, does the BB operate at normal speeds etc.?

Yes, the speed is fine.
Now I think of it Transmission, Skype and Adium function properly too.

cpu-dude

RichyX wrote: »

Yes, the speed is fine.
Now I think of it Transmission, Skype and Adium function properly too.

So what doesn't work - just the OS X Updates?

RichyX

cpu-dude wrote: »

So what doesn't work - just the OS X Updates?

Of the top of my head I can think of updates, itunes, Microsoft Messenger, Safari, Camino, Chrome.

cpu-dude

RichyX wrote: »

Of the top of my head I can think of updates, itunes, Microsoft Messenger, Safari, Camino, Chrome.

Well a router wouldn't stop all of those programs specifically... have you and security / firewall / anti-virus programs installed?

RichyX

cpu-dude wrote: »

Well a router wouldn't stop all of those programs specifically... have you and security / firewall / anti-virus programs installed?

Nope, nothing along those lines.
My BootCamp install works perfectly as far I can remember, and that does have security

Sad Professor

It may still be a problem with your network settings. Firefox (stupidly) has its own proxy settings (you'll find them in Advanced > Network in the Firefox prefs). Perhaps they are configured correctly but your system settings aren't.

So have a look in the proxies tab in System Prefs > Network > You connection, etc. I assume they should not be set to anything.

Also if you are using Leopard check System Prefs > Security > Firewall and make sure Safari isn't being blocked.

cpu-dude

Sad Professor wrote: »

Firefox (stupidly) has its own proxy settings...

That is one of my favourite things about Firefox.

RichyX

Solved the problem.
Airport was configured to work with the college wireless network which had made a couple of changes to the proxies.
Just unticked them and things worked.

Sad Professor

RichyX wrote: »

Airport was configured to work with the college wireless network which had made a couple of changes to the proxies.

I thought it might be something like this. For future reference you can create a separate airport connection by clicking the plus sign in the network pane. And you can assign them to a "location" such as "Home", "College", "Work", etc.

RichyX

Sad Professor wrote: »

For future reference you can create a separate airport connection by clicking the plus sign in the network pane. And you can assign them to a "location" such as "Home", "College", "Work", etc.

Thanks, I'll be making use of that.