MacBook Pro 2011 USB Tethering Cause of Kernal Crash READ

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MacBook Pro 2011 USB Tethering Cause of Kernal Crash READ

I went back to apple and got a replacement anyway just in case it's a hardware issue. With my new Macbook Pro, I haven't installed any 3rd party software and browsed the internet for 3 days using my regular Wifi at home with no issues at all. Today, I connected my MacBook Pro to my iphone for internet tethering and BAM kernel crash within 5 minutes with standard out-of-the-box software. This is a software/firmware issue and Apple needs to send us all a new update.. In the meantime, if your having this similar issue please post your responses to the following questions lets try to further narrow down this problem:

1)It could be specifically an Iphone tethering issue not all smartphones possibly due to not being the most current iphone software version.
2)Are you using a jailbroken app (MyWi) to tether or the tethering approved and paid for by your service provider? (Does it happen via usb or wifi also?)
3)Is there a way to downgrade a new MacBook Pro O.S.? Maybe this software version is causing it (10.6.6) Might or might not fix the problem, but worth a shot if other MacBooks have this issue?

If we can all post detailed answers to these questions, we might be able to pinpoint exactly what is causing it and also to help apple produce a proper fix.

I'll answer first:

1) Iphone 4 tethering
Iphone version: 4.0.1 (8A306)
2)Tethering thru MyWi v4.52.2 via usb or wifi both crash MBP
3)MBP 2011 - 17'
i7 2.2 GHz / 8 GB RAM
Mac OS X (10.6.6)

MacBook Pro 2011 17', Mac OS X (10.6.6), I7 2.2 GHz / 8 GB RAM

Posted on Mar 14, 2011 7:32 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 14, 2011 10:32 PM in response to kingwow3

I've had exactly the same issue as you with regard to suffering kernel panics when tethering via USB. Fortunately, it only seems to happen when tethering via USB and not Bluetooth or WiFi.
Like you, i thought it was a hardware issue so i returned the 1 day old MBP and swapped it for another one. The next day i tried the new one and it looked to to be okay then crashed while i was doing a software upgrade. The time between crashes seems to be random too.
I've read on another forum that the problem seems to be related to USB tethering while running in the 64bit mode. Users have reported that the problem seems to disappear when running in 32bit mode (hold down 3 & 2 while booting up).
The funny thing is that my late 2010 27" iMac (i7 model) running in 64bit mode has no problems with USB tethering so the issue definately isn't related to my iPhone. Even tethering with a Windows PC doesn't give any errors.
I've typed this reply while tethering via USB and in 64bit mode and it hasn't crashed so far.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that i was tethering with an iPhone 4 with the latest iOS (4.2) which i've just upgraded to 4.3 and it hasn't crashed yet since upgrading. My iPhone has also never been jailbroken.

Message was edited by: Mike_DownUnder

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Answer 2

Mar 14, 2011 11:53 PM in response to kingwow3

OMG i just posted this in the other thread "17" hard freeze". I have a 15" and the unit crashed on me twice in a matter of minutes when tethering via USB. This needs to be fixed asap, i needed to charge my phone, sync and tether all at the same time...

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Answer 3

grip72

Level 1

50 points

Mar 15, 2011 10:05 PM in response to kingwow3

I see we all are having this problem with these new MacBook Pros. I have done a full zero and restore from a TM back will no change when tethering using USB. My bluetooth shows connected on my iPhone4 4.3 iOS but does not connect to the internet nor is it setup in the Network Pane. Wi-Fi tethering works just fine so far. However, I was able to connect my iPhone4 tethering and surf the web all three ways right after doing a system restore and install with ease and no problems. So this maybe a programming issue. If anyone has migrated information over from a different type of Mac then the new hardware/firmware/software on the new MacBook Pros is to advanced and we need to want for the next OS update, 10.6.7. I'm going to try one more test and see what happens.

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Answer 4

black6

Level 2

160 points

Mar 16, 2011 12:26 AM in response to kingwow3

Yep same for me tethering through my iphone..... No hacks no jailbreaks, just a regular phone using my carriers 3g

Hard freeze and grey wall of death after about 20 mins (time fluctuates)

I've sent the crash report everytime..

Don't you just love being an unpaid beta tester for Apple Inc

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Answer 5

black6

Level 2

160 points

Mar 16, 2011 6:59 AM in response to black6

My work around is leaving the USB connected (if you need a charge) but network/internet via the bluetooth only and removing iphone from the USB setting in your network preferences.

Hope we have a fix soon because i work out of hotels all the time and tethering is great.

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Answer 6

Mar 16, 2011 8:50 AM in response to kingwow3

Hmm... same problem here, new 2011 17", USB tethered iPhone 4 running (4.3), twice today I've had the 'hold power button down to reset' message.

I have free WiFi and BT tethering as backup options to avoid this problem but I shouldn't have to use them!

Thanks,

Robert.

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Answer 7

Wukish

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2011 7:35 AM in response to r-j-y.com

Same way with iPad on 4.3...

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Answer 8

lippisch

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2011 7:41 AM in response to kingwow3

I can confirm this same behavior with my 15" MacBookPro6,2 utilizing Boot ROM version MBP61.0057.B0C.

While connecting my iPhone 4 w/IOS 4.1 (8B117) utilizing MyWi 4.0 via USB Tethering. This does not happen every time I connect, but has occurred multiple times with a required reboot due to a kernel panic.

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Answer 9

AUSTRIAZ

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2011 11:51 AM in response to kingwow3

Yep same problem for me... after 2-5 min USB tethering => Kernal Crash...But this hotspot thing and BT works!

Specs:
MBP 17' 2011
OSX 10.6.6
4 gig RAM
2.2 GHz i7
iPhone 4

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Answer 10

ben_r_

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2011 12:59 PM in response to kingwow3

Well at first I thought my crashes were due to the external display issues many people are having talked about here:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2768900

But then I realized while I was having those issues I was also tethered via USB. So right now I am testing using the external display but with both no internet connectivity and then via Wifi hotspot through my iPhone 4. Well see what happens, but so far while using it with no internet and an external display it seems to be working fine.

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Answer 11

Grundit

Level 1

4 points

Mar 17, 2011 3:30 PM in response to ben_r_

I have had a mare with my MBP kernel panic!! http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1017&message=37994306

This is a serious issue that should have been picked up during beta

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Answer 12

grip72

Level 1

50 points

Mar 17, 2011 8:04 PM in response to Grundit

Hey everyone,
I did an erase of my HD and did a re-install of 10.6.6 and now I have access to ALL three forms of tethering. I did not migrate any information from a TC back up but did a drag n drop of the information I really needed, photo's and music, everything else I reinstalled via CD's or downloads. I also used mobileme to bring back some settings, iCal info, address book and other settings. However, I did get the Kernal Crash during USB tethering again, but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are working like a champ. So I must say it is a software issue with the new MBP and migration of information. Lets just hope the next update corrects the problem.

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Answer 13

Mar 17, 2011 9:36 PM in response to kingwow3

Hi Can confirm I also have this problem.
New MBP 13". I previously always used by old MBP 15" to tether via USB with this iphone4 and it always worked. Since getting the new 13", it will crash every time I use USB tethering. I have upgraded the iphone to IOS 4.3 from 4.2, and the same. Bluetooth and WiFi Tethering also works fine. It is just USB tethering that crashing the MB and it will always crash within about 20mins. When it crashes it completely locks up, and you lose any unsaved data.

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Answer 14

Mar 18, 2011 9:28 AM in response to kingwow3

I have the same problem, iPhone tethering works fine with WiFi and Bluetooth; but USB tethering causes a Kernel Panic/need to hard restart every time. The USB tethering did not cause a problem with my 2010 MBP, but the 2011 model crashes within 10 minutes each time I use it.

iPhone 4 on AT&T
iOS 4.3 (8F190)
MBP 13 2011
OS X 10.6.6
Boot ROM Version MBP81.0047.803

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Answer 15

Mar 18, 2011 9:32 AM in response to kingwow3

Same issue here. MacBook Pro 15" 2011.

The iPhone is running iOS 4.3

From the crash log it is evident that it is the AppleUSBEthernet driver that is crashing (the driver that controls the iPhone USB internet connection)

Replacing the KEXT might fix the issue.

I am currently traveling by train, I noticed the crash triggered immediately as my iPhone regained it's cellular connection, after passing through a dead spot. It seems the crash happens at the initiation of the connection, as my computer crashes within minutes after initiating a USB tether.

Please fix this Apple, it is a waste of energy having WiFi turned on on the Mac and iPhone to tether, especially when traveling with on a train with limited power outlets.

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