Mavericks driver for ASIX AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet

Question

Level 1

30 points

Mavericks driver for ASIX AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet

The drivers that were working under 10.8 do not work with 10.9. The dongle is recognized and the driver is loaded and appears correct in System Information, but it will not recognize a known good ethernet cable plugged in. This is a J5create JUE 130. Neither j5 create nor the chip manufacturer ASIX appear to have Mavericks drivers as of 11/6/13.

I'm using a backup Apple USB Ethernet adapter (no Thunderbolt ports, older MacBook), and I need two physical Gigabit connections, even if the USB 2.0 port will limit one to 480Mb/s.

Am I SOL?

Posted on Nov 6, 2013 4:38 PM

Reply

Answer 1

jgmdean Author

Level 1

30 points

Nov 7, 2013 3:22 PM in response to jgmdean

I hate replying to myself... :-)

Turns out the 1.6.0 version of the driver works with 10.9 even though it says it's for 10.6-10.8

It can be downloaded here: http://www.asix.com.tw/download.php?sub=driverdetail&PItemID=131

You do have to be sure and de-install any earlier versions of the driver and make sure the kext is REALLY gone before installing 1.6.0. Installing the driver mandates a reboot.

Reply

Answer 2

thelump

Level 1

6 points

Nov 17, 2013 8:21 AM in response to jgmdean

Thanks for the help, but how would I de-install the version I installed?

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 19, 2013 7:27 AM in response to jgmdean

A dedicated driver for 10.9 is now available, check

http://www.asix.com.tw/download.php?sub=driverdetail&PItemID=131

Reply

Answer 4

jgmdean Author

Level 1

30 points

Nov 21, 2013 2:27 PM in response to Community User

Old version deinstalled (with the script that comes with the install media).

New version installed, seems perfectly funtional and stable. Doesn't look like they did much other than recompile and cert. with 10.9 although it bills itself as a "1.0" release in the doc. Whatever, I'm happy, and thanks!

Reply

Answer 5

Woonkey

Level 1

0 points

Jan 17, 2014 7:22 PM in response to jgmdean

Doe's anyone have this driver that they can email / share with me. I need it ASAP and the ASIX website is down 😟... Thanks.. woonkey at yahoo.com

Reply

Answer 6

thelump

Level 1

6 points

Jan 17, 2014 8:42 PM in response to Woonkey

sorry I don't have it anymore, but you can try googling it.. I believe there was another website with it

edit:

here try this link

http://plugable.com/products/usb3-e1000/drivers

Reply

Answer 7

Apr 3, 2014 10:58 AM in response to thelump

At stackexchange there are some instructions for loading and unloading the kext. See

http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/73140/how-can-i-use-an-asix-ax88179-wit h-mac-osx-10-8-mountain-lion

To check what is loaded do:

kextstat |grep asix

To unload the kext do:

sudo kextunload -b com.asix.driver.ax88179_178a

To load it:

sudo kextload -b com.asix.driver.ax88179_178a

The names might be slightly different for different versions.

As of 2014-02-19, Asix is distributing a package for 10.6 through 10.9 which they label as v2.0.0 and it comes with an uninstaller. On one instance I needed to run the "

kextunload

" command above before the uninstaller would remove an older driver from a 10.7 installation. As I recall, the v2.0.0 package installed (as revealed by "

kextstat

") the version (1.7.0) on my 10.7 system, but (1.0.0) on my 10.9 system - I guess they number the actual kexts different on different OSes and the installer picks the correct one to install.

Here is the Asix page:

http://www.asix.com.tw/products.php?op=pItemdetail&PItemID=131;71;112

I came across this discussion when looking for software for the "Satechi 3-Port Portable USB 3.0 Hub and 10/100/000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Network Adapter" as their page for this device does not link to drivers for systems earlier than 10.9, even though once found 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8 drivers on their system for similar products like the "USB 3.0 to 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet Adapter".

http://www.satechi.net/index.php/computer-accessories/network-adapters/satechi-3 -port-portable-usb-3-0-hub-and-ethernet-lan-network-adapter-for-windows-mac-and- linux

Anyhow, I thought I would share some of my newly acquired knowledge so when I do another web search for this I will re-find my posting with all the info in one place...

Reply