Ralph Johns UK

iChat 3 Start up Checks

(The Info on Error Logs since 10.4.7 have been split off to page 16a due to how log it made this page.)

Ok We will start with Upgrading to Tiger and iChat version 3.0

From Panther or Earlier

There are or were serveral Add-ons and applications avaiblable to Panther users of iChat that are not compatible with iChat 3. Some have been updated to work with Tiger (10.4.x) and seem to work upto 10.4.7 at the time of writing. If you tend to buy a computer and not upgrade the OS until you get you next computer but like to transfer things you found useful then some of these may still apply. In many cases though the Utilities have been updated. See notes in the Symptom column.

These following need to be deleted:

Utility	What it does/did	Symptoms
iCAR	An Add-on that posts an Auto response Away message	produces a 1 fps result in a Video chat NOTE: Definite No-No.
Virex for Panther	An Anti Virus app avialable to @mac account users This was the version of Virex at the time.	Produces the 1 fsp problem. NOTE: Apple have since put a version back on @Mac.com
iChatUSBCam for Panther/iChat2.x	A Add-on utility for using iSight or USB cam with iChat2.x	Now compatible with Tiger/iChat 3 NOTE: IF you have a Panther version you have not updated, then do so.. The current version works upto 10.4.10
iProfile	An Add-on for producing a profile on the AIM server that iChat 2.x could not do.	NOTE: Not proven to be a problem but now not needed.
See Also Other Known Problems below the table of Ports

A clean install of Tiger (not Archive and Install) produces the best results.
But any install should also check these Tiger upgrades and settings .

First, UPGRADE to 10.4.2 (At least) as this gets past many Connection issues that became apparent with the basic Tiger (10.4) and iChat 3.0 It updates iChat to version 3.0.1

In System Preferences

Check Settings

Don't be complacent that you have not set anything different.

There are several new things in Tiger that may trip you up. Essentially there are small, but subtle, changes that mean you do have to check and re-set.
These are worth looking at:

Mac Firewall.

Now includes the ability to Block all UDP traffic in the Advanced button (System Preferences > Sharing >Firewall tab then the Advanced Button).
Also can now open UDP protocol for ports where as the Panther one only did both together (Check any old Panther settings you Added to the presets as these get transfered as TCP Only. It includes Apple's own Bonjour iChat (from Rendezvous) setting).

The ports should be:

Tiger TCP and UDP Ports For Mac Firewall
Service	TCP Ports	UDP Ports
iChat over AIM	5190	5060, 5190, 5678, 16384-16403
Bonjour	5298	5297, 5298, 5353
Jabber	5220, 5222, 5223	No ports
All Ports	5190, 5220, 5222, 5223, 5298	5060, 5297, 5298, 5353, 5678, 16384-16403

Other Issues

QuickTime.

This has a change in the name of the Connection Speed tab to Streaming (System Preferences > QuickTime > [relevant tab]). Check this is set to be equal to your connection speed (the download one if this is faster).

Edit Setember 2006. Internet connection speeds have incrreased over the last few years and it is now possible you have a service from your ISP that exceeds the 1.5Mbps top list Internet speed. You should use this 1.5Mb/T1/Intranet/LAN if you do exceed it.

Date & Time.

Not conclusively involved but worth eliminating. Set a Network Server and the correct Time Zone.

Apple Remote Desktop.

If this is active in System Preferences > Sharing > Services tab it causes problems for iChat. Produces a non comnnection or a 1fps problem.

Internet Speed Checks

Next, test the actual speed you are getting from your ISP.

(from page 5's list)

Thanks to Defcom on all of these. Now and then when starting out or encountering problems, it is worth checking if you have the Connection Speed you think you have (or indeed pay for). Most need you to have JAVA installed and active. Most of the common Browers will have the required Pug-inactive.

1. Check Your Broadband speed DSLreports. Speed check with a Javascript enabled site
2. ADSLGuide's Speed Test Another Java based Test site in Britian.
3. Speed Test at Audit My PC As the Link says
4. SpeedTest.net A test site just for Testing. Nice Graphical interface (bit "blokey" Men will like it). Shows a section of the world with the most local servers. You can choose ones from further afield
5. BroadbandMaX.co.uk As it says Another British based single server test site. Uses javasript and Flash rather Java to run test. Has speedometer style graphics.

There is a table here of the speeds you need. (Link to the Apple Site) Apple Doc 301050
The one you get linked to in the Help menu is wrong.

Other Known Problems
There are several other applications that iChat 3 does not seem to like.
folding@home

This is a application that uses spare processor time to help find protein chains for a University.
PostgreSQL

This is a data base application that can be reset to allow more processor time for iChat. See here http://www.murraywilliams.com/blog/archives/000046.html
And Here Thanks to Nigel Gilbert for this link.
Lotus Notes

Some people have reported problems with this.

Add-on Video Cards

Make sure any Add-on Video cards or input PCI cards have up to date Firmware


If you are still having problems I would do Routine Maintenance Tasks as laid out here

Modems and Rounters

Lastly, some routers/modems are SIP aware and give different results in iChat 3 compared to iChat 2. Not all will say there are VoIP compatible.
This problem is due to the Operating System changing (like a new computer connecting to the modem) rather than iChat.
See page4

---

© 2005 Ralph Johns Edited 24/9/2005, 5/5/2006, 25/08/2007
Updated September 2006. Moved to Gargoyles and edited Mar 2007

Information Column

Ok. This page works on the premise that you have just upgraded from Panther (10.3.x) to Tiger (10.4.x).

It then lists some apps and Add-Ons that get in the way, with the sort of symptoms you might see.

The Info on Error Logs since 10.4.7 have been split off to page 16a due to how log it made this page.