How to Use iChat AV in the United Arab Emirates

[DXB Law]

iChat AV normally works in the United Arab Emirates, but a few minor configuration changes are needed to help it do so.

1) Change the default log-in port for iChat. While you are not logged in, go to iChat>Preferences>Accounts>Server Settings. Verify that the server name is login.oscar.aol.com and then in the box beneath that change the number 5190 to 443. Close the window.

2) Go to System Preferences>Sharing>Firewall to see if your Mac's built-in firewall is turned on. If yes, you need to open certain ports to allow iChat to connect through the firewall. Click the button marked "New" and you should get a dialog box with a pull-down menu for port name marked "CVS". Click on that and choose the option "other" all the way at the bottom. Then you will get three white boxes. Enter the following information:

In the first box (marked TCP Port Numbers) enter the number 5190.
In the second box (marked UDP Port Numbers) enter (you can copy and paste) the following information: 554, 5060, 5190, 5297, 5298, 5678, 16384-16403
In the third box (marked Description) type iChat AV and then click OK.
Look at the list of services in the big white box and make sure that the new service you created (iChat AV) has a check-mark in the box.

These two steps should fix most iChat AV problems.

If you still have difficulty connecting, you should consider whether any of the following possible problems exist:

1) Do you connect via a network in your office or your home? Is there a firewall at the network level? If so, the corresponding ports need to be open.

2) Do you have enough bandwidth to take advantage of iChat AV? It requires a lot of bandwidth, and just because you are paying for a 256 line from Etisalat does not mean you are getting the bandwidth you need. Try a DSL speed test at http://www.auditmypc.com/internet-speed-test.asp

3) Are you using the latest version of iChat (there was an upgrade in the 10.4.7 update).

4) Does your network or router use port forwarding?

5) Are you able to connect to some iChat users but not others (maybe the problem is on their end, not yours)?

6) Are you able to connect at some times, but not others (suggests a problem with low bandwidth caused by other users on your shared network).

7) Do you have other software applications open? (Some applications conflict with iChat -- such as Lotus Notes -- while others compete for system resources with iChat and may cause a connection to fail). Start by quitting all other apps and trying your connection again.

8) Can you do an audio-only chat? (sometimes bandwidth is not good enough for video but will be okay with audio).

9) Try rebooting your Mac (and asking the person on the other end of your chat to do the same). Oftentimes this works.

10) If none of these steps help, go to the Apple Discussions forums. Start by reading the posts from Ralph Johns (especially his excellent web page about iChat at http://www.ralphjohnsuk.dsl.pipex.com/page1.html

[NzeeSheikh]

good job, writing the settings.

[MarkP]

Brilliant! I've been battling to sort this out for over a week now and only just come across this forum. Put the above details and we're up and running!

Now to figure how to get Skype set up!

[DXB Law]

Glad it helped.

[ruchikabhatia]

i have been tryig to get through video chat , i haev changed the ports as stated.. but apart from this i still cant connect to video chat or audio chat.
is there any other way i can solve this problem.

Originally Posted by DXB Law

iChat AV normally works in the United Arab Emirates, but a few minor configuration changes are needed to help it do so.

1) Change the default log-in port for iChat. While you are not logged in, go to iChat>Preferences>Accounts>Server Settings. Verify that the server name is login.oscar.aol.com and then in the box beneath that change the number 5190 to 443. Close the window.

2) Go to System Preferences>Sharing>Firewall to see if your Mac's built-in firewall is turned on. If yes, you need to open certain ports to allow iChat to connect through the firewall. Click the button marked "New" and you should get a dialog box with a pull-down menu for port name marked "CVS". Click on that and choose the option "other" all the way at the bottom. Then you will get three white boxes. Enter the following information:

In the first box (marked TCP Port Numbers) enter the number 5190.
In the second box (marked UDP Port Numbers) enter (you can copy and paste) the following information: 554, 5060, 5190, 5297, 5298, 5678, 16384-16403
In the third box (marked Description) type iChat AV and then click OK.
Look at the list of services in the big white box and make sure that the new service you created (iChat AV) has a check-mark in the box.

These two steps should fix most iChat AV problems.

If you still have difficulty connecting, you should consider whether any of the following possible problems exist:

1) Do you connect via a network in your office or your home? Is there a firewall at the network level? If so, the corresponding ports need to be open.

2) Do you have enough bandwidth to take advantage of iChat AV? It requires a lot of bandwidth, and just because you are paying for a 256 line from Etisalat does not mean you are getting the bandwidth you need. Try a DSL speed test at http://www.auditmypc.com/internet-speed-test.asp

3) Are you using the latest version of iChat (there was an upgrade in the 10.4.7 update).

4) Does your network or router use port forwarding?

5) Are you able to connect to some iChat users but not others (maybe the problem is on their end, not yours)?

6) Are you able to connect at some times, but not others (suggests a problem with low bandwidth caused by other users on your shared network).

7) Do you have other software applications open? (Some applications conflict with iChat -- such as Lotus Notes -- while others compete for system resources with iChat and may cause a connection to fail). Start by quitting all other apps and trying your connection again.

8) Can you do an audio-only chat? (sometimes bandwidth is not good enough for video but will be okay with audio).

9) Try rebooting your Mac (and asking the person on the other end of your chat to do the same). Oftentimes this works.

10) If none of these steps help, go to the Apple Discussions forums. Start by reading the posts from Ralph Johns (especially his excellent web page about iChat at http://www.ralphjohnsuk.dsl.pipex.com/page1.html

[Magnus]

You say you changed the ports, but did you do everything else DXB Law listed?

[DXB Law]

Originally Posted by ruchikabhatia

i have been tryig to get through video chat , i haev changed the ports as stated.. but apart from this i still cant connect to video chat or audio chat.
is there any other way i can solve this problem.

When you say you can't connect, are you saying that you can't log in to the iChat server? Or are you saying that although you are logged in, you cannot connect and start a chat with another iChat user? If the latter, what error messages are you getting?

[ruchikabhatia]

by putting the above details also i cant get the ichat working...
i can message but cant have a video or audio chat

Originally Posted by MarkP

Brilliant! I've been battling to sort this out for over a week now and only just come across this forum. Put the above details and we're up and running!

Now to figure how to get Skype set up!

[ruchikabhatia]

when other person using i chat invites me for video chat..it says that it is connecting after a few seconds i get a error mesage that ruchikabhatia1@mac. com(my id) is not responding.

Originally Posted by DXB Law

When you say you can't connect, are you saying that you can't log in to the iChat server? Or are you saying that although you are logged in, you cannot connect and start a chat with another iChat user? If the latter, what error messages are you getting?

[ruchikabhatia]

and one moret thing i m having a connection of 512 kbps from etisalat.
os this speed enough for ichat.
and wat do u mean by port forwarding?

Originally Posted by ruchikabhatia

when other person using i chat invites me for video chat..it says that it is connecting after a few seconds i get a error mesage that ruchikabhatia1@mac. com(my id) is not responding.