Known Notebook Issues

[vodacom3g]

There is a small but consistent stream of reports by some forumites of continuous problems. While some problems are network related and others are caused by the VMC dashboard, certain notebooks seem to give problems, and often in combination with specific data cards.

I'll use this thread to post the ones I know about. Please contribute if you have input.

 

[vodacom3g]

Problems with Toshiba Bluetooth Stack

Problems with Toshiba Bluetooth Stack

Affected Version(s): Option datacards

The Toshiba Bluetooth stack has a bug: it is allocating comports which do not belong to it. This means it is "stealing" the comport from the datacard. This happens every time when the Bluetooth stack is started. It it even steals the ports when the card is not inserted.
The customer will see a device conflict in the Windows Device Manager, and it will not be possible to use VMC.
There is only a workaround available which includes uninstall of Bluetooth:
1) Uninstall Mobile Connect, reboot
2) Uninstall everything Bluetooth related, reboot
3) Reinstall dashboard
Toshiba knows about the bug, and they are currently investigating it in Japan. It looks like it will take some time until this is fixed.

 

[vodacom3g]

HP Compaq nc4010

Notebook display on HP Compaq nc4010 gets black when using datacard

Affected Version(s): all

Some HP Compac nc4010 notebooks have a display part from a specific vendor which is causing this problem. The customer should contact HP. HP will then swap the display of the notebook.
Our contact was not sure if everyone from HP support knows about this issue - please contact us if the customer has problems with HP support.
Our HP contact also said that the display "should" be replaced without any costs for the customer, because it is a product failure. However, he was not sure how this is handled in support.
UPDATE (28.01.2005): there might be a delay in resolving this problem. HP informed us that they are currently in the process of getting spare parts for the affected notebooks.

 

[vodacom3g]

Compaq Evo n610c mouse moves

Compaq Evo n610c

Affected Version(s): All

Description
Customer reports that his mouse is moving over the screen and the speakers are producing a lot of noise when VMCC is active.
Solution:
This is due to bad shielding of this notebook. Statement from Hewlett-Packard:
"We are aware of this issue and the HP's support team knows how to handle it. The touchpad has to be upgraded (from rev -003 to rev -004).
The customers should contact the [HP] call center to resolve the issue. The replacement will be covered by standard warranty, and therefore should be handled by HP partners."
Planned fix: hardware problem, no fix in VMCC necessary.

 

[vodacom3g]

Samsung P10 Notebooks crashes

Samsung P10 Notebooks

Affected Version(s): All

Description
Starting VMCC causes a crash on a Samsung P10
Solution:
This is due to a hardware error of this notebook. Samsung is offering a repair for the problem. The repair will be covered by warranty.
German customers can call the free Samsung service number 0800 4789 4789. Customers outside Germany should take a look at the service manual that is enclosed with the notebook package.
The repair is done with high priority and should not take more than 2 days plus shipping.
Planned fix: hardware problem, no fix in VMCC necessary.

 

[vodacom3g]

Dell TRueMobile WLAN Chipset

Dell TrueMobile WLAN chip does not work anymore after installing VMC 4.02 with Novatel U630 Merlin

Affected Version(s): VMC 4.02

Customers who have a Dell TrueMobile WLAN chip on their Dell notebook (instead of the usual Intel Centrino WLAN chip) will have a ressource problem after installing the Novatel Wireless U630 Merlin datacard. The WLAN adaptor is then showing a ressource conflict (error code 10). This can be solved by installing the WLAN drivers again.

 

[vodacom3g]

IBM Thinkpad Power Management

IBM Thinkpad Power Management Issue

Affected Version(s): All

Description
When the Thinkpad falls into standby mode, it cannot resume to its previous condition. Changing the Dashboard settings to allow standby/hibernation from the "Tools/Options" menu does not help.
The problem even occurs if the Dashboard application is not launched at all. Affected notebooks are T30, A31, T23, T40.
Solution:
This is a notebook problem. IBM knows about it and is developing new BIOS versions for affected notebooks. The IBM support should be contacted to get a fix.
Planned fix: hardware problem, no fix in VMCC necessary.

 

[magus]

IBM Thinkpad Power Management Issue

Affected Version(s): All

Description
When the Thinkpad falls into standby mode, it cannot resume to its previous condition. .

I ...er....*noticed* this on my T23. . In any case, I very seldom allow my notebook to go into standby inadvertantly. Mostly I stop all the PCMCIA services and USB as well before manually activating standby.

 

[SJB]

Hardware that Works

What also would be helpful is a thread discussing hardware that works!

This will assist would be users and "3G missionaries" getting the connection up without struggling too much.

For instance, I have been using 3G on an old Acer travelMate 210T Cel 700 and 320MB ram running XP SP2 with Novatel + Ext antennae. Connection via dashboard and running stable, sometimes days on end. Dashboard in startup, but connection manually after startup has completed.

Would like to purchase new equipment, but too scared it will not work looking at the trouble everyone is having.

 

[vodacom3g]

There was an attempt at a white-list a while ago. Maybe we should resurrect it as a new thread?

 

[TheCynick]

If someone wants to lend me a datacard I'll test it on my HPaq nx7000!

 

[SJB]

There was an attempt at a white-list a while ago. Maybe we should resurrect it as a new thread?

Please do

 

[Inov8]

My Mecer 244110 Centrino with WinXP Pro would not install the Novatel card at all. The Vodacom techie in Durban had it for 2 days and still no luck. It did install the Options card right away.

The PCMCIA slot on this notebook is situated on the front left side which is directly under my left hand which seems to interfere with the signal so I am forced to use the external antenna

Since using the 64k sim and ext ant my Mecer holds the connection better.
It still has problems disconnecting which leads to me having to do a "hard shutdown" most times and rebooting to work further. This seems to be more of a dash problem than a laptop problem.

 

[nextstep]

There was an attempt at a white-list a while ago. Maybe we should resurrect it as a new thread?

Whatever happened to the notebook whitelist thread?

For the record, the Sony Vaio FS35GP plays very well with the Option datacard, I've installed and tested it last night

 

[nicovdw]

Check out:

http://www.novatelwireless.com/support/merlin-umts-gprs.html
and
http://www.novatelwireless.com/support/techsupport-docs.html

Can we make this thread sticky?

 

[vodacom3g]

In the (sticky) FAQ there is a link to this thread, so it's sticky by proxy

 

[Crash]

Acer Travelmate C310 and Novatel U630

I had problems getting the Novatel U630 to work on an Acer Travelmate C310.

I installed the V6 of the Dashboard and inserted the card.
The card boots up and you get three flashes before the light goes out.
So the card just crashes.

I did a card firmware update to 14.2, and I updated the Intel chipset driver and Bios on the TabletPC.
It was running the 1.04 bios, after updating to 1.08 the Novatel U630 card started working fine.

I blame the BIOS.