A bit of a weird one.

My PowerMac G5 (2GHz dual core model, one of the last G5s) is connected by Ethernet to a netgear 5 port Gigabit Ethernet which connects to my router (Draytek Vigor 2820). The router connection is also gigabit Ethernet (and this is confirmed by the connection light on the switch).
However, according to my Networks prefs my mac is only connecting at 10BaseT speed. The switch connection light confirms that the mac isn't connected at gigabit speed (light is orange for 10/100BaseT rather than green for 100BaseT). I'm sure it used to connect at 1000BaseT in the past.

The Ethernet is set for automatic configuration. If I change it to manual and try to force a gigabit connection it claims the network cable is unplugged (which it obviously isn't). Unplugging and plugging back in has no effect until I return it to automatic and it auto-negotiates back at 10BaseT again.

I have tried this with Ethernet ports 1 and 2 on the mac and they both default to 10BaseT.

Unfortunately several things have changed recently since I last checked what my ethernet was connecting at. I've got 10.5.8 installed and the recent security update. My brother is also visiting and he has a MacBook (aluminium one). It's connected to the same switch by Ethernet and doesn't have any problems.

Any ideas why my mac won't connect at full speed?
Could it be the cable? I notice that 10.5.8 cause some wireless problems but that obviously doesn't affect ethernet.

Are you sure the G5 has GBit lan?

According to this... http://secure.adpay.com/clicknbuy.aspx? ... MLV3549505

The G5 (Dual Core 2GHz) only has a 10/100 nic.

Just re read the thread and it still doesn't explain the 10MBit connection?!

Have you tried a different cable?

Are there any (new) electrical devices between you and the switch, especially in proximity to the cable?

I would check cable too. A kinked or otherwise damaged cable can produce very strange network errors and slow downs. It' the first thing i try in a case like this.
If someone has 'run over' a network cable with their chair in the office it goes in the bin!
Didge

That's wrong. All PowerMacs since the Graphite G4 have had gigabit ethernet.

I'd suggest trying the cable as well.

I will try a new cable when I get the opportunity.
As I said it was happily running along at gigabit speed last time I checked but I can't remember how long ago that was. Probably several system updates ago so one of them could have done it.



I don't know where they got their information from. There are several errors on that page including the graphics card and network card.

This is my machine (the 2GHz dual core model).

I tend to look at www.lowendmac.com for the specs on each model. FWIW.

Right so, I've had a fiddle about with cables and such like.

It wasn't the cable. At least it doesn't appear to be.
I swapped the original cable with the one my brother is using to connect his laptop. Hey presto, full 1000BaseT speed straight off the bat.
This however got me wondering if it was the cable or the port it was connected to or my brothers laptop (which isn't connected).

I plugged the original cable (connected tot he original port 4 of the switch) back to the mac and the speed drops to 10BaseT again. I move the cable from port 4 to port 3 on the switch and it connects instantly at 1000BaseT.

It appears that port 4 on my gigabit switch has died a little inside . I'm wondering if this could be related to the lightning that took out my router a couple of months ago.

The final test will be if the speed drops when little bro plugs in his MacBook. For now however it all seems good.

It could be a damaged or dying switch...

I do hope not. All the other 4 sockets appear to be quite happy connecting at gigabit speeds. I will now however be slightly paranoid and check it on a regular basis. Booo!