Dongles

[CAJ1]

Got a dongle at the weekend, it doesn't work as well as I expected! Its a 3G one. It keeps freezing on the internet and I have to switch the laptop off completely. Does anyone have any tips for dongles and is there any way that I can improve the signal?

TIA

[ACtheTROLL]

my tip would be - don't get one
It's emergent technology - expensive - brutally capped with "fines" for going over your limit
a sort of hardware beta version

if there is no other way - you have no option

but if it was 3g or a tincan and string - at the moment I'd take the tin




think how long mobiles were around before "ordinary" people got them.

btw - a dongle is like hoover or biro
one type of dongle is a usb device
but it could be a network, wireless, 3g, gps or any other sticky inny thingy

[weeal]

lol @ sticky inny thingy

[chrisrob]

No tips I'm afraid. Could do with some myself.
Have had a 3 Mobile broadband dongle for a few months. (Can't get broadband any other way at present.)
It should give upto 2.8 Mbps download but most I've achieved is 900 Kbps. However that's in short bursts and an awful lot of the time it's less than 1Kbps! - I emailed 3 to ask if I could have it tested if I took it to a 3 store and their reply was a set of instructions to set it up manually to HSPDA and ensure it locates 3 network. These it says it has done! It's frustrating!

[Whickerman]

I'm using one as it's simply the only option were I live.

Here in Ireland I can get up to 7.2mbps download with a 10gb per month cap for 20 euro per month. There are 3 companies offering the service. I have no cover whatsoever with 3 or Vodaphone, but the O2 service is excellent. Actual average speeds in excess of 3mbps - considering our landline operator only offers this as a max it's great. I did have a broadcast net service but was paying 30 euro for a half meg download.

Try getting a loan of a different service provider dongle - it's often their coverage that's rubbish.


Also - HI weeal!

[Whickerman]

lastly - it's definitely the kid in me but I still giggle at the word dongle.