Not sure if this maybe belongs in the "general hardware" section, but here goes...
Recently got a 3G datacard (+HSDPA) and it's been working ok from my laptop.
Now invested in a Linksys 3G router (model WRT54G3G), but having problems with the installation.
Upon opening the box, I followed instructions to the letter (there are about 4 different stickers all very clearly indicating to install from the CD first). So I put the CD in and went through the installation steps (which are extremely detailed) exactly. Only problem is, when it gets to a certain point, it says something like "now checking you PC setup" and then displays an error message to the effect that the 3G datacard could not be found and I need to insert it into the slot in the router (except, I had already done this as directed by one of the previous steps).
So I've played around with it a bit. Pressed reset, rebooted it. Tried various combinations like putting the datacard in before switching the power on vs after switching it on etc. etc. Generally, When I plug the card into the slot the LED lights up (white), then briefly flashes green once, then goes red for a few seconds and finally starts flickering red. I can't remember how, but I definitely remember that on trying some combination of switching on/inserting/removing the datacard and resetting it also flashed blue sometimes. So the card definitely seems to "know" it's in the router, but no matter what I do the router doesn't seem to pick up the datacard.
Next, I called the Linksys tech support. Rather ironically, despite the gazillion warnings on the box telling you to first install from the CD, the first thing the tech support tells you is to "remove the CD from your computer". Mmmm
Anyway, they directed me to the web-based setup tool (which I had actually already stumbled upon).
Then as soon as we started going through this and got to the 3G network page, I asked the tech support if I can change the network from Vodafone UK to Vodacom SA. Did this and then of course the lady realised that I'm calling from SA and insisted that I call my service provider, because they only know what the settings should be for the UK not for South Africa.
I'm sure she's just wasting my time, because as I very clearly explained to her the datacard and the router don't seem to be communicating at all and surely this has nothing to do with the service provider. But she insisted that I must get this info first.
So I have a few questions.
Firstly, can anyone tell me what settings I should input (fields I want to check at present are host name, domain name (although these are indicated as being optional, but may be required by some SP's), APN name (currently "internet"), username and password (for APN).
Secondly, any suggestions as to how to get the thing to work. I'm guessing the firmware might not yet be compatible with the latest data cards, but this is really a wild guess and I haven't as yet been able to locate any firmware upgrades for this router on the www.
Thanks in advance.
Recently got a 3G datacard (+HSDPA) and it's been working ok from my laptop.
Now invested in a Linksys 3G router (model WRT54G3G), but having problems with the installation.
Upon opening the box, I followed instructions to the letter (there are about 4 different stickers all very clearly indicating to install from the CD first). So I put the CD in and went through the installation steps (which are extremely detailed) exactly. Only problem is, when it gets to a certain point, it says something like "now checking you PC setup" and then displays an error message to the effect that the 3G datacard could not be found and I need to insert it into the slot in the router (except, I had already done this as directed by one of the previous steps).
So I've played around with it a bit. Pressed reset, rebooted it. Tried various combinations like putting the datacard in before switching the power on vs after switching it on etc. etc. Generally, When I plug the card into the slot the LED lights up (white), then briefly flashes green once, then goes red for a few seconds and finally starts flickering red. I can't remember how, but I definitely remember that on trying some combination of switching on/inserting/removing the datacard and resetting it also flashed blue sometimes. So the card definitely seems to "know" it's in the router, but no matter what I do the router doesn't seem to pick up the datacard.
Next, I called the Linksys tech support. Rather ironically, despite the gazillion warnings on the box telling you to first install from the CD, the first thing the tech support tells you is to "remove the CD from your computer". Mmmm
Anyway, they directed me to the web-based setup tool (which I had actually already stumbled upon).
Then as soon as we started going through this and got to the 3G network page, I asked the tech support if I can change the network from Vodafone UK to Vodacom SA. Did this and then of course the lady realised that I'm calling from SA and insisted that I call my service provider, because they only know what the settings should be for the UK not for South Africa.
I'm sure she's just wasting my time, because as I very clearly explained to her the datacard and the router don't seem to be communicating at all and surely this has nothing to do with the service provider. But she insisted that I must get this info first.
So I have a few questions.
Firstly, can anyone tell me what settings I should input (fields I want to check at present are host name, domain name (although these are indicated as being optional, but may be required by some SP's), APN name (currently "internet"), username and password (for APN).
Secondly, any suggestions as to how to get the thing to work. I'm guessing the firmware might not yet be compatible with the latest data cards, but this is really a wild guess and I haven't as yet been able to locate any firmware upgrades for this router on the www.
Thanks in advance.
... they promised a firmwire update in June though that would have HSDPA support.