Virgin mobile broadband dongle on Lion no longer working

I uploaded OS lion last week and since then my broadband dongle has not worked. Calls to Virgin mobile have proven fruitless and they never seem to pick up the calls and I can't seem to find any threads online about people with similar problems. The dongle still functions on a windows pc that I have from work. The dongle worked well on Snow Leopard.
Any ideas?

I spnt some considerable time on the phone yesterday to both Virgin and Apple trying to resolve this problem. The guy from Virgin (who, try as I may, I found all but impossible to understand) gave up after 5 minutes when he realised (and I said it at least 5 times) that I was using Macs. not PCs, so his advice to go to Control Panel was wasted. he put me through to someone else who I cojld understand but who flatly blamed Apple.
Apple's response was fast and very efficient. Since the dongle works on a PC (which it does) and works on a pre-Lion Mac (which it does), the problem is with the Virgin softeare which is not compatible. The guy from apple pointed out that it is not Apple's responsibility to solve the problems of other hardware provides (all of whom were advised about Lion before it was released).
Virgin, in this as in so many other things, are a waste of time. I am now arranging for the dongle to be unlocked so that I can use it with Three data cards (which do work with Lion). I will be suspending my Virgin account until they resolve the issue. I will not hold my breath.

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USB mobile broadband dongle randomly disconnects

This is really driving me mad. I had to get a USB dongle for my net connection because I couldn't afford a wired net connection, and after spending hours on the phone trying to get the tech support people to tell me what details I could enter into NetworkManager so I could use it as they don't publish a non-proprietary-software guide on their site, I finally managed to get it to work.
Asides from the connection being crap (I live in a small country town so even ordinary mobile phones get < 3 bars), I've found that the device disconnects for no apparent reason, like it just shuts down. NetworkManager can't reboot it, unplugging it and plugging it in again doesn't fix it, and it seems the only solution is to reboot my computer (just like Windows huh). I've read somewhere that Huawei devices are supposed to be flipped to their modem state for them to work properly, but I'm not entirely sure how to do this, and don't really want to risk borking the device as it's the only net connection I've got for the time being.
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I hope you have solved this problem by now but just in case here is my experience:-
I have had this problem with on 2 different linux and windows machines. In my case it turned out to be a mechanical problem. The USB sockets are very unreliable and for some reason particularly so with USB mobile broadband dongles. In the first case the machine had front usb ports. When the dongle was plugged into the front ports the connection was very unreliable and when plugged directly to the motherboard ports at the rear there was no problem.
In the second case I was using a long usb cable as the signal strength at the PC was too weak for broadband connection. In this case the connection to the usb socket at the end of the cable was very loose so the internet connection would dropout for no apparent reason and as with your experience I would have to reboot to get it going again. This was an expensive usb cable too, so price was no guide to reliability.

Is it possible to upgrade to usb2.0 on my old nx9005 so i can run a mobile broadband dongle

i have an old compaq nx9005 laptop and would like to run a mobile broadband dongle. is it possible to upgrade to usb2.0? i,m running windows xp and have service pack 2.
many thanks
twidge57
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi,
Unfortunately this is not very simple BUT you can use PCMCIA and 32-bit Cardbus slot and buy something like this for your machine:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nisis-PCMCIA-USB-2-0-Card/dp/B00027YIJK
Regards.
BH
**Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

I bought a new MacBook Pro (Mac Os 10.8.4) when conecting my mobile broadband dongle (Huawei E122) the computer does not read it at all. I do not have problems when connecting it to my former computer (PC) and a Mac from last year. Any suggestions?

I bought a new MacBook Pro (Mac Os 10.8.4) when conecting my mobile broadband dongle (Huawei E122) the computer does not read it at all. I do not have problems when connecting it to my former computer (PC) and a Mac from last year. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Yes, I did that. They have uppgrades for the dongles, but just untill Mac Os 10.7. Their solution is to buy a new modem from them or getting one for free if I sign a contract for 24 months! So, i think from that side not very helpful.
It is just that I do not want to buy a new modem, when it works in quite recent computers and after having spent money in the new Mac.
But thank you for your reply!

Virgin Mobile Broadband incompatible with Snow Leopard?

*Has anyone had this same problem?*
After I installed Snow Leopard, it was not compatible with some of my software (specifically: Virgin USB Mobile Broadband) and I ended up having to revert to Leopard 10.5.8. It seemed there was nothing else I could do as the software would not work at all on the new OSX. It just kept crashing. As it is my internet software and the only access I have to the net from my Macbook, I wasn't able to gain access to the net to try and get an update or a fix from the Virgin Site, or Apple.com.
Does anyone have any idea when things like this will be ironed out In Snow Leopard? As I don't want to reinstall it knowing that my internet software will be incompatible again.
*Thanks heaps in advance. Soph*

The software installed as part of the virgin mobile broadband is coded to look for a 10.5.* or less. It crashes when it finds 10.6.*
As a work around i installed the huawei driver and manually configured the APN and dialup preferences and it worked fine and used far less CPU time
When i called Virgin tech support they were pretty vague and said that a hotfix should be available in a few weeks!!

Samsung N150 Verizon mini + adding Virgin mobile broadband 3g USB

I got the Verizon mini notebook 2 days ago and am having a heck of a time connecting my Virgin mobile broadband 3g USB adapter. I disabled the laptop network card and I followed Virgin's directions and still no internet access. I cannot get a hold of Virgins customer service. Is this thing even possible? Thanks, Mark

Go to Verizon or T-Mobile sites and check their coverage maps
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If I buy an unlocked iPhone 5 can I replace my virgin mobile iPhone 4s or will it not work with virgin mobile?

If I buy an unlocked iPhone 5 can I replace my virgin mobile iPhone 4s or will it not work with virgin mobile?

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BT Mobile Broadband dongle needs reactivating?

Hi guys -
I think my BT Mobile Broadband USB dongle may have been dormant for too long, I think I may need you to re-activate my SIM/phone number.
It's been at least six months since I used it last.
I get the following error message in the BT Connection manager: "31064 Failed to connect to an operator".
I've also just added £10 data bundle, so I'm in credit...it's not showing as active on the a/c yet, but it shows up as billed.
I have the latest connection manager, which I assume include the latest drivers for the device (MF636). I've also got the right PIN number (set previously).
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Chris
CD
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One day, it WILL work as advertised...
Solved!
Go to Solution.

This is essentially a customer to customer forum and posts do not necessarily get the attention of anyone from BT.
Your service is no longer available for sale but the fact that you been able to top up suggests that it is still active. Try the helpline 0800 169 0850. If you can't resolve your problem there the BT Care Team should be able to help. They are the moderators who oversee this forum; they may take a few days to respond but you will get an immediate online acknowledgement to note in case you need to follow up.
You can click the white star next to this message if you think it was helpful.

Virgin Mobile Broadband 2 Go

As a recent Mac convert, I wanted to move my Virgin Broadband 2 Go USB 3G modem to my new MacBook, and after endless runarounds from Virgin and two weeks worth of emails, was finally told that the modem is not supported in Snow Leopard. In theory, I can make it work in BootCamp (have not tried this yet) but if you're considering buying one, don't. If you've found a workaround other than using it in Windows, I'd love to hear it. For the record, trying to get service from Virgin is slightly more unpleasant than plunging long rusty steel needles deep into your eyeballs.

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I have just purchased the Huawei E303 USB Stick for my mobile broadband from Singapore's StarHub. According to the instruction sheet, the laptop should detect the USB automatically and the mobile broadband should install itself automatically. My MBP 2012 does not detect the USB drive so I can't install the mobile broadband. My MBP run Mountain Lion 10.8.2. Does anyone have the same problem? Do you think it's the problem with Huawei or Apple? I have seen many forum posts on this issue but no one seems to offer definite solutions.

Just my personal experience : I just installed a E303 on my MacBookPro Retina 15" running 10.8.2.
All went smoothly (took a bit of time) for the first time.
I unplugged the modem and pluged it back a few minutes later, and the modem doesn't show anymore, and is not recognized by the previously installed software. LED status show booting.
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Which mobile broadband dongle can I use for my PowerBook G4 running with OSX 10.5.8 please?

I was given an O2 dongle E173 as a gift but cannot use it as the specification is for an Intel Processor which of course the PowerBook G4 does not have!
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Hi,
If a USB mobile broadband modem for some reason cannot be used with a certain computer, a good alternative can be a mobile broadband hotspot. This is a device (with a SIM card) that works like a mobile broadband modem, and is capable of establishing a wireless base station. The wireless connection between the computer and the hotspot is normal Wi-Fi. If the computer can handle Wi-Fi, there is no need for any additional software/driver installation. Below is merely one example.
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Jan

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I upgraded to Mountain Lion and updated my T Mobile Broadband software. It successfully connects to the internet.
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Orange Huawei E160E Mobile Broadband Dongle - NOT WORKING NOW!

Well as you can see from the title - i've just upgraded to Snow Leopard over the weekend - and love the 16GB of harddrive space I got back, however I came you use my Orange Huawei E160E Mobile Broadband USB Modem 'Dongle' and it doesn't work.
25 mins on the phone to Orange Tech Support, and they tell me 'sorry we can't do anymore' & 'thats what you get for being on the cutting edge of technology'!!!
Apple Care told me to install Rosetta - and still NO good!
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Hi
Thanks for the advice above. Initially cleaned off original app
I removed the software application from Mac HD/Applications/Orange Mobile Partner
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Mobile Broadband dongle top-ups

MB

JMB wrote:
Transferred £10 to account which shows in payment history.
Bought £10 1GB one off bundle which has not appeared, no credit shown in account and dongle does not work because no credit.
Nearly 24 hours later and still bundle not appeared.
Had to buy some WiFi time at the hotel so not very happy about BT at the moment!
JMB wrote:
Transferred £10 to account which shows in payment history.
Bought £10 1GB one off bundle which has not appeared, no credit shown in account and dongle does not work because no credit.
Nearly 24 hours later and still bundle not appeared.
Had to buy some WiFi time at the hotel so not very happy about BT at the moment!
Then there is a problem with your account. Its the same problem that I had to start with, because the name used to first register the dongle, did not match exactly the name on my BT online account.
The bundle transaction fails, and the amount is re-credited to your account in a few days.
I had to contact the BT Care Team, who put me in touch with the mobile billing people, and the problem was sorted by simple going through the dongle registration process again, and making sure that the name matches exactly, the one shown on your mobile broadband account on MY BT.
You have to use this link http://www.bt.com/mobsignup/
Making sure that the details are correct.
You may like to try doing that process again, it fixed my problem. Then I could add a bundle, and it showed up right away.
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There are some useful help pages here, for BT Broadband customers only, on my personal website.
BT Broadband customers - help with broadband, WiFi, networking, e-mail and phones.

Surely this is wrong. ( Unable to get ADSL and Mobile broadband SUPER expensive and doesn't work)

$115/month for wireless broadband ( that works 5-10% of the time) for ONLY 15GB a month is the price?? Surely this is wrong.
There is no justification for a price so large for so little data for a service that barely works. Apparently we can't get ADSL because of A: no ports and B: pair gains line to the house. ( Both of which i've seen no proof of) Why is this a problem now when 5 years ago it wouldnt have been??? I've lived 40km's out of town and had perfectly fine internet connection, now I live 4 minutes out of town and can't get it. I must not have been put onto the correct technical support or the people I'm talking to don't know what they're doing.
Because it barely works now I have to use my phone, which adds a huge amount to my phone bill because phones only have 2-4gb of data. There's no other way of putting it other than we are being robbed in broad daylight. This is now the 3rd month I've been negotiating with Telstra about these charges.
So who do I talk to to either get an ADSL connection and surely this price is wrong or just hasn't been updated? $115 for 15gb, everyone I've talked to has laughed and thought I was joking.
Have tried negotiating with Telstra for months now, as I said must be getting the wrong people. Have called the Ombudsman and was put onto someone who just spent a longer time telling me we can't have ADSL.
There is absolutely no justification for the price and for not being able to have ADSL.

Hi mate First of all, it sucks but telstra is not robbing you or doing anything wrong. When they say there is no "ports" they are correct, and it means there are physically no "spots" or "connection points" left at your local telephone exchange to connect an ADSL service or for that matter even just a "normal" landline connection. When the exchange was built no one could have predicted the massive future demand for internet. There are so many more houses, units, sub divisions etc then was forseen by ANYONE, not just telstra, combined with an insane increase in the amount of data demanded by each service. You asked about being put on a "pair gain" system. It's basically just a way of running multiple services down the one line- technical name is multiplexing. They invested in that technology so you would at least have a voice service, but as the line is already being used for more than originally designed for there's no way it could support a fast internet connection also. As for your location, when you were further out of town there would have been far less demand for ports, now you live in a city where the demand is much much higher. Disregarding that, it's often just a lottery whether you end up in a suburb with spare ports or not. Now look, telstra is a private company with shareholders to answer to, so why would they do anything which is not profitable in the end? They owe you nothing!! In fact my family and thousands of other aussies own telstra shares and i cant say i'd be happy if they were flushing our money away. These days internet is almost an essential utility which is why the PUBLIC sector is building the NBN. So if everyone will have that soon and copper will be redundant, why would telstra continue upgrading the old network in the meantime just to lose every dollar they spend? It does really suck but there's entire suburbs which can't get ADSL for the reason that they were built after the NBN was announed. As for mobile broadband, yes it's expensive. It's also quite expensive for telstra to provide it and their mobile towers are very limited in their total data output. This is why you pay far more for less. The more data people are downloading the less calls the tower can take. A single phone tower can often only support labout 200 calls simultanously., with some bigger towers with multiple carriers supporting around 1000. a single fast ADSL2 connection can get 20mbps peaks, well that 1000 call tower could only take about 12 x 20mbps internet downloads before it's maxxed out- thats with zero calls. Now think about how many people have mobile phones these days and what a critical service it is. The result is that carriers have to put a low cap the 3g/4g data allowances and aggressively price home wifi broadband Because the number of phone calls is highly variable and being the higher priority service, your internet speed will always depend on the number of calls being made. The tower will always drop your internet to bare minimum to try and connect every phone call if possible. In a way telstra, optus etc are just maximising their investments by selling off their "spare" 3g/4g tower bandwidth, it's super expensive but it's your choice too. They spent the money building the network so it's their reward for doing so. All you can really do sorry apart from moving is go on a waiting list for a spare port and wait for the NBN. The NBN will probably come before a spare port sorry!

Virgin mobile broadband dongle on Lion no longer working

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