Troubleshooting .Mac: "Network Error" messages when using iPhoto, other components; Mail.app failure workaround

Several .Mac subscribers are having problems with tasks that require uploading to Apple's servers. These include publishing new pages from iPhoto, and editing or deleting web pages from within their .Mac account.

The error received by most users states that "Network Error" and suggests re-checking network settings.

One reader writes "I am unable to access Apple's .Mac Site/my .Mac account. I tried it from two diffrent Servers and two diffrent maschines (iBook, iMac). I also get a message "check your network settings/account information" when trying to access the homepage through the iPhoto program. I am sure my network settings are OK since all other applications work well. Could someone from Apple let us know what the problem is, and when it is sorted?"

Make sure your date is set correctly, turn off the firewall Suggestions for resolving this issue - though it appears to be a problem on the server end - include disabling the Firewall if you have one turned on, and making sure that the correct Date and Time are set in System Preferences. Still, these workarounds are providing no relief for some readers. One user writes: "Date and time were checked and found to be correct. My firewall is active using the firewall built in to Mac OS X. I've made no changes in ports recently, and iPhoto worked previously with the firewall active."

Mail.app failure workaround If you are receiving the error message "mail.mac.com refused to allow a connection on port 143" in Mail.app, the network you are residing on may have disabled port 143 (IMAP) and instead enabled 993 (IMAPS). This means your network is using a secure socket layer.

Check with your network administrator. If you are using SSL, go to the "Accounts" Pane of Mail.app's preferences, click "Edit," and navigate to the "Advanced" tab. Then simply check the box for SSL, and your port will automatically change to 993.

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