Warning to all Mac users: Snow Leopard blocked (Win7 too!)

Fedule

UPDATE AS OF 23/09/09

snappieT wrote: »

Snow Leopard is now supported by ISS:

http://isservices.tcd.ie/network/nac_requirements.php

Snow Leopard is now go in college. No news as to Windows 7 yet, ISS's stance remains that they will BEGIN testing after the retail launch. If their performance with Snow Leopard is anything to go by, Windows 7 will probably be supported by mid November.





Original Post:

Found this out the hard way, and I'm posting it here as a PSA.

If you intend to use a Mac in College or in Halls and have not yet installed Snow Leopard, you are advised to continue waiting!

ISS have confirmed that Macs running OS 10.6 will be unable to connect to the college network and as such cannot access the internet within college (unless you're using 3G etc). This is due to them running tests of some kind (presumably for security). No time frame has been announced for support for 10.6. I am hoping to god that this is sorted before Freshers Week because I am going to be quite reliant on internet access to do some things.

Incidentally, the same thing is going to happen with Windows 7 - despite the availability of the final build as RTM, ISS will not even BEGIN testing until after the official release.

I predict ISS will be besieged by angry Mac users during/after Freshers Week.

Unregistered.

Fedule wrote: »

Found this out the hard way, and I'm posting it here as a PSA.

If you intend to use a Mac in College or in Halls and have not yet installed Snow Leopard, you are advised to continue waiting!

ISS have confirmed that Macs running OS 10.6 will be unable to connect to the college network and as such cannot access the internet within college (unless you're using 3G etc). This is due to them running tests of some kind (presumably for security). No time frame has been announced for support for 10.6. I am hoping to god that this is sorted before Freshers Week because I am going to be quite reliant on internet access to do some things.

Incidentally, the same thing is going to happen with Windows 7 - despite the availability of the final build as RTM, ISS will not even BEGIN testing until after the official release.

I predict ISS will be besieged by angry Mac users during/after Freshers Week.

Why are they sooooooo incompetent.

Ron DMC

Oh FFS!!

mathew

ah ffs.. Had planned on upgrading the widows partition to w7 tonight.. Better leave it as vista so, since 10.6 wont be able to get on..
They obviously spent all summer working on their new site.. Which is a ghastly shade of yellow..

Señor Juárez

Use MacMakeup on someone else's machine to spoof the MAC of your own machine, and then register.

Brian

If possible, register your MAC and then upgrade your OS. If you've already upgraded, you can do as Senor Juarez sez or just change your own computer's MAC to that of an already-validated computer, saving all of that tedious "how does i shot computer" anti-virus check crap.

Edit : You could also use a Linux LiveUSB for the validation.
Great system ISS! Annoy the people that actually know how to use computers!

mathew

Never thought of that actually. If I leave vista for now, thatll register fine, then snow leopard will work fine because the MAC will be registered.. and I will also be able to upgrade to W7..

Brian

Yep ... I had W7 working fine last year because I had registered it with Windows XP before installing.

Jonathan

Fantastic. I'll soon have both of those operating systems.

Unregistered.

F U ISS.

Fedule

I'll definitely have to have another machine spoof my MAC - can't afford to be without my laptop in college.

Pet

Oh, for christ's sake. I have Snow Leopard, and Win 7 on the other partition. I am NOT doing another erase and install, **** that noise. ****ing ISS, man.

Brian

Pet wrote: »

Oh, for christ's sake. I have Snow Leopard, and Win 7 on the other partition. I am NOT doing another erase and install, **** that noise. ****ing ISS, man.

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

G_Foster

I was in Halls doing supplementals (yes I fail) a week or so ago, had my PC up with me with Win7 Professional on it. I just used Windows XP mode (the virtual-machine type thing they have for Win7) to run the NAC scanner, and that worked for me.

Just make sure you have Windows XP mode downloaded/installed before you go up, as it didn't come preinstalled for me.

Alternatively just do as others have suggested, and register on a different OS and then change over.

Fedule

Can you just "download" XP mode? I thought it only came with Win7 Pro/Ultimate...

Jonathan

G_Foster wrote: »

I was in Halls doing supplementals (yes I fail) a week or so ago, had my PC up with me with Win7 Professional on it. I just used Windows XP mode (the virtual-machine type thing they have for Win7) to run the NAC scanner, and that worked for me.

Just make sure you have Windows XP mode downloaded/installed before you go up, as it didn't come preinstalled for me.

Alternatively just do as others have suggested, and register on a different OS and then change over.

Hahahahahah never thought of that.

Install all that crap ware in XP Mode, then delete the VM and reinstall with a clean VM.

Jonathan

Fedule wrote: »

Can you just "download" XP mode? I thought it only came with Win7 Pro/Ultimate...

At the moment, people who have legal copies of Windows 7 RTM either have access to a TechNet, MSDN or MSDNAA account, and are most likely to get the highest version available to them. So nearly everyone who has a legal copy of Windows 7 before October is going to have either Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate. Getting XP Mode shouldn't be a problem.

G_Foster

Fedule wrote: »

Can you just "download" XP mode? I thought it only came with Win7 Pro/Ultimate...

Here's where I got it, didnt seem to need any WGA validation or anything like that. You just need to download the RC of Windows Virtual PC and XP mode.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Edit: And just for reference, I got my copy of Win7 Pro through the MSDNAA.

stesh

It's not like it'll be like this fo evah.

Fedule

stesh wrote: »

It's not like it'll be like this fo evah.

Unfortunately, that's how anyone unwilling/unable to bypass the block is going to have to handle it. Admittedly, if ISS have any level of competence they'll have this fixed before the start of Fresher's Week. However, if ISS had any level of competence, they'd have had this finished day and date with the retail launch (OS developers aren't unreasonable). So given this, and with no date guaranteed or even suggested by ISS, Snow Leopard is out, indefinitely. To plan otherwise is taking a gamble, especially if net access is in any way essential to you.

stesh

Fedule wrote: »

Unfortunately, that's how anyone unwilling/unable to bypass the block is going to have to handle it. Admittedly, if ISS have any level of competence they'll have this fixed before the start of Fresher's Week. However, if ISS had any level of competence, they'd have had this finished day and date with the retail launch (OS developers aren't unreasonable). So given this, and with no date guaranteed or even suggested by ISS, Snow Leopard is out, indefinitely. To plan otherwise is taking a gamble, especially if net access is in any way essential to you.

I've heart 'interesting' stories about ISS, I have to admit. But I think it's probably unreasonable to expect them to have it approved on the retail launch, so what I'm saying is that you should hold off installing 10.6 for now, but know that we won't be stuck forever. Presumably this happened when 10.5 and Vista and came out too.

Jonathan

stesh wrote: »

Presumably this happened when 10.5 and Vista and came out too.

Yup...

Fedule

Jonathan wrote: »

Yup...

Well then. Leopard came out on October 26th 2007. I installed it on my laptop no more than a month later and it worked fine. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a precedent, and possibly a rough estimate (anyone know exactly when it was approved?).

Is support for the latest versions of Mac OS and Windows day and date with the retail launch - really unreasonable to expect? The code is often made available some time before said launch, what with RCs (for Win7) and RTMs and such. On top of that, right now we're talking nearly a month (over 4 weeks as of the start of Fresher's Week) AFTER the launch. If a major OS upgrade that retails for less than most videogames launches during the summer (ie, you can expect just about every Intel-Mac owner in college to have it), supporting it as of the start of term should not even be up for debate. Win7 is slightly different since it launches mid-term - but c'mon, the final version has been available (for exactly these reasons) for ages even now. There should be no excuse for this.

stesh

Fedule wrote: »

The code is often made available some time before said launch, what with RCs (for Win7) and RTMs and such. On top of that, right now we're talking nearly a month (over 4 weeks as of the start of Fresher's Week) AFTER the launch.

RCs (there were about six official developer builds of 10.6) are probably of little or no interest to ISS, since the gold master is the one that's going to be in use on the networks and potentially pose security risks.

Also, it's not exactly correct to say that the 'code' is released before it goes to retail. Apple doesn't officially seed the gold master to developers or anyone else before the release date (since they're trying to sell it for €29 a pop, why would they?). It just tends to appear online because it gets leaked and passed around, and I'm sure ISS wouldn't be in the business of torrenting OS X...

dog_pig

Do many people bring their desktops to university with them? I'm planning on brining mine with me along with a small 12" laptop. Only thing is that it's fecking huge; the case is a Coolermaster Stacker

Kunjunk

FFS all of my systems are on 7 now

snappieT

dog_pig wrote: »

Do many people bring their desktops to university with them? I'm planning on brining mine with me along with a small 12" laptop. Only thing is that it's fecking huge; the case is a Coolermaster Stacker

Yes, tonnes of people do! Best of luck getting a CM Stacker up some stairs though!

lucernarian

Even more best of luck if you have problems getting your NIC onto the college network, and you feel you have to bring your desktop into the network clinic:pac:

It's an experience I won't forget.

Kunjunk

I used to bring mine around in a shopping trolley, been petitioning Triinity to get lifts for years.

Jonathan

Windows 7 XP Mode seems to work perfectly alright.

G_Foster

Told you

goingnowhere

The network is being reset today

The problem is to get on the network you need to run a small application which confirms your machine runs a recognised operating system and is up to date with security patches and virus scan. Obviously if it sees something new it doesn't know what it is

Snow Leopard currently has issues with Virex so virus scan is a problem, though Mac OS releases tend to be supported significantly faster than Windows.

Snow Leopard is available from retail, Win 7 is not

Dear Network User,

From 10AM Tuesday, September 15th 2009 students will be required to re-register their computers with the self service Network Admission Control system to connect to the College network for the academic year 2009/2010.

Instructions on how to re-register with the Nac system will be available at http://isservices.tcd.ie/network/snac.php

You can check if your computer meets these requirements by performing a 'remote scan' in advance of returning to College by using http://134.226.14.100/authentication/_remotescan.html

At the 'remote scan' site you can download a program that will identify any updates you need to apply to your computer which will speed up your computer registration when you arrive on campus.

If you require any query regarding this email, please contact the IS Services helpdesk at http://isservices.tcd.ie/general/contact.php

Regards,

The IS Services Helpdesk

Advise you try before you arrive on campus

Fedule

ISS have just told me to "check the NAC requirements page in mid-October". Hrm.

Jonathan

Fedule wrote: »

ISS have just told me to "check the NAC requirements page in mid-October". Hrm.

Realistically there is nothing ISS can do. They are waiting for a software update from this crowd.

SligoBrewer

So i should hold off on buying my fancy macbook for now yes?

Jonathan

SligoBrewer wrote: »

So i should hold off on buying my fancy macbook for now yes?

Not really.

Chance of getting on the college network with no laptop -> no
Chance of getting on the college network with snow leopard -> yes

stesh

Does the NAC 'scan' your computer every time you connect to the network? Or can I just register on 10.5 then upgrade to 10.6?

stesh

SligoBrewer wrote: »

So i should hold off on buying my fancy macbook for now yes?

Why would you hold off? Delaying its purchase won't get you on the network any sooner...

Sipefree

Alright, Snow Leopard users, this is how to spoof the test into thinking you're using Leopard.

DISCLAIMER: This is a 'hack'/workaround that involves running an application using root privileges. If you do not understand what this means, please do not follow the instructions below.

1. Download McAffee VirusScan.app from http://www.macupdate.com/reviews.php?id=9883
2. Install VirusScan.
3. Open Terminal and run the following:

sudo /Applications/VirusScan.app/Contents/MacOS/VirusScan

4. The app should open, run eUpdate. You may have to try running it a few times before it succeeds.
5. Open the file /System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist. This file is hidden and may require opening via the 'mate' terminal command that comes with TextMate.
6. Replace all occurrences of 10.6 or 10.6.1 with 10.5.7. Save the file, you will have to Overwrite the file since it is locked.
7. Run the test.
8. Immediately restore the SystemVersion.plist to its original contents by changing 10.5.7 back to 10.6 or 10.6.1.

Enjoy.

CJTobin

stesh wrote: »

Why would you hold off? Delaying its purchase won't get you on the network any sooner...

I'd say there are valid reasons to wait...

stesh

Sipefree wrote: »

Alright, Snow Leopard users, this is how to spoof the test into thinking you're using Leopard.

1. Download VirusScan.app from http://www.macupdate.com/reviews.php?id=9883
2. Install VirusScan.
3. Open Terminal and run the following:

sudo /Applications/VirusScan.app/Contents/MacOS/VirusScan

4. The app should open, run eUpdate. You may have to try running it a few times before it succeeds.
5. Open the file /System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist. This file is hidden and may require opening via the 'mate' terminal command that comes with TextMate.
6. Replace all occurrences of 10.6 or 10.6.1 with 10.5.7. Save the file, you will have to Overwrite the file since it is locked.
7. Run the test.
8. Immediately restore the SystemVersion.plist to its original contents by changing 10.5.7 back to 10.6 or 10.6.1.

Enjoy.

lol @ dis. Sounds like quite an elegant solution! Have you tried it?

stesh

CJTobin wrote: »

I'd say there are valid reasons to wait...

Didn't see that. Not much good to me...

Fedule

Sipefree wrote: »

Alright, Snow Leopard users, this is how to spoof the test into thinking you're using Leopard.

1. Download VirusScan.app from http://www.macupdate.com/reviews.php?id=9883
2. Install VirusScan.
3. Open Terminal and run the following:

sudo /Applications/[URL="http://VirusScan.app/Contents/MacOS/VirusScan"]VirusScan.app/Contents/MacOS/VirusScan[/URL]

4. The app should open, run eUpdate. You may have to try running it a few times before it succeeds.
5. Open the file /System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist. This file is hidden and may require opening via the 'mate' terminal command that comes with TextMate.
6. Replace all occurrences of 10.6 or 10.6.1 with 10.5.7. Save the file, you will have to Overwrite the file since it is locked.
7. Run the test.
8. Immediately restore the SystemVersion.plist to its original contents by changing 10.5.7 back to 10.6 or 10.6.1.

Enjoy.

I had gone with the much less elegant solution of setting up a bootable USB HDD running 10.5.8, but this will work just as well. Just one question though: For those of us who don't speak Unix (myself included)... 'mate'?

stesh

Fedule wrote: »

I had gone with the much less elegant solution of setting up a bootable USB HDD running 10.5.8, but this will work just as well. Just one question though: For those of us who don't speak Unix (myself included)... 'mate'?

Why do you need to 'speak Unix'? You need only type one line, hit return, and enter your password. In any case, OP has given you easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions...

Jonathan

<snip>

stesh

Jonathan wrote: »

<snip>

tbh.

AlanSparrowhawk

that's not funny at all

stesh

AlanSparrowhawk wrote: »

that's not funny at all

And from a moderator of all people...

Jonathan

AlanSparrowhawk wrote: »

that's not funny at all

It was meant to be a joke, and in all seriousness, you need your head examined if you blindly enter a sudo command without knowing what it does.

G_Foster

Jonathan wrote: »

It was meant to be a joke, and in all seriousness, you need your head examined if you blindly enter a sudo command without knowing what it does.

This. People who don't know what rm does or who don't know it's params/syntax, should not be using sudo.

AlanSparrowhawk

Jonathan wrote: »

It was meant to be a joke, and in all seriousness, you need your head examined if you blindly enter a sudo command without knowing what it does.

This. People who don't know what rm does or who don't know it's params/syntax, should not be using sudo.

you're both so clever and knowledgeable.