Apple WWAN Support 1.0: Some previously supported cards no longer working -- potential fix
[Posted February 20th]
Yesterday Apple released WWAN Support 1.0, an update that provides software support for various EVDO and HSDPA devices for accessing the Internet at relatively high speeds through wide-area digital wireless networks.
Among the newly supported devices:
Cingular
- Novatel Merlin XU870 ExpressCard (HSDPA)
Sprint:
- Novatel Wireless Merlin EX720 Express Card (EVDO Rev. A)
- Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 USB Modem (USB Adapter, EVDO Rev. A)
Verizon
- Novatel XV620 ExpressCard (EVDO Rev. 0)
- Novatel V740 ExpressCard (EVDO Rev. A)
- Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 (USB Adapter, EVDO Rev. A)
Some previously supported cards no longer working -- potential fix Unfortunately, it appears that some access devices that worked with third-party drivers prior to the WWAN Support 1.0 release lose functionality on some networks after applying the Apple patch.
Take, for instance, the Merlin XU870. Although this card is listed as gaining new compatibility with Cingular under the WWAN 1.0 release, several users report that the device already worked properly on various other networks with the Mac OS X driver (kernel extension) offered by Novatel. After applying WWAN Support 1.0, however, some users lost the ability to connect to specific networks with this device.
WWAN Support 1.0 installs the following files:
- /Library/Modem Scripts/WWAN Support
- /System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/WWAN.menu
- /System/Library/Extensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleWWANSupport.kext
- /System/Library/Extensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleWWANVerizon.kext
As such, you can try to regain functionality of your device by deleting the aforementioned files, then re-installing the driver available from your wireless access device's manufactuer (e.g. Novatel's driver for the Merlin XU870).
The last two files are tricky -- the best way to delete them is to navigate to /System/Library/Extensions/, then locate the file IOSerialFamily.kext. Control-click (or right-click) on this file, and select "Show Pacakge contents."
Once inside IOSerialFamily.kext, navigate to /Contents/PlugIns/. Drag both AppleWWANSupport.kext and AppleWWANVerizon.kext to the Trash (you will be prompted for your administrator password).
After you've deleted the above files, try re-installing your third-party wireless driver then restarting. Check for connectivity with your access device.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
Resources
But still it is not recognized. Vodafone software keeps on telling me that there is no card present.
As I need this card for business I really hope that someone can help me to either get rid of that piece of software I installed or any other solution.
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want to use your XU870 together with your Vodafone software again, you also have to delete the kext files in /Library/Application Support/:
- AppleVerizonSupport.kext
- AppleVerizonSupportKicker.kext
- Verizon.menu
Afterwards delete the Vodafone drivers or software. Now reinstall it, reboot your Mac - and everything should be before :)
Marcus
I did it also like described ? deleted the 4 mentioned files.
First, I had the same error message "No card inserted".
Then I uninstalled my third-party wireless driver ? restarted the machine ? installed the third-party wireless driver again ? restarted the machine ? and then the UMTS card works fine again!
Great!
yes, thx
this also worked as a solution in austria.
boris
- by BRNurthen March 21, 2007 7:09 AM PDT
- Well after spending 2 days on the problem I have at last got my Merlin XU870 working again.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(5 Comments)I downloaded the latest OSX 10.4.9.
Removed the files as listed by MacFixIt
Re-installed the Novatel Merlin Driver Ver 1.7.2
Re-Configured the Novatel Merlin XU870 Modem Network Prefference to MMHS Modem
Re-Installed the Vodafone Mobile Connect
And all work OK after that.
Thanks to MacFixIt