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What is the story with in-built 3G modems on Dell laptops?

  • 19-02-2008 11:52AM
    #1
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,202 ✭✭✭✭


    I have only just discovered a SIM slot on my work Dell Precision M65 (after 3 months :o). I checked the BIOS and the "cellular device" is set to enabled, yet nothing shows in Device Manager. I notice on the Dell Support website that there are a range of downloads for Vodafone HSDPA modems.

    So does anyone know if these devices are installed by default? Is it a matter of taking the SIM out of a Vodafone HSDPA modem and putting it into the laptop?

    I didn't order the laptop, so I can't say for sure the option was purchased.


Comments

  • #2
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,840 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    It would have been a build option Tom. You can put any vodafone sim in there but to get HSDPA speeds you will need to have the HSDPA APN and be in HSDPA coverage. Failing that you will go to 3G. As i am sure you know if you dont have a data package it could very expensive :eek:


  • #3
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,202 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    But the fact that the physical slot for the SIM card is there may not mean that the actual HSDPA card is there, or does it?

    The reason I am getting all hot an bothered is because we use the Vodafone modems here in work and I am wondering if I can simply take the SIM card from the modems and put them in the laptop. That would make a lot of people here very, very happy.

    No me though, I am a mere pleb. I don't get a Vodafone card. :(


  • #4
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,840 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    Where is the slot? Near the battery? This as far as i can remember were where Dell was putting the slots and the hardware was then built into the laptop.

    Also there should be the software already installed to support this hardware.


  • #5
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,202 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    helimachoptor wrote: »
    Also there should be the software already installed to support this hardware.

    And therein lies the problem - there is no software as far as I can see.

    Hence why I am wondering if the damn thing is actually installed. I did try the USB Vodafone modem software, but it didn't detect it (didn't really think it would).


  • #6
    kaizersoze
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,043 ✭✭✭kaizersoze


    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    I didn't order the laptop, so I can't say for sure the option was purchased.

    Enter the service tag from the laptop here and it should tell you the original configuration.

    http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/topic.aspx/emea/shared/support/root/en/product_support_central?c=ie&cs=ieepp1&l=en&s=dhs


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  • #7
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,320 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    Two things are required for 3G broadband. The sim card slot under the battery but also a card in the computers pcie slot. On my vostro ive an option to install either a flashcache module or an internal 3G card in my spare pcie slot.

    I have a sim card slot but no 3G card installed.


  • #8
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,202 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    jmccrohan wrote: »
    I have a sim card slot but no 3G card installed.

    Yip, looks like that's what I have. Just checked the original invoice, with the system details and no mention of a 3G card.

    Pity I didn't realise this before now - we are just after ordering two new laptops, could have got the 3G option built. Ah well.


  • #9
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,293 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    I'd say you can pick up the 3g cards on ebay or somewhere like that.


  • #10
    AlanmcCormack1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10 ✭AlanmcCormack1


    I hope you can help me. I have an M65 also.
    I had a serious accident with my machine (luckily it is fully insured and a new machine is on its way from Dell - in 10-14days). I have one file I need to get off my hard drive that wasn't backup up. Until then I am told the only way I can get at my files is if I put my hard drive in to another M65.

    Is there any chance you live in Dublin and fancy €50 for 5mins of you and your machines time? I really need this file and can't wait 14days....

    Alan

    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    I have only just discovered a SIM slot on my work Dell Precision M65 (after 3 months :o). I checked the BIOS and the "cellular device" is set to enabled, yet nothing shows in Device Manager. I notice on the Dell Support website that there are a range of downloads for Vodafone HSDPA modems.

    So does anyone know if these devices are installed by default? Is it a matter of taking the SIM out of a Vodafone HSDPA modem and putting it into the laptop?

    I didn't order the laptop, so I can't say for sure the option was purchased.


  • #11
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,320 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    AlanmcCormack1 wrote: »
    I hope you can help me. I have an M65 also.
    I had a serious accident with my machine (luckily it is fully insured and a new machine is on its way from Dell - in 10-14days). I have one file I need to get off my hard drive that wasn't backup up. Until then I am told the only way I can get at my files is if I put my hard drive in to another M65.

    Is there any chance you live in Dublin and fancy €50 for 5mins of you and your machines time? I really need this file and can't wait 14days....

    Alan

    You could just get an usb enclosure for your drive. That makes your hd behave like an external hd. Just plug it into any usb socket then.


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  • #12
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,202 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    AlanmcCormack1 wrote: »
    I have one file I need to get off my hard drive that wasn't backup up. Until then I am told the only way I can get at my files is if I put my hard drive in to another M65.

    That is not true. What you can do is take the hard-drive and put it into an external caddy, with a USB connector. You can then connect that drive/caddy to any computer with a USB drive and read your files from it.

    Actually, you can take the hard-drive and put it into almost any laptop for that matter.


  • #13
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,320 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    That is not true. What you can do is take the hard-drive and put it into an external caddy, with a USB connector. You can then connect that drive/caddy to any computer with a USB drive and read your files from it.

    Actually, you can take the hard-drive and put it into almost any laptop for that matter.
    Gotta be faster than that man!! Perhaps its the lack of 3g on the iphone... Mods need better than just edge :p


  • #14
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,202 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    jmccrohan wrote: »
    Gotta be faster than that man!! Perhaps its the lack of 3g on the iphone... Mods need better than just edge :p

    :D I was actually typing that on my M65.

    Crap keyboard, tbh.


  • #15
    AlanmcCormack1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10 ✭AlanmcCormack1


    Thanks for the advice guys....

    Appreciate you taking the time.

    Regards,
    Alan


  • #16
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 96,978 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    jmccrohan wrote: »
    Two things are required for 3G broadband. The sim card slot under the battery but also a card in the computers pcie slot.
    I despise the way they used to do that with onboard RAID on servers. All the Hardware was there on the server motherboard but wouldn't work until you bought a RAID key.

    Do they supply the PCIe card as a user installable upgrade ?


  • #17
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,320 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    I despise the way they used to do that with onboard RAID on servers. All the Hardware was there on the server motherboard but wouldn't work until you bought a RAID key.

    Do they supply the PCIe card as a user installable upgrade ?
    Yes. You can get them here. I don't know tho if they are locked to vodafone or if they are just vodafone branded.


    EDIT: This one doesnt seem to be locked/branded at all.


  • #18
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 96,978 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    at those prices you might as well use a phone with a built in modem and bluetooth


  • #19
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,293 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    at those prices you might as well use a phone with a built in modem and bluetooth
    Try ebay. Dell accesories are usually quite expensive. I found a bluetooth module for my inspiron on ebay for a lot less than dell where charging for it.


  • #20
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,320 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    AlmightyCushion wrote: »
    Try ebay. Dell accesories are usually quite expensive. I found a bluetooth module for my inspiron on ebay for a lot less than dell where charging for it.
    Yea. I have to agree. I got a brand new 355 BT module for my laptop off adverts and saved myself about €15 than if had I had got it it when I ordered the laptop 2 weeks earlier.


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