MagicJack - Problems.

[smackbook]

So I purchased MagicJack for a full year and thought it was a pretty good deal, and it is if your computer can take it.

Not saying it takes a top of the line system for it to work, but my 13" Macbook Pro (new generation, 2010) gets a greyed out screen with around 5 or more languages saying something like "Your computer needs to be shut down. Press and hold the power button until it shuts off and turn it back on."

This only happens when MagicJack is plugged in and running. I can quit the MagicJack program and my computer will run just fine, but with it running it seems that my computer can't do much at once without shutting down.

I'm not sure if it's because of all the applications running at once, because yesterday it shut down right after I tried to do something in Logic 8 (while MagicJack, iTunes, Google Chrome, & iChat were open) and the screen popped up on me and from there I can't do anything but press the button to shut it down. Which can't be good for the computer I'm assuming.

But also I think if no other programs are running it can still do the same thing. Last night I was on the phone for around 10 minutes and right in the middle of the call it shuts down.

This grey screen shut down thing has ONLY happened since I installed and ran MagicJack on my system. I've had the laptop for over a year and a half and no major (not even very many minor) problems have happened.

I don't know if it's my computer that can't take it, or if it's the creators at MagicJack. I've searched this and and plenty other forums but I've seen no situations like this. Someone PLEASE help me figure out what to do!

 

[GGJstudios]

So I purchased MagicJack for a full year and thought it was a pretty good deal, and it is if your computer can take it.

Not saying it takes a top of the line system for it to work, but my 13" Macbook Pro (new generation, 2010) gets a greyed out screen with around 5 or more languages saying something like "Your computer needs to be shut down. Press and hold the power button until it shuts off and turn it back on."

That's called a "kernel panic": About "You need to restart your computer" (kernel panic) messages

I've only had one encounter with MagicJack on a client's computer. My impression was that it's very poorly designed and problematic. Skype is a much better solution, IMO.

 

[smokozuna]

try this

http://upgrades.magicjack.com/upgrade/upgrade.dmg

i have been using magicjack successfully for 3 years now on my Mac Pro running Leopard and Snow Leopard.

 

[b-rad g]

Been using my MagicJack for years now first on PC and now on Mac Mini since October and absolutely no trouble at all. In fact it runs better on the Mac than it did on the PC with better cal quality too.

Try the update and see if that helps.

 

[smackbook]

Thanks, I downloaded the upgrade and on the MagicJack program it said "Upgrade, Lucky You!" Kind of weird.

I'll see how it goes from here, hopefully that fixes the problem. What exactly is in that upgrade? What does it give me that I didn't have when I installed MagicJack?

 

[MSmith1915]

I've been using Magic Jack on my 3 year old Macbook Pro 15in for 3 years now with no problems.

Some things to consider: Do you have enough memory? Is your computer overheating? Do you have enough bandwidth on your internet connection?

Also, Magic Jack is not installed on your computer. It's just plugged in and the program is pulled off the device each time you plug it in to your computer.

Mike

 

[smackbook]

Alright I was talking on the phone and multitasking on my computer for about 15 minutes and it froze and shut down again. Clearly the update didn't help

Yes, I still have plenty of memory left, I clean it up regularly. And no, it's not overheating. I've taken very good care of my computer since I purchased it about a year ago.

I checked my bandwidth speed (at http://pgl.yoyo.org/bandwidth/) and it says it's at 1696 Kbits per second. I don't know much about what that means but I have a very high speed internet connection.

I don't understand what's making it shut down.. It makes me think there's something corrupt on the USB itself, because before I plugged it in for the first time I've never seen the grey screen or "kernel panic" before at all.

I saved the Problem Details and Configuration text that popped up when I restarted, should I paste that into here? Would that give a better understanding as to what's wrong? Because I really don't know anything about codes and system configuration.

 

[nippyjun]

This is a little off topic....

I had purchased a magic jack last year and was going to use it on a home server that was kept on all the time. After doing some research i decided against both the home server (which i sold after a while) and the magic jack.

I decided that i didn't want to keep a computer on all the time for the magic jack and i didn't want the magic jack software on my computers.

I opted for the ooma telo which is a stand alone voip box that plugs into your router. You plug your phone (corded or cordless) in the the ooma box and you have landline quality(most of the time) phone service for a few bucks a month. No computer has to be on at all. There are versions of the ooma that are completely free of monthly fees.

If you are considering voip the ooma is worth investigating. They cost $100-$200 depending on the model and weather you get a refurb or not. They also offer premium plans that have a wide range of extra features.