Pantech PX-500 EVDO Rev A and Mac OS X Compatibility

bw21157 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

working fine now

933 down/238 up
371 ms latency

very nice!

maxman69 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

in response to "working fine now"- Could you please tell us what you did? Your previous post asks which modem to use, and then you say it's working- I'm at the same point, what did you do to get it working fine?
Thanks, SteveS

bw21157 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 8

network -> PANTECH USB MODEM ->

PPP->
service provider : sprint
telephone number: #777

Modem->
Sprint PCS Vision
wait for dialtone: unchecked

dial using internet connect and you're golden

pinging www.google.com

average latency over 10 pings: 147 ms

docbrown88 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Hi all. Could someone be so kind as to give me a clue what I'm missing here. I activated the Pantech PX-500 card in the Sprint store, on the rep's PC laptop, it seemed to work right then and there, downloading away. Got in my Powerbook G4/15" [10.4.8], Network preferences sees and adds it, put #777, Sprint PCS Modem script (and tried others as well), green light blinking on the modem, I can connect, and even obtain an IP address, but absolutely no data received. No websites, no ping return, nothing Question

Vince · EVDO Newbie Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 1

Does the PX 500 work with OS X 10.4.9?

I am wanting to update from 10.4.8, but am afraid to without getting some confirmation first.

I need to update my Quicktime application so that I can play iTunes movies from the Apple Store, but it won't let me without running 10.4.9.

Alex · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

we have customers using px500 with 10.4.9

based on that, you should be fine.

flyinghack · EVDO Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Ohio

Two questions:

Does the PX-500 work with 10.4.10?

I am trying to use the PX-500 with a Duel Systems Adapter with a MacBook Pro and 10.4.10. It errors out when trying to connect to sprint during the dial process. I just updated the PX-500 on a windows machine 7/28/2007. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

flyinghack · EVDO Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Ohio

It works now. The solution set the modem setting to the PRJ USB modem and everything worked. I now have a PCMCIA card modem working via an express card slot.

walinia · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

hey guys need some help here
i have a g4 powerbook and it was working fine with the rx-500 with 10.4.10
today i install leopard and then it does not recognize pantech no more and i can really figure out what to do, any one who can help will really appreciate it
ty

kb9nbd · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:58 am Post subject: PX-500 leopard problems

I have a similar issue. I can use my card, but when i eject it and try to use it again, i have to delete the profile, and reinstall it.

Does anyone have one that is working to at least let me know if there are others with the same issue?

and as far as the previous post, is it appearing in the list on network prefs? if it is, just go to advanced and set it to sprint, and sprintpcs and select do not wait for dial tone. Set the phone # to #777 like before, and apply settings, you will then be able to connect.

Let me know the results

kb9nbd@mac.com

walinia · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

hey i did all the following instruction as u told me
set to sprint and pcs
#777..etc
but i dont think my G4 powerbook is recognizing the card when i put it in
it keep saying the card is not connected..
any suggetion??
ty

dubsci · EVDO Newbie Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

does anybody know what to do if sprint is not available as a modem choice in the "pantech usb modem" -> "modem" options?

i'm on a powerbook 10.4.10

anasazi4st · Last edited by anasazi4st on Sun May 11, 2008 9:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

Much has been written and asked about using a Sprint PX-500 on a Mac PowerBook. I have a Titanium PowerBook (500MHz) running the most recent (final?) update to Mac OS X 10.4.11 (Tiger), that I have gotten to work with this PCMCIA modem.
I thought I would share, from start to finish, how to set up and use this modem, and also to pass along other observations that occurred after a week's use (including some Kernel Panic incidents).

TO USE the PANTECH PX-500 CARD with POWERBOOK G4 (OS X 10.4.11):

A) Card must FIRST be activated on PC laptop (or buy it already activated through this site).
B) Insert card in Mac's PCMCIA slot (Powerbook 15 & 17 inch).
C) In SYSTEM PREFS select NETWORK, then select PANTECH USB MODEM under AUTOMATIC.
D) Select the ADVANCED tab...click the MODEM tab, and select SPRINT PCS VISION.
E) Click the PPP tab, then enter the following information in these fields--
Service Provider: SPRINT
Account Name: leave blank
Password: leave blank
Telephone Number: #777
Alternate Number: leave blank
F) In PPP Options it might be a good idea to make some changes...like for instance uncheck the "Auto Disconnect" boxes.
G) Click Dial Now.
H) A window should appear that says PANTECH USB MODEM. You will see it dialing and connecting.
Under Configuration you should see Sprint (Main Number)...the #777 is now dimmed out.
There is a status line that tells you your connection IP address and speed. (In a fringe area I am enjoying 230440 bps!)
I) There is also a series of indicator lights showing the Send and Receive speeds, your Connect Time, Remaining Time, and IP Address.

Kind thanks to other posters in this Forum for showing me that this idea could even work (after being told it would not by both Sprint and Apple). This post is designed to supplement that information with my experiences, as apparently there is still some confusion out there.

Here are some observations:
1) Sometimes the Mac will not wake from Sleep while the card is installed...put the machine to Sleep again (I just re-close the display) and upon re-opening it should awake properly.
2) Failing to start the Mac without the card installed AFTER it was put to Sleep can cause error messages. I often transport the Mac without the card in place, but re-install it before waking it up.
3) DO NOT attempt to access the Internet with another Mac by connecting it thru the Built-In Internet port. When I tried to do this with my trusty (but old) G3 Minitower I apparently started a series of Kernel Panics on the PowerBook. I stopped it and restored the settings...still they occurred. I Repaired Permissions several times, zapped the PRAM...it worked--for a while. Then the card quit, there was an error message about being disconnected, then another Kernel Panic. Finally I reinstalled Tiger (using Archive and Install)...so far, so good. It's been less than a day...let's hope it works.
[color=green][/color]
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anasazi4st

anasazi4st · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 8:02 am Post subject: update on Kernel Panic

The GOOD NEWS is that I found out what was causing the Kernel Panic.

The BAD NEWS is...it looks like it was the PX-500.

Even after reinstalling Tiger (using Archive and Install)...I was playing a CD using iTunes and wasn't even actively using Safari...when I got first one Internet Connect screen, then a second telling me that "the modem has quit unexpectedly". Thus alerted, I watched as the Panic screen came up and my CD starting hiccuping. This same thing had happened the other night...I was involved in something else away from the Mac (and no iTunes) when it quit the same way.
So...what is causing the Kernel Panic? Obviously, it seems, the PX-500. The Mac worked fine before I starting using it (I had never even SEEN a Kernel Panic up to this point!)...so what else could be the cause? Not enough memory? The (relatively) slow processor speed of the Ti (it's a Mercury--500MHz)? Here's an excellent site that describes in great detail how to properly diagnose and treat Kernel Panic. It's pretty thorough....
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/kernelpanics.html.
So FAIR WARNING...let this be a reference that might help someone else.

BTW, I have the Crash log if anyone thinks it would be of some help.
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anasazi4st

anasazi4st

This will likely be the last report I will be posting regarding this issue.

Since my last Posting I have been using an Aluminum PowerBook G4 15" with 1.67GHz processor, 1.5 GB RAM, and Mac OS X 10.4.11.

I have had no kernel panics while using the PV-500. I HAVE, however, had several times when the modem has "shut down" for no apparent reason...I have received the "Lost Connection" message window, then the red stop sign window warning me that "the device has quit unexpectedly" On the Titanium 'Book, this would then have triggered a Kernel Panic. I believe the machine's slower processor was the main reason for this.

No problems after a couple of months with the AlBook, so far.

I hope these posts have been informative and helpful to anyone that has had a similar problem or problems.
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anasazi4st