Mac OS X 10.4.9 Special Report: WWAN update included, how to remove

It appears that Mac OS X 10.4.9 makes the same modifications that are contained in the WWAN Support 1.0 update, which was released February 19th and is intended to enhance support for various EVDO and HSDPA devices.

This is bad news for some Australian and European users of high-speed wireless data networks, for whom device usage problems ensued after applying the WWAN Support 1.0 update: the same device issues are occurring for these users after installing Mac OS X 10.4.9.

As previously reported, the fix for this issue is to remove 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

then re-install the driver available from your wireless access device's manufacturer (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 Package 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).

For a screenshot and more information on this fix, see our previous article.

Index:

• Release notes
• Update procedure recommendation
• Common workarounds for when things go wrong post-update
• Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.8 (uninstalling Mac OS X 10.4.9)
• Files modified by this update

• AirPort: Loss of connectivity, card not recognized, more
• Application launch problems
• Bluetooth device issues
• Classic: Will not run, other issues
• Desktop icons missing
• Disk images not mounting
• Eject key issues: Longer duration before action takes place
• External optical drives: hardware errors
• Final Cut Pro/Express: Capture issues, performance concerns
• Finder persistently crashes and re-launches
• Frozen windows
• iSync issues/general synchronization problems
• Mail.app: junk filters not working
• Microsoft Office: Various issues
• Networking problems with Mac OS 9 systems
• Persistent booting into Windows
• Printer problems, fixes
• Problems starting up
• Quicken: .Mac backup failure: Fixes
• Resolved issues
• Secure site access broken: fixes
• Segmentation faults
• Server connection drops
• Third-party device issues (Nikon Capture NX, Griffin AirClick, more)
• Update to Final Cut Pro 5.1.4 for best performance
• Volume significantly louder: boon for some, drawback for others
• VPN connectivity issues
• WWAN update included, how to remove

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