T-Mobile data card with Apple Powerbook G4?

[irvind]

Hi,

Got my T-Mobile data card today, and downloaded the demo version of launch2net from Nova Media, which I believe will allow my mac to access the data card...

But whenever I plug the data card in, I get a message saying I need to re-boot. How do I get past this stage? The lights on the card flash a bit, but always the same error message to re-boot.

The OS is 10.3.9, and I think I need to be on 10.4 to use launch2net, but I'm not even getting that far.... Any ideas?

Also, is launch2net the best software to use?

Cheers

[Rankrotten]

It will work fine in a G4 Powerbook but may need Tiger 10.4

For other software check out this thread
http://www.3g.co.uk/3GForum/showthread.php?t=51290

[irvind]

Thanks for the reply and the link Rankrotten. I didn't want to have to get 10.4 unless it's absolutely necessary (10.5 is probably just around the corner...) but I'll probably need to bite the bullet and splash the cash!

Cheers

[daniel.bayes]

doesnt that software work on 10.3.9? im sure it does....unless my mind is palying tricks on me, just try it mate. worst that'll happen is that the app wont open...

dan

[irvind]

I would try it, but the link on that page is now blank, been trying to find the software elsewhere... There are a few other drivers on that page, but haven't tried them yet.

Anyway, the software might work in 10.3.9, but I've had no luck with the card yet, so 10.4 might be needed for that.... Hopefully not though!!

The card itself flashes purple when it's slotted in, then changes to a double blue flash, but the re-boot screen comes up at that point. I'm sure I saw a list somewhere here on the site to explain the flashes, so I'm off to find that now..

[daniel.bayes]

http://www.t-mobile.at/privat/hilfe/konfig_software/software/Mac_OS_SW/index.html

bottom of the page, tick the check box, and it'll start downloading

dan

[irvind]

Thanks Daniel,

Downloaded the software from that link, but still no success. Inserting the card still gives me the same re-boot error message. I've tried opening the Option software first too, but that makes no difference.

My options now are to upgrade the OS to 10.4 to see if that helps, or swap the card for an MDA Vario 2. Slightly more expensive tariff (and I'll then have 3 contract handsets... Agh!) but the guy in the shop assured me it'll work over bluetooth.

I'd rather get this card working, but at least if I go for the Vario option I'll be able to use it if I upgrade to a Macbook...

However, any last suggestions welcome, and thanks for all the help so far!!

[Rankrotten]

If you are going down the Macbook route then I recommend the USB modems. I have an Option Globsurfer Icon on web n walk and it performs like a champ.

I would imagine that T-Mobile will bring these out as they are available on T-Mobile Austria and Germany along with the Huawei modem. Bought mine from expansys.

[irvind]

Thanks for the info. Vodafone are the only company here in the UK to have a USB modem available on contract. But at £50GBP per month for a 1Gb limit, it doesn't compare to the T-Mobile deal. T-Mobile shop assistants say the company will be releasing a USB modem soon, but they don't know when. O2 say theirs will be out next month... Who knows. Anyway it's good to know I could use the Globesurfer Icon if I ever upgrade to a MacBook Pro. It's currently over £200 on expansys tho, so I'll not be getting it at the minute.

Anyway, down to the good news.... I bought and installed Tiger (10.4) and the card was no longer making the PowerBook freak out. I tried the GT software, but wasn't sure of the settings I needed to get it to work, so I caved in and bought launch2net. (I got the datacard on Wednesday, and haven't been able to use it since, so my impatience got the better of me....) So it's all working swimmingly now, and I have a nice fast HSDPA connection where I'm staying just now. Hurrah!

And it just goes to show that the card WILL work on a mac (contrary to most of the T-Mob staff), but it does seem to need 10.4 rather than 10.3.

So thanks for all the help and assistance people!

Cheers!