Globesurfer III dead? Options?

ceejay

I have a Globesurfer III from O2 for some time now in our holiday home, and I've just purchased a Yagi external aerial to boost the signal - but now it looks like the router is dead. When I plug in the power the LEDs around the two network ports light up, and the screen sort of lights up blue, but that's it, nothing else happens. Is it dead?

I checked on the Option web site using the serial number, and my warranty expired in July - typical! - so unless there's a way to fix it myself (and I'm not averse to using a soldering iron ) I need to think about alternatives. I don't have a dongle I can use instead, so ideally it would be one that can take the SIM card like the Globesurfer, has a telephone socket like the Globesurfer, and can be attached to the external antenna. The cable I have uses FME connnectors, and I have the FME to MC-CARD fly lead for the Globesurfer, but presumably I can get a different fly lead if necessary.

Maybe just get another Globesurfer?

ceejay

I might be able to get a new Globesurfer via a free upgrade on my O2 account, but I'm not sure if they're stocked anywhere anymore.

Apart from that option, there this Solwise NET-3G-434T 3G router which has a PSTN port, takes a SIM, and has an external antenna connector, so it would seem to fit the bill. Anyone have any experiences with this router?

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=10205

ceejay

So for anyone that's interested O2 don't stock the Globesurfer any more. I got a Hotshot on upgrade for €20 which will do for the moment, but it doesn't look like it has an antenna port.

I got in touch with Option, and they're going to look at repairing it. It might only cost €40 It's currently winging its way to their RMA centre in Cork, hopefully the news next week won't be too bad.

ceejay

Option are repairing the router, cost is €40 + VAT Should have it back next week, and then I can hook it up to the antenna

jpam

Did you ever get any joy with this. I'm having the same problem at the minute.

ceejay

Yes, Option repaired the router, I have it back now and it's working fine. I don't know if I got a new/refurb unit or they actually repaired the one I sent them, but in any case it's working now You can check the status of your warranty on the Option web site (http://www.option.com/en/support/warranty-check/) and you can raise a support ticket at http://support.option.com/support/ to organise the repair.

I have to finish the aerial installation, but initial testing shows that I can get download speeds of up to 6 Mbps when I lock on to a UMTS signal, compared to ~40 Kbps on Edge and ~1.6 Mbps on HSDPA which is the best I can get without the aerial.

jpam

Thanks for that reply, did it take long to get sorted; a week or so? Hate the thought of being without broadband for that long!

ceejay

I sent it to them the 16th November, they sent it back to me on the 29th via DHL, I received it the next day.