Ethernet Problems on G3 iMac

[Sir Games-A-Lot]

Hi all, I recently dug up an old Rev. A G3 iMac I got for cheap to run certain older applications for school.

Here's the problem though: it seems that there is something wrong with the built in ethernet card. I was following the official guide to connecting to an ethernet router/cable modem, and the built in ethernet card does not appear on the TCP/IP control pannel, the only options are AppleTalk (MacIP), AOL Link, AOL Link Enhanced, Infrared Port (IrDA), and PPP slot 0. I tried using the Assistant for oennecting to the internet, all goes well until I check the TCP/IP control pannel again, at which point it generates an error telling me that built in ethernet is no longer available.

I don't see the ethernet card in the System Profiler. I am running OS 9.1.

What could be causing this problem and what can I do to fix it?


I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm not used to working with Mac's.

[bicostp]

*dusts off old tidbits of seemingly useless Mac OS Classic knowledge*

It didn't show up in the system profiler, eh? That's odd.

What about the Appletalk control panel? (Might be there... it was back in 7.6.1...) Does it show up there?

If not then you might need to restore the OS with the original CD.

Hmm... this spring I should pull out my old 9600/132, run iCab, and get it online just for the heck of it.

[vskid]

I had the same problem. The poor iMac is now in pieces as punishment for its refusal to work.

[Ditto]

I had the same problem. The poor iMac is now in pieces as punishment for its refusal to work.

Try putting linux on it.

Works on my old iBook. Not sure abbout the ethernet issue though..

[Sparkfist]

Well that system is about 10 years old, and unfortunately on board ethernet tends to die leaving you with nothing. I experienced a similar situation with my dad's computer (about 7 years old, running Win98SE). Depending on the OS you're running I don't know if it's 8 or 9, but there is a USB to Ethernet cables you can find on ebay that you can try and see if that will let you get internet back.

Only way I know of to see if the ethernet works is try this, connect the ethernet cable to the router, go into the router and look at the IP or MAC addresses. If you see one added that wasn't there before you connected the Mac then the ethernet works. If not, guess you can either buy the USB cable or you can try replacing the whole ethernet part of the iMac (replace the chip).

[vskid]

I had the same problem. The poor iMac is now in pieces as punishment for its refusal to work.

Try putting linux on it.

When I say pieces, I mean the CRT is at the landfill, the motherboard is busted, and the hard drive is destined for use elsewhere.