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jeff k · Oct 30, 2009, 06:36 PM

Leopard -- macbook.
Everytime open up says:
"the selected communication device does not exist. Please verify your settings and try again"

Can someone please help me dismiss this? thanks

Big Mac · Oct 30, 2009, 08:19 PM

And that's the only information in the dialog?

jeff k · Oct 30, 2009, 09:14 PM

YES,
if there was more I was have included it.

Chuckit · Oct 31, 2009, 01:49 AM

IIRC, this happens if you have a modem set up as a network interface (System Preferences -> Network) but don't actually have it hooked up.

jeff k · Oct 31, 2009, 02:03 PM

Chuck, thanks!
in network, only thing connected is airport, modem and everything else says unconnected. What did I miss?

steve626 · Nov 1, 2009, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by jeff k

Chuck, thanks!
in network, only thing connected is airport, modem and everything else says unconnected. What did I miss?

Do you actually have a modem physically connected? If not, then it might be looking for one and not finding it.

Cold Warrior · Nov 1, 2009, 10:28 AM

You could try rearranging your modem to put it at the bottom of the list. Perhaps it won't give you that error if the other options have connectivity first.

Or create a new location that does not have modem as an option.

64stang06 · Nov 1, 2009, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior

You could try rearranging your modem to put it at the bottom of the list. Perhaps it won't give you that error if the other options have connectivity first.

Or create a new location that does not have modem as an option.

You can even make that inactive as well, so you don't have to create a new location.

jeff k · Nov 1, 2009, 10:57 PM

Guy,
I have a router. The laptop is getting connectivity fine over the router via airport. The rounter/modem it connected to the G5 in the other room.
But why is this message coming up all of the sudden and what should I do?

I hope this last info helps.

jeff k · Nov 4, 2009, 03:57 PM

Can anyone help me with this message? It's driving me nuts and I have no idea how to get rid of it.

Doc HM · Nov 4, 2009, 04:05 PM

If you can't fix this any other way then go to the root library folder (not the one in your user folder) and find the preferences folder. Inside that find the system configuration folder and trash it. Restart. You will need to re input your wireless connection password, but that should fix it.

jeff k · Nov 4, 2009, 04:33 PM

Doc, that's not it.
some must know.

ibook_steve · Nov 4, 2009, 06:49 PM

Maybe: A possible Bluetooth network connection fix - Mac OS X Hints

Steve

jeff k · Nov 4, 2009, 10:16 PM

steve, thanks, yes same exact message. but what should I do. Did you surmise it from thread? I didn't.
I don't have anything bluetooth in my life.

jeff k · Nov 6, 2009, 01:52 AM

Steve or others or anyone out there?
Can someone figure this out? driving me nuts.

steve626 · Nov 6, 2009, 02:46 PM

Read this article (similar to what was posted above by several people):

Communication Breakdown | Mac|Life

Follow the instructions to disable everything but the router that you connect to wirelessly. Your mac is not connecting to the internet directly through a modem, it is going through the router. Follow the instructions in this article to not connect through a modem automatically. It sounds like you have a "router/modem" combination, but I believe the "modem" entry in your connection list is for those who are connecting through modems directly via a hard line. You are connecting wirelessly to the router part of your device. So you can remove the "modem" entry in your list, or as the article I link to above indicates, use settings to tell your computer to stop trying to connect automatically through the modem directly.

One thing you can do to check this out is to create a new user account, and set it up to only connect wirelessly to the router.

jeff k · Nov 11, 2009, 12:32 AM

steve,
thanks, that is only article dealing with this hideous issue.
Here is the list on my laptop;
Bluetooth
Airport
Built in Ethernet
Internal Modem
Build in Firewire
-------
I put airport at top, problem remained, I put a few other things at top problem remained.
What do? Don't see way BTW to delete from the list.

jeff k · Nov 13, 2009, 02:35 PM

Steve/ others anyone out there?
Again, shuffled things on my list, not solved.

Art Vandelay · Nov 13, 2009, 03:28 PM

Did you ever do what 64stang06 said? Make the modem inactive. It should not be showing as connected if you don't have a modem.

jeff k · Nov 13, 2009, 05:40 PM

Art thanks!
and 64 stang:

I'm on my laptop which gets this message. It's connecting via a modem and router on my G5.

ON laptop in network
Airport connected
Internal Ethernet, Firewire, Modem, Not connected.
Don't see a place to "de-activate the laptops internal modem" Best I can see is that its not connected.

Best I could do in set service order is this order:
Airport
Bluetooth
Built in Ethernet
Built in Firewire
Internal Modem

Don't see a way to delete the bottom four.

Problem currently remains after a reboot still.

Art Vandelay · Nov 13, 2009, 08:27 PM

Wasn't clear what was connected and not in previous posts. It still wouldn't hurt to deactivate all of the other items that aren't being used. To do that, select the item and click the Action button (the one with a gear) and choose "Make Service Inactive." Then click the Apply button. Do this for each item that you don't use.

jeff k · Nov 13, 2009, 09:28 PM

You are brillinat ARt, that did it. Did not see how to deactivate all that stuff I wasn't using. Weird how this annoying message never came until a few weeks ago. thanks also for solving the file sharing issue : 2/2.