Modem missing from Network Preferences and Internet Connect

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Level 1

6 points

Modem missing from Network Preferences and Internet Connect

We just bought a new G5 imac. It came with OS 10.4.2. It has no internal modem, so we bought an external USB modem, as our salesman suggested. We do not have options of ethernet or airport or any other way to get on the net in our rural location.

But, the Internet Connect software does not have a modem (internal or external) option. It only has airport, bluetooth or vpn.

We went to System Prefereces and opened Network , and under the Show pull down menu, there is still no modem option, only airport, bluetooth, vpn, or firewire. We created a modem option, but that was a dead end.

When we go to Mac Help, it tell us the "Show" pop-up menu in Network Preferences will have a modem option -- but it doesn't. So even the Help file is wrong.

We simply have no place to type our dial-up phone number, username and password. We tried it under the Ethernet configeration, but that obviously didn't work.

If we choose About This Mac, and look at More Info, and look at the USB devices, we can see our modem listed there: "USB HSF Modem". So the Mac sees the modem, but we don't have an option to configure it. The modem did not come with any macintosh software, but I don't think that is the problem since the Mac Help file describes something that the Macintosh operating system should have, but doesn't.

HELP. What more can we try?

imac g5, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Nov 20, 2005 10:23 AM

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Answer 1

_Kevlar

Level 2

180 points

Nov 20, 2005 1:39 PM in response to itsfrancis

What kind of modem is it?

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Answer 2

Nov 20, 2005 1:50 PM in response to itsfrancis

Hi,

I also had problems with a USB Modem on my G5. I had to download a file from the manufacturers website (in my case BT) in order to get the modem to work on the mac.
Once the file was installed the modem was then listed in the drop down menu in the Network Port Configurations menu.
From there I was able to fill in the relevant username, password and telephone number.
I must add that I am changing the USB modem for a router/modem as the USB, in my opinion, is not suited to the G5
Hope this goes some way to help you as I know how frustrating this problem is. Perhaps others more experienced than myself will be able to give further advice.
Good luck.

Keith

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Answer 3

itsfrancis Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 20, 2005 3:32 PM in response to _Kevlar

made by Amigo AMUCA66. It came with PC software, but the advertisement said it was mac compatable. We bought it from New Egg, on-line. We've gone to the Amigo web site, but can find drivers for only Linux and Windows. But, since they said mac compatable, we assumed we didn't need mac drivers.

what a nightmare -- and I thought the new G5s were supposed to be so user friendly.

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Answer 4

_Kevlar

Level 2

180 points

Nov 20, 2005 6:46 PM in response to itsfrancis

Nope, for that modem you're going to need drivers. Where does it say on newegg that it's Macintosh compatible?

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Answer 5

itsfrancis Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 20, 2005 10:47 PM in response to _Kevlar

Well, now that I take a relook, new egg doesn't say it is macintosh compatable, and we just jumped to conclusions... it turns out it is windows and linex compatable, but might not have a driver for matintosh... Not looking hopeful as it didn't have a macintosh down load on their web site.

oh well, live and learn...

Is this why the Modem option is not showing up in Network Preferences?

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Answer 6

Nov 21, 2005 3:28 AM in response to itsfrancis

I also bout a new iMac G5 along with their "new" UBS Modem. The problem I found is that the USB Modem Apple Store sent me have only two (2), pin instead of four (4) pin to use with my dial-up telephone four (4) pin connection. Perhaps that is your problem as well.

hhv

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Answer 7

_Kevlar

Level 2

180 points

Nov 21, 2005 8:56 AM in response to itsfrancis

It could be but I not really sure, sorry about that.

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Answer 8

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Nov 21, 2005 9:03 AM in response to H.H. Villalón

H.H., Welcome to the discussion area!

The problem I found is that the USB Modem Apple Store sent me have only two (2), pin instead of four (4) pin to use with my dial-up telephone four (4) pin connection.

2 pins is all that is used in a "normal" analog phone line.

Are you perhaps using DSL phone service? If so, I understand you need some type of adapter to connect normal analog telephone devices.

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Answer 9

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Nov 21, 2005 9:05 AM in response to itsfrancis

itsfrancis, Welcome to the discussion area!

Is this why the Modem option is not showing up in Network Preferences?

Yes, without drivers the Mac OS does not recognize that device as something it can use for networking.

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Answer 10

Nov 21, 2005 12:09 PM in response to Duane

Duane,

My old G3 iMac came with the built-in modem with four (4) pins instead of two (2) pins. I have not been able to get an answer from Apple, so I do not know what will they say about it.

The modem they sent me to be attached to the USB port, not built-in have two (2) pins.

hhv

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Answer 11

itsfrancis Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 21, 2005 4:58 PM in response to Duane

It used to be that one could buy almost any devise for the macintosh from almost any manufacturer that made it with the right ports and plugs, and it would be plug and play. I'm just not used to the new ways. Why would someone make a USB modem for windows and lynix, and not include a mac driver!

francis

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Answer 12

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Nov 22, 2005 10:52 AM in response to itsfrancis

Many devices are plug and play.

Modems have never been so. Even back in the old serial port days, you needed drivers for whatever modem you attached to the Modem serial port.

Why would someone make a USB modem for windows and lynix, and not include a mac driver!

Companies have been doing that for 21 years.

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Answer 13

Nov 26, 2005 2:02 AM in response to Duane

Duane,

As I said before, my iMac G3, came with four (4) pins, and yes, I used "normal" analog phone line.

Will you tell me what it is the difference between the four (4) pins and the two (2) pins. Why did Apple built it with four (4), and then change it to two (2), pins?

hhv

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