Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem (HUAWEI) Problems
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 3:46 pm
During the week I bought a Virgin Mobile WiFi modem as a backup if our TPG connection goes out (I don't trust them) and also could be used out and about. I also got a Telstra micro-SIM for the iPad (for testing some stuff for work). I got the micro-SIM in the iPad working on Wednesday night (after some hassles) and it works fine whenever I switch on "Cellular Data".
Last night our TPG connection dropped out for a few hours and so it was a good opportunity to get the WiFi Modem working. Having a 3G connection for the iPad was very handy and meant I could activate the SIM in the WiFi Modem using the iPad. That all went smoothly and the modem was activated. I then switched off "Cellular Data" on the iPad and went back to Wireless. I configured the SID and WEP Key from the WiFi modem and was able to connect from the iPad. Interestingly, the speed through the WiFi modem was faster than through 3G on the iPad, even though the 3G on the iPad is Telstra 3G and the WiFi modem is only Optus.
I then went to get a couple of PCs connected and ran into problems. I configured the wireless settings correctly and while each PC could connected wirelessly to the WiFi modem, an IP address wasn't assigned and so they couldn't connect. I struggled for an hour and then the TPG connection came back and I gave up.
I have been trying to get things working today but now the iPad won't even connect, nor will my iPod. I had a lot of problems with 2 different PCs getting them to connect (same problem as above, connect to Wireless but no IP address). Then all of a sudden, the PCs can connect - but I don't know why. I now have 3 PCs that can connect (haven't tried them at the same time, but they can at least connect one at a time). Despite the PCs connecting, neither my iPad nor my iPod can connect - or I should say they connect, but no IP Address is assigned and I can't do anything.
I have deleted the entries and added them again, using the correct WEP Key but to no avail.
Here's the screen I get when I connect to my normal wireless router on the iPod:
Note that I get the wireless connection icon at the top.
And if I go into the settings, the IP address is set:
Now, this is what I get when I connect to the Virgin Mobile device:
Note that I don't get the wireless connection icon at the top.
And there's no IP address set:
I don't understand how to make it work - especially since the iPod and iPad have much fewer settings with regards wireless.
Last night our TPG connection dropped out for a few hours and so it was a good opportunity to get the WiFi Modem working. Having a 3G connection for the iPad was very handy and meant I could activate the SIM in the WiFi Modem using the iPad. That all went smoothly and the modem was activated. I then switched off "Cellular Data" on the iPad and went back to Wireless. I configured the SID and WEP Key from the WiFi modem and was able to connect from the iPad. Interestingly, the speed through the WiFi modem was faster than through 3G on the iPad, even though the 3G on the iPad is Telstra 3G and the WiFi modem is only Optus.
I then went to get a couple of PCs connected and ran into problems. I configured the wireless settings correctly and while each PC could connected wirelessly to the WiFi modem, an IP address wasn't assigned and so they couldn't connect. I struggled for an hour and then the TPG connection came back and I gave up.
I have been trying to get things working today but now the iPad won't even connect, nor will my iPod. I had a lot of problems with 2 different PCs getting them to connect (same problem as above, connect to Wireless but no IP address). Then all of a sudden, the PCs can connect - but I don't know why. I now have 3 PCs that can connect (haven't tried them at the same time, but they can at least connect one at a time). Despite the PCs connecting, neither my iPad nor my iPod can connect - or I should say they connect, but no IP Address is assigned and I can't do anything.
I have deleted the entries and added them again, using the correct WEP Key but to no avail.
Here's the screen I get when I connect to my normal wireless router on the iPod:
Note that I get the wireless connection icon at the top.
And if I go into the settings, the IP address is set:
Now, this is what I get when I connect to the Virgin Mobile device:
Note that I don't get the wireless connection icon at the top.
And there's no IP address set:
I don't understand how to make it work - especially since the iPod and iPad have much fewer settings with regards wireless.