IChat disconnects constantly

Question

I've searched the forums here but cannot find an answer to my problem. Before updating to Tiger, I found that iChat disconnected itself from AIM from time to time. Now that I've installed Tiger, it disconnects within 15 minutes every time. I keeping setting my status back to "Available" but it keeps silently disconnecting soon after. My internet connection is WiFi ADSL and when iChat disconnects the internet is still up and running fine.
iChat is basically unusable for me now, unless I somehow get used to manually reconnecting 50 times a day.

Answer 1

Hi disconnekt
You seem to have checked the most common things where any experienced user would start.
Here are the best suggestions I can offer until you can track down the
b cause
of your symptom so we know what to fix. Do them in any order you choose. I do easiest first, but you make the call based on what is likely in your system.
(0) Check all your connections, wireless strength, and be sure your wireless link is secure (uses a password). Make sure your DSL modem is not configured to hang up when there is a period of inactivity.
(1) Shut down everything, modems, routers, and all, for a few (10-15) minutes. Then, boot (power it up) your Modem. When its self test is done, boot your router and let it complete ITS self test. When the router's self test is done, power up your Mac, launch iChat AV, and check to see if it works now.
(2) Take ALL your wireless equipment, routers, and firewalls OUT out of the loop, connect to your modem directly via Ethernet cable, and run directly wired until you get your connection working. This is the ONLY way I can think of that will let you be CERTAIN you KNOW your wireless, router, or firewall is not causing the problem.
When it is working reliably, hook the additional equipment up again, one item at a time, to see whether the problem returns. If adding one item back makes the problem reappear, remove the item again and reinstall it again to be SURE that this specific problem/fix is repeatable. Then you will KNOW that individual component is at least one of your problems. Repeat this process for EACH removed component, ALWAYS one item at a time. When finished, you will KNOW: (1) whether this is part of your problem, and (2) EVERY component that is a problem.
When you have identified EVERY problem item in the communications loop, you can apply the info from your equipments' documentation or customer support sites or the above links.
(3) If your problem does not go away when you are running directly wired, check with your ISP to see whether they have made any recent changes. Sometimes changes that help PCs can cause problems for Mac users.
(4) Be sure your OS X Mac is healthy. Catch up on OS X Maintenance if you have not done it recently.
(5) See Ralph Johns' current Trouble Shooting thread.
(6) Check Apple's Tiger Support page and Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation from CD or DVD article if you think that the problem is related to your Tiger install.
(7) Consider the suggestions in my iChat AV 3 works for me thread.
(8) If the timing ("15 minutes every time") is precisely repeatable, consider any apps that may be conflicting with iChat or iSight that have a regular schedule. Have you set your Mail to check for new Mail every 15 minutes, etc.? Any ideas from Possible hardware or software conflicts with iSight. FAQ?
(9) Consider changing your Discussion alias to "Rock Solid Connected" :-))