Troubleshooting iDisk error -36
Symptoms
An "error code -36" alert in Mac OS X indicates that data cannot be sent or received by the operating system for some reason. If this alert appears when using iDisk, there may be issues sending data reliably across the Internet to MobileMe's iDisk servers, or there may be a network configuration issue.
Products Affected
MobileMe
Resolution
- Situation: The alert appears when trying to copy a file to your iDisk that is larger than 2 GB.
Workaround: See this article.
- Situation: The alert appears because of network port conflict involving port 80 (the network port used by iDisk), such as when using a proxy server, firewall, or privacy software that is managing traffic over port 80.
Workaround: Temporarily turn off any firewall, or disable any proxy settings. If you use a proxy server, talk with your network administrator or Internet service provider (ISP) to find out if the proxy server supports WebDAV connections. If your proxy does not support WebDAV connections, the network administrator or ISP may be able to help you configure Network preferences to bypass the proxy server when connecting to the me.com domain. Many proxy servers are compatible with WebDAV; for more information on compatibility between WebDAV and various commonly used proxy servers, please see the proxy interoperability page at WebDAV.org. - Situation: There is a network routing issue, such as having multiple private networks inside each other (using a router or switch in conjunction with an AirPort Base station, for example).
Workaround: Simplify your network so that only one Internet routing device or AirPort Base station is between your computer and the Internet. Do not "daisy chain" multiple routers and base stations together (this excludes your broadband modem). If this doesn't work and you can use a wired connection, simply even further by connecting your broadband modem directly to your computer with no router or base station involved. See this article. - Situation: A "-36" alert appears in iDisk, and other Internet-based applications such as Safari, Mail, iChat, and iTunes are not able to connect to the Internet.
Workaround: Check your settings in Network preferences, in System Preferences. Make sure your computer has a valid IP address. If not, verify that your Ethernet cable (if you use one) is securely connected or your wireless card is active (for example, that AirPort is not turned off on your computer). Try restarting your AirPort Base station or network router device. If you have a network administrator, you may need to contact them for further assistance. If you have no network administrator, you might need to contact your ISP to verify your settings are correct. See this article. - Situation: Your ISP routes traffic to idisk.me.com in a unreliable or incompatible manner.
Workaround: Contact your ISP if the above situations have been checked for and if this alert only appears with iDisk.
Additional Information
Other troubleshooting suggestions
If you have multiple Macs, check to see if others can use the iDisk without this issue. If not, the issue is probably with your ISP or network hardware configuration. If others do not have the issue, the issue can likely be resolved by troubleshooting in Mac OS X on the affected computer.
Try disabling any firewall, proxy servers, or network filtering software you may be using as described above.
Try to connect to your iDisk while on a different network, such as one at an Apple Store. If you are able to connect to iDisk from another network successfully, then you have isolated the issue to your own network or Internet connection. If your Internet connection is the cause of the issues you are seeing, contact your ISP for assistance.
If you have an alternative ISP, try connecting via them to help isolate the issue (if the issue occurs with both ISPs, it is less likely to be an ISP-specific issue).
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