15 inch Powerbook with Sprint PC-5740 Success

bobhodgen · EVDO Newbie Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

Hi:

I just got a sprint PC-5740 card and got it to work on my 15" Powerbook.

I followed carefully the instructions on: http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/PowerBook_Mac_OS_X_Directions_To_Use_Audiovox_PC5740_20050713476/

I assumed that the Audiovox PC-5740 is the same as the Sprint PC-5740 card. (could be a dangerous assumption--ymmv)

Before trying it on the Powerbook, I was able to initialize the card on an old Windoze laptop.

All works ok and the connection speeds seem to be a lot faster than my old Merlin C201 card.

The only problem is that my Powerbook locks up after I turn off the card or pull it from the pc slot. I have to reboot the computer. As long as I stay connected everything's fine.

The Sprint people seem to be really pushing this card.

Bob

Michael

bobhodgen · EVDO Newbie Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks for your respose.

I'm thinking of taking the card back and trying another one if they have any in stock.

I'm happy with the speed of the card, but can't live with the card locking up every time I take it out of the slot or turn it off.

Which of the currently available Sprint EVDO cards would you recommend for the powerbook?

thanks,

Bob

PSEVDOU · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:17 pm Post subject:

The Sprint S620 card is working well for me on a 17 inch PowerBook running OS X 10.4.3

Michael · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:19 pm Post subject:

Did you apply our directions (Terminal Hack) on EVDOinfo.com or download the Novatel Drivers on our web site?
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PSEVDOU · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 1:45 pm Post subject:

I used the directions to modify the settings using Terminal as posted on this site. I've been using the S620 card since early September. The Novatel Drivers may not have been posted at that point.

Thank you very much, by the way. Much better support here than from Sprint. Actually Sprint provides almost no support for Macs altho after much begging and threatening to close all of our voice accounts, the local store did initialize the card we had purchased thru Sprint telesales. (We'll make our future purchases at www.evdostore.com.)

bobhodgen · EVDO Newbie Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

I went back to the Sprint Store and exchanged the 5740 card out for a Merlin S620. They traded me straight across.

I undid the changes previously made and installed the Merlin driver. After a little bit of fiddling I now have a connection with the S630 card.

My speeds from dslreports.com are 970kbps down and 57kbps up.

I still have the problem with the powerbook locking up when i remove the card or power it off.

Any ideas?

Bob

PSEVDOU · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject:

Because I leave the card inserted in the PowerBook and keep it on all of the time when I am in a location where I am using the card, I usually insert the card before turning on the PowerBook and shut down the PowerBook before removing it. That has worked fine for me because I have AC power in that location and am not running off the battery.

There are two options for turning off the card in the menu bar. If I remember correctly (I don't have the card here at the moment), both have worked without locking up the PowerBook altho there is a warning message about the application still being active. Removing the card without turning it off has caused problems. You might experiment to see if one option works.

I haven't experimented with this very much because I am desperately waiting for the KR1 router, so as long as I can limp along until the router is available and can make the card work when I'm traveling, that's all I need for what I hope is a temporary situation.

If we can buy the KR1 and if Sprint ever decides to officially support Macs, we shouldn't have to deal with this type of problem.

michelle · EVDO User Joined: 26 Mar 2006 Posts: 52

i am reading the Terminal instructions here:
http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/PowerBook_Mac_OS_X_Directions_To_Use_Audiovox_PC5740_20050713476/

i don't have a windows PC so does that mean i cannot activate the card if i only have a powerbook? (i have sprint service and am thinking of purchasing one of their three evdo cards).

SL10 · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 12:50 pm Post subject:

Scott · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject:

buckwheat · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

You completely forgot to mention the telephone# format, userid, actual telephone #, and password for SPRINT. ALL of this is totally different than Verizon.

Yes, I got my 5740 card to be recognized, but that's about it. When I figure out ALL of the settings I'll be certain to post them, or perhaps if you really got it working we'd appreciate the same -