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3 Mobile Broadband disconnects itself every few minutes.

  • 27-02-2009 07:27AM
    #1
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭


    Using a 3 Mobile Huawei USB GSM modem and the connection disconnects itself every few minutes, even in good coverage, anyone had this problem?
    Reinstalled software makes no difference. The pen drive also gets very warm, should it?

    Cheers/


«1

Comments

  • #2
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Not abnormal for any 3G/HSDPA. Phone calls have priority. Also as traffic peaks the cell shrinks dropping your connection.

    The USB modems can get hot.


  • #3
    conolan
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 586 ✭✭✭conolan


    When I had connection problems with mine it didn't drop, just went down to a slow crawl. You can see traffic stats on the connection window. Don't remember it getting hot.
    Used to put it in window to get better signal.


  • #4
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    If you are near mast / very good signal it runs less power for transmit and thus is cooler. Also there many different models of USB modems. Older ones ran hotter.


  • #5
    thecelt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 416 ✭✭thecelt


    did u ever get the problem with you 3 worked out, am having the same problem, gets hot and disconnects all the time, and getting runaround from tech support, would appreciate it if you get a chance to email me, <snip>


  • #6
    jor el
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    Don't put your email address on a public forum, unless you want to get spammed to hell.

    The question is also answered already, there's no solution other than get a newer modem, or use a different service that has better signal.


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  • #7
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,343 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    you've a 7 days money back on the e180 modem if your due an upgrade, I know it's helped in some cases but not all. It could be possible there working in your area at the moment which could be causing some issues..
    Make sure and log all problems with technical support (some times they don't know theres' an issue until somene tells them) and don't be afraid to ask for compensation for times your without service....

    Also check your anti virus, i've seen this cause numerous problems, if you've the serial key uninstall it and restart the computer and see does it make any difference.
    If modem connecter is loose or usb cable is faulty it can also cause problems...if you could get a lend of a friends modem and see does it do the same thing it would at least rule out a modem problem..then you can hammer home the network issue with tech support...


  • #8
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Getting hot and regular disconnections suggests a poor signal.

    If you are even only 1/2 the cell distance and many people connect the "bargraph" can be high but SNR will become poor as the cell shrinks. Your Transmitter needs to increase power also as the base "sees" more noise as more users added.

    You only need 10 solid users on your sector to have serious contention problems.

    It can be speedy enough, but NEVER good latency. Cap poor and excess horribly expensive. In 2 to 4 months time even if you had good speed today you could have permenant dialup speeds.

    This image shows what typically happens:
    img3.jpg
    If about 20 people uploading at once (web browsing creates upload traffic as TCP/IP packet acknowledgements) then even with a "full" bargraph signal level your transmitter may have to run at full power.

    If you have a "Y" cable, use it as on many modems this allows more power and then less likelyhood of disconnection.

    I've seen Modems almost to hot to touch working perfectly. While the modem can be faulty a lack of capacity (too many users) is more likely.

    Phone users making revenue valuable calls get priority out of the "cake" as they generate 150x to 500x more revenue per minute.


    drunkmonkey is virtually the only person on boards with anything good to say about 3. Perhaps there is a vested interest. I have no vested interest other than promoting broadband.

    Promoting 3G is destroying Broadband.
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055619459


  • #9
    thecelt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 416 ✭✭thecelt


    just to clear up whats happening with my modem,
    you are surfing away, then the connection has dropped,
    but apparently the modem has also dismounted itself,
    i have found that sometimes the modem will redetect itself as a device, but mostly i have to unplug and replug to get it to work, plus the modem seems to be getting very hot!


  • #10
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,343 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    watty wrote: »
    Getting hot and regular disconnections suggests a poor signal.

    If you are even only 1/2 the cell distance and many people connect the "bargraph" can be high but SNR will become poor as the cell shrinks. Your Transmitter needs to increase power also as the base "sees" more noise as more users added.

    You only need 10 solid users on your sector to have serious contention problems.

    It can be speedy enough, but NEVER good latency. Cap poor and excess horribly expensive. In 2 to 4 months time even if you had good speed today you could have permenant dialup speeds.

    This image shows what typically happens:
    img3.jpg
    If about 20 people uploading at once (web browsing creates upload traffic as TCP/IP packet acknowledgements) then even with a "full" bargraph signal level your transmitter may have to run at full power.

    If you have a "Y" cable, use it as on many modems this allows more power and then less likelyhood of disconnection.

    I've seen Modems almost to hot to touch working perfectly. While the modem can be faulty a lack of capacity (too many users) is more likely.

    Phone users making revenue valuable calls get priority out of the "cake" as they generate 150x to 500x more revenue per minute.


    drunkmonkey is virtually the only person on boards with anything good to say about 3. Perhaps there is a vested interest. I have no vested interest other than promoting broadband.

    Promoting 3G is destroying Broadband.
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055619459

    Watty that's of no use to OP's problem, I really don't see your point in trotting out diagrams and talking about contention when it can't be confirmed that it's the problem which i very much doubt it is. This is all only a presumption you've made and very unhelpfull.:mad:

    OP's probably has a conflicting program or device that's causing the problem.

    OP if you could list the programs installed on the computer it might help us.


  • #11
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    It could be a faulty Modem. It could be some other program or system settings.

    But in the OVERWHELMING majority of cases it's Cell Breathing /Contention/Poor Signal.

    @drunkmonkey, you from your posts know nothing professionally about sorting Operating Systems or W-CDMA networks. The majority of your advice is swap it at Shop or give "3" a trail run. You sound to be honest like the poorer kind of call centre.

    I know I have been wrong many times. But my advice, when I chose to give it, is based on years of training, experience and professional qualifications.

    One of the major issues was the stupidity of creating dual Identity USB modems that are also mass-Storage devices to save 1 Euro distributing a Driver CD. Modems don't "dismount", Mass storage USB devices do, that happening though can quite often be unrelated to the Modem operating.

    I'd go to the network settings and see if the DUN icon is there and in its properties there is the USB Modem. Make sure it's set to auto-reconnect.

    The Modem getting hot as I explained (and drunkmonkey ignored) can be unrelated and simply due to signal level.

    If there is AV software I'd disable it all for now. Nothing else is likely to interfere.

    Is it Really the Modem or a Mass storage device (in the same USB dongle) that is dismounting and getting re-detected?


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  • #12
    vince
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 549 ✭✭✭vince


    hi how do you guys rate my modem its the zte thin flat black modem i got it in may 08 .i never see u guys mention them r they ok should i upgrade. as i said on other thread my speeds were excelent in may now ther very bad since the school hols started.


  • #13
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Kids with nothing to do but use the Net.

    Nothing wrong with the ZTE. Excellent for "on-the-go" Mobile Internet.

    Speeds get dramatically poorer as users added, 5 users to 20 users on a Cell's sector (mast) can mean a x12 drop in speed :(


  • #14
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,343 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    I'd say the school holidays and speed could be related (so no modem problem), all I can say from customer feedback is that the e180g modem does seem to make a difference. If you do upgrade it you have 7 days to return it or you will be tied into your contact for another 12mts.


  • #15
    jor el
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    Do not upgrade the modem, they're all pretty much the same, except for the top supported speed on a few, and HSUPA capability, neither of which is very important right now. Upgrading a modem will tie you in to a 12 month contract with zero practical benefit to you.

    If you're having problems, it's probably down to the contention, as mentioned in many posts above. There's nothing you can do about this other than move location, or change provider. Neither of which guarantees any improvement anyway.

    I take it you work for some place like Carphone Warehouse or 3G, drunkmonkey?


  • #16
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,343 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    Joe all I can report is what I hear on the front line and what i've learned since mobile bb launched.
    As I said to op, it's doubt it's modem issue so I doubt that's his problem. He can try a new modem or friends (as i mentioned), if it dosen't work I'd urge him to take it back, i've stated the return conditions above..just so op dosen't get duped into a new contract he dosen't need.

    the zte has one major flaw and that's the usb port gets very loose and that could be causing the cutting out issue, i've seen this a good few times with that particulay modem...

    i''ve nothing to gain personally, i'm only trying to help op out, watty is rubbising any of my advice but some times it actually works as i've proven many a time..

    who I work for is irrelevant as i'm not speaking on their behalf, i'm speaking as someone who deals with this day in and day out and has seen all sorts of issues with modems, some you wouldn't believe...

    I haven't once said stay with 3, get your upgrade be happy, never have I once praised 3 mobile broaband in any thread, I don't know where you and watty have got that idea from as it's not correct.

    I've an o2 modem and haven't a bother with it, and i've stated that manys a time.


  • #17
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Typical Phone Shop / 3G Customer support.

    @drunkmonkey
    You do work in or own a Phone shop, but probably not CPW.

    You do consistently Promote 3G as Broadband. It isn't broadband and 3G won't ever be Broadband. You do promote 3G/HSPA in general and 3 over O2/Vodafone/Meteor. In fact 3G/HSDPA Mobile while a very useful and sorely needed MOBILE product, due to the subsidized pricing and marketing is destroying real Broadband availability, not aiding it. That is also why your actions and posts are irresponsible.

    You consistently recommend new Phones and Modems.

    You know all your posts can be searched and they contradict what you claim?

    Click on "drunkmonkey" and click on "find more posts"
    or from Public Profile
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/search.php?do=finduser&u=149914
    and
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/search.php?do=finduser&u=149914&starteronly=1

    I've searched your advice on your posts and it's not much different to a Phone Shop / CS agent. It has very little technical content and is mostly anecdotal.

    It's the advice of someone that works in or owns a Phone shop, not an IT, Communications or other Engineering Professional.

    Boards rules require disclosure of Commercial Interest. Even if it is only as an employee. Otherwise you are breaking the rules and can only make posts unrelated to Phones and Modems.

    Since you so often recommend Modem upgrades and Models of phones to buy we have a right to know who you work for. I have highlighted this "conflict of interest" to the Admins etc. I appreciate that you are just trying to be helpful, I know 3G Mobile Data is useful, but working with 3G phone/Data customers you are not seeing the big picture and many of your posts would encourage people to be locked into fresh contracts (upgrades) or contracts for services which at the end of the day are going to degrade badly when it is too late to withdraw.


  • #18
    thecelt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 416 ✭✭thecelt


    i tried a friends modem (same model) and it worked fine,
    so i am hoping and presuming its the modem,
    three tech support are supposed to be sending me something so i can send it in to them for repair!!!!!


  • #19
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,343 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    thecelt wrote: »
    i tried a friends modem (same model) and it worked fine,
    so i am hoping and presuming its the modem,
    three tech support are supposed to be sending me something so i can send it in to them for repair!!!!!

    they'll send out a return envelope which goes to the repair company, can take a few weeks, if any of your mates have a spare modem you can use there's, if it's locked to o2, Voda etc you can easily unlock it to take your sim using http://www.dc-unlocker.com/ , set you back about 15 euro, pretty straight forward..
    Zte as mentioned the usb port on the modem gets very loose after a while, hopefully they'll just swap it for another one, probably not going to be the zte though...


  • #20
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,343 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    watty wrote: »
    Since you so often recommend Modem upgrades and Models of phones to buy we have a right to know who you work for. I have highlighted this "conflict of interest" to the Admins etc. I appreciate that you are just trying to be helpful, I know 3G Mobile Data is useful, but working with 3G phone/Data customers you are not seeing the big picture and many of your posts would encourage people to be locked into fresh contracts (upgrades) or contracts for services which at the end of the day are going to degrade badly when it is too late to withdraw.

    Watty not eveybody works in IT and can understand what you are saying, the general public certainly don't. I do, and as i've said before I agree with you on a lot of things. I also have an IT qualification and have spent a good few years working in the industry, so will you do me a favour and lay off the mud slinging. As you've said yourself i'm just trying to be helpfull, it may be first contact help but to be honest I don't have time or the will to get too technical with anyone. Sometimes i'm wrong, sometimes i'm right but my intention is and never was to promote 3 broadband, I hope you understand this.


  • #21
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Just put the proper sig line like everyone else with commercial involvements.


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  • #22
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,343 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    watty wrote: »
    Just put the proper sig line like everyone else with commercial involvements.

    i'd love to Watty but my interest in boards is not a commercial one, maybe when the time is right i'll look into it but not just yet.

    Believe me when I say i agree with you that mobile brodband is a load of rubbish compared to fixed line, I think it's very poor forum of the Government to try and pass it off as a Broadband Strategy when it's nothing of the sort. I'll back you if you ever run for elcection on a broadband ticket.


  • #23
    ODS
    Closed Accounts Posts: 380 ✭✭ODS


    This has started happening really, really badly for me of late - and appears to be accelerating. I phoned their tech support today, and was told they could take the modem off for repair for 5 days - but I would be left without a modem in the meantime. I use my computer permanently for self-employed work, and explained this was simply unacceptable not to be provided with a replacement - but still no offer from their side. :mad:

    Particularly annoying is that their programme now stalls requiring me to totally reboot my computer when it stalls...

    Tomorrow I am going in to 6 - 10 Suffolk Street, 3's HQ, and I am going to demand that this gets rectified. IMO they are in breach of contract, and will be lucky if I do not pursue them to fix them for loss off income arising out of their breach of contract. :mad:


  • #24
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Try it a 2am.

    1) If it is OK on a different Mast or early hours when system is less busy it's just Contention/Cell Breathing.

    2) If it is also bad EVERYWHERE and Wee Hours, then it's a faulty Modem.

    If it is (1) then they are not in breach of contract. It's only Mobile Internet via the Mobile Phone system. Not Broadband. However we have no decent Consumer legislation to stop people mis-selling.


  • #25
    thecelt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 416 ✭✭thecelt


    called tech support again, they were useless, they couldnt figure it out, so i managed to borrow a friends modem which worked fine, so hence it was the modem, i had them let me send it in for repair, they said the turnaround wud be 2-3 days, well almost 3 weeks later i finally got it back, apparently it was unrepairable and was replaced!! so apparently you have to self diagnose and then tell them what the problem is!!!


  • #26
    Sephiroth_dude
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 81,263 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sephiroth_dude


    This happens me every now and then and its annoying as hell.


  • #27
    tails_naf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 862 ✭✭✭tails_naf


    I think I can shed some more light on this (or a similar) problem.

    I have three mobile broadband out in the sticks, as there is no alternative.
    I've been relatively happy with it for the last year. It's not fast, but at least it works....until about 5 or 6 weeks ago.

    Nothing on my end changed, same router, same modem, same computer, same signal strength. everything, except now the modem drops its connection every few minutes.

    The interesting thing is it only drops the connection if it is idle, if I have a big download, or stream a radio station, it remains on. If I'm just browsing the web and stop to read something, its gone. The annoying thing is I often have to reboot to restore the connection, which is exceptionally painful.

    Other users on the three MMMMegathread have reported this behavior in recent weeks too. I've been on to three customer support but no joy yet. One tech did indicate it could be the modem picking up/switching between a few cells. I guess the cell to cell handoff may not be seamless for mobile broadband like it is for calls..who knows.

    Either way the fact the service is not always on surely is a breech of contract - NBS states the provision of 1.2megs always on. I've lost hope for the 1.2megs part, but at the very least I'd expect the always on part!


  • #28
    h4rDm0d
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 18 ✭h4rDm0d


    I have been having the same problems for the last 2 weeks, im using the e180 modem and have been in contact with the 3 customer care for way too long and in the end they said there is nothing we can do..... SORRY?

    Im on the 12 month contract and it hardly ever works, so far ive been instructed to make a new profile with the static APN of 3ireland.ie instead of 3internet and that kind of worked.

    So after hours on the phone i downloaded the new software from the Huawai website and i was amazed when i seen 500+ kb/s download (yes better than 120) and that seemed to work great for that night, then the next morning it was back to normal.

    I have an older modem and its the same thing, and ive also sent it away to get repaired and they said it was fine, and also tried it in dublin and does the same thing.

    I am sharing my internet connection within my house also.

    oh and when i go to ping google i get a reply but it wont open web pages although its receiving data from the server?

    If some of the other guys want to try what i done and see if it works ok for you, lets me see where i stand and what i have to do.

    Thanks


  • #29
    intbn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 96 ✭✭intbn


    I've a serious pain in me jaxy wit this disconnecting business meself :mad:
    -I have a E160G huawai modem meself and had it just 3 or 4 months and this craic started, rang 3G and got through to english customer support:confused:
    -anyway, i tried adding a new 3ireland.ie profile as they said, didn't work(actually it might have worked for just a day or 2) but then he told me to then try manually registering the network, which did work for a few months, until a week ago.

    Here's how you do it:
    -Open Mobile Partner
    -Disconnect the modem(with the software, not unplug it)
    -Click on the "Tools" menu, then select "Options"
    -Choose Network from the list, then click the "Registration Mode" tab
    -Then select "Manual search and register", and then click the "Refresh" button
    -It will display a message saying, "Searching for network(s), please wait...", so wait:D
    -Finally, a list will show in the space that was recently blank, Choose "3(3G)" from the list and then click the "Register" button
    -Again, it will display a message saying "Registering network, please wait...", again.. wait, then it will say "Register success"(hopefully)
    -Click "Ok", then click "Connect"(but before connecting, select the profile that connects best for you, if necessary)

    If anyone's unclear just make a post and i'll try explain better, but this should help some other's having the same problem;)
    Mine looks like this:
    C:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5CNils%5CMy%20Documents%5CMy%20Pictures%5C3G.JPG1z6vyip.jpg

    RANT:
    Tried all this and now it's fecked up yet again with the same sympthoms and when i called their customer support number 0833333333, i came to realise it isn't charged like a normal 083 number, i rang from my gf's mobile(coz i'd only, 53c credit(i'm 085)) and when i got cut off with a low battery, they rang me back on my mobile, and it came up as 004433333333, it's actually english! and i was cut off in about 10 seconds because I WAS BEING CHARGED FOR THEIR CALL!!!!!!:mad::mad::mad:
    RANT OVER:rolleyes:

    hope this is of help to some of you other folks, especially in the stix like meself ;)


  • #30
    missyfirefly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭missyfirefly


    i remember o2 had a problem like this a while back and it wasn't network related..

    Think a firmware update resolved the issue as far as i remember...

    might be similar..


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  • #31
    jay93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,323 ✭✭✭jay93


    intbn wrote: »
    I've a serious pain in me jaxy wit this disconnecting business meself :mad:
    -I have a E160G huawai modem meself and had it just 3 or 4 months and this craic started, rang 3G and got through to english customer support:confused:
    -anyway, i tried adding a new 3ireland.ie profile as they said, didn't work(actually it might have worked for just a day or 2) but then he told me to then try manually registering the network, which did work for a few months, until a week ago.

    Here's how you do it:
    -Open Mobile Partner
    -Disconnect the modem(with the software, not unplug it)
    -Click on the "Tools" menu, then select "Options"
    -Choose Network from the list, then click the "Registration Mode" tab
    -Then select "Manual search and register", and then click the "Refresh" button
    -It will display a message saying, "Searching for network(s), please wait...", so wait:D
    -Finally, a list will show in the space that was recently blank, Choose "3(3G)" from the list and then click the "Register" button
    -Again, it will display a message saying "Registering network, please wait...", again.. wait, then it will say "Register success"(hopefully)
    -Click "Ok", then click "Connect"(but before connecting, select the profile that connects best for you, if necessary)

    If anyone's unclear just make a post and i'll try explain better, but this should help some other's having the same problem;)
    Mine looks like this:
    C:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5CNils%5CMy%20Documents%5CMy%20Pictures%5C3G.JPG1z6vyip.jpg

    RANT:
    Tried all this and now it's fecked up yet again with the same sympthoms and when i called their customer support number 0833333333, i came to realise it isn't charged like a normal 083 number, i rang from my gf's mobile(coz i'd only, 53c credit(i'm 085)) and when i got cut off with a low battery, they rang me back on my mobile, and it came up as 004433333333, it's actually english! and i was cut off in about 10 seconds because I WAS BEING CHARGED FOR THEIR CALL!!!!!!:mad::mad::mad:
    RANT OVER:rolleyes:

    hope this is of help to some of you other folks, especially in the stix like meself ;)

    why didnt you ring 1913 free from any irish mobile or landline would have been more help as it does not charge you !!:rolleyes::rolleyes:


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