USB Modem Power Issues / USB Extensions

Denyed said:
I just got a 5m USB extension Cable from Zakk Speed. It was a bit pricey at R200 but it seems to work like a charm. It improved my signal from -91dbm to -75dbm because it allowed me to move it to a better spot. I tried the belkin one from Incredible but that didn't work so well and that was only 1.8m! Anyone who needs an extension I'd recommend the Zakk Speed one!
Click to expand...

Where do you buy this extension cable from? Online or physical store?
 
I bought it from the store. There is one in kenilworth behind the engen near kenilworth centre if you in cape town. Not sure about any other branches.
It is the ZakkSpeed store. Their website is http://www.zakspeed.co.za/ and the exact product is http://www.zakspeed.co.za/_Uploads/products/COMP5mUSB_A-A_ACTIVE_EXT_CABLE_5M_1245/Default.aspx

The cable has built in electronics which I think allows the length to be increased without impacting the signal quality and power. I would be interested to see if the standard 5m extension cable for R45 would work as well, but this one seems to work without any hassles.
 
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Bought USB 2.0 hub with external power supply today. Not working. Either USB ports are near dead (my computer is 6+ years old), or OS is VERY buggy to unbelievable extent.
 
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ginggs said:
IIRC, the USB standard does not actually allow for extensions, so they are all non-standard.
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Given that the (up to USB2.0) spec defines 5m max length how, *other* than by extensions are you likely to get there? ;)

OK, that aside, I've got an i-rocks IR-4610 powered USB hub I often use for my stick which works just dandy; it's got enough juice that my modem will definitely sit and blink blue at me with only hub (5Vdc, 2A) power. But don't ask me where *you* will get one; I was asked by a pal to take it away as he felt it to be a POS ..*shrug*. So, here's a a very likely alternative contender that I KNOW can be found: the Canyon CNR-USBHUB6, pretty li'l thing too:
canyon-cnr-usbhub6.jpg

For those of you that buy *shudder* retail :rolleyes: indicated pricing is quite reasonable at around R111. And the bleaters that say you can't put the modem vertical .."ja well no fine!"

Now I have to see about moving the hub/modem set further away with, you know, an extension cable! :D

Beyond that, as I have already made up my own in-desktop-chassis extensions (you know, those ones that go from the motherboard headers to the backplate or the front panel) with loose header/socket bits (and it's BYTCH finicky!), I see no real reason why I can't get the necessary in-line male/female connector bits and make up one of those Y-cables we usually find for drives...
 
Update: Cable I used before is broken enough not to supply power, so powered hub worked on laptop, but not on my computer...
 
bdt said:
So, you see a lot of those on the shelves then, do you?
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:confused: What does their availability have to do with anything?

While five daisy-chained 1m extensions might be fine for your low-power, low-speed mouse, they probably won't power your high-power HSPA+ modem or tranfer data at 480Mbps from your external hard-drive reliably.
 
my issue isnt with disconnections though, its more of a issue with the PC struggling to initially find the device.

sometimes i turn on my PC and immediately it launches the program (i have it set to launch the dashboard as soon as the device is available) which means all is good.

other times, i would turn on the PC and it would say "usb device not recognised" or it would launch the dashboard and say "the port is in use" or some such thing...

then I would need to unplug and re-plug it in a few times before it picks up properly (i sat doing this once for 25mins)

oh...this is using a USB cable, i think its fine without it though... but with the extension i get a better signal because i can put it higher up

once the device is connected, i have NO issues at all.

could this STILL be a power issue?
 
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Fixed my issue, just installed same other OS and updated BIOS on top of that.
Extension works again now. :D
 
snake eyes said:
my issue isnt with disconnections though, its more of a issue with the PC struggling to initially find the device.

sometimes i turn on my PC and immediately it launches the program (i have it set to launch the dashboard as soon as the device is available) which means all is good.

other times, i would turn on the PC and it would say "usb device not recognised" or it would launch the dashboard and say "the port is in use" or some such thing...

then I would need to unplug and re-plug it in a few times before it picks up properly (i sat doing this once for 25mins)

oh...this is using a USB cable, i think its fine without it though... but with the extension i get a better signal because i can put it higher up

once the device is connected, i have NO issues at all.

could this STILL be a power issue?
Click to expand...

Desktop/laptop? OS? Have you checked the power options for usb? When you say turn on do you mean booting or removing from a hibernate/standby mode?
 
Solving Disconnects

I had some connection issues using the Huawei E1820 modem (the one that comes with the 60GB Cell C bundle). I noticed a few things about when the issues were most frequent (this was on multiple computers, desktops and laptops):

  • When uploading data.
  • When I had multiple USB devices connected.
  • When using a laptop on only battery power.

I suspected the problem could be power related and got a powered USB hub. It has solved all my issues, I haven't had a disconnect in weeks.

This could be the solution to a lot of people's modem problems. So if you're having connection issues, try using a powered USB hub!
 
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Don't know if this is related but I complained about disconnects to cell c and they sent me an email with the following instructions

Fix problems with USB DSL/Cable modems

Some usb dsl/cable modems may get disconnected after a little while. A possible reason that could cause this problem is that in windows xp there is an option that allows the computer to turn off a usb device to save power. To disable this option:

1) click start, highlight my computer, right click and select properties and a window will pop up with the system properties
2) click on the hardware tab and press the device manager button
3) expand the universal serial bus controllers
4) Double click on the USB Root Hub.
5)Select the Power Management tab and UNTICK the "allow the computer to turn off the device to save power"

If you have more than one USB Root Hub, then you should apply the steps to each one of them
That's it, you won't need to restart the computer!
 
guy_of_burning said:
Some usb dsl/cable modems may get disconnected after a little while. A possible reason that could cause this problem is that in windows xp there is an option that allows the computer to turn off a usb device to save power. To disable this option:

1) click start, highlight my computer, right click and select properties and a window will pop up with the system properties
2) click on the hardware tab and press the device manager button
3) expand the universal serial bus controllers
4) Double click on the USB Root Hub.
5)Select the Power Management tab and UNTICK the "allow the computer to turn off the device to save power"

If you have more than one USB Root Hub, then you should apply the steps to each one of them
That's it, you won't need to restart the computer!
Click to expand...

& from memory as soon as you reboot those settings go back to default
 
Got the same advise from cellc this morning about usb power management.
And yes it resets back to default after a reboot.
Will see how long it stays connected & whether problem arises again.
 
guy_of_burning said:
Don't know if this is related but I complained about disconnects to cell c and they sent me an email with the following instructions

Fix problems with USB DSL/Cable modems

Some usb dsl/cable modems may get disconnected after a little while. A possible reason that could cause this problem is that in windows xp there is an option that allows the computer to turn off a usb device to save power. To disable this option:

1) click start, highlight my computer, right click and select properties and a window will pop up with the system properties
2) click on the hardware tab and press the device manager button
3) expand the universal serial bus controllers
4) Double click on the USB Root Hub.
5)Select the Power Management tab and UNTICK the "allow the computer to turn off the device to save power"

If you have more than one USB Root Hub, then you should apply the steps to each one of them
That's it, you won't need to restart the computer!
Click to expand...

This makes sense, but still does not explain why we experience the same thing on our routers. I am sure they do not have the same kind of power management built into them as we find in our dear friend 'Windows'
 
I only use Apple Mac's here with my Cell C black speedstick - 2 Apple MacBook Pro's, and an iMac. I never have experienced disconnects, in the 2.5 months that i have owned a speedstick. Perhaps the Mac's have a more stable 5v at the USB ports, and can supply more current, without a voltage drop, from their USB ports ?

Or it could be that I live in an area that is not congested with users all fighting for space on the Cell C network ? I live in Richards Bay

But I have travelled with my Mac's to Joburg, PE, Durban, Cape Town and Somerset West, over the festive season with my Cell C stick, and still have not had any disconnects
 
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This cannot be possible I have 2 Identical E1820 - by looking at the S/N and IMEI number - The one I purchased last year - old stock is not faulty at all works perfectly on both notebooks I use on a daily basis without receiving any disconnections whatsoever and yes both notebooks do pick up the drive or sometimes have to reinstall the drive once to be able to use the E1820 - What I have noticed on my second E1820 stick every 5minutes of use when the dongle is cooled down - I am able to only connect to the internet then get disconnected(modem gets unplugged automatically then detectable again) I have tried numerous computers and I doubt that this has something to do with USB modem power issues if both dongles are exactly the same.

Am I missing something here I have tried all ports same problem persists - will wait for CELL C Technician to come over and sort out this dongle.
 
Will this work?

Hi Guys, I had exactly the same issue with the modem overheating and then . I tested my heat theory by working directly next to the aircon vent. Modem lasted a full hour before disconnecting. (I was frozen in 20 minutes!). At room temp it lasts about 10-15min before the problem starts. I also noticed that there arent any heating vents on the black modem. (E180 I think.) Anyway, I couldnt take it so I returned it to Game this afternoon. Got a full refund since it is less than 7 days.

My solution...I am going to purchase this "https://www.nivo.co.za/#buy~victory.301.3g.usb.modem~p22875" and the 5GB sim seperately. I believe it will work but perhaps one of you gurus can check it out for me. The way I figure is that you pay R1000 for a modem. (R3000 modem&bundle - R2000 sim only.). So Im actually saving bout R374. And Im purchasing a decent modem.

I know that its only 7.2mps and not 21. But I have never seen over 7.2 on speedtest.net anyway.

I've already paid for the new modem. Should be here by the end of the week. Will cancel the deal if there is is a better solution though. Any thoughts?
 
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