problem with 3 broadband on vista?

optiplex_2

That makes no sense if you are indeed getting a decent connection at home. Are you sure it was connecting through the dongle and not a wifi hotspot?

I know it really doesn't make sense. Wi-fi was turned off, and we tried my dongle and OH's dongle and could browse fine with both. At home, get "Limited Connectivity" and no browsing, but apparently an HSDPA connection!

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As it is working again now and you know what to tweak should it fail again it is probably irrelevant but I would suggest that as probably half of the laptops in the UK run Vista and only a vanishingly small proportion are on 3 it is up to 3 to ensure their software is compatible with Vista rather than saying it's up to MS to be compatible with 3.[/QUOTE]

Hopefully the steps will work if it goes again, but that's my point, it's 3's responsibility. I have to say the guys in my local 3 store are pretty helpful but Customer Service over the phone will not admit responsibility. Very frustrating.

kwikbreaks

"Limited Connectivity" means it hasn't been issued with an IP address by the ISP - ipconfig /all in the command box will show it as having an IP address in the 169.nnn.nnn.nnn range which Windows plugs in if it doesn't aquire a real one.

This could simply have been a short term bug on the three network which got fixed and the settings tweaks were not really what fixed it. I'm not sure what you set exactly but it sounds a lot like autodial which I don't think is overly important as it will dial when the browser requests its first page anyway (or at least my Vodafone one does on XP).

optiplex_2

(From memory) I had to go to services and restart DHCP client, DNS Client, and then change Telephony to automatic and restart that.
I'm not technical so I don't actually know the purpose of doing this!
I really don't understand why it worked in the shop then wouldn't browse at home 30 minutes later. I just hope it stays fixed cos it's been a pain and I don't have time to deal with three again!
Thanks for the bits of info!

kwikbreaks

It is the DHCP client that picks up the IP address but I've never ever heard of having to prat about in services to start it running.

When you first got back home from the 3 shop did you actually retry it to confirm it wasn't working or did you just assume it wouldn't be and call the tech support number?

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Just checked those services in this XP based netbook. DHCP and DNS are automatic but Telephony is Manual. I have never had any problems with it.

optiplex_2

[When you first got back home from the 3 shop did you actually retry it to confirm it wasn't working or did you just assume it wouldn't be and call the tech support number?]

Erm, I may not be technical but I am not completely blonde ;o) yes i connected the dongle, it said it was running between HSDPA and 3G speed, but i could not browse and the limited connectivity symbol was showing in the corner, so I rang them after trying a few times.

kwikbreaks

Ho hum - no idea then but I can't really see how altering telephony to auto would make it spring to life - especially so as my (admittedly different opsys and dongle) is on manual.

Just hope you don't get the problem again. BTW - right click repair on the icon may sort it out - that just resets it all and makes it retry.