Connecting an iBook using a USB modem

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Level 1

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Connecting an iBook using a USB modem

Hi,

Firstly, this question is on behalf of my Mum, whose having trouble connectring her 14" Tiger based iBook to the Internet.

Until recently, she used a windows laptop connected to DSL using a BT Voyager 105 modem. This type of modem only has a USB connection. We've both tried a numbe of times to get the iBook to connect using the USB, but with no luck.

Any help or suggestions would be appriciated.

1.83ghz MacBook Pro, Evesham custom build PC, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Apr 23, 2006 3:04 AM

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Answer 1

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Apr 23, 2006 3:25 AM in response to Seumas

USB ADSL modems do not work very well with Macintosh computers.

A USB ADSL modem requires a driver to work on your Mac. The drivers are often buggy and do not work effeciently. Sometimes the driver will work but only to be broken the next time you update your operating system.

The solution is to replace the modem with an ethernet ADSL modem/router.

A ethernet device requires no drivers and will work on your mac.

A ethernet ADSL router also gives you other benefits such as a firewall or wireless networking.

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Answer 2

fu

Level 2

455 points

Apr 23, 2006 3:29 AM in response to Seumas

Ditto:

Keep out of USB for anything else other than toys (mice, keyboards), keep your network equipment on Ethernet. Networking standards are platform-agnostic and require no drivers.

Cheap USB modems are buggy as h**l, built only to match cheap PCs...

Macs running 9.x, Macs running 10.4.x, SGI workstations running Irix 6.5.x

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Answer 3

Seumas Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2006 3:47 AM in response to Tim Haigh

Thanks. I'd suspected as much.

I'm planning on upgrading my wired ADSL router to a wireless one (the wired one only has two ports - not really a good thing when I need to run three computers off it) so I'll probably pass my old router on to my mum.

Thanks guys

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