Network Preferences Madness

Hello,
Whenever I go to “Network” in “System Preferences,” a window appears telling me the status of Built-in ethernet and Airport, followed immediately by an overlay window saying, “Your network settings have been changed by another application,” with an accompanying “OK” button. If I click the “OK” button, the window disappears, but then immediately reappears, over and over again. I can not get it to go away nor can I quit “System Preferences” unless I use “Force Quit.”
If I log out and log in again as a new account, all is well with “Network.” No problems.
I am using an Intel iMac with OS 10.4.11. The problem is constant whether or not I am connected to my cable modem or router.
What could be causing this problem? Malware?
How can I correct it? I fear that if I trash a network preferences file I will never get back on line.
Thank you for your help.

Hello zyven12, and a warm welcome to the forums!
It was one of the last two Security Updates.
To stop the pop-up, Go to System Preferences: Security. Check the box next to "Require password to unlock each secure system preference." Then lock Security.
Try this cure for Security update...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1730909&tstart=0
The locations are actually...
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.nat.plist

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Network Preferences pane gone mad

Hi All,
After I ran an ISP supplied software CD my Network Preferences pane just went mad. Every time I open the pane immediately a window drops down carrying the message
"Your Network Settings has been changed by another application"
I click "OK' but a fraction of second later the same message drops down again. Click "OK" and the sequence repeats again; and again; and again.
In effect this prevents me from changing any Network settings manually (when the message is shown everything is blanked out)
Unfortunately I forgot to run uninstall before cancelling the service and returning the software CD to the ISP. Now I have trouble getting any information what files might have been installed.
Any ideas where to look for and that files to delete to get rid of the issue???
Thank you in advance.
Ivo

"Your network settings have been changed by another application":
[http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1806608&tstart=0] - move : Main level of drive > Library > Preferences > SystemConfiguration > NetworkInterfaces.plist out of that folder (will require resetting Airport settings)
[Link to Topic|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8340541&#8340541]
[Link to another Topic|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8292814&#8292814]
['Your network settings have been changed by another app' - THE SOLUTION|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1730909&tstart=0] - well, maybe a solution.
[Stopping the pop-up|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8558637#8558637]
[Pop-up - Your network settings have been changed by another application|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8309498#8309498]
[Post by BDaqua|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8706457#8706457]

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My Network Preferences obstinately refuses to change the remembered password to a network, even though it's wrong!

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Thank you.

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Despite this, the computer did have the correct password filled in elsewhere. In the 802.1X section of the Advanced Network Preferences there is a User Profile named after the Network that has the correct password in it. This has been true during periods where it was working, as well as during times when it wouldn't connect.
I've tried deleting the wireless network from my list of remembered networks and then re-adding it with the correct password. When I do this, it comes back with the incorrect password already filled in! Maddening.
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To get online and type this I went to Keychain Access, thinking that is how my computer was remembering the incorrect password and thus, repeatedly filling it in. However, deleting all mention of this Network there had no effect. It was only after deleting some authenticated certificates that I was allowed to reconnect. I haven't the faintest idea why this made it work, the Network Preferences is still refilling in the incorrect password no matter what I do, but for some reason it is working... as of now.
While I was typing this, I lost connection again... I returned to Keychain Access and did all the things mentioned above, now I am posting this before I am forced to do so again.
Thank you.

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Please don't shout! Using all uppercase means shouting on the internet. If your keyboard is stuck please say so, otherwise people will think you are being obnoxious.
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Thanks in advance,
Chris

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First thing you need I think is to get your iMac connected to the Internet.
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After the router indicates that it is connected to the Internet then start up your iMac and see if it connects. If the iMac connects to the Internet then your iPad should too.
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Linc Davis wrote:
By the way, repairing permissions is a complete waste of time. All it does is spew bogus error messages. It never fixes anything unless you have a specific indication of a permission problem, which is rare.
The only truths in your statement is the bolded sentence. Everything else is false.

I receive a not connected to the internet message several times daily on my iMac connected via airport to a time capsule which accesses the internet via cable modem.. When I input my password to enter network preferences, the connection re-establishes.

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It more of a nuisance than anything and seems to have started ocurring over the past couple of months. I also have a windows XP box also connected to the same cable modem that I never have internet connectivity issues with. I've verified all the physical aspects of the connections and can't see any evidence of any actual drops in the modem logs. I suspect it is just an intermittent communication loss between the Imac and the Time Capsule, but I am not very familiar with Mac equipment yet.
Just wondering if anyone has experienced a similar problem and what you did (if anything) to resolve it?
Thanks.

The AirPort Express will connect to your existing wireless network if the network is using WPA2 Personal or WPA/WPA2 Personal wireless security settings.
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How to restart base station from airport utility? I used to be able to do it remotely I currently use a Mac Pro 10.8.4 and have a time machine for wireless 6.3 (630.34). Sometimes I cannot connect to the internet and use network preferences to diagnose t

How to restart base station from airport utility? I used to be able to do it remotely
I currently use a Mac Pro 10.8.4 and have a time machine for wireless 6.3 (630.34). Sometimes I cannot connect to the internet and use network preferences to diagnose the issue. This results in being told to restart the wireless. The airport utility includes the drop down option of restarting but is not clickable so I can't choose it.
With my prior macbook and same time capsule, etc if i had problems connecting to the internet I would run network diagnostics to help out. This included clicking on the airport utility ---> base station --> restart. This worked most of the time.
Bottom line, is there something I am missing in not being able to restart the wi-fi remotely? ]
Thanks in advance

You are likely forgetting a step.
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Click on the Time Capsule icon
Click Edit in the small window that appears
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Hello,
I found a website that you can download mail for. I dont know if you can trust the website, but this is just to let you know that it is out there. http://en.softonic.com/s/mail:mac
Also, if you do not want to download that, you can alway have a safari tab open with you email. That also works.

MacBook (ML) won't connect to Wi-Fi, no network preferences, no Spotlight

Hi,
First of all, thank you for taking the time to read and help ! :-)
I have not been able to find any kind of solution to my problem, because I did not find anyone with all these problems at once.
Here's what's wrong: out of the blue, my mid-2009 Macbook (white unibody) won't recognize any network (WiFi or Ethernet), refuses to load the Network preferences pane, and won't allow Spotlight to work (is "loading" everything on the right side of the upper bar, including the clock...). The Energy Saver Preferences pane seems to be out too.
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Moreover, I'm not sure on how to repair my OS without any network .......
Thank you for the help ! ;-)
SV

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode. Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Network Preferences Madness

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