Magicjack broke during Magictalk upgrade?
A couple of weeks ago my magicJack (original) stopped working, the software would not even start up like normal even though it’s shortcut was in the Start->Programs->Startup folder on my Windows XP system. Instead the magicTalk website popped up – powered by magicJack. I presumed the magicJack software was now called magicTalk since even the magicjack.com website was redirecting to magictalk.com. (It’s not – they are completely different software: magicJack drives your dongle + phone, magicTalk is like skype and let’s you make calls using your computer headset. Note there is now also a “magicJack plus” which is the same as the original but I hear plugs direclty into your network w/o the need of a computer running the magicJack software… WIN! finally!) So I tried the upgrade but it did not work – it told me to plug in my magicJack but it already was!?
So the quick fix for this was to:
- Optionally uninstall Magicjack from the Control Panel.
- Unplug the magicJack from your computer’s usb port
- Download and run the mjRemover.exe application
- Download and run the Microsoft FixIt application
- Optionally restart your computer
- Plug the magicJack back into your computer’s usb port
- The magicJack autorun from the usb device should download and install the latest magicJack software automatically
- Enjoy using your magicJack again!
The text of my online techchat conversation with Tara magicJack customer support is below after the cut.
PS – I also just noticed that my magicJack phone calls sound clearer when called directly to my magicJack number instead of using Google Voice. Typically I would launch Google Voice to call my magicJack number and connect me with my friend. While they could hear me just fine, their voice would be chopping like from a slow internet connection. Since I have ADSL I would have thought my (upload) voice would have the most problems. So I don’t know what the case is, maybe my calls are still going through Google after the connection? I do know the call quality was much better on my friend called me back on my magicJack number – the difference was night and day.
Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with ‘Tara’
Your Issue ID for this chat is LTK43609727124X
Tara: Hello, how may I help you?
Brian: Hi Tara. I rebooted my dedicated-magicjack laptop the other day and instead of magicjack starting up the magictalk.com website loaded.
Brian: I cannot get the magicjack app installed again – I don’t see it on the usb device itself, was it there?
Tara: Okay
Tara: is it currently plugged in Brian?
Brian: When I try the “upgrade” (http://upgrades.magicjack.com/upgrade/upgrade.exe) or magictalk install (appear to be the same) it says … exactly
Tara: Okay
Brian: “the magic jack must be plugged in” but it IS!?
Tara: OPlease unplug your magicjack and plug it in again after 30 seconds to a different USB port without the extension cord.
Brian: I uninstalled magicjack, rebooted, tried the installer again, same issue. Tried the installer with magicjack in different ports, same issue. I can see the files on the magicjack (autorun script, DONT USE THIS DRIVE file, magicjack icon)
Brian: Yeah i removed the extension cord too. unplugged.
Brian: I only have 2 ports on this laptop, it’s old, only usb 1.1
Tara: Okay
Tara: please unplug the magicjack device as of the moment
Brian: unplugged and I just plugged it back in
Brian: windows xp says, “open folder to view files
Brian: I see the files, but no autorun
Tara: okay
Tara: keep it unplugged
Tara: http://upgrades.talk4free.com/tools/mjRemover.exe
Tara: Please click on the link and run
Brian: ok, unplugged again
Tara: Okay
Tara: please run the link while magicjack is unplugged
Brian: ok, it’s unplugged. i’ll run mjRemover now
Tara: Okay
Tara: keep it unplugged
Tara: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9645377
Brian: ok, that was it
Tara: Please click on the link and run
Brian: ok, running now
Tara: okay
Brian: ok, it’s done. close?
Tara: Yes please then plug in the magicjack device
Brian: ok, shall I restart the box first?
Brian: (it’s a separate computer)
Brian: we won’t loose the chat
Tara: Okay
Tara: yes please start the magicjack
Brian: ok, rebooting
Tara: Please let me know when you have the dial pad
Brian: mj is unplugged
Brian: booting up winxp
Brian: I don’t have my old mj cd, do I need that – or just the magictalk/upgrade exe?
Tara: please plug in the magicjack device if you are done running the link
Tara: Can you be more specific?
Brian: oh – I don’t have the original magicjack install program (that I presume came on CD) – do I need it? Or just the upgrade/magictalk exe I’ve downloaded?
Tara: If you want to use the magicjack yes you need the device but if you want to use the magictalk please install
Brian: ok, I want to use my magicjack with my phone so I just need it (the usb device) and the magictalk upgrade installer – which I presume work together?
Brian: I’m logged in now, connecting the magicjack app. (I also noticed I have many more updates avail for winxp now)
Tara: you can use both but one at a time.
Brian: ok
Tara: Is there anything else I may help you with today?
Brian: ok, I plugged it in and apparently it’s autodownloading the magicjack software. “Download in progress please do not unplug”
Tara: Okay Brian
Brian: says now “magicJack cannot access the Internet… ” then the window disappeared
Tara: okay
Brian: support.magicjack.com/magicfix/index.html is loading – but timed out – I reloaded and it came up.
Tara: please try again
Brian: unplug and plug back in?
Brian: note that I’m in Germany so that’s probably the reason for the timeout
Tara: yes please
Tara: Okay
Brian: ok, again “Download in progress please do not unplug” window
Tara: okay
Brian: “Lucky you… Upgrading now.”
Tara: Okay
Brian: “… Tell your friends about magicJack.com …
Brian: Starting magicjack, please wait… it’s up
Tara: okay
Tara: Okay
Tara: let us wait
Brian: looks like it’s setup
Brian: let me test call it
Tara: okay
Brian: ok, it’s ringing! =)
Brian: works thanks!
Tara: Thank you for stopping by to chat, I hope I did a good job at addressing your concerns. Please take a second to answer a one question survey about the service I provided. Please click the “close” button on the top right of this screen and the survey will appear. Thanks again!
Tara: Please click the “close” button on the top right of this screen and the survey will appear. Thanks again!
Tara: Thank you
Brian: you’ve been wonderful, thanks for your help!
Tara: YOu are welcome and thank you