Automatically load .kext at start?

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Level 3

624 points

Automatically load .kext at start?

Hi, I have a .kext file which I need loaded in order to connect to the internet via my USB evdo modem. UNfortunately, it fails to lad at start so I am forced to manually kextload it every time I login. I'll be giving the comp to a friend soon, who wont be able to do this, so I was wondering if anyone could instruct me on how to get this kext file to load automatically at start. Any advice would be helpful, thanks.

MacBook Pro 2.0 GHz 2 GB Ram, Mac OS X (10.5.1), Powerbook G4 DVI 800 MHz, 4 gb Silver Nano w/Nike+, Air Max 90 Lace+

Posted on Oct 9, 2008 11:06 PM

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Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 9, 2008 11:34 PM in response to Vivek V.

Add it to your Account's login items. System Preferences->Account->select the account, click the Login items tab, hit the plus sign, navigate to the .kext file, and add it.

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Answer 2

orangekay

Level 5

4,085 points

Oct 9, 2008 11:37 PM in response to baltwo

And this is something you've done successfully?

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Answer 3

orangekay

Level 5

4,085 points

Oct 9, 2008 11:38 PM in response to Vivek V.

Where are you putting it, what permissions are you giving it, and what kind of failure message are you receiving?

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Answer 4

Vivek V. Author

Level 3

624 points

Oct 9, 2008 11:50 PM in response to orangekay

To Baltwo - thanks, I didn't think of that, but is there perhaps a more intuitive way. Like, so it starts up like all the other kexts that normally get loaded at startup?

To OrangeKay - It is in the folder /Volumes/Macintosh HD/System/Library/Extensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/

I've installed the patch that I had to install once before and it would load up at start, but now is failing to do that? It's got normal permissions for that directory.

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 9, 2008 11:52 PM in response to orangekay

Nope, but that's what I'd use if I was going to do such a thing. Why? Won't it work?

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Answer 6

orangekay

Level 5

4,085 points

Oct 9, 2008 11:59 PM in response to Vivek V.

Vivek V. wrote:
It is in the folder /Volumes/Macintosh HD/System/Library/Extensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/

Why are you putting a third party extension inside one of Apple's bundles?

Vivek V. wrote:
It's got normal permissions for that directory.

"normal" doesn't mean anything. If it's not owned by root it's not going to load.

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Answer 7

orangekay

Level 5

4,085 points

Oct 10, 2008 12:05 AM in response to baltwo

Don't you think it would be a bit of a security problem if kernel extensions could be loaded by simply launching them via a login item?

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 10, 2008 12:17 AM in response to orangekay

I don't think in those terms on my single user machine. What kind of security problem are you envisioning? As for the OP, he says he's manually launching it, so why can't he launch it via login items?

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Answer 9

Vivek V. Author

Level 3

624 points

Oct 10, 2008 12:17 AM in response to orangekay

orangekay wrote:

Vivek V. wrote:
It is in the folder /Volumes/Macintosh HD/System/Library/Extensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/

Why are you putting a third party extension inside one of Apple's bundles?

Vivek V. wrote:
It's got normal permissions for that directory.

"normal" doesn't mean anything. If it's not owned by root it's not going to load.

I'm putting a thrd party extension there because it's the only known/documented way to get the modem to work.

As for permissions, I typed in:

chown -R root:wheel /System/Library/Extensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleWWANSuppor t1.kext

And that did the trick. Thanks a lot, OrangeKay.

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Answer 10

orangekay

Level 5

4,085 points

Oct 10, 2008 12:27 AM in response to baltwo

baltwo wrote:
I don't think in those terms on my single user machine. What kind of security problem are you envisioning?

The number of users has nothing to do with anything. If code could be dynamically loaded into kernel space that easily then there'd be a whole lot of Mac malware out there redirecting network traffic, logging keystrokes and stealing passwords.

As for the OP, he says he's manually launching it, so why can't he launch it via login items?

He said he was running the kextload command. That's quite a bit different. If you don't believe me then go double click a kext and see what happens.

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Answer 11

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Oct 10, 2008 9:30 AM in response to orangekay

Oh, I believe you. We've beaten this horse to death. Thanks for the insights.

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