Can't see buddy

I'm just starting ichat. Got signed up, can log in etc, picture and sound work fine. At this stage only have 1 buddy. He can invite me to video chat - it rings, I accept everything works fine. But, when I log in, my buddy list is grayed out, and I cannot invite him to chat. I created him in buddy list, but I still can't see him and cannot initiate a chat. I told him my log in info (he is in a different country) he logs in as me and can see the buddy list, but I can't. The only difference seems to be that I am using Airport Extreme router and he is just on internet direct via modem. Could the router be the problem. When I first tried to get on, I had to enable appletalk to make iChat work, so that is done.

Interesting one.
At iChat 4 in Leopard (10.5.x) or higher a Buddy (Or you ) can set them selves to Invisible.
Sending your details to your Buddy should eliminate this if he has his Own regular Buddy List Open as he would still s"see" himself as Off Line.
Next is you may have added him as An AIM Name when he is @mac. com or @me.com as you have to choose when adding a Buddy in iChat 4
Now as above as he can "See" himself in your Buddy List this does not seem to apply.
Nor would if you had Blocked him in iChat > Preferences > Accounts > Block Specific People > Block list or the two Allow Buddy List Only or Allow Specific People as these setting are passed to the AIM servers and those Buddies are Flagged so that they work when you log in somewhere else (as passing your details over has done).
Now iChat does login to the aIM servers on port 5190 using the TCP Protocol by default.
iChat also uses this port on the UDP Protocol, mainly for File Sharing and Group chats but also for Some Buddy List feedback.
Changing the port to get around some routing devices that don't like using the port Twice will only work if port 5190 is Open on the UDP Protocol if its is open and the PRotocol has to be Specified in any Routing device.
Defcom is right that the Mac Firewall is the logical place to Start making sure iChat is allowed through any and all firewall settings.
It is in System Preferences > Security > Firewall
Allow All and Allow Specific apps with iChat added to the list are the ones that work. (iChat is NOT an Essential App).
(In the Advanced Button, Stealth should not be On as it interferes with A/V chats)
In the Airport Extreme (Accessed with Airport Utility in Applications/Utilities) the Internet pane has a NAT Tab.
In here is Port Mapping Protocol.
This should be ON/Enabled.
I would ask if your Modem routes ?
If so is the Extreme set to Bridge (Off) Mode in the Internet Pane so that the Extreme is just a Wireless access Point to the LAN created by the Modem ?
9:40 PM Friday; January 29, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Similar Messages

Ichat can't see buddy

i'm confused, i used to use ichat to video chat with friends regularly and for some reason recently cannot see the person i am chatting with when i attempt a video chat. the other user can see/hear me, but i can't see/hear them. help!

Hi,
As First step try changing the bandwidth in iChat > Preferences > Video section to 500kbps
Try getting your Buddy to then do the same (I.e. Not at the same time)
You can use the Connection Doctor (Video Menu) to see when the Bitrate settles as the iChat Buffering will try to smooth out the change.
8:21 PM Sunday; June 5, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.7)
 Mac OS X (10.6.7),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Can't see buddy on Video Ichat.

Recently I've encountered a weird problem with my Video Ichat conferences. The video connects to my buddy and I can hear them perfectly. They can see me, but my Ichat window only displays a photo of myself as if I was using photobooth. No smaller box appears and I only see myself.
I would highly appreciate help for this problem

Hi,
If you have either 10.4.11 or 10.5.6 and have Perian installed at version 1.1.3 then Disable/Uninstall it and downgrade to version 1.1.2 and mark it not to do Auto Updates.
http://perian.cachefly.net/Perian_1.1.2.dmg
8:59 PM Tuesday; February 10, 2009

Can't see buddy on video chat with PC user

I'm using a Macbook Pro and Ichat, my buddy is using a HP with a Logitech Quickcam Fusion camera and an AOL account. The problem is they can see and hear me (as well as view their own camera) but I can only hear them. The only video I see is my own.
Is there a way to switch the view from the Mac camera to the buddy camera?

Hi thoe,
Welcome to the Apple Discussions
In iChat go to the Video menu.
In here you will find the Connection Doctor.
Start a video chat with your Buddy.
Open the Connection Doctor.
Does it say they are actually sending you any video feed ?
It is likely they need to do the "Tuning" of their camera and mic to the AIM application. If they have done it before it is likely they have disconnected the camera at some point and it will need doing again.
Also see http://www.mvldesign.com/videoconferencetutorial.html
11:01 AM Tuesday; June 20, 2006

Can't see buddy AT ALL on list

when i add my brother, he appears briefly but almost instantly fades away and disappears. he doesn't show up on my "Offline" list or anywhere else, but he says that i am on HIS buddy list. since he doesn't appear on my list, i can't chat with him. when i am able to right click fast enough, i can video chat with him for 2 minutes tops before the lag takes over and we can no longer understand each other.
any help with this would be greatly appreciated! i'm leaving for college in a few days and i'd really like to be able to stay in touch with my family this way.
thank you =]

If his name is already in your Address Book add his Screen name to that card and drag him to the iChat Buddy List
9:00 PM Friday; August 29, 2008

Can I see how long an "away" buddy has been idle also?

Hi,
Is there a way for me to see how long an "away" buddy has been idle? It's long been a feature of regular AIM but I can't figure out if it's even available in iChat. A buddy may be idle for several hours when away, and it would be convenient to be able to see both idle and away status simultaneously. Please let me know. Thanks.

I can tell that wasn't helpful so here it is... Using iChat if the person simply leaves their computer (doesn't post an away message) you can then see how long they've been idle. Otherwise if they post the default Away or their own custom away message it does not additionally show their time away or idle time. I know!!! it should though (unless their is an add-on application out there, which I haven't seen one that can make this happen)... iChat doesn't show this information in this case. Sorry.

I can hear my buddy but not see in Video Chat...

Sort of. Its an odd situation. In video chats, I can see my buddy just fine, but she can't see me. On my side the only symptom of this problem is that "local video" refuses to appear. Any thoughts? I read a similar topic in the forums, but it dealt with Perian, which I've never heard of.

Hi,
Welcome to the  Discussions
Perian is a System Add-on that gets added to System Preferences that help Quicktime play formats it does not normally play.
Are you saying that if you click your own Video Icon next to your Buddy pic at the head of the Buddy List you do not get a Preview ?
And no pic appears in iChat > Preferences > Video section ?
I would do a PRAM reset first.
Shut down the computer.
Restart it holding down APPLE(or ⌘ )ALT(⌥)+PR Keys until you have heard three Start Up Bongs.
7:48 PM Sunday; April 18, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Buddy can see me, but I can't see him

I'm trying to chat with a buddy who is staying in a hotel. We both have macs and isight cameras. He can see me and can see himself on his screen, but I can't see him - it's just a grey screen. Could it be the hotel connection, or is this an ichat problem?

hi theresap,
Welcome To The Apple Discussion Pages.
Most likely it is the Bandwidth of the Hotel.
It could be ports but this is less liekly as he can see you.
He should check System Preferences > Quicktime > Streaming tab > Streaming drop down and set it to 1.5Mb. It is likely that the hotel is at least at T1 speeds if not faster. If he is on Automatic iChat does not work properly and lower speed cap iChat as do the settings in iChat Preference > Video > Bandwidth Limit drop down. This should be set to NONE.
8:24 PM Friday; March 24, 2006

I Can Video Chat but I Cannot see Buddy But I Can Hear Them, What Do I Do ?

I Can Connect with Video Chat but I Cannot see Buddy But I Can Hear Them, What Do I Do ?
kiChat ref (please)
For iChat 3 and iChat and iChat Sharing (iChat 4) Forums
This is for Mac users who are at either 10.4.11 or 10.5.6 and have Perian 1.1.3 Installed
It does not seem PCC or Intel Specific.
As Noted in the Question, the user can make a successful Video chat connection albeit without incoming Video being shown.
The Connection Doctor from iChat Video menu says there is a incoming feed.
Testing and work by Defcom proved this to be the Installation of Perian 1.1.3 from http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/perian_christopherforsythe.html
Perian 1.1.3 (a Quicktime add-on that uses a System Preferences like Flip4Mac) causes problems in both iChat versions when the OS is at either 10.4.11 or 10.5.6
This includes deliberate installs and automatic updates by the Preferences Panel (In System Preferences)
The Solution
Download and downgrade to Perian 1.1.2 and turn Off Auto Updates in the Preferences Panel
Process
Use the Un-install check box in the Perian Preference Pane panel.
Download the .dmg from this link WARNING THIS IS A DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINK http://perian.cachefly.net/Perian_1.1.2.dmg
Install Perian 1.1.2
Go to the System Preference > Perian pane and disable Automatic Updates
Happy Chatting
10:32 PM Saturday; April 4, 2009

I'm having this same problem, except i've been traveling and video chatting fine, not that i'm finally home i'm trying to vid chat with my friend in america and same deal, all i can see is myself and hear the other person.... and they can hear and see me fine.
both using mac osx
anyone got any ideas??

Project Manager can´t see my .lso files

Hello logicusers, I am new at the forum and this is my first trouble: Project Manager can´t see my .lso files. I would like to start using PM but it seems to be difficult without seeing .lso files in the navigator window.
I´ve read the books, I´ve checked here for this tip and got a lot of useful information, but no solution found. I hope somebody could help me please:
- Macbook white with LP 7.2.3
- Reinstalled and cleaned all
- Installed OSX upgrade 0.4.9 manually
- Installed pro application support 3.1
- PM Data and logic preferences deleted
- permissions applied to "all enclosed folders"
- Performed a complete scan in PM
If I create a new song from logic, PM can´t see this .lso file.
If I scan a external hard drive (lacie f.a.porsche) through PM, it only recognizes one .lso file from a lot of old songs, and I don´t imagine why.
Yesterday I tried this: opened PM, copied a Template song from the Templates folder to the Desktop; renamed it as "Sidload" (my particular "Autoload" term); until here, everything correct, PM seems to be able to manage "Sidload". But when I open Sidload and save the first change, and .bak folder comes, I can´t make more "visible copies for PM" of this file. Finder can see the new copies, but PM not (files that has created "itself"); so I can´t manage a song that has been copied, renamed and saved for first time -through PM, from a Template; invisible, dissapears. No saving PM data, no checking folder, no advanced search helps.
I wish to have a way to talk to logic support via mail, but I don´t know how. So I came here to beg you friends for your help. Thank you very much for being here.

yep, I have scanned at every level, from everything to just a single folder that contains song files. After scanning a folder that conatins songs on my SATA B drive (the one that PM can't find songs), still the songs will not appear.
I have copied over my songs to the drive that PM seems to see songs on and guess what? It doesn't see those songs copied over.
This is driving me so nuts I have forgotten that I engaged in this thread...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1046126&tstart=0
Does anyone know what the option in the PM's file menu "import file maps" and delete all exported file maps" does? Or what its for?
It feels to me that some sort of database or referrence list etc etc has gone very wrong, but I have already tried deleting (manually) the PM data file in somewhere in the library folder etc etc.
Using file buddy I see that PM stores the a PM database as an invisable file on each drive you have connected. Presumably info for what is on that drive. Perhaps these invisable files need to be manually deleted???
Message was edited by Thomas O'Carroll because this forum doesn't work properly

Connected w/ ichat, but can't see or hear other person

So me and my friend have been trying to get ichat working for days. I have a mac (just bought it...first mac), and he has a dell (new, also). We're connecting through aim because my .mac account won't let me sign on and my google one won't either. After I accept, or he accepts the invitation, it says that we are connected, but I can only see myself, and he can only see himself, and we can't hear each other. One time we connected we could hear each other but that's it. Please help!

Hi,
With newer versions of AIM for a PC there has been problems with AIM posting that AIM 6.5 will not Video to iChat.
http://www.aim.com/helpfaq/starting_out/getstarted.adp#608
AIM have yet to post any Support pages for AIM 6.8
Having said that some people do say they can get it to work.
The PC end certainly needs to to this though.
http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/page12.html#_Service To allow the app through the Windows Firewall as an Exception.
It also pays to go to the AIM Preferences (in the Buddy List Menu Bar under Edit) and then to Enhanced IM and reselect the camera.
The sound input devices needs to selected and calibrated in the relevant Control Panel to be used by the AIM App. (if it is disconnected it has to be done again)
iChat to iChat will Video chat with a GoogleID as it invokes the A/V Protocols iChat uses.
GoogleTalk itself is a Jabber server and uses different audio Protocols (Jingle) and therefore will not connect to iChat even with a Google ID
An @Mac.com ID currently has to be added as an AIM type Screen Name and the whole name including the @Mac.com suffix typed in as well
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.
10:31 PM Monday; August 11, 2008

Can't see speech bubbles!

ok, I know this is very stupid, BUT when I open a chat session and the box with my buddy is displayed I can't see the chat speech bubble where my messages are usually displayed, nor can I see the "..." when i'm typing. This also happens with my buddies during the chat session. (It gives a "?" in a blue box next to our pics) What can I do to fix this??? Thx ahead of time!

Hi,
Welcome to the  Discussions
Are you set in iChat View Menu > Messages to use Balloons (Speech Bubbles) ?
You can only change this when a Text Chat window is open (Even if you don't send anything).
A ? in a Bubble (or other Style) means a Pic is Coming (obviously sometimes it does not arrive).
Can you Send Files (or receive them) without opening a chat ?
(Just drop the file on a Buddy's name in the Buddy list)
If you cannot is port 5190 open on the UDP Protocol in your Routing device ?
It may also pay to split the Login port in iChat Menu > Preferences > Accounts > Server Settings from 5190 and change it to 443 (This is on TCP and some routers don't like the same port used twice).
You can only do this whilst Logged Out (use the Account Info tab and deselect "Use this Account")
In Snow Leopard/iChat, if you make this change, you have to Hit the Enter key to "Set" the port change.
7:56 PM Wednesday; September 22, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Can not add buddy

ok let me explain this again.. I am not able to add buddy,
I get into Ichat, click on the buddy tab that drops down several options (add buddy, change my picture, invite buddy to chat etc..) everything on this pull down menu is in light grey except .. change my picture.. in other words.. I can not access those options.. I can only access the change my picture option. I though ICHAT was easy to use.. we can not figure this out!

Hi Billy,
If you don't remember the Set Up Screens (Pics here) or clicked through the screens with out adding anything you will need to set up either an AIM account or .mac account name. (see link above)
After that you will need to Add Buddies
Once you have Buddies in the Buddy list you will be able to Text chat to them at least depending on how you have set up your modem for iChat.
If you can not see the Buddy List Window use the Apple key and 1 together (Apple and 2 for Bonjour Apple and 3 for Jabber).
Ralph

Can't See Me OnLine

Hi to all m8s,
i have a prob with iChat. I log normal in iChat with out any problems i see my friends in friend list but they can't see me on-line all time they see me off-line. I test my account from the same place (my home) with other Mac (iMac 21.5") and its ok my friends CAN see me. Where is the problem ? Need to delete something somewhere ?
Thanx a lot.

Hi,
I can tell you that jillo85's issue was that her Buddy was Blocking here and did not remember setting it.
A full list.
If you Block a Buddy they will appear off line
The reverse is also true if they Block you.
At the same time you have to consider the Allow Lists.
If a Buddy does not have you in their Buddy list and sets "Allow Buddy List Only" then you will see them as On-line.
If they use Allow Specific People then no matter if you are in their Buddy List or Not, if you are not in that list then you are Blocked and will not see them as On-line.
Being Not Allowed is effectively the same as being Blocked.
Of the above some of the reverse settings are also true. (depending who is in your Buddy list)
The Buddy could be set to Invisible and have forgotten - their Buddy List looks OK but only the people they call can talk to them.
Of course there can also be sync issues at AIM.
Extras
If you set up a Test Mac User Account (or use another Mac User account) that is not an Admin account and set up iChat there with the same iChat Detail AND then try Parental Controls then it can effect iChat in your Regular Mac User account.
Setting the Parental Controls blocks all Buddies until you list them in the Allowed List.
This sets all your Buddies on the AIM server as Blocked.
If you then leave that Mac User Account and login on your normal Account without first taking Off Parental Controls then your Buddies Stay blocked.
You will find in your regular iChat > Preferences > Accounts > Security everyone has been added to the Blocked List.
There is more...
If you do not set iChat to Set the Status to Off Line on Quit (See iChat > Preferences > General Section) in the second (test) Mac User Account then that login can stay active as you don't fully log out.
A similar effect can be caused by a second login (Another Mac, AIM Express, IM Forwarding/Phone etc.) where one login overrides the second.
This can cause issues with deleting Buddies as well as the other Login list a Buddy List with the said Buddy in and keeps telling the AIM server they are a Buddy.
So, if on a Work Mac you set allow Specific People Only to only allow Work colleagues then you will have Blocked all others.
(obviously I have listed on one scenario and there are others to consider)
Summary.
The settings in iChat > Preferences > Accounts > Security set at either end can have a bearing.
Using Parental Controls in a Managed Mac User Account with the same iChat info/Screen Name/Buddy List can effect how the User Account you use works.
A computer or device that creates a second Login should be set to exclude being Logged in on Quit
If you feel you have excluded all other options and think the AIM Server are out of sync then delete com.apple.ichat.AIM.plist to re-establish your Connection afresh.
This .plist is found in your Home Folder/Library/Preferences
Restart iChat if Open.
8:56 PM Tuesday; May 11, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

I can't see my buddies

one day i signed on, and my buddy list was blank, like everything was deleted, but i'm positive nobody was on my account. i'm not sure if it really did get deleted, or if something is blocking me from seeing my buddies. this has happened before, and it just went away after a while, but not this time. also, sometimes when i try to chat with someone, it says "your privacy settings don't allow you to chat with this person". any help? thanks

Hi William,
I would not delete the other .plist just yet.
If the Block list has not suddenly gained all your Buddies and the deletion of that has not worked we need to look elsewhere.
The Buddy list is stored on the AIM servers- or at list the screen names are.
On your Mac they are stored in the Address Book - IF you have added other details such as a "Real" name or email address to the Address Card.
If on another computer or on another Mac User but same iChat Account on this Mac you can access the Buddy list when you log on to AIM the Buddy list is "safe".
This would point to your Login rather than the Buddy list being lost.
In this case delete com.apple.iChat.AIM.plist and restart iChat
It may be that it asks you to re-do the Start up Screens or at least confirm the info again.
If you have multiple iChat accounts they are all stored in com.apple.ichat.plist which also list which one is currently in use.
If the above does not work then delete this one as well.
If that does not work it would point to a port not being open. Namely port 5190 on the UDP protocol. Check your modem and the Mac Firewall if ON.
3:58 PM Wednesday; February 21, 2007

Can't see buddy

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