USB mobile Internet stick problem.

fifeken

I mentioned in a previous thread that I would be swapping laptops with a friend soon - I have had theirs for a while after getting a repair done and not getting the chance to return it. I am now doing this and have come up with another problem.

My friend uses a mobile Internet USB stick and although I have installed the drivers and software it's not working. When it's plugged in, the laptop can see it initially and sometimes it powers up but shuts down again in a few seconds. The troubleshooting guide indicates that the USB port may not have sufficient power supply to handle the device. It comes up in Device Manager (for brief periods) as looking like at least 4 different devices - comms device, modem, memory etc - and the solution recommended is to use an external USB hub with it's own power supply. This is not ideal as when she is using the mobile device she is usually away from home and therefore away from an external power source.

My questions: 1) Does this sound likely? 2) Is there a way around it?

The laptop where it works is a Compaq Presario CQ70-116EM and the one where it doesn't is a Toshiba Equium A100-147.

I have looked at both machine specs on the Internet but neither quote a figure for power available to USB devices.

kwikbreaks

The USB standard is that the port can deliver 500ma although initially it is 100ma until the device requests more.

Most mobile internet USB devices use a lot of power - especially if the signal strength is low.

I think it's quite possible that the laptop port isn't able to deliver what the modem needs even though in theory it should be fine. Try a different port if you haven't already.

It's normal for a USB modem to appear as multiple devices - the software is on a virtual CD drive and they often take a micro SD card so that's another device to add to the actual modem.

Using a powered hub would be very inconvenient and may not even work as some stuff won't run on hubs.

Other options if it won't work on any port are...

A different USB modem (~ £20 or maybe less)
An unlocked 3 MiFi to put the SIM in (assuming lappy has WiFi) This one will cost somewhere north of £50 off ebay unless you are very lucky. I got one secondhand for ~ £36 but they are usually dearer.

fifeken

Thanks for the quick reply. I've tried it in all three ports on the Toshiba - same result every time.

If there is a USB standard why would it work on one laptop and not the other, or is the standard maybe not quite as standard as it should be?

And is there anything that can be done to boost power available at a port?

kwikbreaks

I think I was adding to my post when you replied.

It isn't unusual for ports to not quite reach the maximum o/p but sfaik you can't fix it. There is no guarantee a different modem would work either but they all come with at least a 7 day return option I think.

As I mentioned usb modems whack up the radio o/p power when signal strength is low - do you know what the 3G signal is like where you were trying it out?

fifeken

kwikbreaks wrote: »

I think I was adding to my post when you replied.

Yes, I see the rest now.

The signal is good indoors and I've taken it outside in case that was the issue. Occasionaly it's alive long enough to show signal bars and they show a strong signal - at least 4/5.

I'll maybe have to look at another modem and either try to find out power reqirements first (but can't compare it as I don't know the requirements of the current one) or try it out. I'm not sure what the return rules will be as I'm in Italy currently.

kwikbreaks

Ah...

No idea about overseas rules. In the UK all (I think) the operators offer some sort of return policy - mostly because coverage is patchy and the only really reliable way to see if some specific operator is any good for you is to try them out in a few place you know you need.

Hopefully your Italian is good enough to discuss this with a seller or you can read the T&C OK.

I doubt you'll find and current requirements in the specs. You only have to touch one of them when they've been in use a while to know they aren't exactly frugal with the juice though...

An unlocked MiFi will offer a complete solution but they are dearer than a different modem. You can also get PCcard and Expresscard modems but they don't come cheap either.

kwikbreaks

fifeken wrote: »

I'll maybe have to look at another modem and either try to find out power reqirements first (but can't compare it as I don't know the requirements of the current one) or try it out.

If you are running windows it tells you what power is being delivered by each USB hub

This is for XP but I think it's essentially the same for Vista and 7

You need to get to the device manager - control panel/system/device manager. Viewing by connection makes it easier to find the correct hub then you can get....