Ross's Home Page

Ross Barkman's Home Page

Pintware
Pint My scripts and other files aren't shareware - you can use them for free. However, several people have asked if there's anything they can send me as thanks for helping out with various scripts and modem/phone issues. Normally I'd say, "Buy me a beer", but since the Mac community is global, that's not really practical. So I've adopted the "Pintware" concept pioneered by Turly O'Connor for his wonderful FinderPop utility. If my scripts are of use to you and you'd like to say "Thanks", you can make a donation to buy me a pint or two through PayPal by clicking the "Thanks, Ross" button below. Just pay whatever you think is reasonable.




Download Instructions
READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE DOWNLOADING:

* These scripts only work with Apple Remote Access (OS 9 & earlier), Internet Connect (OS X) and other programs that use the Apple Connection Control Language. If you use AOL or FreePPP, you need to enter the modem initialisation strings yourself. This file gives instructions on how to do it.

* The files are Zip or Stuffit archives some with BinHex (text) encoding. For Stuffit archives, you will need Stuffit Expander to decode and expand them to their normal size.

* These are HTTP downloads (the server doesn't support anonymous FTP), so they may appear as 'garbage' text in your browser window, particularly with some older browsers. If that happens, just wait until the page completes downloading, save the completed 'page' as a text file on your desktop (using File:Save As... in your browser), then drag'n'drop it onto Expander, or run Expander and open the file.



Modem Scripts
Modified Modem Scripts for Apple Internal Modems (262kB): Ross's Scripts - Updated Feb 2001 to add extra speed options and reorganise Read Me file (too many people missing the instructions at the bottom).
These scripts overcome problems with 3Com-based ISPs to permit V.90 (over 33.6k) connections, and allow you to limit the connect speed to any V.90 rate from 34.6k to 50k for added reliability. These will work with the PowerBook G3 Series, the B&W G3s, G4s, iMacs and any later Mac with an Apple V.90 modem up to late 2001. Macs from then onwards have a USB internal modem (I have a few scripts for those if anyone needs them, but the recent modem firmware doesn't seem to have the same problems).
Dramatic speed improvements are unlikely with any recent Mac modems, or any which have been upgraded with Apple Modem Upgrader 2, since the firmware from V2.300 (check with Apple System Profiler) onward is better than the original versions. However, the speed-limiting scripts may still be useful if you get frequent disconnections.

Script for D-Link 56k PC Cards (6kB): D-Link 56k Script - based on info for the DMF560TX Ethernet/Modem card, but apparently works with other D-Link cards.



Mobile Phone Scripts
Before using the mobile phone scripts below, check that your airtime provider has enabled data access for your phone - many networks disable it by default. If data access is not enabled, you will always get a 'no carrier' result from Remote Access. This also applies to GPRS/3G/HSDPA service - you may have to request GPRS/3G/HSDPA access, or even get a new SIM card to use it.

It is possible to use these scripts with Bluetooth or infrared (IrDA) connections, or with some USB cables (but not most Nokia or Sony Ericsson cables, other than Nokia's CA-42 cable). Motorola's USB cable works fine on 10.3 or later. There is also a driver for the Prolific and FTDI chipsets that are used in many 'generic' USB cables (see below)
Alternatively, you can use a serial cable and a USB-to-serial adapter (see James Sentman's site).
Provided the phone has an internal "modem", the script doesn't care if the phone is connected using infrared, Bluetooth or a cable.

Warning for GPRS/3G/HSDPA users: if you get connected, but no traffic seems to flow, try turning off TCP header compression (Remote Access:Options:Protocol in OS 9, Network Preferences:PPP:PPP Options in OS X up to 10.4, Network Preferences:Advanced:PPP:Configuration in 10.5 onward). Many networks do not support this feature.

Warning for OS X and GPRS/3G/HSDPA: one of OS X's default settings causes problems with many networks. If you get disconnections after only a few seconds, turn off "Send PPP echo packets" in Network Preferences:PPP:PPP Options (up to 10.4) or Network Preferences:Advanced:PPP:Configuration (10.5 onward).


Motorola Phones

Scripts for Motorola GSM phones with internal modems (36kB): Motorola Scripts - Updated Feb. 2002: complete re-write, plus a fix for problems with the T250. These scripts work with all Motorola GSM models. They will not work with any non-GSM phones, as they use GSM-specific commands.

Scripts for Motorola GPRS phones (90kB): Motorola GPRS Scripts - Updated May 2004: Add check for use of *99 instead of the APN, various other tweaks and improved ReadMe. These scripts are for Motorola models supporting GPRS for 'always-on' Internet access.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Scripts for Motorola 3G (EDGE/UMTS) phones (19kB): Motorola 3G Scripts - First release May 2004. These scripts are for any Motorola models supporting EDGE or UMTS "3G" technologies for 'always-on' Internet access.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Scripts for Motorola 3.5G (HSDPA) phones (19kB): Motorola HSDPA Scripts - First release Dec 2006. These scripts are for any Motorola models supporting HSDPA technologies for high-speed 'cellular broadband' Internet access.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Script for Motorola iDEN phones (11kB): Motorola iDEN Script - Updated Mar. 2003: Increased port speed and configure for blind dialling, improved ReadMe. This script should work with most iDEN models. Note that, unless you have used the iDEN as a wireless modem with other devices, e.g. a Palm, and you know for sure that data dial-up calls are enabled, you should check with Nextel to make sure that feature is activated.

Script for Motorola CDMA phones (4kB): Motorola CDMA Script - First release. This script should work with most Motorola CDMA models.

Generic Script for Motorola phones (3kB): Motorola Generic Script - First release. This script uses a very 'generic' init string, and should work with most non-GSM Motorola models.

USB Driver for Motorola phones: Rob McKeever wrote an OS 9 USB driver for the P280 phone, which also works with the V66 and other Motorola phones with USB capability. His mac.com page has disappeared, but I've posted a copy here.


Sony Ericsson and Ericsson Phones (and Philips Fisio)

Scripts for Sony Ericsson GPRS phones (36kB): Sony Ericsson GPRS Scripts - Updated Dec 2006 to improve error handling (overcoming a bug in 10.4 that doesn't display error messages). These scripts work with Sony Ericsson and Ericsson GPRS models as well as Philips Fisio (which is made by Ericsson).

You can get information on the correct GPRS settings for most networks here.

Scripts for Sony Ericsson 3G (EDGE/UMTS) phones (41kB): Sony Ericsson 3G Scripts - Jan 2005: additional CIDs added. These scripts work with Sony Ericsson EDGE and UMTS models - they are basically the same as my GPRS scripts, but have a faster serial speed so that the Mac-to-phone link is not a bottleneck.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here - UMTS and GPRS details seem to be the same for most networks.

Scripts for (Sony) Ericsson GSM and HSCSD phones (65kB): Ericsson HSCSD & GSM Scripts - First release June 2002. These scripts should work with any Ericsson and Sony-Ericsson HSCSD models, and the Philips Fisio also. The package also includes two standard GSM scripts. OS X now comes with "Ericsson T39" scripts that do the same job, so I probably won't update these further.

Script for Ericsson DC23 Mobile Interface PC Card (5kB): Ericsson DC23 Script - untested; I'd appreciate any feedback.


Nokia Phones

Scripts for Nokia GSM phones (38kB): Nokia GSM Scripts - Updated Feb. 2003 with a new flow-control setting (+IFC=3,1) that works with current models; the original scripts are still in the package, since the new versions may not work with older models including the 6310 (which used +IFC=2,0). These scripts avoid known errors in the original Apple 'Nokia Infrared' script that caused problems with the 7110 and most later phones, including an inability to send large emails. They work with most Nokia models.

If you have a Communicator 9110, it doesn't work with my scripts. There is an official Nokia script here.

If you are using OS 10.1.x, the Nokia Infrared script in it doesn't work. This is because it is based on the older OS 9 script which has an error in it. Either copy the OS 9 Nokia Infrared script (from System Folder/Extensions/Modem Scripts) to OS X (Library/Modem Scripts), or use my scripts. Thanks to Jonathan Browne for this tip.

Scripts for Nokia HSCSD phones (87kB): Nokia HSCSD Scripts - Updated Feb. 2003 with a new flow-control setting that works with the 6310i, and to build in the ability to disable compression (eliminating the need for separate no-compression scripts). The original scripts are still in the package, since the new command may not work with older models including the 6310.
These scripts allow HSCSD models to connect at HSCSD speeds. It appears that most GSM networks where HSCSD is available don't support 43.2k, but 28.8k works. It's all to do with the speed of the data channels (9.6 or 14.4), the number of channels they will allow you to use (4 or 6 total) and how they are split between receive and transmit (2 and 2 or 3 and 1, for example). The V.110 and V.120 (ISDN-type) scripts can report connect speeds of up to 56k - I'm not sure how realistic those are, and I suspect the real speed is still 28.8 or 43.2k.

If you have a Communicator 9210, you have to open the 9210, go to the Extras -> Faxmodem application, set it to Infrared and activate it there. You cannot activate Infrared with the Communicator closed via the phone menus like you do on other Nokia phones (thanks to Marcel Hochuli for this info).

Scripts for Nokia 3.5G (HSDPA) phones (26kB): Nokia 3.5G Scripts - First release Jul. 2007. These scripts should work with all current Nokia HSDPA models. They support speeds up to 3.6 Mbit/s.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Scripts for Nokia 3G (EDGE/UMTS) phones (17kB): Nokia 3G Scripts - Updated Aug. 2006 to overcome an Apple bug with error message reporting. These scripts should work with all current Nokia 3G models. They are the same as my GPRS scripts, but with a faster serial link speed so that the Mac-phone link does not limit throughput.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Scripts for Nokia GPRS phones (73kB): Nokia GPRS Scripts - Updated May. 2004 with a few minor tweaks and an improved ReadMe. These scripts should work with all current Nokia GPRS models. The previous scripts are still in the package, since the new versions do not work with older models including the 6310.

You can get information on the correct GPRS settings for most networks here.

Scripts for Nokia CDMA Phones (4kB): Nokia CDMA Scripts - Updated Jul 2007 to add support for higher speeds. This set offers circuit-switched, 2G packet and 3G packet options. The first is for traditional dial-up, the others are for network-based Internet access.

Script for Nokia TDMA Phones (4kB): Nokia TDMA Script - a fairly 'generic' script, based on the GSM scripts above but without the GSM-specific commands. It should work on most Nokia phones, regardless of network type.


Siemens Phones

Scripts for Siemens GSM & HSCSD phones (20kB): Siemens GSM & HSCSD Scripts - updated Sep. 2003 to correct an issue with the S55.

Scripts for Siemens GPRS phones (72kB): Siemens GPRS Scripts - updated Sep. 2003 to correct an issue with the S55. Note that it is better to use my Generic GPRS scripts (see below) with recent Siemens models.

You can get information on the correct GPRS settings for most networks here.


Windows Smartphones & BlackBerrys

Scripts for Windows Mobile phones (12kB): Windows Mobile Scripts - Fourth release - Adds HSDPA speeds. This script allows phones that use Windows Mobile software, such as the iPAQ, Qtek, HTC and several others, to be used as a modem by the Mac. It allows GSM dial-up connections or GPRS/3G/HSDPA (but cannot change the GPRS/3G/HSDPA settings in the phone).

Scripts for BlackBerry GPRS/3G (27kB): BlackBerry 3G Scripts - First release. These scripts only work with GPRS/EDGE/UMTS BlackBerry models released from mid-2006, such as the 8100 - these models are quoted as supporting 'tethered' mode. Basically, these newer models have built-in modem capability, unlike earlier ones that rely on the BlackBerry Windows software to handle modem commands.


Generic Scripts - work with many phones (incl. Samsung, LG)

Generic HSDPA Scripts (20kB): Generic HSDPA - First Release Jul. 2007. These non-specific scripts should work with most HSDPA phones and PC Cards - they are a further speed evolution from the 3G scripts below, supporting a serial speed of 1.8 Mbit/s. They contain the bare minimum of set-up and configuration commands, in the hope that the phone's defaults will deal with the rest.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Generic 3G Scripts (31kB): Generic 3G - Updated Feb. 2007 to add extra options, including PIN support. These non-specific scripts should work with most EDGE and UMTS phones and PC Cards (they are the same as the GPRS scripts below, just with a faster serial port speed to avoid limiting the potential performance of 3G networks). They contain the bare minimum of set-up and configuration commands, in the hope that the phone's defaults will deal with the rest.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Generic GPRS Scripts (44kB): Generic GPRS - Fist Release Jan 2005. These non-specific scripts should work with most GPRS phones. They contain the bare minimum of set-up and configuration commands, in the hope that the phone's defaults will deal with the rest.

You can get information on the correct settings for most networks here.

Generic Mobile Phone Scripts (9kB): Generic Scripts - Fourth release, creating a range of scripts for different serial port speeds And updating the ReadMe; should work with most phones, whether GSM, CDMA or TDMA. These scripts use minimal set-up and configuration commands, and leave the rest to the phone's defaults. They may well report false connect speeds like 19200 or 230400 - do not trust the reported speed!


Other Phones and Phone-Related Items

Scripts for Panasonic GSM and GPRS Phones (39kB): Panasonic Scripts - first release, for the GD87 and similar models.

You can get information on the correct GPRS settings for most networks here.

Script for Samsung Phones (3kB): Samsung Script - generic script for normal dial-up operation (not GPRS or 1xRTT).

Script for Kyocera CDMA phones (4kB): Kyocera CDMA Script - apparently works fine.

Information for Palm Treos: The following information is relevant to Treo PalmOS models - if you have a a Windows Mobile Treo, use the Windows Mobile scripts above.

With the PalmOS models, you need to change the Treo to 'tethered' mode. You do that by dialling on the Treo itself either #*83843733 (#*TETHERED) for GSM/GPRS Treos or ##83843733 for CDMA Treos. That then 'disconnects' the Treo's sync function from the serial port; the same code re-connects when you're finished, so you can sync again. Then try my Generic GPRS scripts for GSM/GPRS Treos or Generic Phone scripts for CDMA Treos (see above for these scripts).

Phonebook editing and backup: Software to download, edit and upload the phonebooks and other SIM card and phone memory contents of a number of phone models is available from Alex Traud, MacMedia, ID express and Scriba. There is also Ericsson-specific software from Jonas Salling.

Generic USB Cable Drivers: Information from a reader who prefers anonymity - many thanks:

"Most cellphone cables sold for the PC market do not come with Mac drivers. But the majority of them are based on the PL-2303 USB-Serial chipset manufactured by Prolific Technology in Taiwan. In most cases the Apple System Profiler will list a device called 'PL2303', although MacOS X itself won't recognise the cable. There are different chipsets of course, but the PL2303 seems to be widely used in cheaper cables.

"The manufacturer does actually have drivers for Mac OS on their website. I have verified that this driver works fine and it works with most (cheap) USB-serial or USB-phone cables sold at shopping malls throughout the world."

I've also encountered cables, such as those provided by LG, that use the FTDI chipset; the generic drivers are here.



Other Useful Files
READ THE DOWNLOAD NOTES AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE CAREFULLY BEFORE DOWNLOADING

OS 9 & X US Keyboard layouts with Caps Lock disabled (6kB): U.S. - No CapsLock - If you're a PowerBook user, you'll know how easy it is to tap the Caps Lock key accidentally and look up TO FIND YOU'VE BEEN SHOUTING FOR HALF OF THE SENTENCE. This keyboard layout disables the effect of the Caps Lock key so that it is irrelevant - the green LED will come on, but it will have no effect. This goes a bit further than some of the standard keyboard hacks, which often forget to disable option-CapsLock (annoying if you use accented characters, etc.).

BE WARNED - this only disables the effect of Caps Lock, it doesn't disable the key itself. Some software still checks the Caps Lock setting when looking for hotkey combinations - e.g. Norton FileSaver, where key combinations (like Opt-Cmd) can bypass or activate certain functions. If Caps Lock is set, that makes a different combination (like CapsLock-Opt-Cmd) which will have either no effect or a different effect. Took me ages to figure out why FileSaver was ignoring me some of the time...

OS 9 & X British Keyboard layout with Caps Lock disabled (6kB): British - No CapsLock - Same as the above, but for the British keyboard layout (shift-3 = £ instead of #).

OS 9 & X New Zealand Keyboard layouts (8kB): NZ Keyboards - As a dedicated Kiwi, I was annoyed by having the US flag on my menu bar since I have a US keyboard (no offence to US citizens, but it's not my homeland). So I created versions of the standard and no-CapsLock US keyboards with an NZ flag instead of Old Glory. OK, this is a bit sad & pathetic, but humour me... Anyway, Apple do the same with their 'Australian' keyboard layout - as far as I can see, it's identical to the US one, with only a cosmetic flag change.

OS 9 & X Catalan Keyboard layouts (8kB): Catalan Keyboards - For Catalan users who have the Spanish ISO keyboard but are not so keen on the Spanish flag. Updated Feb 2011 with slight changes to the Llegiu-me files.

OS X Galician Keyboard layout (3.6kB): Galician Keyboard - For Galician users who have the Spanish ISO keyboard but are not so keen on the Spanish flag.

OS 9 & X Confederate Flag Keyboard layouts (8kB): Confederate Keyboards - For those from the deep South who prefer a slightly different flag on their menu bar...

OS 9 & X French Numeric Keyboard layout (5kB): French Numeric Keyboard - For anyone with the French AZERTY keyboard who is annoyed at having to press Shift to type numbers (spreadsheet users?). This keyboard layout uses the Caps Lock key to swap the case of the upper row of keys - while Caps Lock is on, the top row gives numbers unshifted and the normal characters when Shift is pressed. Thanks to Laurent Casado for suggesting this one.


Contact Information

Stoke Newington, London, UK

You can contact me using the form below - don't forget your email address, and be very careful to type it correctly, or I won't be able to respond. If you're reporting a problem or asking a question, please, please tell me what Mac you have, what OS you're using, and (where relevant) what external modem, PC Card modem or mobile phone you're trying to get working. Also, please tell me what the problem is - if you just fill in the details of your phone and system but don't ask a question, I'll assume you're just reporting a successful combination, and I won't respond. Also, please bear in mind that I do this for free, and I only have limited time to deal with your questions. Spend some time reading the information on this page and in the Read Me files in the download packages, and experimenting with the scripts that seem appropriate for your phone. Do not expect to see your specific model listed - in general, all phones for each manufacturer work the same, so the same script works with them.

So, if you ask "I've got a MacBook and a Sony Ericsson V600i, how do I get onto the Internet?" that's lazy, when there are quite clearly Sony Ericsson scripts on this site. It occupies the limited time I have available to support people who have real problems, and assumes that, since you don't have time to waste on working things out, you'll just waste mine instead.

Also, READ THE README FILE that comes with most script sets.

Sorry to be so blunt, but I get a lot of emails, and about a third of them are from people who simply haven't bothered to even look at what is available on this page. And another third haven't read the ReadMe files. Please try to experiment a bit first. But if you've downloaded and tried some scripts, and nothing works, or you can't see anything about your phone manufacturer, or you're just completely lost, I'm happy to help.

Fields marked with * must be filled in.
Please check it carefully!
Because people still get it wrong...
MacBook, PowerBook G4/667, iBook 600, etc.
Operating System version (9.2.2, 10.4.8, etc.)
Manufacturer & model of phone/modem
For cellphones, your provider (Vodafone, T-Mobile, etc.)
Cellular network type (GSM, HSCSD, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, etc.)
The country the network is in
Unfortunately, I have been getting a lot of spam submitted via this webform, so I have had to add a security check. Please enter the following codeword, exactly as it is written, into the box below:

TANIWHA

If you do not put the codeword in the box, your email will be deleted automatically, without any warning.

Please check that you have correctly entered the codeword and your email address before pressing the Send button.




Kia ora,*
Ross

* New Zealand Maori for 'good health'






Images courtesy of  Tutu Graphics  and  the late Kemera Wilson
Last updated 21 Feb 2011