USB modem causing Blue screens

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › USB modem causing Blue screens

turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#66974 26-Aug-2010 11:06

my client has just got an MF636 Usb modem from telecom.
She has a fairly new computer with 34bit Windows 7 on it, she had no issues until starting to use the modem.
This installed correctly and she could get a connection, then when closing Internet explorer and disconecting from the connection the computer would shut down and Blue screen with the error Reference_by_Pointer.

Does anyone have ideas on this at all?

in the solutions area it indicates that there is no driver for this device and that is all.

Are these things not compatible with Windows 7 at all?
Telecom told her it was her computer !!

Would really appreciate some feedback on this guys thanks

Vicki

pageweon

393 posts

Ultimate Geek

#373079 26-Aug-2010 12:25

ive used those sticks on windows 7 machines before, so i can verify there is no inherent problem with compatibility

i had to download the drivers from the zte website but apart from that it was business as usual

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turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#373092 26-Aug-2010 12:54

I am going to try using those newer drivers later today so will post back then.

BarTender

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#373101 26-Aug-2010 13:12

turtle63: I am going to try using those newer drivers later today so will post back then.

Also make sure you plug the stick back into the same port, the ZTE's don't like going into different ports.

turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#373916 28-Aug-2010 13:00

Installed the new drivers and it still blue screened after, not every time tho.
Decided to get her to use Firefox instead of IE and that seemed to be better, the only time it blue screened after that and was only once, was when i went to restart.
Told her to try it over the weekend and get back to me so we will see.
She may look at farmside if this keeps causing issues
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turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#377187 6-Sep-2010 16:12

Apparently she still has the same issue with this device but not as bad using Firefox instead. Anyone got any other ideas apart from chucking it out :)
There is no broadband in her area so this is the only issue as she cant afford Farmside at this point.
Are there any updated T-sticks at for for Windows 7 after this 1?
She only has Windows home so no chance of XP mode

BarTender

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#377200 6-Sep-2010 16:44

turtle63: Apparently she still has the same issue with this device but not as bad using Firefox instead. Anyone got any other ideas apart from chucking it out :)
There is no broadband in her area so this is the only issue as she cant afford Farmside at this point.
Are there any updated T-sticks at for for Windows 7 after this 1?
She only has Windows home so no chance of XP mode

You could always try and get a Sierra 885 ex-Trademe. They are much better cards and work a treat with Windows XP and 7.

turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#377258 6-Sep-2010 20:18

Cheers, have looked at that and there are none on Trademe at the mo but did download some info for her to look at.
Also she is going to go back to telecom and have a chat with them so will see what happens there as definetly not good enough.

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Starplay

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

#377285 6-Sep-2010 21:46

You could also try a 3G router... Seem to be good and that way it comes in via a standard ethernet cable - just like a 'normal' BB connection.

Are there any wireless options in the area as this may be a better alternative than Farmside as it really isnt the best service (from my personal experiance over the years) - Also overpriced for what it is when you can buy the same service cheaper resold.

3G router will also allow for her to connect a laptop wirelessly if she ever wanted to also, or run more than one computer.

turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#377417 7-Sep-2010 10:11

What are the 3G routers (brand), haven't noted them, what do they run off?

There are possibly thepacific.net at basic plan $49.95 mnth for 1gb + gst
and there is Izonecorp.co.nz at $59.95

Will wait and see what Telecom say, she is taking it back with the info that the drivers that come with it are not for Windows 7, we did download the latest but it shouldn't still blue screen

Ragnor

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#377446 7-Sep-2010 11:10

What's the blue screen say, particularly the error or stop code? Have you tried searching the web for what the blue screen is saying?

You can also analyse the minidump with various tools, see here:
http://superuser.com/questions/28448/how-to-diagnose-blue-screens-in-windows-7-64bit

BarTender

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#377449 7-Sep-2010 11:22

This is the Wifi 3G router I use:

It's a Linksys WRT54G3G, and a PCMCIA Sierra Aircard 880/881. Both of these popup on trademe every now and again. If your laptop has a PCMCIA slot in it, then there is someone selling the Aircard 880 right now, and they are great cards (using one right now!)

turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#377522 7-Sep-2010 14:04

Blue screen with the error Reference_by_Pointer
Where are the mini dump files kept?

She has a 32 bit Windows 7 PC not Laptop :(

Starplay

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

#377572 7-Sep-2010 15:54

turtle63:

She has a 32 bit Windows 7 PC not Laptop :(

even with a 3G router (WiFi or not) it will have ethernet ports so not having a laptop wont be an issue.

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#377585 7-Sep-2010 16:25

turtle63: Blue screen with the error Reference_by_Pointer
Where are the mini dump files kept?

She has a 32 bit Windows 7 PC not Laptop :(

if it's a desktop then you can either get a PCI PCMCIA adapter, or there are USB to PCMCIA adapters. and with the Sierra 880 and you would be set for $65.

turtle63

43 posts

Geek

#380170 15-Sep-2010 15:01

She isn't hugely keen about purchasing something else, after much searching I discovered this today which no one told her about either.

http://www.zte.co.nz/main/Product_Downloads/MF636_downloads.htm

I am popping out later to reinstall it once more going with what this site says and if it still does it I think she will go for a Satellite setup or something else as she is paying a lot for her plan anyway.

Telecom were not very helpful either for her and took ages for them to come back to her and at the end of the day they said it was her computer.

Reading about the blue screen error also indicates an issue with the driver itself of which we updated.