Is Apple's External USB Modem Snow-Leopard compatible?

Question

Level 1

118 points

Is Apple's External USB Modem Snow-Leopard compatible?

Hi,

I have Apple's External USB fax/modem connected directly (not via a USB hub) to an iMac running 10.6.6 in 32-bit mode. I can't get it to send or receive faxes using Apple's built in Fax software (System Preferences > Print & Fax), and am wondering whether the modem itself is broken, or whether it is not compatible with Snow Leopard. Perhaps there is a 3rd-party fax software solution that might work? Is there any way to test whether the modem is working or not?

Many thanks,

Greg

iMac 2.8GHz C2D, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 4GB RAM, 1TB HD

Posted on Jan 30, 2011 9:20 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 2, 2011 9:05 AM in response to Greg Andresen

Greg Andresen wrote:
I have Apple's External USB fax/modem connected directly (not via a USB hub) to an iMac running 10.6.6 in 32-bit mode. I can't get it to send or receive faxes using Apple's built in Fax software (System Preferences > Print & Fax)

I've been able to send a fax with one of those under OS X 10.6.5. I haven't migrated to 10.6.6 yet nor have I tried to receive a fax.

Is there any way to test whether the modem is working or not?

You might be able to spot messages in the Console utility that would give you a hint about what goes on when you try to fax.

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Answer 2

Greg Andresen Author

Level 1

118 points

Feb 2, 2011 1:25 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

Thanks for this William. I've come to the conclusion that my modem is probably faulty. I installed the 3rd-party PageSender software which also refused to work with my modem. I've ordered another modem and will report back when it arrives. Cheers.

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Answer 3

Feb 2, 2011 8:47 PM in response to Greg Andresen

Greg Andresen wrote:
I've ordered another modem and will report back when it arrives.

Let us know if you're able to buy an Apple external USB modem. It's my impression that it might have been discontinued.

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Answer 4

Greg Andresen Author

Level 1

118 points

Feb 2, 2011 9:46 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

I've ordered a secondhand unit on eBay

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Answer 5

cini007

Level 1

4 points

Mar 9, 2011 7:42 AM in response to Greg Andresen

I have had the same experience with PageSender. Ordered a new modem hoping that my old Apple modem is the culprit. The app still cannot send faxes with a Zoom USB fax modem. The built-in Print dialog box Send PDF works just fine with both the original (and officially no longer supported) Apple USB modem and the new Zoom USB modem. I think PageSender is in a dire need of an upgrade that the small shop Smile-on-Me is unwilling to do. Unfortunately, the OS X function is limited to sending and receiving without easy to use logs.

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Answer 6

cini007

Level 1

4 points

Mar 9, 2011 8:06 AM in response to cini007

I meant SmileonMyMac

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Answer 7

KCM04856

Level 1

0 points

Mar 31, 2011 2:17 PM in response to Greg Andresen

I just bought a new MacBook Pro 13 inch with the intel i5 processor. Operating system is 10.6.7. When I plugged my Apple USB external modem in (it was working fine on my older MacBook) I get a dialog box that says "Unsupported - You cannot use an Apple USB Modem with this computer."

I still get a fax option from the PDF button in the print dialog box, but don't know how to do this without the modem! There was no option to purchase a modem as an accessory when I bought the computer. I can't find anything on the Apple web site that offers a modem for this machine.

Anyone have experience with any third party USB modems?

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Answer 8

Apr 15, 2011 1:01 PM in response to KCM04856

I get the exact same issue with my new 2011 Macbook Pro 13". I called apple and they said that if you get that pop up message that says "You cannot use an Apple USB Modem with this computer" then it just isn't supported.

This is unacceptable! They are both Apple products. How can you send faxes or dial up with the new Macbook pros?

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Answer 9

Steve M.

Level 5

4,757 points

Apr 15, 2011 1:57 PM in response to Idea Rebel

Is there any way to disregard the not supported message and attempt to use the modem anyway?

It seems like support for faxing and dial up is just about gone.

Regards,
Steve M.

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Answer 10

Greg Andresen Author

Level 1

118 points

Apr 21, 2011 4:55 PM in response to Greg Andresen

Just letting you know that faxing is working fine now with an Apple USB modem connected to an iMac 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo running Max OS X 10.6.7 and using PageSender Fax Center software 4.6.

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Answer 11

rloomans

Level 1

0 points

Apr 24, 2011 4:23 PM in response to Idea Rebel

The issue appears to be that the driver for the modem is only 32-bit (see the Apple USB modem FAQ: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3152 ). If you boot your newer machine in 32-bit mode, the modem works.

Given that Apple has discontinued the modem, I doubt it'll get 64-bit drivers.

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Answer 12

Apr 24, 2011 4:45 PM in response to rloomans

Apple has a history of discontinuing support for old technologies, such as floppy disks on the first iMac; Flash; Rosetta and 32 bit on Lion. This is one reason why their products are generally fast and efficient, compared to say, Windows Vista.

If you really need to send faxes, there are alternatives: http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=email+to+fax

Faxes in 2011? Really?

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Answer 13

Jun 30, 2011 4:25 AM in response to Greg Andresen

I just got my Apple External USB modem to work perfectly for me on 13" MacBook that I bought in Jan 2007. I also bought USD modem along with it and I am really glad today that I bought the modem back then!

I also upgraded my mac to OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard - effortlessly.

It is really simple to set it up. Actually just connect it to the phone line and go to the "Print and Fax" on the System Preferences. Everything works as documented.

Not knowing that I have this modem which can be used for receiving faxes, I was in the market looking for expensive fax machines. Now I am happy that I did not find one to my liking and I did not buy one. Now I don't need to buy the machine saving myself a lot of much needed money.

My investment long back really paid me off.

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