I tried to install a Merlin s720 Sprint Broadband card into our new d630 yesterday. Install seemed to go fine, and the card works for a short time then the system has a hard crash. No BSOD just freezes and responds to nothing but a Hard reset. Time of crash is not consistent. Sometimes during boot-up, sometimes up to 10 minutes later. I've confirmed that the card works in other laptops and that other s720s cause the same problem. I updated to the latest BIOS and Chipset drivers to no avail.
I am having the identical problem on my Latitude D620.
Put in the Merlin S720 card and it works for some time. Then it HARD FREEZES such that even ctl-alt-del does not work. Need to hard power off using power key for 10 seconds.
I have tried 2 S720 cards and they act the same.
Does anyone know if the usb card is better?
It probably ues the same basic drivers and software - but instead of cardbus it uses USB
Yeah, sounds like exactly the same symptoms I am having with the D630. I called Dell tech support but they were only able to tell me that it was a known problem with early D630 system boards but it had been fixed.....NOT..... Anyway, to answer your question. Yes the USB u720 does work, and I was able to get Sprint to switch me to that for no extra cost. That is probably the best solution. Dan
I am running into the same problem here, we are using an image from a D 620 adapted for the D 630 but on all 630's the laptop goes into a freeze. Had anyone come accross a solution? I tried to do a build form scratch but it had the same issues, all windows patches and updates, newest sprint software and firmware updates for the card.
I am also having the same problem with it freezing. I am using a Verizon Wireless card and it freezing randomly only when the card is in. Is there a new driver that we could install? It uses a generic driver to start. Need help asap
I have the same problem with the Sprint Merlin s720 on my laptop. I have tried everything that I can imagine. Dell was no help and neither was Sprint. The IT guys at my company have no idea. Does anyone have a suggestion?
We are having the same type of issues with Verizon Aircard.
Same thing, the system will freeze then the card is in the slot. Sometimes during the Windows startup, sometimes while logging on the user, sometimes when you try to start the VZManager software.
Have tried new BIOS A07, uninstall/reinstall Verzion software......
I have tried both a Verizon 3g pc5740 and a sprint Novetel Wireless S720 card and both lockup in a Dell D630 laptop. I tried a second laptop and it locked up as well. I am sitting on dells support line right now and will post a response when i get it from them.
I spoke with dell support they had me update the verizon software which continued to result in the computer lockup. I had to end the call at that point but they promised to be in touch when they figure something out. I will update this.
We have some where between 30 to 40 Latitude D620 and D630s total and there is definitley a problem with the PCMCIA slots. We have had some luck doing Notebook System Software updates and SmartCard Reader Driver updates combined. On a few occasions reloading WinXP Pro from RIS Image works. The rest we have had the motherboards replaced on probably 12 to 15 of them. We've had to have 3 MB's replaced this month alone.
I'm also using a D630 with an Option Wireless GT Ultra card. I have downloaded BIOS updates A12 and A13, and the system no longer freezes. (The easiest way to avoid that issue was to disable the internal wi-fi prior to establishing a connection with the card, by the way). The problem I now have is that I get connected, and intermittently the system will lose all USB connections (which not only drops the broadband connection, but also kills any flash drives, keyboard, mouse, etc that are connected. Sometime I can disconnect the card and other items and then reconnect and they will work; other times I have to reboot. Are the USB ports and the PCMCIA slot 'connected' somehow? There's obviously some conflict between the two, because the system will drop the broadband connection EVERY TIME I connect something to the USB ports while the connection is active.
Don't quote me (without researching further), but I beleive the PCMCIA card slot on the D630 is USB adapted. In other words, it's just another USB device to the motherboard.
Wow, here I am six months too late, but thanks (I think!) Bill. This problem has been plauging me since January when I got my D630. The motherboard's been replaced, but still the hangs when there's a PCMCIA card installed (in my case, Verizon 5750, and 5740). Sometimes instant, sometimes after 10 minutes. Usually after 5 or 6 power cycles, something "catches" and my system will stay up. So I end up leaving the laptop powered on for weeks at a time.
I had installed the latest BIOS at first (which was A06) but that didn't help. So based on Bill's post, I just installed the latest (A13). First boot, everything is running fine. Which is an EXTREME longshot. So I will keep everybody posted. If I can go a week of normal shutodown and startup, I'll declare this fixed!!!
I also had a random beep/grind (seems to be on the left side of the unit, near the PCM slot), intermittent WIFI issues (sometimes won't find network, sometimes the WIFI light won't go on when turning on via the switch) and a couple overheat issues, where the laptop powered itself off and upon startup it informed me that it had shut itself down due to overheating. Not sure if any of these are at all related, or if the BIOS will fix any or all of these issues, but I will check in in a week or two with my status.
THANKS- if this fixed my issue, it would make my life a whole lot easier!!!!
I believe you are correct Lester67. I did notice when we were going through our bought ... That several of the laptops side USB ports were adversely effected as well. I forgot to mention that in my previous post.
divrdan2
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goldbergs
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divrdan2
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john3052
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stachowskimcl
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jbrown08322
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March 5th, 2008 16:00
We are having the same type of issues with Verizon Aircard.
Same thing, the system will freeze then the card is in the slot. Sometimes during the Windows startup, sometimes while logging on the user, sometimes when you try to start the VZManager software.
Have tried new BIOS A07, uninstall/reinstall Verzion software......
rbeckerdite
3 Posts
0
March 19th, 2008 14:00
I have tried both a Verizon 3g pc5740 and a sprint Novetel Wireless S720 card and both lockup in a Dell D630 laptop. I tried a second laptop and it locked up as well. I am sitting on dells support line right now and will post a response when i get it from them.
rbeckerdite
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March 19th, 2008 14:00
rbeckerdite
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March 19th, 2008 17:00
shooker
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March 24th, 2008 14:00
EricPoston
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September 12th, 2008 12:00
Lester67
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September 12th, 2008 13:00
buckyswider
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October 21st, 2008 01:00
Wow, here I am six months too late, but thanks (I think!) Bill. This problem has been plauging me since January when I got my D630. The motherboard's been replaced, but still the hangs when there's a PCMCIA card installed (in my case, Verizon 5750, and 5740). Sometimes instant, sometimes after 10 minutes. Usually after 5 or 6 power cycles, something "catches" and my system will stay up. So I end up leaving the laptop powered on for weeks at a time.
I had installed the latest BIOS at first (which was A06) but that didn't help. So based on Bill's post, I just installed the latest (A13). First boot, everything is running fine. Which is an EXTREME longshot. So I will keep everybody posted. If I can go a week of normal shutodown and startup, I'll declare this fixed!!!
I also had a random beep/grind (seems to be on the left side of the unit, near the PCM slot), intermittent WIFI issues (sometimes won't find network, sometimes the WIFI light won't go on when turning on via the switch) and a couple overheat issues, where the laptop powered itself off and upon startup it informed me that it had shut itself down due to overheating. Not sure if any of these are at all related, or if the BIOS will fix any or all of these issues, but I will check in in a week or two with my status.
THANKS- if this fixed my issue, it would make my life a whole lot easier!!!!
shooker
6 Posts
0
October 21st, 2008 11:00