remote access System 9.2 problem

[goodear]

I have a remote access problem suddenly, after years of smooth sailing. I am using G4, System 9.2. I get on line usually by opening the control strip, then selecting "open remote access." This evening it didn't work and I also noticed that the list of items was slightly different. Tonight the items were:
Open Remote Access
Status Display
• Default
Connect -
but before tonight it also listed
SBC Yahoo Dial and
• Setup PPP.  
The last two are missing now, and I would like to know how to get them back. The only way I managed to get online tonight was to select "remote access status" from the apple menu and click "connect". Only a few times did this work; mostly it didn't. Anyone how I can get back my normal settings? Thank you. By the way, I tried an alternate access # and that didn't work; also I checked modem settings and they appear to be correct; I rebooted several times.

[Gregg]

Not being at my Mac (G3 OS9.2) I'm not positive, but there might be a Remote Access Preferences (RAP) file in your System Folder -> Preferences.

If you drag that to your desktop, initiating Remote Access will create a new RAP file. In the worst case scenario, you might have to re-enter your ISP's number to get connected.

If the items you used to see in your menu are not there, you might have to find where the item actually resides and double click on it to execute. This menu issue could be a Finder Preferences problem. Same deal as above. Locate Finder Preferences and drag it to your desktop. A new one will be created. Once it is, you can trash the one on the desktop. If the new one is worse (unlikely) you can put the old one back where it came from.

I can explore this further at home if someone else hasn't helped you through this by the time I get there.

Welcome to TS, you're sure to find the solution here.

[Gregg]

Yes, there is a Remote Access Preferences file. It resides in the Remote Access folder in Preferences (in the System Folder).

Over in the Control Panels folder is where you'll find the actual Remote Access application program. Try double clicking on that and see if you can connect.

I connect via a Remote Access Status alias on my desktop. It opens a slightly different application from my Apple Accessories folder. That might be a folder I created - I'm not sure.

Let us know of your progress. Someone smarter than me will be able to help you if none of the above does the trick.

[goodear]

Thanks. I tried dragging the Finder prefs to the desktop but I noticed that the pref no longer appears in its previous place. in other words it doesn't rebuild itself. Was I supposed to trash it first as opposed to merely putting it on the desktop? I did trash the PPP prefs but that also didn't help.

Also I used the Remote Access Status and it works sometimes but not always. Even the regular Remote Access is working sometimes. I don;'t understand why they are working sometimes but not always. In any case I have not been able to get that window looking the way it did before. Very puzzling. I wonder if downloading a FreePPP dialer would help. I have an alias of it but the original can't be found. Thanks.

[krissel]

You may find restarting will recreate those prefs that you dragged out. And putting it in the Trash is often necessary in the older OSes so the system won't see it. You don't have to empty the trash until later.

Have you tried rebuilding the desktop? It may help.

•Rebuild your desktop file by restarting your computer while holding down the Option and Command keys.

•Note: A dialog box will inform you that rebuilding your desktop will take a few minutes. You are no longer required to hold down the two keys.

•Click OK.

I used FreePPP as my dialer all the years I used a modem and found it quite good with features not available in the OS. Give it a try and see if that improves your options and connectivity.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/643

http://www.wzrd.com/support/macintosh/PPP/...2.6/Mac2.6.html

[Gregg]

Ah! ...some expert advice.
Sorry I forgot to tell you a restart would be required before the Finder Prefs reappeared. As for the Remote Access Prefs, that will reappear as soon as you execute the application.

kris, what about that all-purpose wonder; zapping the PRAM? Would that help in this situation?

[goodear]

I seem to get in trouble any time I "do" something. I clicked Yahoo Dialup and it placed itself on the Remote Access menu with a • bullet in front, then it failed to get online, and SBC Yahoo is notoriously unhelpful. Then I switched to "default" and it worked. I might be OK with this now. Keeping fingers crossed. Thank you for your advices.

[krissel]

QUOTE(Gregg @ Sep 6 2006, 08:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

kris, what about that all-purpose wonder; zapping the PRAM? Would that help in this situation?

Couldn't hurt. It does have some relation to the serial ports confuguration so it might help. Just be aware goodear that some settings may have to be reset after zapping.

Read through this article:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238


Good point, Gregg.