I've been advised by our account manager in the UK that the card is locked to Vodafone. Basically, if you want to use the integrated UMTS, then you're locked into Vodafone. If you want another provider, you have to use a PCMCIA card. Which isn't exactly optimal. It'd be nice if they offered an unlocked option, even if it cost more. I'd like to be able to use it with T-Mobile, but no dice. Something I've been wondering though is if it's a standard mini PCI-Express card whether it's possible to buy a card from a third party and use that instead. Wouldn't be supported, of course, but still...
It is Possible.
I currently have a D620 sitting next to me that has an Orange SIM card in and it is connected happily. I just removed the Vodafone SIM - no intention to activate it - and inserted the Orange. Very simple to do in the battery compartment.
It also comes with the Dell Connection Manager branded and set up for Vodafone and a USB key with more Vodafone software on. I changed a setting in the registry which removed the Vodafone branding and gave a generic Novatel Wireless Skin - as the card appears to be a Novatel Wireless Expedite EU740.
HKCU/software/Novatel Wireless/NextGenCommon/Skin set the value to 1.
Please edit the registry at your own risk.
I then configured a new profile for my Orange set up as it doesn't allow you to delete or edit the pre-installed Vodafone profiles. This Dell Connection Manager app is also derived from the Novatel Mobilink software.
I have not performed any detailed testing at the moment so don't know if there are any long term issues and I can't give any real feedback as to how good it is - but it does work.
I have also connected by setting up a standard Windows Dial up Connection and feeding the Orange details in.
Whether Dell recommend or support either of these configurations is another matter....
We've got some D620 and D80 lappies recently. We also use Vodafone VMC cards (which cause the D820 to lock solid upon insertion). I've tried getting the inbuilt 3G 'card' to work without any luck. The card is enabled in the BIOS, but the Dell Wireless Utility reports 'device not found' even with the SIM installed.
Is there any tricks, or are these cards perhaps not enabled for Australian machines?
Dell deliveres the notebook without the inbuilt G3 card unless ordered otherwise. Your error seems to result from a non-existing UMTS card.
The card is a mini-pci device, which you can add later on. Take a look at Dell's store or phone the hotline. But you have to insist. The last time I called I was connected to four different support team members before someone could tell me that the card was not yet available (2 months ago).
Nice to know, cuppatea; I'd heard reports that the card, contrary to what the Dell rep told me, was unlocked. Good to have independent confirmation. T-Mobile Web'n'Walk here we come, methinks!
The unit we have has a Dell Wireless 5505 fitted. When I launch the connection manager it flashes up for a fraction of a second "No Device Detected" then "Searching" then it comes up with "Orange" and "Ready".
If I switch the card off it flashes "No Device Detected" then goes to "No Service" and "Radio Off".
It also does exactly the same if I disable the Cellular card in the BIOS.
I have had not had to configure or change anything to get this working. This is in the UK so don't know if it is different for you.
One last thing. I know it is a bit of a basic question but do you have a card installed. It is quite an expensive option here so we don't often have it. We have a D620 without the 5505 but the BIOS still says "Cellular Card Enabled". The only certain way to check is lift the keyboard and see if the card is there.
We've only recently ordered the VMC cards (two weeks ago) and ensuing research showed Dell supporting them internally (I read it on the Internet so it must be true). I quizzed our Account Manager a week ago who wasn't sure of the exact status. I noticed we had taken delivery of a few 820s and 620s and wondered if they had the cards built it (there is a glitch with the 820 that hangs the machine as soon as the VMC card is inserted so I was looking for a work around).
We didn't specifically order the UMTS capabilites from Dell, but after seeing the BIOS setting and the SIM holder presumed the card must have been present...bad assumption from what I can tell.
We'll stick to the VMC cards for now, and will continue to pursue Dell to see what the price is for the option (if available in Oz).
nichomach
34 Posts
0
June 13th, 2006 12:00
Cuppatea
3 Posts
0
July 3rd, 2006 14:00
I currently have a D620 sitting next to me that has an Orange SIM card in and it is connected happily. I just removed the Vodafone SIM - no intention to activate it - and inserted the Orange. Very simple to do in the battery compartment.
It also comes with the Dell Connection Manager branded and set up for Vodafone and a USB key with more Vodafone software on. I changed a setting in the registry which removed the Vodafone branding and gave a generic Novatel Wireless Skin - as the card appears to be a Novatel Wireless Expedite EU740.
HKCU/software/Novatel Wireless/NextGenCommon/Skin set the value to 1.
Please edit the registry at your own risk.
I then configured a new profile for my Orange set up as it doesn't allow you to delete or edit the pre-installed Vodafone profiles. This Dell Connection Manager app is also derived from the Novatel Mobilink software.
I have not performed any detailed testing at the moment so don't know if there are any long term issues and I can't give any real feedback as to how good it is - but it does work.
I have also connected by setting up a standard Windows Dial up Connection and feeding the Orange details in.
Whether Dell recommend or support either of these configurations is another matter....
Regards,
Cuppa
Maestro2
71 Posts
0
July 6th, 2006 04:00
Erstam
3 Posts
0
July 6th, 2006 06:00
Dell deliveres the notebook without the inbuilt G3 card unless ordered otherwise. Your error seems to result from a non-existing UMTS card.
The card is a mini-pci device, which you can add later on. Take a look at Dell's store or phone the hotline. But you have to insist. The last time I called I was connected to four different support team members before someone could tell me that the card was not yet available (2 months ago).
Best regards,
Erstam
nichomach
34 Posts
0
July 6th, 2006 07:00
Cuppatea
3 Posts
0
July 6th, 2006 07:00
No tricks needed as far as I know.
The unit we have has a Dell Wireless 5505 fitted. When I launch the connection manager it flashes up for a fraction of a second "No Device Detected" then "Searching" then it comes up with "Orange" and "Ready".
If I switch the card off it flashes "No Device Detected" then goes to "No Service" and "Radio Off".
It also does exactly the same if I disable the Cellular card in the BIOS.
I have had not had to configure or change anything to get this working. This is in the UK so don't know if it is different for you.
One last thing. I know it is a bit of a basic question but do you have a card installed. It is quite an expensive option here so we don't often have it. We have a D620 without the 5505 but the BIOS still says "Cellular Card Enabled". The only certain way to check is lift the keyboard and see if the card is there.
regards
Cuppa
Maestro2
71 Posts
0
July 6th, 2006 09:00
We've only recently ordered the VMC cards (two weeks ago) and ensuing research showed Dell supporting them internally (I read it on the Internet so it must be true). I quizzed our Account Manager a week ago who wasn't sure of the exact status. I noticed we had taken delivery of a few 820s and 620s and wondered if they had the cards built it (there is a glitch with the 820 that hangs the machine as soon as the VMC card is inserted so I was looking for a work around).
We didn't specifically order the UMTS capabilites from Dell, but after seeing the BIOS setting and the SIM holder presumed the card must have been present...bad assumption from what I can tell.
We'll stick to the VMC cards for now, and will continue to pursue Dell to see what the price is for the option (if available in Oz).
Cheers,
Mark