Vodem Headaches

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alasta

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Topic # 11763 10-Feb-2007 20:52

Geekzone regulars may recall me posting a thread some time ago regarding a problem that I was having with my Vodem, whereby my connection would occassionally stop responding without warning. The outcome of the discussion was that it was a widespread problem at the time, but the network issue causing it was eventually resolved.

In the last couple of weeks, I have been experiencing a similar problem and I'm curious to know whether I'm alone with this. When I experienced connection freezes late last year resolving the issue required me to do nothing more than disconnect and reconnect, but this time it appears to be necessary to disconnect, unplug the USB cable, reconnect the USB cable, run Vodafone Mobile Connect, and run Internet Connect again to reestablish the connection.

I'm beginning to suspect a hardware fault because I've noticed my Vodem getting quite hot; much hotter than I would expect a cellular radio transmitter to get under normal conditions. Any thoughts?

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Nate wants an iphone
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Reply # 60367 10-Feb-2007 21:26

I've experienced similar problems (exactly what you describe) while I still had the Vodem. After being connected for a prolonged period of time it would become rather hot to the touch - particularly when transferring large amounts of data.

Occassionally internet connect would hang completely meaning the only way to get it work again was a complete restart.

Those 'annoyances' led me to switch devices which no longer (though did in the past) gives me those issues.

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alasta

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Reply # 60400 11-Feb-2007 11:14

cokemaster: I've experienced similar problems (exactly what you describe) while I still had the Vodem. After being connected for a prolonged period of time it would become rather hot to the touch - particularly when transferring large amounts of data.

Occassionally internet connect would hang completely meaning the only way to get it work again was a complete restart.

Thanks for that. I haven't yet had Internet Connect hang on me like that, so I guess things could be worse.

The other possible explanation is that it may be a software issue. Were you using your Vodem on a PowerPC or Intel Mac?

I'm planning on moving house soon and may look at ditching 3G Broadband when that happens. The Vodem seems to have reasonable resale value, so I don't have that much to lose if I buy my way out of the contract.

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Reply # 60407 11-Feb-2007 11:42

I was using a PPC G4 Powerbook. Did the same thing with the 'stock' software (that came with the Vodem) and the updated software (from the Vodafone website).

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MaxOut

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Reply # 60722 13-Feb-2007 22:49

Hi
Have also experienced exact same problem. Connection stalls although Vodem shows connected status. Connection times can range from 2mins to 20mins. Average 5-10 mins... causing a major headache.

Problem developed in the last 2 weeks, but really noticed it since Wednesday 7 Feb.

I've tried all 4 mobile profiles, lowering to GPRS only, but problems persists.

I note problem often occurs in the downshift from 3G+ to 3G. 3G or solid blue light on LED is usually when connection stalls.

Connections stalls browsing, downloading, inactivity and activity.

Also LED lights does funny things. Eg: light blue when on GPRS only profile, or no LED light at all for 5 minutes, but vodem connected and working (at the time until next stall).

Have TICKET with VF since Friday 9 Feb. Advice from several VF Business Support Reps has not been helpfull.

xldave

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Reply # 60787 14-Feb-2007 15:56

I have been having this problem to. Pain in the arse. Seems to happen just when i have found an interesting link I want to read.

Dave

paradoxsm

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Reply # 60954 15-Feb-2007 23:57

oh, as my Telecom harrier on EVDO as attached PC modem just cruises on without a hitch!

You have proably tried this many times but give it a whirl. Get the drivers off the modem and save them to the PC.

(C:\VMClite\ for example)

Try deleting the "modem" from CTL panel "phone and modem" and then go into "device manager" and locate it on the USB and "uninstall it" unplug it then reset PC.

Reset the standard networks, restart again and then plug it back in. The Huawei's are Quirky things, this fixed one the other day but probably won't fix yours :-S

(possibly that UMTS network by any chance the reliable beast it is!)

MaxOut

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Reply # 61067 17-Feb-2007 10:17

Happy to repot VF have made changes to our local network which they should fix the problem. Connection time and speed is much improved... and hopefully fix will stick.

alasta

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Reply # 61075 17-Feb-2007 10:39

MaxOut: Happy to repot VF have made changes to our local network which they should fix the problem. Connection time and speed is much improved... and hopefully fix will stick.

Thanks for that. I had noticed that my connection appears to have been trouble free since the problems that I was experiencing last weekend. Let's hope it stays that way.

I can't help feeling that Vodafone should have done more testing before they launched 3G Broadband. It's a great service when it's working, but these teething problems have probably given potential users the impression that the service is inherantly unreliable.

spk18

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Reply # 61306 20-Feb-2007 09:35

Been having the same problems - got the thing last Friday and spent most of the evening just trying to install software... resolved that issue (AnyDVD shows the Vodem up as a drive which it tries to scan, once that disabled it installed fine).

Hanging, disconnecting etc is a right pain - I got this to allow me to have broadband access at home on my desktop PC as well as on the road with my laptop for work - its unreliability means I may as well have bit the bullet and got a home phone and broadband connection (as I use my cellphone only presently - rebellion against Telecom in part!) and kept the 3G aircard I have for my laptop. I use my vodem in Miramar, Wellington and CBD Wellington and they are both unreliable.

Vodafone support is less than useless - suggest they dont want to admit that they rolled out the product far too soon without adequate testing. The links to support on the vodem area of the website goes to support pages for other devices, not the Vodem!

If it works it will be great, but not holding my breath.

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Reply # 61309 20-Feb-2007 10:21

spk18: Been having the same problems - got the thing last Friday and spent most of the evening just trying to install software... resolved that issue (AnyDVD shows the Vodem up as a drive which it tries to scan, once that disabled it installed fine).

Hanging, disconnecting etc is a right pain - I got this to allow me to have broadband access at home on my desktop PC as well as on the road with my laptop for work - its unreliability means I may as well have bit the bullet and got a home phone and broadband connection (as I use my cellphone only presently - rebellion against Telecom in part!) and kept the 3G aircard I have for my laptop. I use my vodem in Miramar, Wellington and CBD Wellington and they are both unreliable.

Vodafone support is less than useless - suggest they dont want to admit that they rolled out the product far too soon without adequate testing. The links to support on the vodem area of the website goes to support pages for other devices, not the Vodem!

If it works it will be great, but not holding my breath.

Run the Vodem using V7.03 Data card software

spk18

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Reply # 61313 20-Feb-2007 11:35

Yes, done that - as I should have said in earlier post, i upgraded from VMCLite to the latest VMC which is v7.03.0004.0

Problems not as bad, but still hanging and disconnecting at a disconerting rate.

alasta

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Reply # 61683 23-Feb-2007 07:15

alasta: Thanks for that. I had noticed that my connection appears to have been trouble free since the problems that I was experiencing last weekend. Let's hope it stays that way.

Well, after more than a week of totally reliable service, my connection has decided to start locking up again. It happened twice yesterday and as usual I had to disconnect the modem, reconnect it, and re-run VMC.

Given the negative feedback here, I'm inclined to think that it's not just a fault with my hardware but it does seem extremely strange that the problem is occurring so inconsistently.

alasta

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Reply # 61886 25-Feb-2007 13:31

I'm on the Miramar peninsula in Wellington and I get speeds of over 1.2Mbps quite consistently, so I have no complaints about the performance of the service. It's the lack of reliability that lets it down.

spk18

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Reply # 61919 25-Feb-2007 22:27

Currently in Melbourne, service on Vodafone Australia outstanding with the Vodem - no reliability problems at all, unlike in Miramar at home. There is nothing else for it, better move permanently!

alasta

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Reply # 61931 26-Feb-2007 07:15

spk18: Currently in Melbourne, service on Vodafone Australia outstanding with the Vodem - no reliability problems at all, unlike in Miramar at home. There is nothing else for it, better move permanently!

What is the cost of the service over there? I wrote a blog entry with some trans-tasman mobile data price comparisons a few months ago and I seem to recall that Australia was somewhat more expensive.

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