Apple WWAN Support 1.0: Some previously supported cards no longer working -- potential fix
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.
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