Apple WWAN breaks VZAccess for Verizon V640 & USB720

Michael · Last edited by Michael on Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:41 am; edited 1 time in total

It looks like the latest Apple WWAN Update that adds support for many new (and older) EVDO cards, has a HUGE problem with VZAccess for Mac.

This only affects cards the following Verizon devices:

- Novatel V640 Rev 0 ExpressCard
- Novatel USB720 Rev A USB Modem

Verizon provides VZAccess software for PPC (G3/G4/G5) and Intel based Macs, and the software works great.

As soon as you install the Apple WWAN update, there is a conflict between VZAccess and the Apple drivers. If your currently had VZAccess working with your V640 or USB720, the Apple drivers will "fight" with the Verizon Mac drivers and VZAccess will no longer be able to see the device and the Apple Drivers will not be able to see the device, thus you cannot use your EVDO device. If your Mac was working perfectly, after installing the Apple WWAN update, VZAccess will no longer be able to connect Sad

If you are installing VZAccess for the first time and the Apple WWAN drivers are already installed, the VZAccess will not be able to detect the V640 or USB720. Since, VZAccess for Mac can automatically activate and update PRL for Verizon devices, this will mean Mac users with the Apple WWAN update will not be able to activate or use their V640/USB720.

Do Not Install the Apple WWAN Update if you want to use VZAccess.

This may be resolved with a future version of VZAccess. There was a similar problem with Mac OS X 10.4.7 and VZAccess for older EVDO Cards, however, this situation is a lot worse, since after installing, you will no longer be able to connect.

Our tech support guys have already have solved the issue for a few of our customers.
We are working on a tech note for our customers on how to resolve this issue (email support at 3gstore.com, if you are experiencing this problem - include your name/order number.)

Sprint cards to not have this issue because Sprint doesn't offer a native connection manager for Macs.
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myneid · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 23

Yea this really sucks. i like vzaccess cause i've been waiting for me to be in rev a and it to tell me. i had been holding out on a reboot with that update and i just rebooted about an hour before this message.

but, i can live without it, what i did was in vzaccess under the vzaccess menu there is a "uninstall vzaccess" which i did.

the mac drivers work after doing that.

Michael · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject:

Yes, that will work if you already have VZAccess installed and your card recognized, but for those that are doing the first time install and activation, VZAccess will not recognize the V640/USB720, and it will appear stuck and you will never (easily) be able to get to the VZAccess Uninstall menu option. Also, Apple WWAN drivers have VPN Issues, VZAccess does not.

I am sure that a future version of VZAccess will resolve the issue - but it is a potential mess for many users right now Sad

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Herkemer · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 1

I'd been waiting to install the update and just happened to do it earlier this evening, rebooted and immediately saw your blog post about this. I was pretty upset, but I just tried it and everything worked just fine.

I have a Verizon branded ExpressCard V640. I installed the WWAN updates and was able to use VZAccess Manager just fine. Connected to the network, logged into multiple places, ran Cisco VPN software, no issues that I saw.

I'm using version 3.1.3 of the VZAccess Manager software.

/me breaths a sigh of relief.

Herkemer

frivolous · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Any idea on how to remove the install? I'm using the USB 720 from Verizon and was stumped as to why I couldn't use my VZ Access Manager for days now. I only read about this issue now. Sad

Michael · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

Our tech guys are just finishing up a detailed PDF on this subject and all about the various Mac drivers, how to install, remove, etc.

If you purchased your USB720 from us, just contact our support department and they can help you.
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caneflyer · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 5

bowersj · EVDO Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

Looking for advice: I'll be installig the new Verizon V740 on my MacBook Pro when the card arrives on Monday. This is my first EVDO card and I have not installed any broadband devices on this machine previosly. I installed the Apple WWAN update in February even though I owned no EVDO hardware at the time. My question: Would I be better off NOT installing the VZAccess Manager software at all? Should I simply plug in the V740 and use the Apple WWAN software instead? Will that work? Will this entirely avoid driver conflicts? By doing so, will I sacfifice significant device/account management functionality which might only be availble with VZAccess? What's my best approach here? [Sorry, that was a bunch of questions] Thanks very much, folks.