June '11 Update was bad news, can I rollback??

[unit1025]

Hello All,
One morning (around June 4, 11) MJ pushed another new update on me. Starting immediately after that update, my perfectly working MJ(of 2 years) was now terrible! All calls out of my area code are mostly so bad, both sides are unintellegable.

After multiple techsupport chats, nothing is fixed.

Logically, I would like to try rolling back the update to when it worked fine. I've searched the forum for hours and have not found a way. I believe I have vers. 1.92.5 from my laptop.

So... 3 questions:
1) Has anyone else experienced bad calls since the last update?

2) Does anyone know of a way to rollback the version... and make it stick?

3) Does anyone have a better way to solve the "dropped packets" I'm experiencing?

Note: Multiple VOIP/JITTER tests on my line say I've got very very low dropped packets and my VOIP calls should be perfect. 6Mbs Dwn/ 1Mbs Up

Thanks,
Unit1025

[nailgunner]

I believe I have vers. 1.92.5 from my laptop.

The new version I have, pulled from the soft-phone menu, is 2.08, with a 2.0.5940.4152 identifier in the Windows programs menu. So I'm not sure you are running the latest version.

That said, I'm having no issues with it.

And once whatever version you have is installed, the only way I know to go back to a prior version would be to do a Windows system restore. But it would only be a matter of time before an update is pushed on you again. You could keep repeating the system restore back to whatever version is working for you.

[unit1025]

Forgive me, I was not entirely clear.

The latest update that is giving me trouble has a file version of 2.0.5940.4152 and the Softpad menu lists it as 2.0.8

On my laptop, which has not had MJ plugged into it for months, I found it's last setup file has a file version of 1.92.5. This is what I would like try rolling back too but as soon as it's applied the new update is D/L'd on top of it.

Hasn't anyone found a way to block an update?? I tried putting 127.0.0.1 upgrade.talk4free.com in the hosts file but that didn't block it.

Thanks,
Unit1025

[nailgunner]

Hasn't anyone found a way to block an update??

As you probably noticed when searching for a solution in here for hours, users have been cursing the forced "lucky you" updates since they started doing them. If anyone has a solution to avoid them, so far they have decided not to share it with the rest of the forum.

[corvus]

Does anyone know why these need to be continually updated?

[bitstopjoe]

Does anyone know why these need to be continually updated?

MJ updates as THEY deam necessary... Can go for months and months with no updates and then 1 or 2 an a few short months. MJ is not alone as many other mfg's update they stuff the same way. Nvidia Video cards come to mind for one...

[Chris "hack"]

Does anyone know why these need to be continually updated?

MJ updates as THEY deam necessary... Can go for months and months with no updates and then 1 or 2 an a few short months. MJ is not alone as many other mfg's update they stuff the same way. Nvidia Video cards come to mind for one...

Hehe yes but AFAIK, nVidia doesn't
01. Force an update
02. Screw up video operation in the process of an update
03. Forbid customers to revert to older version in the case that the update causes a problem(s).

My magicjack got slightly infected with choppy audio after the June update. I was waiting to see if anyone else would complain lest I be first to whine.

I hope the following is a 100% solution for me and others - time will tell, then will come another update.
I have found that checking the "process priority" more often than before is necessary because this new softphone version seems to be crashing and rebooting. Whenever I find the priority reset to normal I know the darned thing rebooted when I wasn't looking. One time last week the softphone crashed and couldn't restart itself - caught red handed.

[bitstopjoe]

[quote="Chris "hack""]

Does anyone know why these need to be continually updated?

MJ updates as THEY deam necessary... Can go for months and months with no updates and then 1 or 2 an a few short months. MJ is not alone as many other mfg's update they stuff the same way. Nvidia Video cards come to mind for one...

Hehe yes but AFAIK, nVidia doesn't
01. Force an update
02. Screw up video operation in the process of an update
03. Forbid customers to revert to older version in the case that the update causes a problem(s).

My magicjack got slightly infected with choppy audio after the June update. I was waiting to see if anyone else would complain lest I be first to whine.

I hope the following is a 100% solution for me and others - time will tell, then will come another update.
I have found that checking the "process priority" more often than before is necessary because this new softphone version seems to be crashing and rebooting. Whenever I find the priority reset to normal I know the darned thing rebooted when I wasn't looking. One time last week the softphone crashed and couldn't restart itself - caught red handed.[/quote]

I meant that Nvidia comes out with updates with no set schedule... As he asked why MJ updates so much..
I should have explained it better....

[nailgunner]

[quote="Chris "hack""]
I have found that checking the "process priority" more often than before is necessary because this new softphone version seems to be crashing and rebooting. Whenever I find the priority reset to normal I know the darned thing rebooted when I wasn't looking. One time last week the softphone crashed and couldn't restart itself - caught red handed.[/quote]

What OS do you use? I've had numerous storm outages in the last few weeks where my system goes through the reloading process, and the software doesn't load properly and I get the MagicTalk screen. But even with the power outage shutdowns my "process priority" has always stayed on High for the MJ when I get it back running, with my Windows7 OS. Since installation of my new device about 8 months ago, I haven't had to change it once. If not the OS, could the new MJ device be making a difference? I know it's MJ, and odd is normal for them, but it does seem odd that you have to continually reset. I do use the MagicFeatures program, and I believe their default is High when it runs, so maybe they force the MJ process to High? If so I want to thank MagicFeatures.

[bitstopjoe]

Yes MF forces MJ to high everytime. One of the MANY MANY good things about their program...

[Chris "hack"]

I meant that Nvidia comes out with updates with no set schedule... As he asked why MJ updates so much..
I should have explained it better....

No problem. My intention wasn't to sober up the moment. It was meant in sarcastic humor but my frustration always shines through first.

What OS do you use? I've had numerous storm outages in the last few weeks where my system goes through the reloading process, and the software doesn't load properly and I get the MagicTalk screen. But even with the power outage shutdowns my "process priority" has always stayed on High for the MJ when I get it back running, with my Windows7 OS. Since installation of my new device about 8 months ago, I haven't had to change it once. If not the OS, could the new MJ device be making a difference? I know it's MJ, and odd is normal for them, but it does seem odd that you have to continually reset. I do use the MagicFeatures program, and I believe their default is High when it runs, so maybe they force the MJ process to High? If so I want to thank MagicFeatures.

I'm still running XP-SP2 so I should expect some variations with QOS. Not to mention I run in "Shadow Mode" meaning any changes are reverted upon reboot [including magicJack updates!]. Anyway, thanks for the tip about MagicFeatures. I'll have to look into Windows 7, it would be nice if that version keeps Process Priority a permanent setting.

[nailgunner]

[quote="Chris "hack""] I'll have to look into Windows 7, it would be nice if that version keeps Process Priority a permanent setting.[/quote]

Well don't bother, it doesn't. I just disabled Features and restarted MagicJack through the soft-phone menu, and it re-loaded with a "Normal" priority. Restarted Features, and bingo back to the preferred "High" setting.

I've used Features almost from my start with MJ. I think I've been taking the "High" setting for granted. Makes one wonder how many user issues are related to MJ defaulting back to "Normal", especially those running a lot of programs as a call comes in.

[VaHam]

[quote="Chris "hack""]

I meant that Nvidia comes out with updates with no set schedule... As he asked why MJ updates so much..
I should have explained it better....

No problem. My intention wasn't to sober up the moment. It was meant in sarcastic humor but my frustration always shines through first.

What OS do you use? I've had numerous storm outages in the last few weeks where my system goes through the reloading process, and the software doesn't load properly and I get the MagicTalk screen. But even with the power outage shutdowns my "process priority" has always stayed on High for the MJ when I get it back running, with my Windows7 OS. Since installation of my new device about 8 months ago, I haven't had to change it once. If not the OS, could the new MJ device be making a difference? I know it's MJ, and odd is normal for them, but it does seem odd that you have to continually reset. I do use the MagicFeatures program, and I believe their default is High when it runs, so maybe they force the MJ process to High? If so I want to thank MagicFeatures.

I'm still running XP-SP2 so I should expect some variations with QOS. Not to mention I run in "Shadow Mode" meaning any changes are reverted upon reboot [including magicJack updates!]. Anyway, thanks for the tip about MagicFeatures. I'll have to look into Windows 7, it would be nice if that version keeps Process Priority a permanent setting.[/quote]

I use PRIO with XP and XPe. It allows you to keep priority setting permanently and is free for personal use. It also has some other nice features.

I actually use Above Normal priority for MJ since it is higher than virtually anything other than system processes and i prefer to let them have priority.

[nailgunner]

I actually use Above Normal priority for MJ since it is higher than virtually anything other than system processes and i prefer to let them have priority.

The thought being that most average processes use "Normal", the important system processes use "High", so that would pretty much leave MJ alone in the "Above Normal" category?

Interesting concept. Searching on here I found little chat about using that setting. One mentioned MJ interrupting gaming performance when a call came in if set at High. Logic would also seem to indicate if there is a system process set at High that MJ relies on, that on a crowded or slow system, MJ competing with that process for resources could have an impact on the MJ quality.

[Chris "hack"]

[quote="Chris "hack""] I'll have to look into Windows 7, it would be nice if that version keeps Process Priority a permanent setting.

Well don't bother, it doesn't. I just disabled Features and restarted MagicJack through the soft-phone menu, and it re-loaded with a "Normal" priority. Restarted Features, and bingo back to the preferred "High" setting.

I've used Features almost from my start with MJ. I think I've been taking the "High" setting for granted. Makes one wonder how many user issues are related to MJ defaulting back to "Normal", especially those running a lot of programs as a call comes in.[/quote]Hehehe, that's funny, thanks for the tip about Win7. I would think that if process priority needs to be changed that Windows should consider that important enough to make it permanent and not just a session setting or at least let the user decide. But then again, I suppose somebody could mess things up, get lost, and then not be able to return to default if Windows didn't make "priority" a session only setting.

I use PRIO with XP and XPe. It allows you to keep priority setting permanently and is free for personal use. It also has some other nice features.

I actually use Above Normal priority for MJ since it is higher than virtually anything other than system processes and i prefer to let them have priority.

Thanks for that tip. Looking through my collection of docs and helper programs I found an old copy of Prio but I went ahead and downloaded the latest. MagicFeatures seems like a nice program but I'll wait on that one.

[nailgunner]

[quote="Chris "hack""]Hehehe, that's funny, thanks for the tip about Win7. I would think that if process priority needs to be changed that Windows should consider that important enough to make it permanent and not just a session setting or at least let the user decide. But then again, I suppose somebody could mess things up, get lost, and then not be able to return to default if Windows didn't make "priority" a session only setting.
[/quote]

I'm just glad MagicFeatures doesn't give me the option, or maybe my friends/relatives are. Because I would now be switching my setting between "Above Normal" and "High", thanks to VaHams comment, and be doing test calls to see if they or I could tell the difference. It would be, okay now I'm going to stream a ballgame with it set on Above Normal, call me back in 5 minutes and tell me if you notice a difference in call quality. A lot of the calls I make to friends/relatives go direct to voice mail, if that's any surprise.