iSight : How to get iChat AV working again
As mentioned in the Title box - there are pages that were written a little while ago by EZ Jim, a poster on the Apple Discussions, who contributes to iSight and iChat Discussions. The words the following pages are EZ Jim's
Use the the Information Column Menu for EZ Jim's pages
How to get iChat AV working again
iChat AV may suddenly "break" for some users. Symptoms may include inability to: launch iChat AV, log onto the AIM Server, successful connect for video, etc.
If you use iChat 3, also see Help for iChat AV 3 Problems.
If needed, the next step is to identify the problem that is causing your symptom. You also want to rule out causes that need not be investigated.
Can you connect in ANY way?
- If no, do other apps that use internet (Mail, Safari, etc.). connect?
- If no, reset your modem and router. Restart your Mac.
- If you still cannot connect, check with your ISP or responsible IT manager.
Has this happened just once, or many times? Quit all apps and restart iChat AV only. Try iChat again. If it still does not work, check with your ISP or IT manager. It may be a service interruption that is being repaired.
Does it happen with everyone, or a few? Check the Trouble shooting section of Ralph John's iChat AV Pages. If your problem is with only one buddy, make your first check "Can not connect to a certain Buddy".
You may Want to Test your iSight With Another Person? to determine WHO has the problem. Edit 2024:- I have linked to the current - at time of writing the edit - version of the original Link (Apple Renumbered them) but in reality there are no current iChat Testers).
What changed just before it stopped working? (new equipment, software, updates, you moved, change ISP, etc.? Anything changed should be suspected. For instance, if the problem began immediately after installing a new update, did you remember to repair permissions after the update? If you did, your update process or the download file itself may have been compromised. Download a new copy from the Apple Support Downloads website and reapply. (Edit 2024:- Way Back Machine link to Oct 7th 2007 that says OS 10.4 is available. Use the date bar across the top to find somthing that matches your OS).
Repair Permissions before and after your apply the update. Edit 2024:- I have added a Way Back Machine Link here to the item that does appear on EZ JIm's Page 20 in How I Update My Mac OS next - mostly because Repairing Permissions is a dead subject. Unix computers (Mac OS is based on Unix) tend to run 24/7 so the controls for clearing and restting certain things were automatic. That is/was not the way most Mac Users ran their computers so to some extent they had to be run manually in early versions of the Mac OS X or 10. After a period Apple set them to run at Start Up which largely solved the problem. (How I Update My Mac OS X)
Do you connect via router(s), firewall, or wireless? Are you certain no one made changes without telling you? If you KNOW that there have not been changes, try removing all "intermediate devices" and connect your modem directly to Mac via Ethernet to check for failed devices.
If iChat AV now works, replace one item. If the problem recurs, remove the suspicious item again. If the problem goes away when the device is removed but returns when it is replaced, that device is a problem. If that device does not effect the issue, remove it again and repeat the process with a DIFFERENT intermediate device.
Make the switch at least twice on each device to be certain it is repeatable. Cables are also "intermediate devices."
If you are inside a company, university, or other LAN, consider that to be intermediate, too, even if you cannot remove it.
This is a lot of work, but, if all other attempts fail, it is the only way to KNOW you found all suspects.
If nothing but time has changed since iChat AV worked, consider OS X maintenance.
If you do not already perform regular OS X maintenance, try Travis A's Regular Maintenance / General Troubleshooting tips or Mac OS X maintenance now. For additional details and suggestions, see Gulliver's Mac OS X 10.3/10.4: System maintenance. EDit 2024:- Way Back Machine versions of the last two links and the TS1388 in the next paragraph).
This Apple Article Article: TS1388 (Formerly Apple Doc #25392) may help: Isolating issues in Mac OS X
It is important that the Font Helvetica is active. For more on this see Kurt Lang's Font FAQ and this Apple Doc #300501iChat displays "Internal Error" when starting a chat with the Helvetica font turned off.(Edit 2024:- these two links are now linked to the Way Back Machine versions).
If you can't find a fix, post in iChat AV Discussions with relevant info requested in the "I suggest that you Post a New Topic..." part of this FAQ: When do I Post a New iChat Topic ?
Add the following to that list:
- If you connect via wireless, list all wireless equipment make and model info.
- Which elements could not be removed when you removed "intermediate devices"?
- Which of the items in this FAQ do you most suspect and why?
We will try to help you there!
Written By EZ Jim
Made on a Mac®
© 2005, 2006 EZ Jim
© 2005 Ralph Johns: Edited 24/9/2005, 5/5/2006
Updated September 2006. Moved to Gargoyles Mar 2007. Major review October 2024 towards HTML5
Information Column
EZ Jim's iSight Stuff
Plain Text links to related Pages
For Screen Readers
EZJim Folder
EZJimindex Index of EZ Jim's iSight and Other InfoUsing iSight Using iSight
EZJim page2 Where to Find Help for iSight
EZJim page3 About the Built-In iSights
EZJim page4 How to Test your iSight is Functional
EZJim page5 Improving your (External) iSight's Picture
EZJim page6 Possible Conflicts with iSight an iChat
EZJim page7 Some Applications you can Use with an iSight
EZJim page8 iSight V DV Camcorder or other Web Cam
EZJim page9 Mounts for your External iSight
EZJim page10 iSight Versions (External)
EZJim page11 How to Turn your iSight Really Off
EZJim page12 iSight and the PC
EZJim page13 Common PC Applications and Chatting
EZJim page14 Mac Video Chat with PCs
EZJim page15 Using An iSight with iChat
EZJim page16 Help for iChat 3 Problems
EZJim page17 How to Get iChat working again
EZJim page18 Check your Broadband Speed
EZJim page19 OS X Maintenance
EZJim page20 Updating the OS
EZJim page21 Reinstalling the OS
EZJim page22 Macintosh System Stability
Made on a Mac®
