Datacard - Laptop compatibility

[dk]

Further to my last post about Vodafone datacards in laptops, I bought one to try. The blurb on the website said 'will work with any laptop' - it doesn't. My brand new Toshiba A60 Equium doesn't like it at all - as soon as the card connects the screen backlight switches off so you can't see/do anything! In fact the card works fine - I shone a spotlight at the laptop screen to allow me to just about see the graphics.
Of course I got a lot of bull from everyone - the outfit I bought the card from actually said I didn't have enough RAM (256Mb) to run XP - even though it came with the laptop! Toshiba were relatively helpful though - they have offered to swap the laptop at their own expense for one that will work with it. Only problem is it has a 1.5MHz processor as opposed to a 2.8MHz one, so my charting and photographic programs will be slower. Trust me to pick the only laptop that's incompatible with the datacard!

 

[cozy]

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss your existing laptop. There might be a way of resolving the problem, and I find it hard to conceive why one laptop wouldn't work with the card whereas another would. Usually these kind of 'conflicts' can be resolved, either by manually changing a setting or by downloading a software patch.

The IT support staff I have dealt with in the past have often misdiagnosed problems and/or blamed the presence of a component not supplied by them. Have you tried internet searching for people with similar kit/problems, or the card manufacturers website for the latest drivers? You never know.

I would be sceptical about this until the card manufacturers confirm that their card won't work with a quality laptop from a reputable supplier such as Toshiba.....................

 

[colin_jones]

Duncan
You are not on your own.
Four years ago, I bought a Compaq, which was totally incapable of handling data. I exchanged it for a Fujitsu Siemens, which worked OK.

For the 2005 season, I treated myself to a very high spec, Fujitsu Siemens desktop replacement model. It is a marvellous machine, but will not handle GPRS. At first, the FS techies blamed me. Finally, they got the German software engineers to write a patch. That did not work either. Finally, they did a test (instead of assuming) and between tham and Vodafone, they decided that the incompatibility is absolute.

For this year, I have bought another Fuji (because I like them in spite of the hassle) but took my Vodafone Connect card into the shop and saw it working before I bought. It is OK.

It is a mistake we all make. We trust adverts which lead us to believe that all PCs are compatible with all comms sytems. Big mistake.

Having said that. For 2005 in France and Spain, I am keeping GPRS for professional emergency reasons. At £6.75 per MB downloaded (20 web pages or 50++ emails) the cost is bearable,but for general use, I have given up the convenience dream of having data direct to the boat, in favour of internet cafes and a surprising number of other places where you can use the internet almost FOC if you ask around.

A GPRS bundle for cruising in UK (abt £2.25 per Mb) is more reasonable.

Crossing this minefield might be desirable, but it is not without its dangers.

 

[pandroid]

I'm surprised you're still sticking with the expensive GPRS version. I would have thought the deal Jason_Hunter has with SFR (described here) would suit you down to the ground. Someone else mentioned a similar deal in Spain. We're paying about £1.50 a Mb on a PAYG in Sweden (vs the £7.50 for the UK contract phone)

 

[colin_jones]

You cannot really legislate for somebody else's circumstances unless you know them very well.

I have a Voda UK contract. No problem. It works everywhere, but can be expensive. The contract is not transferable abroad. To get smooth running and cheap GPRS in France et al, you have to take out a 12 Month (Orange or SFR) contract.

If you are only there for 4 - 5 months, that is not cost effective.

We have the same problem with broadband in UK, because we only need it for half the year.... but On Speed is pretty good, wherevewr you are.

In France, we have an Orange Mobicarte for mobile comms and use Kertel for landline. Both these are financially OK. I have data to the boat, but it is far cheaper and often more convenient to use a terminal ashore. I have never yet failed to find one somewhere within easy reach of the boat.

 

[pandroid]

[ QUOTE ]
If you are only there for 4 - 5 months, that is not cost effective.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, at the rates he quoted, I would have thought it was. He's claiming £100 a year for 10Mb a month (plus the card). I too have a UK Voda contract, and before I started using a local PAYG it was costing me that every month. (Mind you, its <u>still</u> costing the wife that much phoning her mum...)