Need some help / terrible service

[koeksGHT]

Ok, well on the 21 July I ordered the Cell C 5GBpm modem special.

Only Today the 5th August I received the modem after waiting for weeks.

So I plug it into my computer and install the software (Windows 7 64 bit).
Whenever I press the connect button my computer blue screens and restarts (downloaded 64 bit drivers too), if I don't press connect sometimes it automatically connects. On the site coverage map it says I have 3G speeds (I stay in Grahamstown), I can only access 2G(EDGE). When I do manage to get it connected the speed varies and barely works... When I try disconnect after it automatically connects it gives an error message saying "no data connection". I don't know whats wrong with it. My signal strength is at -57dbi. So I phoned tech support and after about an hour on the phone with them nothing really changes, speed is slow, barely works, always disconnects and is not 3G

What can I do?

Any help please cause I need it for my studies and to submit assignments.

 

[ajax]

What model modem have you got?

 

[morkhans]

Send Cell_C a PM (Private Message) with all your details and see if he can help you.

It does however sound like you have major PC issues. Have you at least tried it on a friends machine to see if it behaves the same?

 

[medicnick83]

Try it on a different PC and check if it works properly.

 

[koeksGHT]

Thanks for the replies, its the E1820 device, gonna try on someones different computer later. Just not working

 

[morkhans]

Thanks for the replies, its the E1820 device, gonna try on someones different computer later. Just not working

The E1820 along with its software is pretty stable so I'd be pointing fingers at your PC as far as BSODs are concerned. You can also give MDMA a go.

 

[koeksGHT]

Gonna give MDMA a try thanks Well my computer is Q6600 2.4GHz Quad, 4GB DDR2, HIS 4870, Gigabyte Motherboard. So i'm not sure if it is just windows, but it connects but then disconnects every minute or so..

 

[ajax]

See what happens with MDMA if you put it on GSM/EDGE only. Maybe there is a tower problem on 3G.

 

[Madhawk]

Also try on different USB ports, just to rule that out. Front, back USB ports.

 

[koeksGHT]

Ok so it connects, to 2G(EDGE) only there is no 3G signal... but every minute or so it disconnects?

 

[ajax]

If it drops the signal on 2G also then it is probably not a tower problem. Put it back on 3G only then. Have you tried the different USB ports? What is your signal on 3G only mode?

 

[koeksGHT]

If it drops the signal on 2G also then it is probably not a tower problem. Put it back on 3G only then. Have you tried the different USB ports? What is your signal on 3G only mode?

Have tried all usb ports. 2G signal is -57, 3G has nothing, doesn't show up even. Only works in 2G but even when its connected there's no throughput and barely works

 

[ajax]

Where are you located? (You could update your profile to reflect this)

You could try a USB extension on 3G only mode in the window. But it seems already that coverage is an issue for you.

Also try a different computer to see if it also drops there.

 

[koeksGHT]

Well I live in Grahamstown as I said above. I currently have it attached to a usb extension cord. Gonna have to try another comp to see :/

 

[Madhawk]

2G is not good enough. I wouldn't be surprised if you were roaming on a Vodacom tower.

You have 7 days to return the modem.

 

[ajax]

Grahamstown according to the coverage map does not have 3G
Rather return the device. Sorry bro.

I see MTN has 3G coverage in Grahamstown. Maybe their R149 for 2GB on topup deal would suit you better.

 

[koeksGHT]

When I saw on the coverage map it did have 3G

 

[ajax]

When I saw on the coverage map it did have 3G

Maybe I'm color blind but the light pink is GSM/EDGE coverage and the redish/dark pink is HSPA coverage.

 

[intel8080]

3G on cellC in Grahamstown? Since when? As far as I know it only gets implemented at the end of the year/early next year. They are not even in the testing level. You are on Vodacom and yes it is normal to see their 3G network while connecting. After that Vodacom kills the speed right down to almost zero! A few months ago it was about 250kbit down 120 up. But now it barely works for the first few minutes and then nothing. It looks like Vodacom is hating cellC. If you complain to the right person at cellC,they will ask Vodacom to fix the issue but it will only work for a week or so (if that long) and then you are back to square one. Regarding the blue screen I have no idea what could it be. My pc never did that. Not because of devices I insert in any of the USB ports. If the device is faulty,windows tells me that with some message but not with a blue screen.

 

[koeksGHT]

Well speed isn't so much a problem, its just the constant disconnections.. Installing the new connection manager software but I'm not sure what it is.. Ahhhhhhhh