Whirlpool

A quick note for those Apple mac users who might be considering upgrading to 10.5 (Leopard).

The Globetrotter Connect software that comes with the Mobile Broadband USB modem is not working in OSX 10.5. We are working with the manufacturer to resolve the issue.

This only effects the Virgin Mobile Broadband product NOT Broadband At Home.

Greg L writes...

A quick note for those Apple mac users who might be considering upgrading to 10.5 (Leopard).

Good to know that Virgin care enough to check out OS X and work on a fix for the new version of the operating system. It's noted and appreciated—thanks.

venchelo writes...

Good to know that Virgin care enough to check out OS X

Yes well that has just a little bit to do with my love for Apple in general.

And yes I already have Leopard installing on my beeeautiful iMac.

what is it with ISP folk and macs? (Simon Hackett and his twin 30" cinema displays come to mind.... lol)

definite kudos here tho (even tho im a po' benighted XP user ..at least its not vista).

This kind of headsup is invaluable. i dont know how popular VMB is but it might be worth submitting to aussie geek and mac sites (i think ocau already know )

Greg L writes...

This only effects the Virgin Mobile Broadband

Users also note that the Merlin UX870 PCExpress card that ships with both Vodafone and 3Mobilebroadband does not currently work with OSX 10.5.

While many are touting Apples backward compatibility record, the early signs are that Leopard breaks just about anything that might be system critical.

If you run 3mobile or another HSDPA modem, definitely hold off on running Leopard on a new Macbook or Macbook Pro until they fix these issues. Allbeit should your isp support it, go for it.

sprkle writes...

Definitely hold off on a new Macbook or Macbook Pro until they fix these issues.

This is false, a new Mac will have Tiger installed, and have an upgrade DVD to be installed for Leopard.

I think you mean, hold of installing Leopard until issues are fixed.

spreadsheets suck writes...

I think you mean, hold of installing Leopard until issues are fixed.

I meant hold off running Leopard on a mobile computer for the mo...

Original post edited for clarity :)

Greg L writes...

The Globetrotter Connect software that comes with the Mobile Broadband USB modem is not working in OSX 10.5. We are working with the manufacturer to resolve the issue.

As a brand new Virgin customer (My sign up was in progress while I stood in line to pick up Leopard at the Chadstone Apple Centre on Friday) I'm very impressed at the fore-warning... only wished I searched for this before I upgraded!

Bugger!!!

Any timeframe on a fix?

Thanks.

Simon

simontoyne writes...

Any timeframe on a fix?

We have it as a priority with Option. No ETA yet, but since the software we ship for Macs is universal with many other clients of theirs worldwide, it should be forthcoming pretty quickly.

As soon as we have an update, we'll let you know.

See my post regarding Three and 10.5. It's working fine. I'm posting this from my Macbook Pro running 10.5 and a Novatel Merlin XU870. You don't even need the Three drivers, Leopard recognises the modem as a Novatel.

the option Icon (virgin mobile broadband) usb device is not detected in 10.5. different to your 3 product.

Yep I know, I was replying to sprkle's post:

Users also note that the Merlin UX870 PCExpress card that ships with both Vodafone and 3Mobilebroadband does not currently work with OSX 10.5.

While many are touting Apples backward compatibility record, the early signs are that Leopard breaks just about anything that might be system critical.

If you run 3mobile or another HSDPA modem, definitely hold off on running Leopard on a new Macbook or Macbook Pro until they fix these issues. Allbeit should your isp support it, go for it.

At least now anyone with a Three Expresscard who bothers to read these forums will know it works on 10.5

just wanted to bump this thread.... any more news on a workaround or???

spent 46 mins on hold yesterday and was cut off

gave up after another 50 mins.

Noticed in the store that a poster noted that usb modem would not work on a 64bit OS..... now they tell me.

Col Boreland writes...

just wanted to bump this thread.... any more news on a workaround or???

Not yet. Option are working on a new driver for Leopard. The iCON 7.2 modem is not natively supported by Leopard, and the current software does not work for any provider.

not that I like helping those people at 3. (boo hiss).

but, a link to a 10.5 tested and working version of the E220 driver for mac osx 10.5.

working now, this post is sent using this setup. on the optus network.

the e220 program is a generic (non brandeed) huawei one.

this is not a commerical / final release, its a beta as such, so, if it sets fire to your computer, not my issue.

www.huawei.com/mobileweb...o?type=-1&id=736

the top link is the mac driver, download and mount the image, then run the connect APP and follow the destructions in the pdf, you may also have to play with network connections depending on what you have installed in the past.

the one below it has some vista/64 bit virusware as well as firmware updates for the devices (7.2mbps firmware).

again, if it sets fire to you, or kills your "company branded device" no my issue.

both option gt express (3/4) and gt max (pcmcia) run native on 10.5.

conflict of interest writes...

again, if it sets fire to you, or kills your "company branded device" no my issue.

both option gt express (3/4) and gt max (pcmcia) run native on 10.5.

I also managed to get Launch2Net working with the Virgin Boradband USB modem (www.novamedia.de/e_pages...kte_mac_l2n.html). Unfortunately is not freeware so we cannot distribute it.

However, this demonstrates that the modem already does work with 10.5, just not using the Option default software. Hopefully they can create the new drivers quickly. We will certainly be pushing them to do so.

Hi,

just wanting to find out if anyone is having trouble with leopard and virgin broadband at home on an imac - my airport card is not picking up the modem however my macbook (running tiger) is working fine.

I can connect via CAT5 but i want to use the wireless network... i would be interested to find out if anyone else is having issues?

Hooray.

I am up and running with Virgin Broadband Wireless and Leopard.

In network settingsMy modem reads

Vendor...other
Model ; Option Globetrotter 3G
No checkmark for error correction
Ignore dialtone

Telephone, Account name and password all blank

I installed the driver as detailed above.

www.huawei.com/mobileweb...o?type=-1&id=736

Not sure if this was the key (if it was I am deeply indebted).

Any other info you need.....just ask

Col Boreland writes...

I installed the driver as detailed above.

Has anyone else had any joy with this driver?

I'm tempted but am very wary of bricking my modem so might just wait for Virgin to release an update to their branded software.

the driver and the device are seperate,

you will not "brick" your device using any of the above

OK, I've taken the "plunge" and installed the driver, checked the modem is set up as above in the network preferences but, when I connect the modem and launch the Mobile Connect application I get an error... "Fail to find the device!"

I've rebooted, re-installed and double checked the settings.

Any ideas?

did it create a Huawei modem in the network control pannel?

can you go to that and manually connect (not using the huawei tool)

more imprtantly, can you change the modem on that huawei modem in network in system preferences to the option 3G driver?

(select option) or other - option.
on the option tab, select
vendor = option
model = gsm
apn = VirginBroadband
cid = 1

That seems to have done the trick... it took a few attempts at messing with configuration but I'm connecting now.

Thanks, conflict of interest...

ill send you a bill :) its ok..

(glad its working, i got a bit worried for a while, since my testing was post a 3/4 express data card install)..

but the option drivers are built into osx. (pcmcia and 3/4 ones anyway)

I think I spoke too soon - my last post (under username datalok) said I had it sorted. Not really - really temperamental and basically unusable.

after over 3 hours on the phone (over 4 seperate calls) listening to how important my call was to them they said it was 'being addressed'.

Any one have any luck or info?

yes???
no????

anyone??

unclekim writes...

Any one have any luck or info?

We are still waiting on a finalised software/driver package from Option unfortunately. As soon as that is available, we will notify everyone here and make it available via our web site. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Just to let you know, after installing and setting up this driver...

www.huawei.com/mobileweb...o?type=-1&id=736

... with help from this thread, I've been happily connecting without error since my last post. A very reliable work-around for anyone needing to get online with this ASAP.

arasta writes... what is it with ISP folk and macs?

As one of the people at a Mac Lunch Group I attend says they can do the two OS's on the one machine.

One advantage is when writing software for windows, a restart is not such a drama, with keeping the code and all that. Do not know the specifics but this is sort of how it works.

It is good to have a Mac Friendly ISP and this is welcome.

Tell me that Option modem is not actually a Huawei E220 on the inside though... I can't say I've ever had a good experience with the E220 and a Mac. I always have problems connecting and maintaining a connection -- constant dropouts. Other manufacturers' gear has largely been fine -- Novatel Merlin XU870, Sierra Wireless 7.2 Expresscard... all fine. Huawei E220? Shite.

According to this thread the globetrotter software has been updated:
discussions.apple.com/me...essageID=5785198

Unfortunately you need a serial and IMEI number for an Option branded card to get to the downloads page....

Is there any word from Virgin on when they'll let us have the software?

[edit: the download page is www.option.com/support ]

Ahah! If you enter the serial number and IMEI number off the back of the USB modem you can access the download page. Download the Mac OS X 10.5 version of the software, uninstall the old one, install this new one and you are in business.

Thank god that did the trick, I couldn't get any of the above malarky to work.

Virgin dudes - you may want to get hold of that software and put a download link on your homepage, and link it in the FAQ. Would have saved me a lot of bother if you had done that already...

And to save you some time, heres the direct link to the new package :-)
www.option.com/data/gtma....2.0.75.mpkg.zip

thank god we have whirlpool, plus everyone talking.

after some kicking and screaming I have finally got virginmobil.

but went to hook it up today and won't go, went to support and said they don't support leopard yet, but are working on it, while on hold, I found this thread and currently using it.

I wanted virginmobil so I can use it at work and when I visit my friends place.

thankyou for this thread. and the little box says 877 kbs at the mo yeha.

won't get to excited yet, have read the other threads, so will wait a few days before jumping hoops.

but use above thread and type in serial and imei number - download and fiddle and then you are in.

Drivers from this link tested and working without any further hassle.

Suggest deleting the original first.

www.mobistar.be/www/Show...ct_1.3d0-163.zip

foneman writes...

Drivers from this link tested and working without any further hassle.

Nice one... works like a dream. Thanks!

The really annoying thing about this whole "not compatible with Leopard" stuff is that Leopard already has what it needs to make a connection apart from the modem script ("driver") itself. Why don't Virgin simply include the modem script on their site with some very simple instructions for copying it to the correct place (/Library/Modem Scripts) and tell people what to put into the phone number, username and password fields? How hard could that possibly be?

The first thing I usually tell new Apple users is: DON'T install any software they give you!

HELP! HELP!

i just got the virgin broadband USB modem yesterday. unfortunately when i plug it into my computer NOTHING happens, no windows pop up or anything.
i have tried it on another computer and it works fine.

i'm using OSX 10.4

i'm just wondering if i can download the software anywhere?

have called tech support and they can't help.

the problem may be that i used to have a 3 mobile BB and the old software is conflicting. i have tried to delete the old software but that hasn't worked. i don't have the original installer program to try to UNinstall it.

short of doing a complete clean install of my whole system, is there anything else?

have also tried to manually connect with phone number, password etc but it won't connect to the PPP server.

any ideas?

ling-ling writes...

have also tried to manually connect with phone number, password etc but it won't connect to the PPP server.

Try using the old software installed previously, and create a new connection using the APN 'VirginInternet'. Leave username and password blank.

You may also need to register our network on the device first, by doing a network search and picking Virgin Mobile.

I am having issues with my brand new VirginBroadband on my Mac laptop with OS X 10.4.11.

Its the Huawei model, I've tried a number of different things but no luck. The modem works fine on Windows, and I've copied the settings from the windows setup, but had no luck.

What's the latest advice on getting this working?

i just got my 5GB/$39 virgin mobile broadband on the go package yesterday. the software that comes with it installs fine on my OS X 10.5.4 but when it comes to connecting I get this error:

Could not negotiate a connection with the remote PPP server. Please verify your settings and try again.

where i am there is a full service bar that shows on the bottom left of the vrigin broadband software

talk abt super frustrating.. it doesnt work out of the box. I rang the store to check if it has been activated.. it has. I rang tech support but was put on hold for a millenia

has anyone come across this issue before.. any ideas? i'm stuck with this for 24 months so i'd like to at least get it working :(

fuzzys writes...

has anyone come across this issue before.. any ideas? i'm stuck with this for 24 months so i'd like to at least get it working :(

Check this thread... /forum-replies.cfm?t=1013363

I believe a firmware update to the modem will fix the problem, although you may need access to a Windows machine to apply it.

Can definately confirm that the firmware update fixes this issue. Came across it setting up a clients new iMac and they had the modem on trial. Done the firmware update and all is now well.