Connection problems with online poker

O

Org

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Hi there

Got the Novatell Merlin U630 datacard for desktop pc about 2 months ago. Downloaded newest firmware (ver 14) and dash software (ver 5.01). Read all the faq's and most of the posts on this informative forum.

My signal strength on 3G is 2 bars and on GPRS 3 bars. I use it mostly to play online poker at the 3 piggs casino site in swaziland (addicted actually). After a night of playing about 4-6 hrs, the usage meter indicates +- 4mb of data, so its not a lot.

My problem is this: I frequently lose connection - sometimes I can play for 2 hours without a problem and sometimes I lose connection every 10 minutes. If I then look at the dashboard iv'e got no signal strength for 3g and where it normally says Vodacom-Sa it says No network. Iv'e tried everything to get it up again - disconnecting, closing the dash, using task manager to kill VMConnect process, selecting GPRS only profile etc. The ONLY thing that works is to reboot the pc. For the poker fundis out there (if any), you will understand that the 3rd time this happen and your fullhouse gets folded due to timeout and the guy with the 1 pair takes your money, it's not funny anymore.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
 
Using a desktop PC? If so, which PCMCIA adaptor are you using?

A few things you can try:

1) Profiles - use a 3G-only or GPRS-only profile. Your card might be switching bearers.
2) Do you have a 64K USIM?
3) Have you tried an external antenna?
4) Instead of the dash, try Biometric's dialler (one of the stickies).

More radical:

5) Try a (or another) notebook.
6) Run a ping -t in the background (in a DOS box) and see if this makes a change? Just a thought as your data throughput is low with probably largish periods of inactivities.
7) Take your data card to a walk-in center and let them test it for you.
 
Tnx for the reply v3g

In the device manager the pcmcia card is shown as a Elan Digital Systems PCI 1410 Cardbus controller.

1. I switched from a 3g only profile to 3g preferred because sometimes when i'm connected to 3g and have 2 bars signal, the signal goes away and in place of Vodacom-Sa as network it just says Acquiring and nothing happens. I will try a GPRS only profile.

2. 32K sim

3. The support desk at Vodaworld said that the external antenna won't help much and that I should try putting the pc on the table. Didn't help the signal strength.

4. I donwloaded Biometrics dialler but get error 692 when i try to connect (port in use or something)

5. I do sometimes use it in my work laptop and it is a bit more stable. Get the same types of disconnect but much less frequent. Haven't got a laptop of my own though.

6. Which ip address should i ping. I don't know the ip address of the casino servers. Built into the gaming software and hidden - probably for security purposes.

7. Any walk in centre or a place like Vodaworld?

Thx again
 
Not to sure how the Elan Adaptor is reported in the Device Manager. I assume it's one you bought at a Vodashop or other Vodacom retailer? It should be the Elan P111, a single slot adaptor with the card inserted at the back of the PC.

You can check if there are not more up to date drivers at http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/support/pfaq/driver.php

Contact the guys on 155 and get them to send you a 64K USIM. Also the external antenna. In some cases it works, in other it does little. I use my Novatel antenna a lot as I'm in a 'white' (no 3G coverage) and it definitely helps. Make sure you specify the Novatel antenna.

You can ping -t smtp.vodacom.co.za

There is a walk-in center at Vodaworld.
 
Youre assumption is correct. Bought it at vodacom4u retailer in woodlands centre and it is a single slot adaptor with the card inserted at the back of the PC. Will check for newer drivers. Will also get the sim and antenna. Thanks again for you're help. Will let u know how it turns out.
 
Org said:
...
3. The support desk at Vodaworld said that the external antenna won't help much and that I should try putting the pc on the table. Didn't help the signal strength.
Click to expand...
Ok I cannot really comment on the Novatel data card, but I find the external antenna vastly improves the signal with the Option data card I'm using - my only gripe is that I think Vodacom should supply 2 or 3 of the hermaphroditic velcro-like strips - I'd like 2 on my notebook, and another for my desktop PC...:D...that way I can reposition the antenna on my laptop to point in another direction without trying to re-stick elsewhere...
Org said:
4. I donwloaded Biometrics dialler but get error 692 when i try to connect (port in use or something)
Click to expand...
Is the dashboard open at the time when you're trying to use Biometrics' dialler? - maybe close the dashboard & try again - either that or it's the profile you are trying to use with Biometrics' dialler [IMO]...
 
Hi Org,

I also use GPRS and/or 3G as my connection to 3Piggs poker and I also had tremendous hassles with my Vodacom connection with respect to online poker's requirements. I used to "lose" my data for a few minutes at a time at random intervals and when the data did eventually find its way to me it came in a rather large burst. My theory was/is that since I am situated almost midway between two cell towers that I get handed over between these two towers as their load increases or decreases. It is my belief that this handover process is slightly flawed. I tried moving myself closer to a tower and i didn't have any issues.

My solution was to find out which of the broadband wireless operators had a stronger signal where I reside and to use them instead. Now I have more choice, if one is down then I can use the other. No matter how much you can hope, one of them will always give better service or a faster connection than the other at any given point in time. At least it seems to alternate between the two.

I am not a proponent of either one of the networks. I believe that as a customer I deserve the best I can get at the best price I can get it and, as such, I will live with the best of both worlds.

On a side note I remember playing one evening using one of the 3G networks and when it hit midnight the connection died. Technicians obviously feel that early morning (late late nights) are good times to service the towers and other network related BLU's (blinking light units).

Regards
 
Last edited:
Org said:
Hi there

Got the Novatell Merlin U630 datacard for desktop pc about 2 months ago. Downloaded newest firmware (ver 14) and dash software (ver 5.01). Read all the faq's and most of the posts on this informative forum.

My signal strength on 3G is 2 bars and on GPRS 3 bars. I use it mostly to play online poker at the 3 piggs casino site in swaziland (addicted actually). After a night of playing about 4-6 hrs, the usage meter indicates +- 4mb of data, so its not a lot.

My problem is this: I frequently lose connection - sometimes I can play for 2 hours without a problem and sometimes I lose connection every 10 minutes. If I then look at the dashboard iv'e got no signal strength for 3g and where it normally says Vodacom-Sa it says No network. Iv'e tried everything to get it up again - disconnecting, closing the dash, using task manager to kill VMConnect process, selecting GPRS only profile etc. The ONLY thing that works is to reboot the pc. For the poker fundis out there (if any), you will understand that the 3rd time this happen and your fullhouse gets folded due to timeout and the guy with the 1 pair takes your money, it's not funny anymore.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
HEY ORG!

I think I coulkd help you, look @ this Link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6425705035&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT&rd=1

I had the same problems till I found that external Antenna for Novatel Merlin U630

best regards
 
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