SunLizard Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 ======------- Update --------========= -------- The resolution to this issue is that one needs to verify the source information before trying to force the issue. =======------ 2870 Drivers probably work just fine.-----========= Greetings. I've been piddling around with wireless connectivity in Lion with a couple of cheap USB WIFI sticks I bought. The stick is branded SMC Networks (SMCWUSB-N2) based on the RALINK chipset and under 10.6.X and previous builds the stick worked adequately. Since my Lion upgrade, I've tried the below methods available including the Ralink official Drivers for Snow Leopard, replacing both 10.6.6 IO82011Family.kext and IONetworkingFamily.kext and I've not got anything to work. Is there anyone out there who has had any success with the RALINK 2870 USB kernel extensions? If so I'd appreciate a push in the right direction. Thanks! S_L PS. Utilized RALINK's drivers for SNOW LEOPARD updated 2 August 2011... just FYI Things that DON'T work: 1) Straight install of Ralink Utility and kexts for 10.6. -- Wireless Utility fails to run properly. USB device recognized (per attached) but kext's don't load. 2) Added IO82011Family.kext and IONetworkingFamily.kext to S/L/E (replacing Lion's) which will lose any hope of gaining airdrop, understandably, but thought it might be nice to get the darn think working first.... 3) Adding device id and manuf to LION's IO82011Family.kext plist. 4) Adding device id and manuf to SNOW LEOPARDS IO82011Family.kext plist 5) 1 + 3 above. 6) 2 + 4 above. .... I'm open to any other suggestions.... else wise I'm a sad panda... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/265443-lion-ralink-2870-usb/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartie77 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Greetings. I've been piddling around with wireless connectivity in Lion with a couple of cheap USB WIFI sticks I bought. The stick is branded SMC Networks (SMCWUSB-N2) based on the RALINK chipset and under 10.6.X and previous builds the stick worked adequately. Since my Lion upgrade, I've tried the below methods available including the Ralink official Drivers for Snow Leopard, replacing both 10.6.6 IO82011Family.kext and IONetworkingFamily.kext and I've not got anything to work. Is there anyone out there who has had any success with the RALINK 2870 USB kernel extensions? If so I'd appreciate a push in the right direction. Thanks! S_L PS. Utilized RALINK's drivers for SNOW LEOPARD updated 2 August 2011... just FYI Things that DON'T work: 1) Straight install of Ralink Utility and kexts for 10.6. -- Wireless Utility fails to run properly. USB device recognized (per attached) but kext's don't load. 2) Added IO82011Family.kext and IONetworkingFamily.kext to S/L/E (replacing Lion's) which will lose any hope of gaining airdrop, understandably, but thought it might be nice to get the darn think working first.... 3) Adding device id and manuf to LION's IO82011Family.kext plist. 4) Adding device id and manuf to SNOW LEOPARDS IO82011Family.kext plist 5) 1 + 3 above. 6) 2 + 4 above. .... I'm open to any other suggestions.... else wise I'm a sad panda... there is nothing to "patch" in Lion for the Ralink2870 usb wifi - I have a Sitecom WL608 that has the chip. Just use ralinks kexts for Snow, but don't use the utility because it has bugs in Lion. See my guide ( signature ), I use a prefpane and a menubar app for connecting ( also now in Snow because it is so much nicer then the ralink utilty ). I have been able to browse the web in Snow and in Lion with that combination of official kext and inofficial tool to connect. No patching needed, really. And Airdrop, forget it. It will only work with Airport cards internal, but surely no usb solutions. Not even every real Mac supports it. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/265443-lion-ralink-2870-usb/#findComment-1735287 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunLizard Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 there is nothing to "patch" in Lion for the Ralink2870 usb wifi - I have a Sitecom WL608 that has the chip. Just use ralinks kexts for Snow, but don't use the utility because it has bugs in Lion. Yes, I tried the package you uploaded to kexts-dot-com. While the Pref.pane utility you provided does actually stay working (after restarting the System Preference each time) vice shutting down. However I cannot get RailinkAirport.app to run under Lion. I have more luck with the WirelessUtility provided from the RALINK site but even so my device does not get recognized. I have been able to browse the web in Snow and in Lion with that combination of official kext and inofficial tool to connect. No patching needed, really. Well, that's one success story. I have not been able to repeat your success. I know my device is functional because it works just fine in under Win 7 Parallels (sort of ironic don't you think? my Hackintosh has to Run windows to provide functionality But no matter what combination I try, I'm not getting my R2870 device functional... on either of my mac implementations... And Airdrop, forget it. It will only work with Airport cards internal, but surely no usb solutions. Not even every real Mac supports it. I've got a couple of Broadcom cards I may try my hand at rebranding... When I'm bored with getting this to work.... Thanks for posting! S_L Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/265443-lion-ralink-2870-usb/#findComment-1735803 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunLizard Posted August 17, 2011 Author Share Posted August 17, 2011 Well I thought I'd post my findings... After beating my head against the wall, I finally decided to verify the 'knowns'. As it turns out, my SMCWUSB-N2 is actually an Atheros AR9170 Chipset. Not a RALINK 2870 --- Which explains why the Ralink drivers don't show my device. Not sure why it worked under Snow Leopard... Anyway, topic closed. Chaulk another one up to verify the problem actually exists. Just in case anyone cares about the SMCWUSB-N2 - I have not been able to find any USB kexts for Atheros Devices especially the AR9170 /9102 USB Chipset. The ones that are out there (that i've found) are for PCI devices. Hope this helps someone... Peace Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/265443-lion-ralink-2870-usb/#findComment-1735902 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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