Quick solution
1/ Force quit VMC
2/ Delete "/Library/Application Support/nova media/VMC/ppp_session.log"
3/ Start VMC
Please note that deleting the ppp_session.log file wipes your PPP session history so VMC will re-start the traffic statistics from zero.
Why it hangs
VMC maintains a log of all the PPP traffic that flows through the 3G PPP interface. This log is saved under the ppp_session.log file mentioned above.
In certain conditions (e.g. traffic exceeding 90 MB in the previous session), VMC enters a function that never finishes execution namely:
001a428e t _ClassConnectionAbstract.TrafficFormat%s%o<ClassConnectionAbstract>i4
Here's an Instruments screenshot demonstrating the endless loop:
This is the ppp_session line that causes the infinite loop on my Mac:
diciu$ diff ~/Desktop/ppp_session.log.crasher ~/Desktop/ppp_session.log.works
200d199
< [2008/10/25 13:7:14] out:8736305 in:99719384 time:14036
The problem with that line is the "in" value which is too big - I'm guessing it's causing "pow" (the C function for computing the raising of X to the power of Y) to return a range error and the calling function doesn't process this error correctly (i.e. it calls pow$fenv_access_off again instead of exiting).
On Leopard, the effect is you cannot download more then 90 MB in one session - if you do, Vodafone Mobile Connect will refuse to start the next time you run it.
To fix the problem you either edit the ppp_session.log file and remove the last line, or, you delete the file altogether.
24 comments:
Many, many thanks !
After encountering the bug, I searched for "mac vodafone mobile connect hangs" on Google and your post came up 4th.
Your solution did the trick :)
Again, many thanks ;)
I had same problem VMC stoped working after 10 months! Vodafone customer services said uninstall and re install, didnt work, they then said test the sim in my phone to make sure it works, it did so they advised go to shop for new software or modem, shop could gave me a different cd to install, didnt work, tried new modem, didnt work, callled customer support from whilst sitting in vodafone shop with laptop and modems, customer support dint have a clu how to help and said it was a mac issue. After driving to someones house with broadband i have spent the last 2 hours searching for help and finaly found you and it works, brilliant brilliant brilliant, thank you, Vodafone should know this cos they dont know very much!
Lifesaver!! Old Huawei modem used to work like a dream with no VMC installed. Got a new modem, thought I'd try the upgraded software and bang - brick wall.
Many thanks ;)
Thanks, your solution is excellent.
I faced this nasty bug having next software versions:
VodafoneMCInstaller.2.11.02.00
Mac OS x 10.5.6
hey thanks a lot.. had the same problem!
Thanks!
It worked for me :)
You are a freakin' life saver!! Living in Spain ou customer service and competence are NON EXISTENT, I was completely reliant on someone else knowing what's going on and that someone was you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Strange thing though; although the solution did get my macbook pro up and running again (10.4.11), switching the old vodafone modem back to the imac (10.5) where I had the same issue (or so I thought) and no 'nova media' folder or 'vmc' files to be found anywhere to erase the ppp log....any clues as to why the same issue appears to be very different on a different mac??
@Anonymous - It may be that the PPP log issue discussed here is not the only cause for the application hanging. If the "nova media" folder is missing you could try re-installing the VMC application.
Thanks diciu; I'll give that another shot (tried reinstalling two versions recently...). It just showed pretty much the same symptoms (VMC icon bouncing up and down with no response...) so I assumed the problem was the same...what's weird about the imac issue is that when I click the modem status in the task bar, it already asks to connect in bold letters even without the software being initialised yet...too many issues for one device if you ask me...
Hey there.
If you want to do a clean uninstall, you've got to grab an installer first (use the latest you can find), run it, and right after you get the license prompt, select Uninstall from the dropbox at the top.
This should remove pretty much everything related to VMC from your Mac. From there, you can start anew with a fresh install. Cheerio !
Thanks! Very Usefull, it saved me the day!
Multumesc pentru solutie Cristian, intrasem deja in panica...
Great stuff. I deleted my 2.7kb file and it worked. Genuis.
Many thanks.
Thank you very much! I just fixed the problem!
Every day a new thing pops up, appears to be a prob and gets solved by some genius on the internet.....Thanx genius.
Excellent post and excellent job!
Many thanks from Italy
Alberto
YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how much this little post has helped. I have dealt with this issue on a 6-9 month basis nd now I know why. God bless you!!
vodafone mobile connect hanging mac was what I searched for; found your blog. Problem cured, instantly. You're a total star.
You should get a special commendation from Vodafone, or a fat check:)
indeed, you're a lifesaver!
Many Thanks!
awesome thanks mate!
thanks!
you are the "God", I almost wanted to reformat my macbook thinking it was a virus from hell.
will visit your blog regularly...
Thanks!!!!! You saved my life!!! Thank you very much!!
Post a Comment