Telstra ISDN NT1 Plus II Modem (Australia) and OS 10.4.2

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Level 4

3,470 points

Telstra ISDN NT1 Plus II Modem (Australia) and OS 10.4.2

Hi All,

This is a warning for all people (in Australia) who use the Telstra ISDN service and use an Open Networks NT1 Plus II Modem (USB connection).

The drivers that enable this modem are supplied by Telstra using an installation disc which utilises an installation wizard.

If you upgrade from 10.4.1 to 10.4.2 (using the combined update downloaded from the Apple Website):

1. The Install Wizard will no longer function.

2. Even if you install the modem scripts correctly (by dragging them from the Modem Scripts folder on the installation disc to the Modem Scripts folder in Systm/Library) an inability to connect due to a modem error will occur because 10.4.2 does not support the modem scripts supplied by Telstra.

I contacted Telstra about this, and they acknowledged that this problem was associated with the 10.4.2 update. They said that their level 3 technicians were working with Open Networks to provide a solution. No timeline on this as yet.

Telstra then instructed me to contact Apple Support to register this issue and to talk with a level 2 technician. I was subsequently informed that, because these are third party modem drivers, Apple doesn't, and never has, offered support for this ISDN system.

I have notified Teltra of Apple's response to this and put in an official complaint (against Telstra). Telstra has indicated that they will attempt to engineer a solution.

In the meantime, using "Archive and Install", I have downgraded my OS to 10.4, then updated it to 10.4.1 (and subsequently regained full functionality of this connection).

Bottom line: The present Telstra ISDN service in Australia is not presently supported by OS 10.4.2, do not upgrade to this operating system if you wish retain connectivity. If you have already upgraded to 10.4.2, you will have to downgrade to 10.4.1. to regain connectivity.

Once I have resolved this issue for myself, I will submit a posting to that effect.

Cheers!

Karl

Posted on Jul 15, 2005 9:35 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 19, 2005 7:11 PM in response to Karl Texler

I got caught with the Telstra ISDN/MacOS 10.4.2 problem. I've downgraded to 10.4.1 (Archive 7 Install). However, I have not been able to satisfactorily uninstall the Telstra ISDN program. Error msg: "there seems to be another Wizard already running".

I've studied the Telstra ISDN User Guide without enlightenment. What has to be removed besides the more obvious folders?

Happy days,

Vlad

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Answer 2

Karl Texler Author

Level 4

3,470 points

Jul 19, 2005 8:39 PM in response to Vladimir James

Hi Vladimir,

The installer Wizard in the Telstra supplied CD is not compatible with Tiger. You have to do everything manually.

That's not as bad as it sounds, actually. All that this wizard did was to install the modem scripts, then either copy an existing dialup configuration and set it to your ISDN modem, or help you set up a new configuration. There is no ISDN program as such in the mac, just the configurations set up in Internet Connect and 3 extra modem scripts.

To remove your ISDN stuff, go into System Preferences and into Network, then select the ISDN configuration and delete it. Then go into your System folder (on your hard drive), go into Library, go into Modem Scripts, locate the three Open NT modem scripts and delete them. (If you want to know their exact names, they are found in the Modem Scripts folder on the ISDN Install CD).

After "Archive and Install", if you try to use your existing ISDN connection, it will fail due to no modem scripts being available. To stop this, you need to grab the modem scripts from the ISDN install CD and copy them to the Modem Scripts folder in System/Library.

If you want to install (or re-install) a new configuration, just copy an existing configuration, and change the dialup number (if necessary) and the modem selected (which will be the first NT modem that appears in the modem list).

You will be asked for administrator details at various stages of all this.

Cheers!

Karl

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Answer 3

Jul 19, 2005 9:56 PM in response to Karl Texler

Karl,

As it turned out, I only needed to reconfigure my setup. A bit peculiar though. My original setup was Location: x/Show: Telstra ISDN. My new configuration is Location: x/Show: Open NT1 Plus II. Makes me wonder why it's changed.

Oh, well. When you finally get something to work, you don't necessarily have to know all the details (however fascinating).

Your reply was most helpful.

With thanks,

Vlad
Sawyer's Valley, W.A.

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Answer 4

Karl Texler Author

Level 4

3,470 points

Jul 20, 2005 10:17 PM in response to Vladimir James

Hi Vlad,

What happened there was that your modem was detected, a configuration initiated automatically and the name you got is the default configuration name when that happens.

Glad to hear it's all working - now let's wait for the long term fix!!

Sawyer's Valley, eh? - that's just around the corner from Mundaring, isn't it (beautiful countryside!).

Cheers!

Karl

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Answer 5

Jul 21, 2005 10:14 PM in response to Karl Texler

Does anyone know what is being done about this issue?
Is Apple or Telstra working on a fix?

I know the number of ISDN users is declining but we have no choice where we are, no ADSL, no Cable and Satellite is way too expensive.

Anywhere we can contact to be placed on a notify list when and if a fix is available?

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Answer 6

CB55

Level 1

5 points

Jul 22, 2005 4:27 AM in response to Karl Texler

Hi Karl,
You are a lifesaver! Not to be overly dramatic, but I've been through **** and back trying to get this solved without reformatting my HD and reloading Panter (the recommendation of the Apple Tech). I am now back in business and I guess I'll be a bit gun-shy of loading future updates. It's hard to know what problems to anticipate, but I will have a quick look at the discussion board in the future before loading.

I spent over an hour on hold at the Bigpond/Telstra Mac technical helpdesk line - without over speaking to a representative. I'm sure they've had their hands full with this one.

Thanks again for the help!
Cheers,
Carol

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Answer 7

Karl Texler Author

Level 4

3,470 points

Jul 22, 2005 6:44 PM in response to Joseph Debono

Hi Joseph,

As I understand it, Telstra are working with the Open NT technicians to devise a fix. They are also attempting to put pressure on Apple regarding this but Apple's position appears to be (quite justifiably, I guess)

1. Apple OS (Tiger in particular) has never officially supported ISDN connectivity, especially via USB

2. As the drivers concerned are third party (i.e. not supplied by Apple, and not bundled in with any Apple installations), Apple cannot be responsible for their continued functionality with successive Apple OS updates.

It is up to Telstra to maintain currency of the support for their present hardware, or to change the hardware if this is not possible.

If Telstra were to allow the use of third party ISDN modems with an ethernet hub (instead of a USB) interface, there would not be an issue. However, it appears Telstra doesn't want to do this, because people can set up their own server networks (which we can do anyway via USB modems using Internet Sharing).

You need to continue to rattle the bars on the cage with Telstra, regarding this issue. That's what I'm doing. I'll post any developments as they happen.

Cheers!

Karl

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Answer 8

Karl Texler Author

Level 4

3,470 points

Jul 22, 2005 6:47 PM in response to CB55

Hi Carol,

Welcome to the discussions.

Good to hear that things are running for you again.

Some people are now cloning their existing systems to backup drives (either external or internal) prior to each update, so that they can restore things if an update causes problems.

That's what I might do in future.

Cheers!

Karl

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Answer 9

CB55

Level 1

5 points

Jul 22, 2005 7:16 PM in response to Karl Texler

Hi Karl,
I went out and purchased an external back up drive yesterday. I did a big back up last night before I went back to 10.4.1, but I haven't cloned my system. I need to read up on how to do that, since I'm still relatively new to Macs.

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely be much more cautious on future updates.

FYI to others: I also lost the HotSync capability for my Handspring Visor, which uses the Palm OS. This also occurred during the dreaded 10.4.2 update. I need to read up on how to fix that next!

Cheers,
Carol

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Answer 10

Aug 9, 2005 6:35 PM in response to CB55

Hi Carol,

I was unaware of this thread when I posted the following on the 30th July -

Karl Texler, "10.4.2 will not work with Telstra ISDN modem (Australia)" #4, 05:56pm Aug 9, 2005 CDT

Just to let you know that I have found the SuperDuper! backup facility to work flawlessly on my external firewire drive. It's available from -

http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper

You can download a free version which will enable you to clone your drive - or for US$19.95 you can pay for the full version that then allows you to do incremental backups (I thought it was money well spent).

Hope this helps

Tricia

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Answer 11

Aug 9, 2005 6:35 PM in response to CB55

Hi Carol,

I was unaware of this thread when I posted the following on the 30th July -

Karl Texler, "10.4.2 will not work with Telstra ISDN modem (Australia)" #4, 05:56pm Aug 9, 2005 CDT

Just to let you know that I have found the SuperDuper! backup facility to work flawlessly on my external firewire drive. It's available from -

http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper

You can download a free version which will enable you to clone your drive - or for US$19.95 you can pay for the full version that then allows you to do incremental backups (I thought it was money well spent).

Hope this helps

Tricia

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Answer 12

Aug 9, 2005 10:13 PM in response to Karl Texler

Hi Karl,

I thought I would let you (and others) know the results of my call to Customer Support at Open Networks. I was told by their very helpful technician that they had sent their NT1 Plus 11 modem to Apple in the US so that Apple could carry out certain tests on it. Apparently, Apple discovered that the problem was not with the modem but with 10.4.2 failing to recognise (or not support - I'm not sure which) certain DTR commands. I don't know anything about modems but perhaps DTR commands are specifically related to ISDN modems.

Anyhow, the short answer is that Apple (yes) is working on a patch and that the modem will work with 10.4.3 when it is released. No word on when that will be, though.

I was also told that Apple help should have added my brother's name to a list of people who have called about this issue. Maybe Apple did. He doesn't know whether they did or not.

FWIW hope this helps
Tricia

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Answer 13

Karl Texler Author

Level 4

3,470 points

Aug 10, 2005 12:25 AM in response to Patricia Henwood

Hi Tricia,

This is good news, thank you for passing it on.

Basically, Telstra are doing what they are obliged to do - ensure (one way or another) that equipment and software they supply are compatible with standard operating systems.

Cheers and thanks!

Karl

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Answer 14

CB55

Level 1

5 points

Aug 10, 2005 5:38 AM in response to Patricia Henwood

Hi Tricia,
Thanks for the posting and the link to shirt-pocket.

I also appreciate the update on the modem. We'll be waiting anxiously for the next release, which I hope fixes this problem along with other issues in 10.4.2.

Cheers,
Carol

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Answer 15

Sep 19, 2005 10:40 PM in response to Karl Texler

Hi Karl,

Any new developments on this impasse?
When I last spoke with a Telstra technician about a month ago, he was very defensive and felt the whole thing was Apple's responsibility. No mention was made of any resolution being sought by either Telstra or Open.
Since then, I've been plugging along on 10.4.1.

Regards,

Vlad

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