Merlin S720 EVDO Rev A and PowerBook Compatibility

Michael · Last edited by Michael on Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:52 pm; edited 5 times in total

We are removing this warning, we now have a way to have the Novatel S720 working with Macs again, even with the latest firmware.

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Original Post Follows.....

This thread will discuss if the Novatel Merlin S720 EVDO Rev A Card is compatible with PowerBooks with a PCMCIA Slot (PB 15 or PB 17 inch).

We are getting one in on Monday and we will test and report back then.

The big question if Mac OS X 10.4.7 will recognize the S720.

Keep in mind, the S720 is a PCMCIA card, and will not work in the MacBook/MacBook Pro (need an ExpressCard or USB solution for the MacBooks).[/url]
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Michael · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:20 am Post subject:

The Merlin S720 is not recognized by a PowerBook running Mac OS X 10.4.7. This will probably change in 10.4.8, OR it may be possible to modify 10.4.7 to recognize the Novatel S720 Card (more on that later).
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burtonator · EVDO Newbie Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

Yeah... let us know if you get this working. I soooooooooooo want this card! Glad I asked first........!

Michael · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject:

I think I can get it to work, it will take a day or two. I will post the results to this thread.

BTW, the card is nice looking, here is a picture of the actual card:

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igenie · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

Just signed up for Sprint's service as they are running a special ($60 / mo without a phone plan requirement) and got the S720 hoping it would work with my PowerBook G4. As I now read it doesn't Sad

Do you think there is a solid chance someone will get it to work with the powerbooks within a week or so, or should I switch to S620 while I have my 30 days?

Michael · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject:

FYI, the $59.99 special is their new pricing plan, it isn't a special that is ending.

There is an excellent chance we will get it working on a PowerBook, BUT it will require some hacking around with the Terminal app to make it work. If this sounds complicated or unknown, it probably is best getting the S620, as it can work with the PowerBook.

Sorry, no timeline on when, we have a few other priorities going on now, but as soon as we do (have it working OR report that it doesn't), we will post the results here.
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Michael · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject:

PowerBook / Merlin S720 users have something to smile about Smile

We have the Merlin S720 working with PowerBooks with a PCMCIA slot.

We will be testing all weekend, however, we do have our PowerBook 15 inch, currently connected via the Merln S720.

More information early next week.
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Michael · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 10:47 am Post subject:

We have a hack to get the Merlin S720 working with PowerBooks, more info at:

PowerBook Sprint Merlin S720 Directions

Enjoy Smile

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z6p6tist6

I believe I have followed the instructions properly, but the hack does not seem to be working fully.

The 'Verizon Card' menu does appear for me. When I click 'Configure now...' I get a 3G dialog box that says...

New Port Detected
The system is about to automatically configure:
Novatel Wireless CDMA
You may need to enter the name and password for an administrator on this computer.

When I click 'Continue', the dialog box goes away, but nothing seems to happen.

Any ideas?

Z6p6tist6

z6p6tist6 · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject:

Update:

I've now gotten the menu to give me a 'Connect' item, but when I click on it, I get a dialog after a few minutes that says...

Internet Connect
A modem error occured. Please verify your settings and try again.

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Should the connection be attempting to use Internet Connect? Are there any details (number, username, password) that I need to fill in?

Thanks,

Z6p6tist6

z6p6tist6 · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:35 pm Post subject:

Final update:

Everything is working now. I had to adjust some extra settings in System Preferences: Network.

1) Under PPP: Added #777 as telephone number

2) Under Modem: Changed Modem to 'Verizon Support (PC 5220)'

3) Under Modem: Unchecked 'Wait for dial tone before dialing'

I just got 479 kbps down and 14 kbps up sitting in my apartment in Chicago.

Z6p6tist6
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G4 PB
S720

mogoo · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 3

Just got my S720 last night for my Powerbook. I'm tracking my speeds at http://speedtest.frontiernet.net/ ...
9-11 10:30pm Download: 1000kbps Upload: 52kbps
9-12 7:20am Download: 1201kbps Upload: 89kbps

...can anyone tell me if these are good speeds, LOL - i.e. is this what I'm supposed to be getting with the 720? Also, what do the above speed #s mean, as opposed to the "230400 bps" my Internet Connect panel says that I'm connected at?

I was on dialup before, so to me, this thing flies! I'm very happy with it! That *(&&#%! light IS annoying, tho.

FYI, I'm in Redondo Beach, CA (Los Angeles), if anyone wants to know. I'll take my Powerbook to work today to try speeds in another part of town to compare. BIG THANKS to Michael & the evdoinfo crew for this site; you guys rock!!!!

Alfonze · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:49 pm Post subject: Not working

Just got the card today. I ordered through evdoinfo.com/booster-antenna.com and got the pdf for the hack. Went through the hack, but the menu bar icon doesn't come up. It never asked me to configure it either.
I got booted from verizon and so I had been running VZAccess for the KPC650 (I didn't notice the fact that 10.4.7 supports the card natively).
Could this be screwing me up?

Also, perhaps the pleasant folks at booster-antenna.com did not activate the card because they assumed Sprint had already done it?

Can someone help?

Thanks!

Michael · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:17 pm Post subject:

We have had a couple of reports of it not working. We will be trying to figure out what is going wrong - as it is working for many others.

I am going to take PowerBook 15 inch and install a fresh OS X 10.4 and see if I can duplicate the problem and will report back here.
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Alfonze · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject: Update - It works!

GOT IT WORKING.

I uninstalled the VZAccess software, reinstalled the 10.4.7 update, redid the hack and followed z6p6tist6's instructions above and it works!

Thanks for the continued dedication evdoinfo.com!