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Snow Leopard and Sierra Wireless 881 USB...
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Jeme,
Install the 3G Watcher again and export the settings (remember where you saved it). Then uninstall the 3G Watcher and trash the kext files. Once you have the HSPA showing in Network preferences import the settings and add the DNS numbers. This might not work but it can't hurt to try.
No you only need the WWAN if you are not running Snow Leopard. From what I understand I didn't have install it because Snow Leopard has built-in support. As a matter of fact, I tried installing WWAN and the message said I had built-in support and the installation would not continue. However, if I were you I would try and install it anyway. If it allows you to install then that could help.
OK - I did figure out how to export the settings from the Network system preferences. However they are for a "phone" modem and the card is recognized natively as an HSPA modem - so they do not import.
well I turned my back on the computer as I am typing this on another computer - and I turn around and the thing is connected using the native drivers! Funny - rebooting to see if I can do it again.
well I turned my back on the computer as I am typing this on another computer - and I turn around and the thing is connected using the native drivers! Funny - rebooting to see if I can do it again.
Well I got the thing working natively. WOW! I could not tell you specifically what I did, just a combination of the above things and some good help from the folks on this forum - thanks very much!
No to get teathering working on my iphone 3.1 OS, without jailbreaking!
No to get teathering working on my iphone 3.1 OS, without jailbreaking!
CAUTION - Changing Situation re Sierra Modem Drivers
Post >200 valuable man-hours lost, 3 weeks X a group of 6 experienced University Faculty, seeking to restore function of 10.6.1 + Sierra Compass 597 + Sprint PCS, an obligatory effort was in progress to document a current distillation / solution for the Community. Despite the numerous tidbits documented in this excellent thread including the post of today by coolbreeze2, their distillation remains bewildering. Our findings relate to 10.6.1 + Sierra Wireless Watcher 2.0.18.0 (9/2/2009) + Sprint SmartView 2.0.18.0 (04/29/09) using current / Intel based Mac computers..
CLEANUP: A PIVOTAL flaw was narrowed to residual code / files from Sprint SmartView - - remaining AFTER use of UNINSTALL . The specific culprit was not identified, but meticulous manual removal using e.g., Terminal or Easy Find, is essential to locate and remove ALL of this version of SmartView ..... BEFORE proceeding. (The same may be true of similar driver software from carriers other than Sprint.) Once fully informed of this reproducible finding, Sierra Wireless Support responded: We would love for all Sprint customers to use our Watcher software instead of Sprint SV, but we are not the one who is making rules here. Sprint wants to use their software and thats the message we convey to all our Sprint customers. Sierra Wireless Support continues to insist that Sprint SmartView be installed, with Watcher . Can words bespeak of duplicity, dishonesty and irresponsibility to the consumer in more explicit language? In our situation, the silence of Sprint was an even louder roar.
NOTICE / IMPORTANT: Newly posted today on the Sprint web support site for the Compass 597 is SmartView v. 2.27.0026.0 (09/16/09). Given the dismal failure of Sprint to provide even basic or responsible support, the package contents were quickly reviewed. Buried is a document Sprint SmartView v2.27; Release Date: 7/30/2009 - - PRIOR to the release of Snow Leopard - - which lacks any mention of compatibility with 10.6.1, released nearly two months later!!! Needless to say, BUYER BEWARE given the dismal and irresponsible history of Sprint in conjunction with Sierra Wireless. Their failure to even provide a current Release Notes.txt could be the Canary in the mine. A quick review reveals no mention of the 32 / 64 issue, etc.
Currently, we have achieved reliable function using the (09/02/09) Sierra Wireless System Extensions and 10.6.1 alone while studiously avoiding the recommended re-install of any SmartView / TRUInstall package from Sprint. The currently installed root driver, SierraSWoCMon is functional at 32bit although our computers are being booted at 64 bit. It is impossible to over-stress, the serious issue related to hidden code installed by old drivers despite the head in the sand response from Sierra Wireless Support. This hidden culprit is probably the story behind the story of this and numerous other long threads re this subject. Given the time consuming task of manual location and removal of faulty software, CAUTION is advised until reliability of the latest driver release is confirmed. If HONEST information is not available in the near term, I shall post in cookbook format a distillation of our current procedure which has proven to be reproducible and reliable.
The arrogance and disdain exhibited towards the consumer by these vendors relevant to the upgrade pathway for OS X announced over a year ago is ipso facto. It is time for consumers to investigate other vendors, e.g. T-Mobile and their device partner.
Post >200 valuable man-hours lost, 3 weeks X a group of 6 experienced University Faculty, seeking to restore function of 10.6.1 + Sierra Compass 597 + Sprint PCS, an obligatory effort was in progress to document a current distillation / solution for the Community. Despite the numerous tidbits documented in this excellent thread including the post of today by coolbreeze2, their distillation remains bewildering. Our findings relate to 10.6.1 + Sierra Wireless Watcher 2.0.18.0 (9/2/2009) + Sprint SmartView 2.0.18.0 (04/29/09) using current / Intel based Mac computers..
CLEANUP: A PIVOTAL flaw was narrowed to residual code / files from Sprint SmartView - - remaining AFTER use of UNINSTALL . The specific culprit was not identified, but meticulous manual removal using e.g., Terminal or Easy Find, is essential to locate and remove ALL of this version of SmartView ..... BEFORE proceeding. (The same may be true of similar driver software from carriers other than Sprint.) Once fully informed of this reproducible finding, Sierra Wireless Support responded: We would love for all Sprint customers to use our Watcher software instead of Sprint SV, but we are not the one who is making rules here. Sprint wants to use their software and thats the message we convey to all our Sprint customers. Sierra Wireless Support continues to insist that Sprint SmartView be installed, with Watcher . Can words bespeak of duplicity, dishonesty and irresponsibility to the consumer in more explicit language? In our situation, the silence of Sprint was an even louder roar.
NOTICE / IMPORTANT: Newly posted today on the Sprint web support site for the Compass 597 is SmartView v. 2.27.0026.0 (09/16/09). Given the dismal failure of Sprint to provide even basic or responsible support, the package contents were quickly reviewed. Buried is a document Sprint SmartView v2.27; Release Date: 7/30/2009 - - PRIOR to the release of Snow Leopard - - which lacks any mention of compatibility with 10.6.1, released nearly two months later!!! Needless to say, BUYER BEWARE given the dismal and irresponsible history of Sprint in conjunction with Sierra Wireless. Their failure to even provide a current Release Notes.txt could be the Canary in the mine. A quick review reveals no mention of the 32 / 64 issue, etc.
Currently, we have achieved reliable function using the (09/02/09) Sierra Wireless System Extensions and 10.6.1 alone while studiously avoiding the recommended re-install of any SmartView / TRUInstall package from Sprint. The currently installed root driver, SierraSWoCMon is functional at 32bit although our computers are being booted at 64 bit. It is impossible to over-stress, the serious issue related to hidden code installed by old drivers despite the head in the sand response from Sierra Wireless Support. This hidden culprit is probably the story behind the story of this and numerous other long threads re this subject. Given the time consuming task of manual location and removal of faulty software, CAUTION is advised until reliability of the latest driver release is confirmed. If HONEST information is not available in the near term, I shall post in cookbook format a distillation of our current procedure which has proven to be reproducible and reliable.
The arrogance and disdain exhibited towards the consumer by these vendors relevant to the upgrade pathway for OS X announced over a year ago is ipso facto. It is time for consumers to investigate other vendors, e.g. T-Mobile and their device partner.
ADDENDUM: CAUTION - Changing Situation re Sierra Modem Drivers
Quick accent to the latest commendable efforts by 'Coolbreeze2' is offered:
1. Information provided was specific to Sprint, but should be equally valuable in a generic sense, e.g. ATT.
2. CLEANUP: All of us have been FRUSTRATED and ended in one way or another with a 'garbage can' of 'stuff' remaining on the HD despite use of supplied 'UNinstall' utilities. THE UNINSTALL UTILITIES ARE NOT ADEQUATE. Even with an aggregate of > a Century !! of computer experience, our group was befuddled by this 'hidden' issue, compounded by the perverse continuing advice from Sierra Support. While it might be interesting to specifically identify the 'culprit(s)', our approach turned to 'sack and burn' once the nature of the problem became clear. One critical step not mentioned: BEFORE you 'deep clean', download the latest 'Combo Update - Snow Leopard". The hard way, we discovered that only if sack and burn was followed by re-install of the 10.6.1 Combo Update, was success achieved. (This probably relates to values remaining in a plist or similar file associated with 10.6.1.)
3. WWAN Confusion: We, like endless posts on this and other websites, were distracted by achieving an early 'cobbled' connection via the WWAN support embedded in SL. Yes, but........ We found ourselves to be connected to Sprint with constant 'silent' disconnects on the download side - ONLY and dismal download rates. Our current functional installation is essentially that of 10.5.7 and GUI rather than the newer WWAN interface of SL. Believe....... we too wasted a lot of time chasing the SL GUI for WWAN.
4. Sierra Watcher: Others have provided the links to download the 9/02/09 current release. This is essential to install the current drivers - - after CLEANUP of the old System Extensions. While we initially mirrored the suggestion by Coolbreeze to then remove, reproducible results by our group, confirm that 'removal' after the driver is installed is unnecessary. Watcher is NOT utilized as a GUI (i.e. opened) once the initial driver installation process is complete, but we found no evidence for a return of problems or corruption if the Watcher app remains. All GUI is provided by the OS X Preferences>Network Pane.
Finally, it should be obvious that these two posts are solely for the goal of achieving an operational status NOW in a K-I-S-S manner rather than to provide all answers. issues of full integration into 64 bit / SL remain, but do not appear to limit the current performance while booting SL at 64.
Quick accent to the latest commendable efforts by 'Coolbreeze2' is offered:
1. Information provided was specific to Sprint, but should be equally valuable in a generic sense, e.g. ATT.
2. CLEANUP: All of us have been FRUSTRATED and ended in one way or another with a 'garbage can' of 'stuff' remaining on the HD despite use of supplied 'UNinstall' utilities. THE UNINSTALL UTILITIES ARE NOT ADEQUATE. Even with an aggregate of > a Century !! of computer experience, our group was befuddled by this 'hidden' issue, compounded by the perverse continuing advice from Sierra Support. While it might be interesting to specifically identify the 'culprit(s)', our approach turned to 'sack and burn' once the nature of the problem became clear. One critical step not mentioned: BEFORE you 'deep clean', download the latest 'Combo Update - Snow Leopard". The hard way, we discovered that only if sack and burn was followed by re-install of the 10.6.1 Combo Update, was success achieved. (This probably relates to values remaining in a plist or similar file associated with 10.6.1.)
3. WWAN Confusion: We, like endless posts on this and other websites, were distracted by achieving an early 'cobbled' connection via the WWAN support embedded in SL. Yes, but........ We found ourselves to be connected to Sprint with constant 'silent' disconnects on the download side - ONLY and dismal download rates. Our current functional installation is essentially that of 10.5.7 and GUI rather than the newer WWAN interface of SL. Believe....... we too wasted a lot of time chasing the SL GUI for WWAN.
4. Sierra Watcher: Others have provided the links to download the 9/02/09 current release. This is essential to install the current drivers - - after CLEANUP of the old System Extensions. While we initially mirrored the suggestion by Coolbreeze to then remove, reproducible results by our group, confirm that 'removal' after the driver is installed is unnecessary. Watcher is NOT utilized as a GUI (i.e. opened) once the initial driver installation process is complete, but we found no evidence for a return of problems or corruption if the Watcher app remains. All GUI is provided by the OS X Preferences>Network Pane.
Finally, it should be obvious that these two posts are solely for the goal of achieving an operational status NOW in a K-I-S-S manner rather than to provide all answers. issues of full integration into 64 bit / SL remain, but do not appear to limit the current performance while booting SL at 64.
Me too!!! Only once this has happened: I booted my notebook with the device plugged-in and TrueInstall did not mount. Instead the modem initialized and connected. I don't know what I did and it has not happened again.
As far as our iPhones are concerned, tethering is not going to work in 3.1 like it did in 3.0 without some hacker masterfully creating a workaround. That's why I purchased the modem. I didn't see a hack coming soon since AT&T plans to start selling tethering. At some point they must permanently shutdown non-paying hacks. Frankly, I think AT&T was permitting the tethering hack to test their network. In essence the hack users were volunteer testers whose assignment has ended.
I'll keep trying to get the device to automatically mount as a modem and will report if I should have success.
I discovered that if I eject the disk the device automatically initiates as a modem. Re-starting the computer the device remains a modem. But if I shutdown and startup the device mounts as a disk.
I have tried a few things to get around this but nothing worked. Therefore, I used Mac OS X Automator to solve the problem. It works great.
I created an Automator application that grabs the disk and ejects it. Then, as we have already seen, Mac OS then initiates the modem.
I placed the Automator application in my start-up items which forces the disk to eject when I login each time. It runs each time I log in and therefore I always log in with the modem ready to go!
If the disk is not mounted or the device is not plugged-in no harm will occur when the application is ran at startup.
If you need help creating the application and placing in your start-up items, please say so. I can post the steps. It was not difficult at all.
I think my mission has been accomplished! Thanks everyone for your help!
SN 10.6 Sierra USB Card Near Death Experience
I am online, finally. USB Connect 881 worked fine in 10.5.5, UG to 10.6 and things got flaky then failed. Sierra site is not clear. Finally got voice contact.
1. Do not download/install 3G watcher or else delete it.
2. go to /System/Library/Extensions/ and delete three files of type .kext with "Sierra" in file name (need admin priv for this). The uninstaller supposedly deletes these but make sure they are GONE!
3. Download Watcher 2.0.6 .dmg and install WITHOUT USB 881 PLUGGED IN
4. Set System Prefs/Network to "automatic"
5. Plug in USB 881 and go to Applications/Sierra Watcher and launch SierraWatcher.app - a pane opens and your carrier should appear along with signal strength bar thingy. No bars will appear in the menu bar at all like old watcher versions (DANG!)
6. Look in System Pref/network and there will be no name for the connected service! But you can connect from there but I connected from the watcher .app pane.
7. It works but damned unfriendly and it took a week to get it up - am using it now.
I am online, finally. USB Connect 881 worked fine in 10.5.5, UG to 10.6 and things got flaky then failed. Sierra site is not clear. Finally got voice contact.
1. Do not download/install 3G watcher or else delete it.
2. go to /System/Library/Extensions/ and delete three files of type .kext with "Sierra" in file name (need admin priv for this). The uninstaller supposedly deletes these but make sure they are GONE!
3. Download Watcher 2.0.6 .dmg and install WITHOUT USB 881 PLUGGED IN
4. Set System Prefs/Network to "automatic"
5. Plug in USB 881 and go to Applications/Sierra Watcher and launch SierraWatcher.app - a pane opens and your carrier should appear along with signal strength bar thingy. No bars will appear in the menu bar at all like old watcher versions (DANG!)
6. Look in System Pref/network and there will be no name for the connected service! But you can connect from there but I connected from the watcher .app pane.
7. It works but damned unfriendly and it took a week to get it up - am using it now.
3g Watcher won't work in SL 10.6
You need the OTHER watcher program in the 2.0.6 download at Sierra. 3G watcher is spectacularly unsuccessful. Before installing "Sierra Watcher" (as opposed to 3G Watcher). Get rid of 3G watcher and go to System/Library/Extensions/ and delete three files of type .kext that have "Sierra" in their filenames - forget what they are specifically named - then run the uninstaller - if you have MANUALLY deleted these you will get an error message from uninstaller - no biggie - then (USB 881 unplugged) install the switcher package and reboot.
Plug in the USB 881, switch Sys/Pref/Network to automatic - connect via the switcher in your new application/sierra watcher folder
after over a week of difficulty, I got mine online with no display in the menu bar despite "show status checked"
I hear SOME people have success with th enative OS driver but Sierra told me they are having all kinds of support msgs on this and just using the switcher software and watcher pane that floats around on desktop (annoying) is a solution. You will wind up with
SierraSupport.kext
SierraSupportKicker.kext
SierraSwitch.kext
in your Sys/Lib/Ext folder with this clean re-install - it is all a pathetic mess.
You need the OTHER watcher program in the 2.0.6 download at Sierra. 3G watcher is spectacularly unsuccessful. Before installing "Sierra Watcher" (as opposed to 3G Watcher). Get rid of 3G watcher and go to System/Library/Extensions/ and delete three files of type .kext that have "Sierra" in their filenames - forget what they are specifically named - then run the uninstaller - if you have MANUALLY deleted these you will get an error message from uninstaller - no biggie - then (USB 881 unplugged) install the switcher package and reboot.
Plug in the USB 881, switch Sys/Pref/Network to automatic - connect via the switcher in your new application/sierra watcher folder
after over a week of difficulty, I got mine online with no display in the menu bar despite "show status checked"
I hear SOME people have success with th enative OS driver but Sierra told me they are having all kinds of support msgs on this and just using the switcher software and watcher pane that floats around on desktop (annoying) is a solution. You will wind up with
SierraSupport.kext
SierraSupportKicker.kext
SierraSwitch.kext
in your Sys/Lib/Ext folder with this clean re-install - it is all a pathetic mess.
This worked for me ...
This worked for me ... just install it, and that Tru-Install crap goes away and you pull it up like normal (for those who are re-installing) ...
Thanks Matt, everyone.
This worked for me ... just install it, and that Tru-Install crap goes away and you pull it up like normal (for those who are re-installing) ...
Thanks Matt, everyone.
Could I be the lucky one?
I just got my ATT C885 usb kit yesterday evening, i live in Northern Michigan, and my friend has one on his 13" mbp, and it worked flawlessly getting around 1.5 mbps. So i was going on a business trip and decided that if there was an ATT store close by i would go get one for my 2009 15" mbp running SL 10.6.2. i get back to my hotel and this thing was a total slug using 3g watcher.
so i did a bit of reading and came up with nothing useful. So i called ATT support and after they ran me though the hoops i gave up when the tech person told me that getting 120kbps is a good connection in the metro Detroit area..... i wanted to cuss this woman out but i just hung up resolved to return the card and chalk it up to more crappy service and 3rd party hardware from another company who knows nothing about Macs.
I called my bro and asked for his help since he had his c885 working fine.
So here it is ... i uninstalled watcher, and the .kext files in system/library/extensions from the switch driver install i did over the phone with ATT and rebooted. after reboot i inserted the c885, ejected the 3g watcher and got a new network connection notice and i clicked on the net perf setting and used this info
(any thing not shown here means i didn't edit or change it)
account name: isp.cingular
password: CINGULAR1 (all caps)
APN: isp.cingular
Cid: 8
I was connected in a flash and i am getting about 1mbps in the metro Detroit area. i think if i was in a better location other than this 4th floor hotel room that i might be getting a better d/l rate, but 1meg is ok with me!!!
Good luck every one!
I just got my ATT C885 usb kit yesterday evening, i live in Northern Michigan, and my friend has one on his 13" mbp, and it worked flawlessly getting around 1.5 mbps. So i was going on a business trip and decided that if there was an ATT store close by i would go get one for my 2009 15" mbp running SL 10.6.2. i get back to my hotel and this thing was a total slug using 3g watcher.
so i did a bit of reading and came up with nothing useful. So i called ATT support and after they ran me though the hoops i gave up when the tech person told me that getting 120kbps is a good connection in the metro Detroit area..... i wanted to cuss this woman out but i just hung up resolved to return the card and chalk it up to more crappy service and 3rd party hardware from another company who knows nothing about Macs.
I called my bro and asked for his help since he had his c885 working fine.
So here it is ... i uninstalled watcher, and the .kext files in system/library/extensions from the switch driver install i did over the phone with ATT and rebooted. after reboot i inserted the c885, ejected the 3g watcher and got a new network connection notice and i clicked on the net perf setting and used this info
(any thing not shown here means i didn't edit or change it)
account name: isp.cingular
password: CINGULAR1 (all caps)
APN: isp.cingular
Cid: 8
I was connected in a flash and i am getting about 1mbps in the metro Detroit area. i think if i was in a better location other than this 4th floor hotel room that i might be getting a better d/l rate, but 1meg is ok with me!!!
Good luck every one!