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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Modem driver may be missing

tmdowdle - Feb 10, 2006 - 2:32 pm

I have a G4 with OSX 10.3.8. I can't get dsl or cable out in the boonies where I currently reside so...I attempted to get dialup. Before I moved and BEFORE a friend of mine who is a mac geek which is what I wanna be sooner than later..anyway I digress.....my modem driver isn't installed. I don't have a modem disk all on its own so where and how do I find this and install it? What else do you need in order to help me so I provide all the info next time I have a ?

Thank you for your time I REALLY REALLY appreciate it. I will be a Mac geek eventually it will just take time.

skapp - Feb 10, 2006 - 4:36 pm

Are you using an external third-party modem or a built-in modem? If the latter, then any drivers required are already installed unless you specifically erased them. What you do need to do, however, is configure your Network preferences and select the modem script required for your modem. Open the Network preference pane. Click on the Internal Modem (if you have an internal modem) and click on the Configure button. Set the Location to Automatic and Show to Internal Modem. Click on the TCP/IP tab and set the Configure to DHCP, then click on the Apply button. Next, click on the PPP tab and fill in the information needed to dial your ISP and include the username and password that's been established to log into your ISP account. Then click on the Apply button. Click on the PPP Options button. There are user options you may want to turn on or off. Next click on the Modem tab. From the dropdown menu select the item that corresponds to your built-in modem. This will likely be Apple Internal Modem 56K .... There will be more than one entry from which to choose that corresponds to the different modems in use. Yours will probably be the V.90 modem, so I would try that one first. If it doesn't work properly, then you will need to try one of the other options. If you want the modem status displayed in the menubar, then check the appropriate box. Click on the Apply button. Network preferences have now been configured. You're ready to attempt a dialup connection. You can initiate the dialup using the menubar item if you activated it. Otherwise, use the Internet Connect application located in your Applications folder.

tmdowdle - Feb 12, 2006 - 10:39 am

I have an internal modem, I actually have the phone line plugged up to the jack in the back of the computer, however, my computer doesn't recognize it and when I tried to do some very minor researh through help it said I may not have modem drivers installed. I did have a friend a few months ago take my computer and tweak it.. before the "tweak" the modem worked. I tried it even though I wasn't hooked up the net at the time but now it doesn't even appear as a choice anywhere. What should I do and where should I go to get the drivers to the modem. I checked for a modem on the Mac and it said the drivers weren't installed. Don't ask me where I saw that. I am going to start jotting down notes as I learn how to use my Mac. Any help is greatly appreciated and thank you for all you help so far. I really really need all I can get until I become Mac literate and I will hopefully.

skapp - Feb 12, 2006 - 11:04 am

I really would be surprised that the modem driver was gone unless your friend started deleting stuff he shouldn't have. You can check by navigating in the Finder to:

/System/Library/Extensions/ folder.

Look for a file named "AppleI2SModemFamily.kext" (no quotes.) At least this is the name in the Tiger system. It's probably the same in Panther or at least similar.

If it's not there then that would be why the modem doesn't work assuming the modem is functional.

Also, in the Utilities folder open System Profiler and examine the entry for Modems. You should see something similar to this:

Modem Information:

Modem Model: Spring
Interface Type: Serial
Modulation: V.90
SKU Name: UCJ
Hardware Version: 7.0F
Firmware Version: APPLE VERSION 0007, 7/31/2000
Driver: com.apple.driver.AppleSCCSerial (v1.3.0)
Country: 22 (United States, Canada, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Latin America, Philippines, Thailand)

Did you configure Network per my instructions?

tmdowdle - Feb 12, 2006 - 11:21 am

I haven't done the network part yet. I am doing homework in Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Once I get the two questionaires loaded up to the instructor I will get to the mac and get that done quickly (I hope) thank you so much for the detailed instructions. I wish you could really know how much its appreciated. I just wish you lived in southern Indiana, would have you over to show me the ropes on this thing.

tmdowdle - Feb 12, 2006 - 4:18 pm

I found the folder/file you asked to look for the apple12smodemfamily.kext. it has a list of things under explaining what it is...etc...and it says. loaded and beside it says no. How can I load this thing up?

T

skapp - Feb 12, 2006 - 4:59 pm

What are you using that indicates that the .kext is not loaded?

I also need you to check another: IOSerialFamily.kext. It's in the same Extensions folder.

You should also check both of these extensions using System Profiler to see if it reports that they are OK.

I'm not sure what to suggest to do about these. Usually when extensions aren't working properly there isn't a whole lot you can do. As a start you can go to the /System/Library/ folder and drag the files, Extensions.kextchache and Extensions.mkext, to the Trash and then do a restart.

tmdowdle - Feb 12, 2006 - 6:12 pm

here is what I did to find that modem is not loaded thing.

Where you gave me the modem info, instead of what yours said which I did expect something a tad bit different it said the following:

Version: 1.1.2
Last Modified: 12/22/04 5:58 p.m.
Get info string: Version 2.2.3 Copyright
Apple Corporation, INC 2000 - 2004
Location: System/Library/Extension/AppleAppleI2SModemFamily.kext
Kext Version: 1.1.2
Loaded: No
Valid: Yes
Authenic Yes
Dependencies: Satisfied

Now the IOSerialfamily.Kext

It reads:
IOSerial Family
Version 6.0
Last Modified 12-22-04 5:42 p.m.
Get info string: Apple Corporation, Inc.2001-07-03
IOKit Serial Port family
Location: /System/Library/Extensions/IOSerial
Family.kext
Kext Version: 6.0.1d20
Loaded: No
Valid: Yes
Authenic: Yes
Dependencies: Satisfied


Since I am trying to learn what Mac is all about. What do the files do that you suggest I trash? Will they reload upon Restart and if they don't what should I expect to occur? Believe it or not I am very PC literate just have to learn Mac. When I first got it a couple years ago..was wondering if I would ever learn how to load up Photoshop for class. I learned and have been learning every since but just didn't do anything with this computer till now. Thank you so much for all your assistance.

skapp - Feb 12, 2006 - 6:26 pm

OK, you're reading from System Profiler. My version gives a load address but doesn't specifically state "loaded." I just wanted to be sure we were seeing the same things.

The files I suggested you drag to the Trash are a cache file and a list of extensions. These will be rebuilt when you restart the computer. I suggest you give it a try, then after the restart check with System Profiler to see if the extensions are now loaded.

In fact after you restart I suggest you open Disk Utility and repair permissions, too. Let's see where that gets you.

tmdowdle - Feb 12, 2006 - 10:30 pm

Ok now do you want a huge laugh. I did all you suggested and there were some permissions repaired. BUT I looked a little deep and nope I have no idea exactly where I looked but there are modem things there for an apple internal modem. THEN I said Ok..you have been inside this thing to blow the dust out so look at the modem one more time and try to figure out is anything is amiss with that....well....... there is this black wire that comes off the modem. I am going to assume its a power source or something. it has a plug in at the end of it that is white...but...guess whats its connected too?????? have you guessed yet..yep you got it nothing.
its just lying there...I have looked with a flashlight around a bit but can't figure out for the life of me where it goes and i bet without it plugged into something the modem won't even work. Any suggestions?

skapp - Feb 12, 2006 - 11:07 pm

Don't know what to tell you. Here's a site with service manuals you can download:

http://www.whoopis.com/computer_repair/

tmdowdle - Feb 13, 2006 - 12:13 pm

I called my college instructor. Hopefully he can show me where to plug it in. I went to the above mentioned site. Will have to sit down when not cramming for a test and go over it closely.

Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it and learned as well.