Vodacom 3G used up very quickly...

[craigba]

Hey guys,

My dad bought a MF170 (Cell C) Modem, but is using Vodacom in it. I Disabled Windows Updates, and other updates. I used Net Limiter to limit the amount of data transferred (on the system itself). The speed was decent (UL 15 kps and DL 15 kps), but after about a day of surfing (being over 60, he would have only been emailing off Gmail - no other sites visited). I know this is possible, but is there a way to prevent the data from getting finished so quickly (it was 100 MB). Is it the Cell C software itself? In my previous experience, MTN Online Software doesn't eat up as much data so quickly. Could I use MTN Online on this dongle? I have tried Ginggs' MDMA, but I don't see anywhere to actually limit the transfer of data. Is there a setting I am missing, is there such an app that does this?

I was quite chuffed that he took it to an IT Company, who confirmed that all my work was done well

 

[chrissy]

Apparently you need to put Windows 7 on the ‘Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them’ option, because the off option still allows the critical windows updates to be done. Or so I heard……

 

[craigba]

That makes sense. I remember disabling Updates and them becoming re-enabled again. I just read that disabling gives you a 24 hour window before it "resets" itself. I will try your suggestion Chrissy

 

[chrissy]

So Windows are at fault, and not Vodacom? I rest my case.

 

[BlackWasp]

Hey guys,

My dad bought a MF170 (Cell C) Modem, but is using Vodacom in it. I Disabled Windows Updates, and other updates. I used Net Limiter to limit the amount of data transferred (on the system itself). The speed was decent (UL 15 kps and DL 15 kps), but after about a day of surfing (being over 60, he would have only been emailing off Gmail - no other sites visited). I know this is possible, but is there a way to prevent the data from getting finished so quickly (it was 100 MB). Is it the Cell C software itself? In my previous experience, MTN Online Software doesn't eat up as much data so quickly. Could I use MTN Online on this dongle? I have tried Ginggs' MDMA, but I don't see anywhere to actually limit the transfer of data. Is there a setting I am missing, is there such an app that does this?

I was quite chuffed that he took it to an IT Company, who confirmed that all my work was done well

You have a very valid point. Glad someone else picked it up, I thought it was just me.

I am using both an MTN sim and Vodacom sim in a MTN-branded E1750 stick.

I have noticed that is seems like the vodacom sim uses data at more than three times that what the MTN sim uses. I first thought I was mistaken, but have run several tests.

I accidentally left my pc on for the whole day with the vodacom sim connected with MDMA. I had loaded 750 Mb prepaid the morning before leaving. When I got home late afternoon, the entire 750 Mb was used! No skype, no heavy apps, no one else using the pc.

I use the same pc at work day after day and the mtn sim runs 8 hrs continously. It uses around 2Gb in 15 days!

Now I ask you, how is that possible?

 

[Tim the Techxpert]

Windows updates and do you do them automatically, manually or not at all is a good debate. What I did with my father who is very advanced in years was to disable all updates completely. He brings his laptop round every 3 months or so and I connect it to my LAN and BroadBand connectivity and do the updates that way. I do the same with his anti virus as well.
It might be sensible as well with those of advancing years to remind them that in their youth they would not have left the phone off the hook or they were charged for the call. So it mightbe an idea to unplug the modem after accessing mail.

Anywho that is my suggestion

 

[BCR]

Apparently you need to put Windows 7 on the ‘Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them’ option, because the off option still allows the critical windows updates to be done. Or so I heard……

I've just checked my settings in Windows 7 - ''Choose how Windows can install updates'' -
I have 'Important updates' to 'Never check for updates' , and cruicially, it would seem, have ticked 'Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates'.

Therefore, I'd think that it probably downloaded only recommended updates (if that was un-ticked) - also, assuming it's Windows Update at fault.

 

[jannievanzyl]

You have a very valid point. Glad someone else picked it up, I thought it was just me.

I am using both an MTN sim and Vodacom sim in a MTN-branded E1750 stick.

I have noticed that is seems like the vodacom sim uses data at more than three times that what the MTN sim uses. I first thought I was mistaken, but have run several tests.

I accidentally left my pc on for the whole day with the vodacom sim connected with MDMA. I had loaded 750 Mb prepaid the morning before leaving. When I got home late afternoon, the entire 750 Mb was used! No skype, no heavy apps, no one else using the pc.

I use the same pc at work day after day and the mtn sim runs 8 hrs continously. It uses around 2Gb in 15 days!

Now I ask you, how is that possible?

The Vodacom network is 3 times faster?

 

[HideInLight]

A freshly installed Anti-Virus can also use up to 100Meg to update itself even if you got one of the newer clients.

 

[craigba]

The Vodacom network is 3 times faster?

I highly doubt it. My MTN speed was just the same...Why would it download something when it's not meant to? Anyways I'm gonna see if the changes to Background Intelligent Services and Auto updates will work... WIll keep y'all updated...

 

[BlackWasp]

The Vodacom network is 3 times faster?

How is speed a factor?

 

[ajax]

How is speed a factor?

Well from my own experience if I sit down to just surf, and the connection is fast, I go to more sites and in general open more pages than on a slow connection. The time I have to surf is in general the deciding factor, not the specific sites I want to visit.

 

[BlackWasp]

Well from my own experience if I sit down to just surf, and the connection is fast, I go to more sites and in general open more pages than on a slow connection. The time I have to surf is in general the deciding factor, not the specific sites I want to visit.

In my situation, no surfing occurred.

 

[HideInLight]

What could help is a screenshot of your processes in the task manager. Alt + Print Screen to take a screenshot of that window only.

 

[Zarathustra]

I found this today, haven't tested yet, but it may prove useful in solving your problem:

http://www.cucusoft.com/netguard.aspx

 

[jnbdubcee]

Vodacom data DOES finish suspiciously quicker!!

The Vodacom network is 3 times faster?

My 15yo son has a prepaid MTN sim in his Samsung Pocket Galaxy. He uses 100mb for a month, on average, while only using Whatsapp, small emails, general browsing and the occassional app download.

This has been his usage pattern for more than a year, I know cos I always load his bundle.

Three months ago I gave him a spare Vodacom dongle I had bought - the 100mb for 12months special and told him to use this sim in his phone when his MTN data finishes. On all 3 times he inserted the Vodacom sim, the 100mb finished within a day and all he used was Whatsapp!?

I tried to research this "phenomenon" and this thread popped up so for sure there is something fishy going on!!

Interested to see how many others experience this, and more importantly, why is this happening!