Macbook pings successfully but software unable to connect online?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I've got a friend with an older Macbook. I don't use Macs at all but I'm trying to help her.

OSX Tiger 10.4.11

- Network Diagnostics says that her WiFi connection is fine and is connected to the internet.

- I can ping Google just fine through the terminal.

- But Safari can't connect to any websites, Software Updater can't connect, Picasa Update can't connect.

- Firewall is turned off.

- I've tried adding OpenDNS IPs to my list of DNS servers in Network Settings but that doesn't change anything.

- I've killed mDNSResponder and nothing changes.

- I've turned off the computer and started it again and nothing changes, so it doesn't have anything to do with hibernation/sleep.

- everything works when it's hooked to the router via ethernet cable

What might be going on?

 

[Tyranicus]

Can you browse by IP?

 

[Tegeril]

If it's actually a Macbook that is running 10.4, it should be able to run 10.6 and possibly 10.7 depending on the model and year and I'd highly recommend upgrading it at some point. If it's a G4-based PowerBook/iBook, then you'd top out at 10.5 and I wouldn't necessarily suggest the upgrade because G4s didn't handle 10.5 all that well.

Couple things you can try:
- In the Network pref pane in System Preferences, try removing Airport entirely (select it and hit '-'). Then you can re-add it ('+') (I haven't seen what this looks like in 10.4 in a while, but that's generally how the UI would behave now, so hopefully that helps)
- Create a secondary user account on the machine (you can delete it after trying). Does Wifi work properly there?

I'd be curious what ifconfig, run in the terminal, says for the wifi adapter.