Some definitions regarding Road Runner and the Macintosh

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and this is a very basic definition of what it does: When your Macintosh needs to access the internet, it calls out to the main Road Runner server (via its communication software) to have it assign you a unique IP number (a unique number that identifies your computer on the internet). The server is supposed to assign you a nice, fresh number each time you start up your computer. Unfortunately, this method doesn't always work on the Macintosh, resulting in a bogus number being assigned to you, usually something like 169.x.x.x, which renders the Macintosh unusable on the Internet. The number that the DHCP server assigns you (in theory) should then "release" itself after you shut down or restart--which doesn't always seem to happen, which is causing huge problems for Macintosh users.

Lease Time-The amount of time before the IP number you get from the DHCP server expires and is given to somebody else to use. This is usually set by each server administrator, so there is no set value. Some servers have seen lease times of 5 minutes to a year.

TCP/IP-This is what makes your Macintosh speak the language of the Internet. You can access these settings via the TCP/IP control panel. Road Runner usually requests you set this to DHCP, but in some cases, you have to manually type the numbers in.

Some possible work-arounds for the Macintosh user

The dreaded 169.x.x.x IP number: When the Mac cannot find a proper number from Road Runner's server, it usually gives you this bogus number (This seems to be an 8.5-8.5.1 issue, but has been noticed on just about all systems all the way down to 8.0 running TCP/IP). Many clients have done the following to get this number blown out and force a new IP number to be assigned:

1.) Go to your TCP/IP control panel
2.) Change the first pop-up tab (connect via:) to something else (change from Ethernet to PPP for instance.)
3.) Go to the Edit menu and choose "User Mode" You will see a selection for administration--select this option & close the window.
4.) When you return to the main TCP screen, you should see an options button in the lower right hand corner of the screen--hit this button.
5.) Make sure the active button is checked and the "load only when needed" box is unchecked. This will force the TCP to load itself at startup and stay loaded.
6.) Close everything up and attempt to access the internet

If all goes well, you should have a new IP, not starting with 169. If all doesn't go well, you will need to perform this ritual a few times (I've seen it take about 5-10 times sometimes). If it still doesn't work, you may have to input the IP numbers manually (see below) or try Road Runner IP grabber. (see below)

Keeping the computer turned on 24 hours a day: This seems to be a touchy subject with most people. The Blazer II keeps his machine turned on all day & night due to the fact that if he shuts it off, Road Runner will usually stop working. Your mileage may vary on this trick, so try it both ways. If you decide to keep it on, you may want to shut off the monitor and even keep your machine productive--try helping the "Search for ET" project while you slumber and your machine stays awake...

The "Freeze of Death" at startup: When the "load only when needed" box is unchecked in your TCP control panel, you may experience a very long freeze as the machine starts up. Most people agree that this is the Macintosh trying to grab the proper IP number. The only way around this is to wait or type in the IP numbers manually. (see below)

Typing the IP numbers in manually: If you have gotten correct IP numbers before, you can enter these into your TCP control panel (by choosing Manual instead of DHCP), if you remembered to write them down. The only drawback and potential danger of this is that the DHCP server may have already given this previous number of yours out to someone else, so take caution. This is a last-ditch way to gain access, and for the old Blue Blazer II, it's the only way he can get access these days. If you secure an IP number, usually you can keep it for a very long time depending on the lease time (definition) of that number. Sometimes, keeping the computer turned on most of the time will keep this IP number secured if your server has a fast lease turnaround, but your mileage may vary.

General unusability & instability: Welcome to the club. There isn't a whole lot you can do about this except check your local Road Runner Status page (the list of cities on the previous page will get you started). If there is a problem on Road Runner's end, there isn't much you can do about it except shut off all the equipment and wait it out. This is still a new service and there are going to be growing pains.

Horrible customer service and support: Another touchy subject with most of the Road Runner higher-ups and Windows users. Reports range from excellent Windows support to "maybe you should look into a dial-up solution, instead." This is going to be an impossible area, simply because it's dependent on who you ask. If you ask a RR tech, you are going to hear "this is not true, we provide excellent customer support." If you speak to a frustrated user, you are going to hear "Road Runner support *!#@@&." The only barometer of what you are going to get is talking to people who use the service and the Usenet discussion boards. If the Blazer II sees 80 posts out of a 100 with people bitching about Road Runner, that tells me that the people that are running fine are simply not posting because they don't need to. The people that post are the people with the problems and these are the people that are going to have the horror stories dealing with Road Runner. Time Warner is a huge company with a lot of different Road Runner franchises, so be patient--exhaust every avenue here on the site before you call and threaten to bury the cable box in a technician's head. When you do exhaust every avenue, then call them, but be polite and don't get into a Macintosh vs. PC war--they don't have the time or desire. Remember that you are in the MINORITY of computer users whether you like it or not--it was your choice to use the Macintosh, not Time Warners. Your job (and thier job) is to make this work and that can only be done with patience and cooperation. If you feel that your technician is blatantly not supporting you because you use a Macintosh, than you simply ask for another technician or higher-up. If they promise to call you back, wait at least a day or so before calling them. Don't be rude or you will be right where you are now, which is a non-working connection. Time Warner and Apple seem to agree that they are working on the problem, so let them do just that.

Deployment of new equipment: Some markets have had equipment upgrades which has reportedly rendered service dead in some cases. This is going to be dependent on your particular area, but please exhaust all avenues on these pages and see if your problem goes away. Another thing to try is simply reset the cable modem at the box itself--sometimes holding the reset switch in for a few seconds helps matters--unplugging the box sometimes won't do the same thing. Usually it helps to have the Macintosh turned off until this process is complete. A lot of the markets have upgraded the internal servers which require the new boxes to run properly, so be patient!

Road Runner IP Grabber: There is a small applescript utility called RRIPGrabber that may secure you a valid IP address instead of the dreaded 169.x.x.x bogus IP. You can get the utility here. The Blazer II has tried this method, and it has helped out on various tries. Use at your own risk, of course.