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mbbrocks mbbrocks is offline
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Default HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX
by mbbrocks 01-26-2009, 12:30 PM

If you've got a Mini 9 with the Dell 5530 HSPA / Mobile Broadband module, here's what you need to know to get it going:
  • Download the following modem script: http://www.mobilebroadbandrocks.com/...-broadband.zip
    Unzip the script and place it in your root:library:modem scripts folder.
    Go into system preferences and select Network
    Select ‘Dell Wireless 5530 HSPA Mobile’ from the list on the left
    Click on advanced
    Under the modem tab, change the vendor to ‘other’ and select ‘Dell Mobile Broadband’ from the list, click on ok
    Back on the network screen, enter ‘none’ as the telephone number. This means the modem script will use the default APN. If you want to specify the APN you want to use, enter it in the telephone number field (e.g. ‘internet’). Leave account name and password blank.
    Select ’show modem status in menu bar’
    Click on apply
    When you want to connect, click on the phone icon on the top menu bar, near the time. Click on ‘Connect Dell Wireless 5530 HSPA Mobile’ and you’re away.

If you're having problems, you may need to enter your APN manually. Back in the connection properties, change the 'telephone number' to the name of your APN. The APN will vary depending on which mobile operator you use - for example, if you're a contract Vodafone UK customer, the APN will be 'internet'. Try http://www.filesaveas.com/gprs.html for details on UK APNs.
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From http://www.mobilebroadbandrocks.com - your essential guide to Mobile Broadband
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-07-2009, 03:14 AM

Hi, just got my Mini 9 today. Got 10.5.6 installed and mostly working great.

My WWAN works, but only intermittently. For every time it connects successfully, it will also get into a rut where it won't connect. (Especially after waking from sleep, it seems.)

If I restart, or try again later, without even changing any settings, it will tend to fix itself, and I'll be able to connect fine. However sometimes I'll continue to have a really long string of unsuccessful connection attempts.

Anyway, shout out if this sounds familiar!
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-07-2009, 11:16 AM

Really stupid question folks, but is there any reason why the Vodafone Mobile Connect application for Mac OS X doesn't work? I can get the modem script working fine, but I thought I'd try the VMC app. However, whilst it installs OK, it never seems to detect the modem. Furthermore, if you try and do anything in the program apart from edit the preferences or close it, it locks the OS and tells you you have to hard reset the Mac.

Any thoughts?

http://www.business.vodafone.com/sit...test/p_mac.jsp



Dell Mini 9: Obsidian Black | A05 | Win7 / OS X 10.5.6 Dual Boot | DellEFI 1.1 | 2GB RAM | 64GB RunCore 70mm SSD | 4GB SDHC | Vodafone HSPA | 0.3mP webcam
Dell Mini 9: Obsidian Black | as above except: XP Pro SP3 | 250GB USB HDD
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-08-2009, 03:42 PM

So I've managed to answer my own stupid question.

The OS X version of Vodafone Mobile Connect only supports the modems listed in the readme:

[attachment=0:2w8atg3t]VMC_for_Mac-2.11.02.00-ReadMe_v1.2.pdf[/attachment:2w8atg3t]

Ideally Vodafone will see sense and add support for our lowly 5530/f4507. However, in the mean time, is there a way of hacking the app to support the 5530? I have zero experience of mac apps, but I have huge ambition :lol:
Attached Files
File Type: pdf VMC_for_Mac-2.11.02.00-ReadMe_v1.2.pdf (90.2 KB, 78 views)



Dell Mini 9: Obsidian Black | A05 | Win7 / OS X 10.5.6 Dual Boot | DellEFI 1.1 | 2GB RAM | 64GB RunCore 70mm SSD | 4GB SDHC | Vodafone HSPA | 0.3mP webcam
Dell Mini 9: Obsidian Black | as above except: XP Pro SP3 | 250GB USB HDD
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-18-2009, 03:24 PM

Is there a way we can use the WWAN to send/receive SMS ? Is there any software available for Mac that supports our modem ?
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-20-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by zografos
Is there a way we can use the WWAN to send/receive SMS ? Is there any software available for Mac that supports our modem ?
I'm looking for this as well. Would like to know when I'm connected as an HSDPA connection or a GPRS.
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-26-2009, 11:04 PM

I'm also getting, er, 'variable' performance from 3G in that sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (ppp fail to connect).

Interesting when I was attempting this in linux it would fail at exact same stage, specifically ppp disconnect from the far end when trying to establish LCP. But in linux it would fail every single time.

More often than not it doesn't work. Also sometimes clearing the config and re-entering the settings works (but rarely).

I am totally confused as to the variable performance

Australia, carrier is Three on prepaid broadband.
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-27-2009, 04:21 AM

Does any body know which dvd drives I cannot use for the mac osx installation? Can I use a hp one from walmart?


Obsidian black mini 9|32gb STEC ssd|2gb crucial ram| sleep working (usb legacy disabled in bios)|1.3 mp webcam (photobooth and everything is working out of the box)|250GB external cavalry HDD+time machine|bios A04
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 03-27-2009, 05:04 AM

I'm also getting the ppp disconnect issue. A debug of my /var/log/messages reveals its a LCP disconnection being initiated from the peer i.e. the carrier is sending a disconnect frame. This occurs just as I'm sending out IPCP requests.

HOWEVER this is totally inconsistent - sometimes it works, sometimes above issue happens. I can find no rhyme or reason!!!!!!!!!!!! However it NEVER works if you disconnect from a working connection and test it again. Another poster summed it up best: "If I restart, or try again later, without even changing any settings, it will tend to fix itself, and I'll be able to connect fine. However sometimes I'll continue to have a really long string of unsuccessful connection attempts."

Also sometimes I delete the config and put it in again and it works once (but as noted above never twice).

Does anyone else experience this issue?!?!?!

It happens to me with 2 different sims on 2 different carriers here in Aust (3 prepaid and Telstra nextg respectively).
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 04-01-2009, 05:53 AM

Can anybody tell me how to put the script in the Modem Library folder please, I have downloaded the "Dell Mobile Broadband" Unix File but if I try to expand/open it it just runs a terminal screen, Sorry to seem thick but I'm new to Mac/Unix code. Thanks
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Default Re: HOWTO: Using mobile broadband / WWAN module in OSX - 04-09-2009, 09:11 PM

Thanks to this forum: running Dell Mini 9 OS X with DellEFI1.2a5 and Modem Script.

Tried every combination and searched the whole web... Unfortunately NO mobile broadband connection! Carrier: Vodafone Germany (used the correct APN)

Error message: "Could not negotiate a connection with the remote PPP server."

Does anyone have an idea how to solve this!? I appreciate any help!
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