PC 5220 Revision P8A

Michael · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:26 am Post subject: PC 5220 Revision P8A

This is old news, but for those of you purchasing used PC 5220 cards, OR those that purchased last year and are just starting to use your PC 5220 card. Make sure that you have a P8A revision, the article below will explain how to tell and what to do if you have an earlier model:

http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/PC_5220_P8A_Revision_2005030890/

ktm_scott · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:05 am Post subject: No P8A Sticker or Date

Hmmm.... My cards have neither. Just received them this week. I'll give Verizon a jingle. Thanks for the info.

s.

Michael · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

What did Verizon say about it?

ktm_scott · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:48 am Post subject: Verizon Not Much Help Here...

I contacted Verizon asking about the revision issue. The tech was courteous but not much help. He coultn't tell me which serial S/N range was affected. He couldn't even tell me which bar code line on my card was the S/N. He claims the P8A revision was to work around a specific problem found on certain models of laptop PCs anf that versions after a particular serial number didn't require the sticker as they were already updated. He stated that everything Verizon shipped after January, '05 was an updated card.

I looked at the Connection Manager and it shows only P8. I have a screen cap but can't upload the image here. I would think that an imbedded version number would be more accurate than an external sticker.

Can someone using a 5220 card with a P8A sticker look at their connection manager and see if it says P8 or P8A?

Michael · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:49 am Post subject:

I have the P8A sticker and the software reports P8, so what they told you is correct.

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Dog-One

Boy, now I'm stirred up!

A month ago, I ran into a situation where I was only getting about 9kbits down (1xRTT), no matter what I tried to do. So I called tech support. It was late at night and we tried everything to get it going to no avail. The tech finally decided that my P8 card was bad and setup a shipping for a replacement card. I asked about getting a 580 card, but he declined.

Next morning I tried again with my same card and everything worked fine. The problem was likely not on my end. Next day a FedEx package arrives from Verizon Wireless. So what the heck, might as well follow the instructions within the box and get the old card ready to ship back. I call the support number and got my replacement card activated. Everything seems to work fine, then I notice the replacement card is a P7. I call them back and inquire why my P8 was replaced with a P7 instead of a P8a. They tell me they have had a lot of problems with the P8 cards and the P7 would be better at this time.

I'm not sure what to think. I do know that the P7 isn't any more reliable, doesn't haul-in any more signal and isn't any faster.

Michael · Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject: P7 Revisions being sold on eBay

WATCH OUT!

If you are trying to save a buck or two by purchasing your PC 5220 on eBay, some are selling OLD P7 Revisions. These WILL have problems with reliability and updating PRLs.

This PC 5220 card was manufactured on the 174th day of 2003 Sad

This PC 5220 card was manufactured on the 253rd day of 2003 Sad

You need a card that was made after January 2004. More info on this here:

http://www.evdoinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/PC_5220_P8A_Revision_2005030890/
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Michael · Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 10:13 am Post subject:

Here is some additional information to tell if you have a P8A

On the back of the PC 5220 card, a P7 will have this on the label:

700-000054-0006

and the Help screen will show a P7
-------------------

On the back of the PC5220 card, a P8 will will have this on the label:

700-000284-0005

and the help screen will show a P8

-------------------

A P8A will have a sticker on the card OR the date code will be past January 31, 2004

and the help screen will show a P8

-------------------
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Dog-One · Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 10:57 am Post subject: Got me wondering...

With Verizon Wireless issuing me a P7 card that may well not work with EVDO, they have to know what region I'm in and probably KNOW that this area isn't going to see EVDO for quite some time. That's pretty low if you ask me. At least Sprint is posting some information on where their EVDO will be deployed ahead of time.

Michael · Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 11:02 am Post subject:

Sprint is posting any information about their deployment, it is just wild speculation at this point. It makes interesting reading. Time will tell if it is accurate or not:

Sprint EVDO Rollout

I would call Verizon Tech support and let them know that you have a P7 card and that you are going to be doing some traveling in a few weeks to BroadbandAccess areas and you need the P8A card. At some point, Verizon was replacing the P7 free of charge with a P8A.
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