UPGRADED NOVATEL Firmware - now Problematic!

M

Mams

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Hi V3G:
I downloaded the latest dashboard from the Vodacom site and installed it and then the latest firmware for the U630 ( 12.0 ) from the Vodacom site.
Update was successful.
However, when i connect ( i use GPRS at the place i presently am at ) after 2 hours the light on the unit goes a wonky pinkish colour and fast flashing type colour.

Normal colours are: Red, Blue and Green but this is some translucent pinkish, light reddish mixed colour and flashy - not a intermittent flash - a continious one and then no pages open and no data is sent or received.
I have to then disconnect and sut down the dashboard and remove card safely - restart dash and reinsert and re connect but then it does the same every 10 min! first time runs for upto 2 hrs max and hen every 10 mins....hope i dont get cut off again......

please help
 
I also got funny LEDs just before my card 'went'. Eventually Vodaworld swapped it for me but only after I threw a tantrum. There is no warranty if you do it yourself. Maybe it would be a good idea to let a Vodashop do it for you? ...or maybe you just want to live on the wild side :-)?

My new card still goes funny but only when signal Q is low. Looks like it tries too hard and then commits suicide.

VMS
 
vodacom3g said:
You can get 14.2 here: http://196.36.120.27/vmcc/

Still trying to get it uploaded to 4me....use the above link in the mean-time.
Click to expand...
Thanks to the Highway Amateur Radio Club for making this available while we wait for Vodacom to update the official repository on their website - keep up the good work guys :D Found out that this was on their web server by clicking the "Parent Directory" link after downloading the software - really quite a cool site.
 
Last edited:
Mams said:
tHANKS, Ive downloaded and used it.
hope i dont get cut off again...lets see if it stays online
Click to expand...

Mams,

V14 and more recently 14.2 definitely improved my disconnect problems which seem to have become worse since I went to V12 (which is the version on the official Vodacom repository). :confused:
 
3g_rox said:
Mams,

V14 and more recently 14.2 definitely improved my disconnect problems which seem to have become worse since I went to V12 (which is the version on the official Vodacom repository). :confused:
Click to expand...

YEAH!! im on now for already 2hrs and 20 mins with no disconnect and no funny colour lights flashing......
hope my joy is not short lived...
ill be going out again for a couple of hours >>ill leave it on and see if it lasts....
 
Mams said:
YEAH!! im on now for already 2hrs and 20 mins with no disconnect and no funny colour lights flashing......
hope my joy is not short lived...
ill be going out again for a couple of hours >>ill leave it on and see if it lasts....
Click to expand...

Hope you got no spyware or other nasties that will eat up your bandwidth while you are out :D
 
Last edited:
3g_rox said:
Mams,

V14 and more recently 14.2 definitely improved my disconnect problems which seem to have become worse since I went to V12 (which is the version on the official Vodacom repository). :confused:
Click to expand...

V14.2 is the latest official version. Still waiting for the Vodacom website to be updated.
 
3g_rox said:
Hope you got no spyware or other nasties that will eat up your bandwisth while you are out :D
Click to expand...

Thanks... 3g_rox
Im back:
here are stats:
ONLINE for: 6 Hrs 44 Min - downloaded 6.31 mb and Uploaded 1.12 mb!

Using Blackice Firewall and AVG antivirus >>>blocks all spyware > atleast thats what i think....
I think its the best combination > Blackice + AVG

Ok,V3G: the upgrading of firmware has worked! 6Hrs + is more than i can i ask for! If a new firmware comes out, i wont upgrade >>this is working and im happy......
 
If I get more than 2 disconnects a month, I'm annoyed. I'm in a low signal area (2 bars on Novatel) with latest software and firmware.

Often when I have to shut my laptop down I'm on 40+ hours, so we should se this kind of stability.

Hope you'll see the same now!
 
Yay Yay Yay...

Well Well Well… Can’t begin to tell you how happy I am to have found your messages. So pleased I am not the only one with problems. I have been struggling with my Novatel U630 since I got it. I also drop the connection at least 6 times a day. It seems to be only when I try and download something around a Meg or bigger and then bam… I then have to shut the Vodafone smash board down (That takes a while) and unplug the card and then start the process again. I finally spoke to a chap at Woodmead Vodashop and he advised me I needed a stronger signal and told me to try an aerial for the card. I finally found one at Vodaworld but had to get a plug fitted to it at another place in Midrand. The aerial looks a bit like a mini TV aerial but it has improved my signal by one bar to 4 and I am sure if I mount it in the right place (That would have to be about 20m above the building here) I would improve the signal to 5. But I was still dropping the connection although now only to around twice a day. I have downloaded this version of Firmware 14.2 and installed it. Was on 12. Will get back to you in a few days and let you know if it has solved my problem. So far so good. By the way I have NO 3G coverage where I am. Only GPRS. That is along the Vaal River just outside Parys. No chance of 3G in the future either it seems. If anyone is interested in details on the aerial and where to get it let me know. Cost around R250 and a waste of an afternoon in Midrand traffic.

Thanks Guys...
 
I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I have the Novatel U630 and the antenna (got it free from vodacom) and I connect in the morning at work and stay connected for +- 10 hours. Then I go home and stay connected all night till I leave for work the next morning. I have the latest dash and firmware. I have never had a problem with connecting or connection drops. I've done several tests driving around Cape Town with 3G connected and it swaps towers easily and with no problems. Even had downloads going to check throughput and it was stable. I was apprehensive about getting the Novatel before I got it but now I'm very happy. My 3G experience is perfect except for vodacom4me crashing all the time. :)
 
K, sorry for sounding like the newb here...

But what exactly is firmware? I just installed V 5.0 VMC. What version of firmware comes with that? Do I need to upgrade my firmware version or not?

Answer would be nice.

Thanks
 
Hi K... Don’t feel alone I am sure many people have no idea what it is unless you are in the IT game. In simple terms firmware is a piece of software that runs on the hardware device itself. In this case the Novatel U630 card. The VMC software runs on your PC and this will then communicate with the software on the card. All hardware devices scanners, printers and so on all have firmware controlling them. Generally firmware has no settings and does not need to have anything done with it unless it gives problems. In most cases firmware upgrades are done by qualified technicians only. As you can see from the discussions here if something goes wrong while doing the upgrade it can damage the hardware.

Hope this answers your question

Dave
 
thanks!

I do accasionally experience the odd problem or two. I think that VMC is very poorly designed software.

So can I go ahead and install it? :confused:

Does my card have to be out of use when installing, plugged in etc.?

Any recomendations before I continue?
 
francois3G and windlass,

To check the firware version on your card, plug the card into the machine and fire up the dashboard software. Before connecting, click on Tools and then Diagnostics and the software will retrieve the fimware settings from the card - I think it is on the second line of the screen whcih comes up.

If it is anything earlier than V14.0 (preferably 14.2), I would agree with ic that you take it to the nearest Vodashop or Vodaworld for an upgrade. If it is V12.0, I would definitely recommend an immediate upgrade.

The upgraded firmware (V14.2) can be downloaded from http://196.36.120.27/vmcc while the world waits in anticipation for Vodacom to update their website repository with the latest version. :( If you need any help with the upgrade (if you feel like trying it yourself), PM me and I will tell you how to go about it - at your own risk. :rolleyes:
 
K, thanks for the help guys!

I see that mine is still running V12.0 :eek:

Yeah, I live close to town, so I'm gonna take it in pretty soon.
If I don't get to it, I'll surely consult you, thanks!
 
Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice… Yes I am familiar with checking the firmware version and have already done 2 upgrades myself. Not that I advise to do it yourself but I am in the IT game and regularly do upgrades on other hardware devices so feel confident. I was originally on 9 and then moved to 12 a few months back but have had nothing but trouble since then so now running 14.2 and so far so good… Been connected for just over 24 hours now and moved 20 Meg of data and still stable… Finally.

Should you need to do the upgrade I strongly suggest you take it to a Vadashop and ask them to do it so that they can take responsibility if something goes wrong. Make sure you find a decent Vodashop with someone that knows what they doing.

Dave
 
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