iBook G3 modem problem
Giles
problems with the modem on his iBook G3.
It is running OS X 10.1 (eeek) and he uses AOL (eeek). Steadily,
connections have stopped being made, firstly succeeding on a retry and now
giving up altogether with a no carrier message.
He's been through his settings with AOL, who said, for what it is worth,
that they are correct. So...
If I remember rightly, the iBook modems are largely software based, so I
suggested a back up and reinstall. He will also run the hardware test cd
(for what it is worth).
I suspect a hardware repair would be pricey - it is out of warranty - so
my next-step solution was an external usb modem.
Any other experiences, options or suggestions? I don't think broadband and
a modem/router is a viable route for him.
Thanks in advance.
BTW, every 'young person' in the place now has an iPod nano. They must be
selling shedloads. It does mean that I should really start charging for
basic advice, though ;-)
Giles
Huge
I had the same problem. But not on an ibook, its a powermac g3 beige. I was
trying out AOL. As I had a btopenworld connection I thought it was shit. We
then went to broadband and low and behold the only way of connecting was via
a USB modem. Don't even think about these as they will cause too many
problems. Go for the router / ADSL modem and use Ethernet its so much better
Also try and erase all the aol files and start again.
On 12/10/05 9:41 pm, in article pan.2005.10.12....@gmail.com,
Peter Ceresole
> He's been through his settings with AOL, who said, for what it is worth,
> that they are correct. So...
>
> If I remember rightly, the iBook modems are largely software based, so I
> suggested a back up and reinstall. He will also run the hardware test cd
> (for what it is worth).
I think it's worth bugger all... And you're right, they are software
based and none too clever.
> I suspect a hardware repair would be pricey - it is out of warranty - so
> my next-step solution was an external usb modem.
That gradual failure doesn't, at first blush, sound like a hardware
problem. But see if you can find a USB v90 modem- they're actually quite
good and certainly better than the Apple internals. There should be
plenty available second hand. That should tell you what's wrong pretty
plainly.
My main advice would be to get him onto OS 10.2, which is streets better
than 10.1, or even better 10.3, which runs in less RAM than 10.2. Both
are likely to implement the internal modem better than 10.1, as well.
You should be able to find cheap copies of 10.2 or 10.3 somewhere, and
if you know somebody with broadband see if you can download the updates
to 10.3.9 (excellent) or 10.2.8 (very good) and burn them to CD so he
can apply them.
--
Peter
Giles
> I had the same problem. But not on an ibook, its a powermac g3 beige. I
> was trying out AOL. As I had a btopenworld connection I thought it was
> shit. We then went to broadband and low and behold the only way of
> connecting was via a USB modem. Don't even think about these as they will
> cause too many problems. Go for the router / ADSL modem and use Ethernet
> its so much better Also try and erase all the aol files and start again.
Thanks Huge, but he's not likely to go broadband, otherwise I'd get him on
a adsl modem/router and he relies on AOL as his 'ISP' (note inverted
commas).
Giles
Giles
> Giles <usenet...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> He's been through his settings with AOL, who said, for what it is worth,
>> that they are correct. So...
>>
>> If I remember rightly, the iBook modems are largely software based, so I
>> suggested a back up and reinstall. He will also run the hardware test cd
>> (for what it is worth).
>
> I think it's worth bugger all... And you're right, they are software based
> and none too clever.
I've never used the one in my 12" PB, but they seem to have cropped up
here as a problem often enough.
>> I suspect a hardware repair would be pricey - it is out of warranty -
>> so my next-step solution was an external usb modem.
>
> That gradual failure doesn't, at first blush, sound like a hardware
> problem.
That's what I thought, so we'll see what a reinstall achieves.
> But see if you can find a USB v90 modem- they're actually quite
> good and certainly better than the Apple internals. There should be plenty
> available second hand. That should tell you what's wrong pretty plainly.
Yes. That's what I'll tell him.
> My main advice would be to get him onto OS 10.2, which is streets better
> than 10.1, or even better 10.3, which runs in less RAM than 10.2. Both are
> likely to implement the internal modem better than 10.1, as well.
Oh yes. That is plan C. But I've only known him a few days and I don't
think he is, er, comfortable with change. I'll work at it.
> You should be able to find cheap copies of 10.2 or 10.3 somewhere, and
> if you know somebody with broadband see if you can download the updates
> to 10.3.9 (excellent) or 10.2.8 (very good) and burn them to CD so he
> can apply them.
Oh, I can do that, no problem.
Thanks Peter, that pretty much confirms what I thought.
Giles
Jon B
> A colleague at work (we've bonded over Macs in a Windows 2000 zone) has
> problems with the modem on his iBook G3.
>
> It is running OS X 10.1 (eeek) and he uses AOL (eeek). Steadily,
> connections have stopped being made, firstly succeeding on a retry and now
> giving up altogether with a no carrier message.
>
> He's been through his settings with AOL, who said, for what it is worth,
> that they are correct. So...
>
> If I remember rightly, the iBook modems are largely software based, so I
> suggested a back up and reinstall. He will also run the hardware test cd
> (for what it is worth).
>
> I suspect a hardware repair would be pricey - it is out of warranty - so
> my next-step solution was an external usb modem.
>
Try testing on a different phone line and ISP. Also worth plugging into
a phone you can hear what is going on as you try and connect.
I've had similar symptoms before fixed with a new modem. VIS sell new
modems for £88+vat [1] and if we knew where you were may be able to
point you at at somebody to fit..
Theres a few USB modems about but I don't know which are mac compatible.
And talk him into 10.2 at least, I think it did fix a few of the
software problems with the iBook modems too.
[1] I've got one due for eBay....[2]
[2] I've also got a 56k modem ethernet router....
--
Jon B
real email to usenet at jonbradbury dot com
Giles
> Giles <usenet...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> A colleague at work (we've bonded over Macs in a Windows 2000 zone) has
>> problems with the modem on his iBook G3.
>>
[...]
>>
> Try testing on a different phone line and ISP. Also worth plugging into a
> phone you can hear what is going on as you try and connect.
>
> I've had similar symptoms before fixed with a new modem. VIS sell new
> modems for £88+vat [1] and if we knew where you were may be able to point
> you at at somebody to fit..
>
> Theres a few USB modems about but I don't know which are mac compatible.
>
> And talk him into 10.2 at least, I think it did fix a few of the software
> problems with the iBook modems too.
>
> [1] I've got one due for eBay....[2]
> [2] I've also got a 56k modem ethernet router....
Ah. Thanks Jon. I ask about trying another phone line. The ISP might be
more of a problem.
I'll pass on the new modem info - we're London area, I'm not going to
crack open someone else's iBook, and I suspect fitting costs might put
this option beyond realism. But if you want to suggest offers for the new
modem and certainly also the modem/router, the email above does work. I'll
pass anything on.
I'm working on him for the 10.2 updgrade. I think I've got an old Jaguar
upgrade disk that is surplus to requirements somewhere.
Thanks again.
Giles
Jon B
> On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:11:44 +0100, Jon B wrote:
>
> > Giles <usenet...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> A colleague at work (we've bonded over Macs in a Windows 2000 zone) has
> >> problems with the modem on his iBook G3.
> >>
> [...]
> >>
> > Try testing on a different phone line and ISP. Also worth plugging into a
> > phone you can hear what is going on as you try and connect.
> >
> > I've had similar symptoms before fixed with a new modem. VIS sell new
> > modems for £88+vat [1] and if we knew where you were may be able to point
> > you at at somebody to fit..
> >
> > Theres a few USB modems about but I don't know which are mac compatible.
> >
> > And talk him into 10.2 at least, I think it did fix a few of the software
> > problems with the iBook modems too.
> >
> > [1] I've got one due for eBay....[2]
> > [2] I've also got a 56k modem ethernet router....
>
> Ah. Thanks Jon. I ask about trying another phone line. The ISP might be
> more of a problem.
>
Just sign up for a payg provider, BT, virgin, wannadoo anyone, takes a
couple of mins registration, could save spending dosh where not needed.
> I'll pass on the new modem info - we're London area, I'm not going to
> crack open someone else's iBook, and I suspect fitting costs might put
> this option beyond realism. But if you want to suggest offers for the new
> modem and certainly also the modem/router, the email above does work. I'll
> pass anything on.
>
Don't know fitters in London area, anyone? If he's feeling brave I can
pass on the instructions, although
<http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/50.0.0.html> seems to be well rated. Yes
they are a bit of a pig but if you are confident with a screwdriver and
computers, once you've got that bottom casing off they aren't that
bad....
Both my email above/below work ;)
> I'm working on him for the 10.2 updgrade. I think I've got an old Jaguar
> upgrade disk that is surplus to requirements somewhere.
>
It's worth spending the money on imo. 10.1 I didn't feel was fit to use.
At work my machine was the only one with it installed, I 'hated' OSX.
10.2 became a lot more usable.
Peter Ceresole
> I'll pass on the new modem info - we're London area, I'm not going to
> crack open someone else's iBook, and I suspect fitting costs might put
> this option beyond realism. But if you want to suggest offers for the new
> modem and certainly also the modem/router, the email above does work. I'll
> pass anything on.
An external V90 USB modem should be cheaper and have zero setup costs.
--
Peter
Giles
Agreed, but I'll give my colleague the options.
Giles
Giles
> Giles <usenet...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:11:44 +0100, Jon B wrote:
>>
>> > Giles <usenet...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >> A colleague at work (we've bonded over Macs in a Windows 2000 zone)
>> >> has problems with the modem on his iBook G3.
>> >>
>> [...]
>> >>
>> > Try testing on a different phone line and ISP. Also worth plugging
>> > into a phone you can hear what is going on as you try and connect.
>> >
>> > I've had similar symptoms before fixed with a new modem. VIS sell new
>> > modems for £88+vat [1] and if we knew where you were may be able to
>> > point you at at somebody to fit..
>> >
>> > Theres a few USB modems about but I don't know which are mac
>> > compatible.
>> >
>> > And talk him into 10.2 at least, I think it did fix a few of the
>> > software problems with the iBook modems too.
>> >
>> > [1] I've got one due for eBay....[2]
>> > [2] I've also got a 56k modem ethernet router....
>>
>> Ah. Thanks Jon. I ask about trying another phone line. The ISP might be
>> more of a problem.
>>
> Just sign up for a payg provider, BT, virgin, wannadoo anyone, takes a
> couple of mins registration, could save spending dosh where not needed.
I'm not going to be there, and don't fancy a distant walkthrough. But I
don;t think it is the phone line from what I was told.
>> I'll pass on the new modem info - we're London area, I'm not going to
>> crack open someone else's iBook, and I suspect fitting costs might put
>> this option beyond realism. But if you want to suggest offers for the
>> new modem and certainly also the modem/router, the email above does
>> work. I'll pass anything on.
>>
> Don't know fitters in London area, anyone? If he's feeling brave I can
> pass on the instructions, although
> <http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/50.0.0.html> seems to be well rated. Yes
> they are a bit of a pig but if you are confident with a screwdriver and
> computers, once you've got that bottom casing off they aren't that
> bad....
Ain't going to happen on his part ;-)
> Both my email above/below work ;)
It may be a day or several...
>> I'm working on him for the 10.2 updgrade. I think I've got an old
>> Jaguar upgrade disk that is surplus to requirements somewhere.
>>
> It's worth spending the money on imo. 10.1 I didn't feel was fit to use.
> At work my machine was the only one with it installed, I 'hated' OSX.
> 10.2 became a lot more usable.
Hell, I'll donate 10.2 if I can find it. I used 10.1 for some time, I do
know what that upgrade means.
Giles
David Kennedy
Definitely. 10.2 was the first usable version of OSX with 10.2.8 being
quite nice.
--
David Kennedy
Giles
Bingo. He is up for it if I can find the upgrade CDs. He'll try someone
else's phone line as well.
Ta.
Giles