All the troubleshooting assistance found here has been re-written and updated in my Macintosh Troubleshooting book: 'Fix a troubled Mac'

Available to purchase ($15), from the KAGI online store.

These Procedures are for any Macintosh that can boot into Mac OS 9.2.2 or earlier. If you need Mac OS X bootable only Support, go here

Appleshare, File Sharing or
Network TCP/IP Issues

Also look at Personal File Sharing Issues and Appleshare File Server Issues
  • Check &/or replace network cables, verify correct port is used, check for activity on startup on network devices when Mac starts up.

  • Check that TCP/IP control panel is always loaded [advanced:options],' connect via' settings are correct, [try DHCP if on LAN]

  • If internet access is problematic, check that the DNS settings are correct. (Change to 203.25.81.35 for testing purposes).

  • Check that Appletalk is active in chooser and correct 'connect via' network interface is used in Appletalk control panel (this can be changed after PRAM reset)

  • Check that a dead PRAM battery is not affecting network settings at Startup. Is the date and time correct?

  • Check that it is not a memory issue, turn Virtual memory on/off.

  • Check that is it not an Ethernet Driver issue if using a third party PCI card, try removing the Apple ENET extension.

  • Move Appleshare Prep & slow loading multiple or duplicate aliases in Server folder inside System folder (Mac OS 9) to the desktop to resolve File Server volumes & connectivity issues.

  • Occasionally the TCP/IP preferences can become corrupt. Write down and also backup the TCP/IP settings, then remove the TCP/IP preferences from the System Folder > Preferences. Re-enter in all the settings again in the TCP/IP control panel.

  • Remove the invisible Appleshare PDS (root level file on each drive)

  • Check that there are no corrupt aliases in the Apple Menu Items: recently used servers or documents

  • Verify that it is not a Extensis suitcase or Adobe Type Manager Deluxe issue looking for fonts from a Network Server.

  • Try another ethernet interface to verify if hardware or network device incompatibility. (Cisco switches can cause problems on older iMacs and Powerbooks. Cisco should have Spanning Tree Protocol OFF)