I Can't Connect to My iDisk There are a few things that can cause trouble when you're trying to access your iDisk from failed connections to somewhat obscure errors with descriptions consisting almost entirely of negative numbers. To troubleshoot iDisk connection problems, try the following: - If you're using Windows (98, 2000, or XP) to access your iDisk, try restarting your PC. If that doesn't help, remove and then re-create the iDisk connection (see Chapter 3). You might also try using a more expanded URL with a /? (slash followed by a question mark) at the end. For example, instead of http://idisk.mac.com/membername, try http://idisk.mac.com/membername/?.
- Get a faster Internet connection. iDisk works much better with a high-speed Internet connection (as do a lot of other things). If you're running into iDisk problems, see about a high-speed connection especially one with a higher upload speed.
- Proxy servers can cause all kinds of connection problems. For example, iDisk Utility for Windows XP will not work with a proxy server, so you'll have to use Network Places. If you're still having problems, ask your ISP if it uses proxy servers, and if so, find out whether those servers support WebDAV connections. If they don't, you'll have trouble connecting to your .Mac account. Your ISP may be willing to find a way around the proxy server for you.
- If you're getting a 36 error (which is a WebDAV error), make sure you're running the latest update to Mac OS X. If that doesn't solve the problem, then a proxy server may be the issue. Ask your ISP if it uses them and see if your ISP is willing to help you find a way around the proxy server. Also, try a faster Internet connection. This can help solve 36 errors. For more on WebDAV, see Chapter 3.
- If you're getting a 38 error when you try to do something with your iDisk, odds are you're trying to change a file or folder that your iDisk needs in order to work properly. If you're trying to change iPhoto or HomePage files (in the Pictures or Sites folder) on your disk when you see this error, use iPhoto or the HomePage portion of the .Mac Web site to change them instead of doing it through the Finder. If you try to rename a file that HomePage needs to display a Web page, for example, you may see this error.
- If your iDisk password is longer than eight characters and you're using iDisk Utility for Windows XP, use only the first eight characters of your password. iDisk Utility for Windows XP doesn't support the longer passwords.
What Is a Proxy Server? Proxy servers allow computers to make indirect connections to the Internet (or other networks). A proxy server works like an intermediarythat is, users request a connection (such as for a Web page) from the proxy server, and the proxy server goes out and finds that file, grabs it, and then returns it to the user who requested it. Proxy servers do the following: Provide additional network security for users (because bad guys have to break in through the proxy server first before reaching a user's computer) Provide control over what users can see (by blocking requests for certain Web pages or other resources) Help speed up browsing (by keeping local copies of frequently fetched files that can be loaded by users much faster than if they had to be retrieved over the Internet)
If you're working with a broadband router that relies on NAT (Network Address Translation), you're using a kind of proxy server. Many ISPs use proxy servers to help speed up the customer browsing experience. Proxy servers, though, can sometimes cause unexpected problems, such as breaking large file downloads or causing problems with some Internet services, such as VPN or .Mac. Curious about proxies? Check out the Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_server. |
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