Help! Macbook Pro Can't login user when WiFi is active

[HJF]

Here is the whole story. We have a Belkin N+ Wireless router as well as a Belkin Wireless G router(For the older PCs that don't support N). We then have 1 Imac, 2 Macbook Pro's, 3 Windows 7 Desktops and 2 Windows Laptops all connecting to this network.

Here is the problem. The laptop my father uses(one of the Macbook Pro's) has a big problem. When you start up and get to the user login screen and try to log in it shows the progress bar as usual but it then freezes and won't go past this point. Some "tech company" did their network for them and it seems they changed something on the laptop as well.

When you turn off both routers it logs in just fine. None of the other computers have any problems with the network. I have no idea what it could be and it's getting frustrating having to turn off the routers for him to be able to use his laptop.

If anyone can help me I would really appreciate it.

Oh nearly forgot, they run some kind of windows server at the office but I don't know how any of that works or if that could be what is causing the problem.

EDIT - Also forgot that once the Macbook has been started up with both routers off and you start the routers back up he can connect to the network with no issues.

 

[Gadget Man]

Sounds like an address issue. The LAN probably has fixed IP addresses assigned to different machines. If the address is already being used, the MacBook won't connect, because the address is taken. If you start up the router, you break the connection and the MacBook get priority on the assigned address. When you start up, and the MacBook connects, do all the other machines work as well?

I had a case a few years ago in a small office ... suddenly one of the machines in the office failed to connect. It was fairly random ... and then we discovered that the network could handle x number of connection and the last machine to come along was kicked out.

 

[HJF]

Sounds like an address issue. The LAN probably has fixed IP addresses assigned to different machines. If the address is already being used, the MacBook won't connect, because the address is taken. If you start up the router, you break the connection and the MacBook get priority on the assigned address. When you start up, and the MacBook connects, do all the other machines work as well?

I had a case a few years ago in a small office ... suddenly one of the machines in the office failed to connect. It was fairly random ... and then we discovered that the network could handle x number of connection and the last machine to come along was kicked out.

Thanks for the reply.

The only fixed IP's are the 2 routers and my own PC. None of the other computers ever have issues connecting to the network no matter what. Let me maybe outline the exact connection methods for all PC's.

Windows Laptop 1 : Wifi 54g Router
Windows Laptop 2 : Wifi N+ Router
Macbook Pro 1(Working one) : Wifi N+ Router
Macbook Pro 2(not Working) : Wifi N+/54g router <--This is the only thing on the network that ever has issues and only since the office "network techs" had their hands on it
Imac : N+ Router via gigabit lan cable
Desktop 1 : N+ Router via gigabit lan cable
Desktop 2 : Wifi 54g Router
Desktop 3 : Wifi 54g Router
PS3 : N+ Router via gigabit lan cable

 

[MidnightWizard]

Network Techs

Macbook Pro 2(not Working) : Wifi N+/54g router <--This is the only thing on the network that ever has issues
and
only since the office "network techs" had their hands on it

Can you not ask them what they did ?

Might be a start to troubleshoot ?

Might be some logic behind it ?

 

[HJF]

Can you not ask them what they did ?

Might be a start to troubleshoot ?

Might be some logic behind it ?

They used some company from Pretoria, my father can't remember who it was and seems like he won't find out soon.

Obviously it was the first thing I thought of.

No need for snotty remarks.

 

[MidnightWizard]

OK

They used some company from Pretoria,
my father can't remember who it was and seems like he won't find out soon.
Obviously it was the first thing I thought of.
No need for snotty remarks.

Welll your old man is a very trusting sort of person.

OK sorry if it sounded snotty -- I always carry a handkerchief with me

 

[HJF]

Welll your old man is a very trusting sort of person.

OK sorry if it sounded snotty -- I always carry a handkerchief with me

He's just usually really busy with running multiple companies and tends to not bother getting what I ask.

Getting a little annoying having to shut down the whole network every time he has to start up his Macbook

I know it has to be something they changed but I'm not familiar with exactly how networks work. I can slap together a basic home network but that's about it.

They do have a Windows based server at the offices so I don't know if there could be something the laptop is looking for on the network and it's not present at home? Some kind of athentication logon server maybe?

 

[GreGorGy]

Some "tech company" did their network for them and it seems they changed something on the laptop as well.

Sounds sinister. Do me a favour here...

Apple -> System Prefs -> Network.

Do a screen snapshot of that screen to start with. Or at least tell me Location setting.

Then click the Airport icon on the left and advanced on the right. Again, snapshot or a list of all networks and security. Click TCP IP and tell me those settings too.


I suspect, and you may want to try this before uploading any images, that the remembered networks are in conflict. Deleting them all may help. Going to keychain in Utilities folder, making a note of the associated passwords for all wireless networks and deleting these too may help. But I really first wanna know if that location setting has changed and how many there are.

 

[HJF]

Sounds sinister. Do me a favour here...

Apple -> System Prefs -> Network.

Do a screen snapshot of that screen to start with. Or at least tell me Location setting.

Then click the Airport icon on the left and advanced on the right. Again, snapshot or a list of all networks and security. Click TCP IP and tell me those settings too.


I suspect, and you may want to try this before uploading any images, that the remembered networks are in conflict. Deleting them all may help. Going to keychain in Utilities folder, making a note of the associated passwords for all wireless networks and deleting these too may help. But I really first wanna know if that location setting has changed and how many there are.

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply! I do remember there being a HUGE amount of networks saved. I'll be able to have a look tomorrow night.

Thanks again.