Mac Studio Max : Return

[Tonio]

Well, finally got my Mac Studio on thursday 5/12.

10 CPU/24 GPU/ 64G RAM/ 2TB SSD

I tried to get this thing going and just cannot get on the internet. Ethernet & Wi-Fi connects to the router, but it just doesn't get anywhere. Called Apple support, and my call got dropped transferring to 2nd tier(?) support.

So rummaged the net on my Mac Pro for clues and tried everything , change cables, ports, ISP router setting yada yada.

Last ditch effort this AM, nope- same old same old. So started chat support w/ Apple. Got down to booting in safe mode sam e issues, then they suggested reinstalling the OS- umm within internet ? Tried anyway and recovery server can not be reached.

Got passed to senior support advisor, same questions, same rig a ma roll , delete connection type, reboot, start over adding connections type. Took over 3 minutes just to get the IP and subnet. Then another few more for the router IP . Advisor said , welp look like its the Mac and not the cable or router. I have AT&T 1G fiber.

Guess I'll be making a Apple store genius bar appointment to return the thing.

T

[HCMarkus]

Sadness

[cuttime]

Are there any Firewall settings blocking traffic? Have you opened Network Utility and tried pinging anything? Do the pings timeout? Is there any way to get your hands on another router? I had similar problems a few years ago and it turned out to be the router.

[Tonio]

Sadness

Indeed.

[Tonio]

Are there any Firewall settings blocking traffic? Have you opened Network Utility and tried pinging anything? Do the pings timeout? Is there any way to get your hands on another router? I had similar problems a few years ago and it turned out to be the router.

I did ping from the router, lots of dropped in /out- maybe about 1/16 of the data was going through. With Monterey there is a wi-fi configuration test, and seems like usual stuff like use a simple name network name and broadcasting etc. I disabled the firewall for a bit. Also connected with wife's modem w/ different ISP- same issues.

Apples senior support advisor basically said its the Mac Studio's hardware ( ethernet port) issue, after asking what I did for process of elimination in regards to cable, and router, router port .Plus everything works w/ my Mac Pro.

[cuttime]

[James Steele]

So it sounds like out of how many thousands and thousands of those little network modules or whatever that are in the bins that they grab them out of and assemble them from, you got a bad one. Odds of that happening again must be pretty low. I’d just return it and get another one. Lighting probably isn’t going to strike twice.

[Tonio]

My thoughts too, James.

But I thought I have 14 days to play with this computer, might as well see what's going on

I used a new 14' ethernet cable to wifey's COX cable modem- and it connected, almost instantaneously. wha.. ? So got that cable and plugged it in my AT&T gateway ethernet port & the port light orange=full speed //green= just connection no internet ; came on . and was connected..... this didn't happen the 1st time I tested that scenario.

So I'm gathering docs to send over to new Mac Studio( instead of migration), and figure I would set up a external drive to copy over. Ok , all well. The planned to download a VI install previously purchased ( EZ drummer 3) , and the erthent is down ... no connection.

I think its the AT&T gateway ethernet ports , or something is stopping the pass through to different ethernet ports. Not sure - I am not to savvy with internet stuff
Guess calling AT&T support could shed some light.- that's a long process.

T

[mikehalloran]

Just a thought: The Studio has 10GB Ethernet. This requires a CAT 6a cable or better for full duplexing and that may be the issue. CAT 7 and 8 are even quieter and quite inexpensive these days.

I've always liked the heavy duty braiding on UGREEN cables:

https://smile.amazon.com/UGREEN-Etherne ... _1_13?th=1

[Tonio]

Think I have CAT6- not at the studio. Odd the Apple support advisor did not mention that at all. But wait, I used 5a with a COX modem - not sure of through put service level, and it connected as 100baseT @ half duplex (?) in the network hardware settings.

[bayswater]

From reading this, it’s not clear to me whether you are trying to connective via ethernet, wifi, or both. If WIFI, then …

When I got my current Mac, I was unable to establish a reliable wifi connection, apparently because of conflict or interference between USB3 and some wifi routers. The commonly prescribed solution was to stick to 5G wifi, and I found that helped but not consistently. Instead I had to physically move various devices around on the desk until I found an arrangement with a reliable 5G wifi connection. Part of this was to built a shelf under the desk near the floor for all the large devices with their own power supplies, and move the rack with other devices further away from the Mac. Generally I had to make sure there was nothing within a couple of feet of the Mac, other than the monitor

I also found that bluetooth was a lost cause. I plugged in the trackpad permanently into a USB hub, and got a mouse that doesn’t use bluetooth, and put it’s dongle at the end of a USB extension cord near the mouse pad.

I’d have to wonder if the Mac is bathing everything around it in radio interference and doesn’t work well in the presence of other non Apple devices. But it works reliably now and I have no appetite to investigate further.

[mikehalloran]

Think I have CAT6- not at the studio. Odd the Apple support advisor did not mention that at all. But wait, I used 5a with a COX modem - not sure of through put service level, and it connected as 100baseT @ half duplex (?) in the network hardware settings.

Long, long time ago… I had major problems connecting with my G5. Turns out I was using a CAT 5 cable and not 5a — they’re not the same. 6 and 6a aren’t either. CAT 8 may be overkill but if it doesn’t fix you up, you’ll know the problem is somewhere else. Buy from Amazon and you have a 30 day return window.

I am no longer surprised by Apple Support people who can’t diagnose — way too much experience with that lately including today. The best I hope for is learning something that will help me diagnose and fix the issue. Today was one of those days so it was a good call. I won’t go into the issue since few others are likely to experience it..

[Tonio]

I've got some CAT 7 and & 8 coming in, and a new gateway/ router.
Support w/ AT&T said , its probably a diode going out in the ethernet jack panel , so will send a new one. So we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all the help.

[Tonio]

All is well, the gateway/ router was the issue. It connects via CAT 6, but am using a CAT 7 with better
download & upload speeds.

Got alot installed manually vs. migration to keep it clean.

[mikehalloran]

All is well, the gateway/ router was the issue. It connects via CAT 6, but am using a CAT 7 with better
download & upload speeds.

Got alot installed manually vs. migration to keep it clean.

Good.

To be clear, a 10GBE port requires at least CAT 6a cabling. CAT 6 isn't good enough.