Problem with Apple USB Modem Caller ID functionality

Can't find a more suitable area to post this, so here goes... Caller ID detection using my Apple USB Modem rarely works. I've tried several different pieces of software, including looking directly at the modem's output with ZTerm, and it's apparent that the modem is not picking up the inbound caller ID information properly most times. It occasionally reports the proper data (time,date,number,name) but more often that not, it reports RING, and then ERRM=ICLID_202. My cordless phone reports inbound CID information flawlessly using the same phone jack and cable, so I'm confident the service is working properly on the phone side.
The modem's response to an ID request (ATI1) is *Apple Version 1.5.9*.
Do I have a bad modem, need a firmware upgrade, or what? Does anyone else have similar problems? Far as I can tell, the rest of the modem functionality (outbound faxing, etc.) works fine. Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

I tried posting earlier, sorry if both show up.
I am having the same problem with the Apple USB Modem and Caller-ID functionality. I am using the modem in conjunction with Parliant's Phone Valet Home Edition, and Caller-ID fails about 15-20% of the time. Along with missing Caller-ID information, the system also doesn't pick up the line on the usual 4 rings, it takes 8 rings before it answers on those same calls. I've talked with Parliant's tech support, and in the end they basically said that there is nothing that they can do if the modem doesn't pass the caller-id information to the program. They also suggested that maybe there was a "low-voltage" issue on the line that may be causing the system to miss caller-id and take longer to pick up, even though caller-id works on every other phone and caller-id display in the house, including one hooked up to the same jack as the Apple Modem. I then called AT&T to check the line - they stopped out and ran tests and said everything was fine on the phone line side. So there seems to be a combination issue going on here - the modem doesn't register caller-id, and also doesn't seem to realize that the phone is actually even ringing until several rings in. This could be part of the problem: If the modem doesn't "see" the phone ringing on the first ring it probably just isn't even looking for caller-id info when it is being passed before the second ring.
Just wanted to add my experience, and would appreciate any ideas - I have a rather expensive answering machine that only works about 80% of the time.
Thank you, and take care!
Jeff

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Problem on sending fax with Apple USB modem

Hello everyone,
I use my macmini to manage faxes to help my father's business, as fax is one of the most important mean of communication to our clients. While I can only receive fax from outside to my mac, but I cannot send fax from my mac through "Send PDF" option, it just stop working, and "Waiting for modem to become available" without using my telephone-line. It is weird when I plug it into my macbook that it works.
Look forward to your advice. Thank you,
Victor Tang
Message was edited by: victan7300

I am having problems sending and receiving faxes, too, and have been working with AppleCare level 2. They are off for a couple of days, and the solution is nowhere in sight. They did capture information from my system as I tried to fax, and sent it to engineering. They have determined that I am not getting a dial tone.
When I connect my phone to the jack, I do get a dial tone and can talk on the phone (which I do frequently). I have been provided with two additional new Apple USB modems to try to see if that would fix the problem. It did not make any difference which of the three modems I use, I cannot send or receive faxes. Yesterday, I booted up my old iMac (OS X 10.4.11 with a collapsing hard drive, but an internal modem). I attached this computer to the same phone jack and was able to freely send faxes - every single try.
I downloaded and set up the application PageSender just to see if it was the fax software (I have been trying to just use what came with my MacBook Pro). Using the Apple USB external modem (as I have had to do with this computer and operating system), I could not send any faxes - could not get a dial tone, according to PageSender.
I, therefore, believe that the problem is with the external modem and/or the extensions that operate the external modem.
I did try what you have suggested above - the substitution of the IOSerialFamily.kext:
I partitioned my harddrive into two partitions HD and HD_2. I loaded OS X 10.5.5 (from my CD) onto the second partition. I then copied the IOSerialFamily.kext on my thumb drive (from OS X 10.5.5 the version was 92). Then I upgraded to 10.5.6, and copied the ioSerialFamily.kext on my thumb drive - this time with 10.5.6 the version was 93. I went back to my first partition where I have 10.5.7 (version 94) and tried to transfer version 93 IOSerialFamily.kext to the extensions. As soon as I tried to mount the Apple USB modem I received the following message:
"System extension cannot be used
The system extension”/system/Library/Estensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/contents/PlugIns/Motor olaSM56KUSB.kext was installed improperly and cannot be used. Please try reinstalling it or contact the product’s vendor for an update."
At that point I tried to exchange the version 93 with the one that I removed - version 94, but I continued to get the same message. I decided to reinstall 10.5.7 again hoping that this would solve the message problem. No such luck! I did now have version 94, but the same error message. At this point, I tried a permissions repair. This solved the error problem... but I was still not able to send or receive faxes, because the fax programs could detect not dial tone.
Because I have never sent or received faxes with this computer - only my iBook (10.4.11), I decided to go back to the second partition on my computer and see if I could send a fax from the macBook Pro with 10.5.6. The results are sporadic. I had to try several times, and occasionally I would get a dial tone and could send the fax, but more often, I could not. There was no difference in any of the 2 modems I tried (by now I had returned 1 to the Apple Store), or whether I used the front USB port or the rear USB port. The sending of a fax with MacBook Pro and 10.5.6 was not consistent or reliable and I could only occasionally get a dial tone... with 10.5.7 I can never get a dial tone.
According to my AppleCare representative the engineers are "on this". But I see that the original post was in November, which was prior to 10.5.7; I purchased my MacBook Pro with 10.5.5 in December, so imagine that this problem has been around through several upgrades of 10.5.
This is unbelievably frustrating! Has anyone been able to easily send and receive faxes with 10.5.5?
Chris (hopefully you are still around), did you get any error messages when you exchanged your 10.5.6 IOSerialFamily.kext for the 10.5.7 IOSerialFamily.kext - especially when you mounted- or tried to attach the external modem? If so, how did you handle that?
Sorry that this has been such a long post. I have tried to provide as much information as I could in the hopes of finding a solution. Any ideas???
THANKS!

Faxing with Apple USB Modem (external) - Can you do it?

I bought the new iMac G5 with built in iSight BUT no built in Modem. Apple offers a USB Modem and it says you can fax BUT one of the posts said they could NOT fax. Has anyone successfully sent and received faxes using the Apple USB Modem preferably from a new iMac?

The following appeared in yesterday's MacInTouch.com column:
Chuck Counselman sent a follow-up to his Nov. 16 note about faxing with Apple's new USB external modem:
I've since solved the problem. Now my Apple USB Modem not only sends and receives faxes; it also dials into Earthlink and makes a PPP connection to the Internet. For others' possible benefit, here is a description of what I did that worked. I don't know how much of what I did was necessary.
In System Preferences > Network, I defined a new Location (which I named "USB Modem," but the name is not important). In the "Show" pop-up menu, I chose "External Modem." Under the "PPP" tab I entered my Service Provider's name, my Account Name and Password, and primary and alternate telephone numbers for my ISP's modem pools; and I clicked "Apply Now." Under the "TCP/IP" tab, in the "Configure IPv4" menu, I left the default choice "Using PPP" unchanged. Under the "Modem" tab, in the "Modem" menu, I chose "Apple External 56K Modem (v.92)"; I left the other default choices unchanged; and I clicked "Apply Now". Then I closed System Preferences.
Via the data-modem menu in the OS menu bar, I chose "Connect," and was pleased to hear and see the familiar sounds and sights of a dial-up connection. I surfed the web for a couple of minutes just to test the connection; it was fine.
In System Preferences > Print & Fax, under the "Faxing" tab I had already entered my fax number and a "Save to" folder name. Now I clicked the "Set Up Fax Modem" button. A day earlier, clicking this button had gotten me an empty "Fax List" window. Now it got me a "Fax List" window containing one entry with the name "External Modem."
And now the Apple USB Modem answered calls, received faxes, and saved them in the folder I'd designated. Now I could send faxes, too, following the instructions in the OS Help.
I returned to my original Location, where my Network connection was via Airport, not via the USB modem. Now, in the data-modem menu in the OS Menu Bar, the "Connect" command was grayed out (as expected). However, the USB modem continued to function for faxing.

Sleep/wakeup problem discovered - Apple USB modem is the problem.

Ever since Leopard (every release), I've been having frequent problems with my iMac not being able to wake up from sleep mode. Would not respond to mouse or keyboard. I tracked this down to a problem going to sleep. The machine would appear to go to sleep, but something was still running inside the iMac. A fan?? Disconnecting the Apple USB Modem from the iMac USB port fixed the problem!!! This is an all Apple problem. Apple needs to address compatibility with their modem, which they still sell.

I would call AppleCare and let them know you are having this problem. It is possible that it simply will be fixed by replacing the modem. If replacing the modem does not solve the problem, then call AppleCare again, and ask them to file a bug report on your behalf and find out why Energy Saver doesn't work with the modem. Many third party USB devices create problems for all USB peripherals if Energy Saver is enabled. Make sure you have you have none connected. If you don't have any connected that strengthens your case with AppleCare. You can always use Screen Saver instead of Energy Saver until the issue is fixed.

Annoyed with Apple usb modem

I am very disappointed in the Apple USB modem and its disconnecting probelms. I called Applecare on this, and the first thing the tech said was I should have gotten the internal modem. Yes. On an iSight iMac. I had to tell him it wasn't an option.
After a few seconds of silence, he went through a litany of things You Must Absolutely Not Do With A USB Modem. Like do not start the computer with the modem plugged in (I have no idea how one does a restart since one is also advised not to unplug it when the computer is running). Do Not unplug the modem when it is in the 'interminable disconnect loop' (I already found that this causes kernal panics which generated the call), Do Not open any applications while the modem is connecting (this causes it to immediately disconnect). Do Not plug in any USB or FW devices while the modem is running. The list went on. He also said that he would email a Kbase article on these modems and how to use them. Well, the article I got was a 2 year-old article on internal modems. No matter, it was in Japanese. No help from Applecare.
What annoys me most is that it constantly disconnects when using any app more processor intensive than Safari. I can't burn CDs or DVDs, or any Photoshop work. When it does this, it takes at least 10 minutes to disconnect if it does it at all. I was compressing some video which still had an hour left to go when the modem disconnected. I had to wait until the compression was done, so I could do a restart and get the modem to stop.
I am getting very upset about this. This modem should perform as well as the internal modem it replaced since the internal isn't an option. When I get back home from Christmas, I'll be calling again, but my first call was very disheartening, since it appears the tech sent me some arbitrary article to get rid of me.

I doubt the tech sent you an arbritary article to get
rid of you.
The fact is that USB Modems are in fact problematic
NO MATTER who the manufacture.
That being said the reason the article that he sent
you was outdated is because the technology is the
same outdated.
You must remember that the technology has progressed
well behond the 56k modems of old, and yes I am aware
that in many instances that is all one has available
for whatever reason.
That is the reason that the DSL was developed to get
away from the inconsistancy of straight dial up.
Bear in mind that the USB has shown to be unreliable
, innconsistant, and fair at best.
So the fact is that when the tech gave you the do's
and the dont's of USB modem use it was so you would
understand the problems you will face if they are not
followed.
Cheers Don
He was able to give me the information regarding all the do's and don'ts over the phone, and I doubt if he pulled the info out of a hat - so why didn't he just send me what he was reading? He gave me a litany, far more than I could remember, hence the request for instructions on (what you yourself mentioned) is a faulty device. Intructions not included in the manual btw. It seems to me that if doing a certain action, like unplugging it during an unstoppable disconnect loop, causes kernal panics, then Apple should mention it. Publish it, actually.
Mac OS X (10.4)
Mac OS X (10.4)

Dropped calls with apple usb modem

The USB modem drops calls frequently. My ISP is earthlink which told me to reX duce the stated modem type to V50 or lower as a fix. But that has no effect.
I have bootcamp and windows Xp Pro Service pack 2 installed along with office.
But use the modem only with Mac OSX10.4.7. it is really frustrating.

Hello,
I have had this problem. My 1st MacBook, wk 30, could not maintain an internet connection via external modem. A primary function. I was a novice with OS X. I rewired my household phone lines, verified my external phone line, dogged my ISP and spent hours with Apple Tech Support applying numerous, ineffectual, suggestions.
That machine was classified as DOA, eventually, after a number of panics, corruptions, and other bad behaviors related to power management. I lost the indexing for hundreds of emails saved on a crucial flash drive - a USB function.
My current machine, wk 33, demonstrated the same frustrating behaviors upon receipt. !!!
I am methodical. I calibrated the battery and performed system updates 1st thing with both machines. Then I became proficient with clean system 10.4.6 reinstall and worked my way backwards.
In my case, the 10.4.7. system upgrade caused the USB modem malfunction to recur. Subsequently, plugging the modem into the right had port enables it to function.
I am now unwilling to plug any other device into the left hand USB port and am limping along.
The last word I had from Tier 2 Tech Support was that there are no known issues.
Cordially,
RLC
The USB modem drops calls frequently. My ISP is
earthlink which told me to reX duce the stated modem
type to V50 or lower as a fix. But that has no
effect.
I have bootcamp and windows Xp Pro Service pack 2
installed along with office.
But use the modem only with Mac OSX10.4.7. it is
really frustrating.

Kernel Panik with Apple USB Modem

Whenever I activate receive faxes in system preferences I get a kernel panic and the system wil not respond any more. Anybody else had this problem? Any solutions?
rgds
Jan

I'm sure you've already tried, but just in case:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304123
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

OSX 10.4.10/Apple USB Modem issue

Hi there:
3 weeks ago I bought a new imac and also an apple usb modem (since we only have dial up where I live).
I wasn't having a problem at all with connecting to the internet.
I am online virtually most of the day and, at night, I disconnect and put my computer to sleep.
Now every morning when I go to connect, it just says "connecting" endlessly, with no dial tone....YES, the phone line is working.
It does nothing to disconnect the phone line, the modem etc.
If you click "disconnect" it just says "disconnecting" endlessly.
I am forced to shut down the computer and reboot to make it stop and reset itself and then I can connect to the internet just fine.
The only thing I can think of that changed since when I first got the computer is that I upgraded to OSX 10.4.10.
Does anyone know if this is a 10.4.10 issue or a modem issue?
I posted this in the old hardware forum as well....
Help!
Thanks!

I don't know how much of a Mac background you have, so forgive me if I state the obvious. Before and after any upgrade you should be repairing permissions (in Disk Utilities). There are some AOL issues with this modem if you use that ISP. I am having a problem with my usb modem not dialing for sending a fax @ work until I uncheck "wait for dialtone" but I am dialing through a work phone system. I have not figured out how to make this the default setting. Since you have a new iMac, you should call Apple Support by your misbehaving phone line.
Good Luck

Is my Apple usb modem hosed now that I use lion?

I have seen this post in other places. It appears the USB modem is worthless now. Workarounds that others have tried do not appear to work. Put this here beccause it belongs on the Lion forum.
Paul

The Apple USB Modem does not function with 10.7.
This article states that it is supported by 10.4.3 through 10.6.8
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3152
EE

Apple USB Modem - Slow fax speed

Any ideas on why small documents take a very long time to send via fax using Apple USB Modem. I've tried sending a 35 kb pdf document using the built in fax (Print, PDF, Fax PDF) and using Pagesender fax software. Each method takes 2:30 to 3 minutes to send one single page.
I also have a Brother Printer/Fax machine (MFC-5840) and can send the document to the printer's fax and have the document faxed in 20 to 30 seconds.
Any ideas on why it takes so long using the Apple USB Modem?
(Printing to the Brother printer/fax is fine for single documents but I would like to be able to take advantage of sending multiple documents that pagesender/USB Modem would allow)

Vic,
I'm not sure if this is part of your problem, but there have been some less than laudatory user experiences with the Apple USB modem. Apparently, USB modem connections are less than optimal for Macs, whether the connection is high speed internet or dial-up (for fax). You can do a search around here for particular problems with the USB modems.
By the way, do you use the USB modem and dial-up for your other web activities or do you otherwise use broadband?
Regards,
Steve M.
Here's one thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1811003&#1811003
Message was edited by: Steve M.

Please help: Problem sending fax to one recipient using Apple USB Modem

Hello,
I'm using an Apple USB Modem to send an receive faxes on my PowerMac G5. This is working great to the most recipients, but not one with a Philips fax machine.
The problem is, that everybody can send faxes to him - except of me
I'm using a software called Pagesender for this, I e-mailed the support and he told me, that the my fax is timing out and some of his customers have made positive reports of Zoom and Best Data Modems in cases where the Apple Modems have encountered line noise.
Also the Tiger fax solution doesn't work ... The odd things are, that I could send faxes using a stationary fax machine and don't have problems to send faxes to others ...
Is there really no solution for this.
Best regards
René

Hello,
I'm using an Apple USB Modem to send an receive faxes on my PowerMac G5. This is working great to the most recipients, but not one with a Philips fax machine.
The problem is, that everybody can send faxes to him - except of me
I'm using a software called Pagesender for this, I e-mailed the support and he told me, that the my fax is timing out and some of his customers have made positive reports of Zoom and Best Data Modems in cases where the Apple Modems have encountered line noise.
Also the Tiger fax solution doesn't work ... The odd things are, that I could send faxes using a stationary fax machine and don't have problems to send faxes to others ...
Is there really no solution for this.
Best regards
René

External Apple USB Modem won't answer calls

I've just got a new MacPro and I bought the external Apple USB Modem 'cause I use my machine to send and receive faxes. But I just found that the modem doesn't answer phone calls... I can send faxes OK with it, and I'm even able to receive them if I force "manual receive". But it just doen't answer phone calls on its own. All settings are OK and double checked. Always had internal modems with my previous Macs and never had a single fault. I've noticed that Apple posted some software updates that solved problems that arose with phone calls in Ireland. Is it possible that we have such a problem here in Portugal (Apple modem not being properly configured to use our phone lines?)
Any help welcome.
Thanks
MacPro Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I'm having the same problem, with my new Mac Pro, it will send a fax, but will not answer a fax call, Powerbook G4 with internal USB modem will answer fax call on the same line, as well as G4 Silver, however when I connect the Apple usb Modem to the line it fails to answer. I'm sur that it is the Apple external USB Modem, Apple has just given me the run around.
Mac Pro, G4 AGP 400, Powerbook G4, G4 Siver 733 Mac OS X (10.4.9) Scii Card, Splash Server

Apple USB modem no longer works with Mountain Lion

Now that I've upgraded my iMac to Mountain Lion my Apple USB modem no longer works. Does anyone know of a software fix or have I just lost my faxing ability with this item and have to buy something else?

That's a very sad situation as the Official statement link above (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3152) states that the modem cannot be used with any Windows. So Apple thinks that people investing in the ability to Fax and relying in Apple's good product only deserves to throw out their modems (because now it is useless on any platform)...

Does The Apple USB Modem Work With The Mac mini ??????

Just wanted to know if anyone has successfully used the new Apple USB Modem with the Mac mini, is it compatable ????
Thank you for your input on this.
Mike D.

It says it works with the Mac mini, but does it really? I just received my modem yesterday and could not get it to work with my 1.42 mini - the more expensive one that comes without a dialup modem! I looked carefully at the specs and it appears the Apple USB modem requires Mac OS 10.4.3, not the 10.4.2 that comes with the Mac mini.
Talk about stupid! And the mini docs say it comes with the "latest" version of Tiger. Not! So I can download the upgrade, I guess. IF I could get on the internet! This is extremely annoying. I guess I'll have to download the upgrade on another computer and transfer it somehow. Boy, those Apple guys sure are tech geniuses, aren't they???
[ Edited by Apple Discussions Moderator ]

I get the following error message when I connect a usb ethernet adapter to my new MacBook Pro: Unsupported - You cannot use an Apple USB Modem with this computer. I live were we only have dial-up and the Apple Store said this is what I need.

I get the following error message when I connect a usb ethernet adapter to my new MacBook Pro: Unsupported - You cannot use an Apple USB Modem with this computer. I live where we only have dial-up and the Apple Store said this is what I need. In addition, when I connect the phone to the connecter it falls out, it will not click in.

Why are you using a usb ethernet adaptor? Just plug the modem into the usb port.

Problem with Apple USB Modem Caller ID functionality

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