Note to people purchasing Mobile USB broadband

corkie

If you are purchasing these device's from whatever mobile company, could you please tell the provider. What hardware you intend to run these devices on. (most providers say they do not support linux, but these devices can work well under linux, if they work on the latest MAC, they more than likely will work in linux).

If your using Vista 64 please request that they sell you device, that has been flashed with the latest update firmware, compatible hardware! If you have bought new hardware and are expecting an old modem to work. You may need to source updated drivers (firmware) from your provider or direct from the modem manufacture. (note flashing the firmware on a device can be risky and may result in damage to device, invalidating your warranty, check with your provider).

If your intending using the device with a be it ultra-portable, Netbookⓒ, sub-notebook, handheld, mini-notebook, ultrathin notebook, ULCPC. If it's running some version of linux, most of these have a stripped down version of linux and getting the device to work on them may prove very difficult. Check compatibility before either buying the modem or hardware.

Hauwei e220 works well on the Asus eeepc linux (out of the box) line for example, wheres on the Acer Aspire One(linux) version it may need updated packages etc.

If you intend to run these the modem's only on linux based devices, ask your mobile provider to get the modem activate on windows based machine before leaving the store.
(Sierra Compass 888 modem requires this to be done. Not sure at this time if what linux based netbooks will see and run this modem out of the box).

At the time and date of writing this Ubuntu 8.10 LiveCD/USB stick won't work with this modem, but Slax and Knoppix latest version do.

Regards,
J.

P.S.Maybe this post could be made a sticky, with links to firmware upgrade for the devices on the irish market etc.