PC 5220 Firmware Upgrade?

toonerh · EVDO Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 9

Sierra Wireless' Developer site: https://www.sierrawireless.com/developers/whatsnew.asp

talks about a PC 5220 firmware version 2.35 versus 2.03 and "when Verizon approves it". Does this upgrade occur when you upgrade to VzAccess 5.40? I'm away from my PC on a vacation, plus I'm afraid it might break compatibility with the Apple/Verizon driver for Mac OS X.

Has anyone run VzAccess 5.40 and done a firmware upgrade, if it is even possible. I tried to download it from my Mac and it _did_ let me, but of course I can't do anything with it.

bradsjm · EVDO User Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 29

Yes, it requires the new firmware and installs it. This enabled text messaging too with the new software.
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Jonathan Bradshaw

boater805 · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:09 am Post subject: Re: PC 5220 Firmware Upgrade?

Michael · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:54 am Post subject:

Thanks for letting us know, sorry about your results.

Why not pick up a used PC5220 on ebay and use that one), here are a few links that will help:

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/Buying_an_EVDO_Data_Card_on_Ebay_20050722401/

Then after you get your used card, follow directions here to activate it:

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/Verizon%3A_Upgrading_or_Replacing_EVDO_Cards_or_Phones_20050526289/
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HcRUL

I just installed VZAccess Manager 5.4 when setting up a new laptop to use the card. During the installation process it upgraded the firmware of the PC 5220. The card now fails on the authentication step after dialing.

Also, with the new firmware the card will no longer works with the VZAccess Manager 5.1 in my other machines. The card shows up as not activated and fails activation on the machines running 5.1.

Looks like it is going to be a long weekend.

Michael · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 8:27 am Post subject:

The PC5220 can use VZAcess OR Mobile Connection Manager (MCM) on Windows. Try MCM and see if that works vs. VZAccess. You can download it at EVDOinfo.com in the EVDO Download area.

Let us know.
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boater805 · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:46 am Post subject:

Michael · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 10:52 am Post subject:

I will create a warning page on EVDOinfo about this, that really does stink.

I have some friends at Sierra Wireless, I will try to find out from them, if there is a way to downgrade to the previous firmware and have everything work as before.
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digimania · Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:

My average speed in a 1xRTT area is between 2 and 18 kbps. It has been this bad for a couple of weeks. I called tech support and they forwarded me to the next tier.

They said that I have to upgrade to the new version of the VZ Access Manager. He told me that all previous versions of the Access Manager and the MCM will not be supported soon. He told me that I would NOT be able to use the MCM again, and to call back to further troubleshoot my speed issues once the new version is installed.
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--Mark

digimania · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2005 5:18 am Post subject:

I installed this upgrade with no problems at all. This upgrade fixed my speed issues.
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--Mark

Michael · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2005 6:41 am Post subject:

Did you try Mobile Connection Manager or the PC5220 debug mode?
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bradsjm · EVDO User Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 29

The new firmware appears to be MUCH slower on my connections. I was having no problem hitting 100-120K/sec downloads, now, it is hitting half that speed Sad

I need a way to go back to the old firmware too.
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Jonathan Bradshaw

enigmedia · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 14

I have a 5220 with firmware 2.03 using MCM 2.5.0.0 (& WinCDMA 2.3.0.0).

I've checked Verizon's BBand access map, and it shows BBand access ending about 15 miles from where I'm trying to use the card (with "National Access" taking over). When I connect, the best I can get is 2/4 bars, and the connection is piteously slow.

Is there anything I can do to improve my connection speed? Would a booster antenna help me get more than 2/4 bars? And even then, would I have anything better than 56K-type speed?

Should I avoid at all costs upgrading the firmware at this point?

TIA!

Michael · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:57 am Post subject:

15 miles away is probably a show stopper. The closer tower is 1xRTT only and that is the one that your PC5220 will pickup. If you have a PC5220 BEFORE doing the latest firmware upgrade noted in this thread, you can do the following tip to block out 1xRTT and only listen for EVDO, try it and see:

Sniffing Out New EVDO Towers with a PC5220

Unless, you have nothing between you and the 15 mile away tower (like a desert or lake), I don't think a Booster Antenna or signal amplifier is going to pull it in.
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enigmedia · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 14

Thanks for the quick reply!

My question was really two parts...and you answered the first one...I will try to see if there's any EVDO signal coming in (although I doubt it, based on Verizon's map and my location).

My stationary location, btw (in case anyone else is near here and can help), is in Davis Park, on Fire Island across the bay from Patchogue, Long Island. Ithink the nearest tower is 3-4 miles across the bay, in or near Patchogue.

The other part of my question was, since I can only get two bars on my 1x connection, would an external antennae help boost througput? Right now, I'm getting 2/4 bars on the 1x connection and it's slower than dialup...<10 kbps usually. The theoretical speed of the 1x connections should be 144 kbps, correct? If I could get closer to that speed I could limp along until EVDO pushes farther out on Long Island (<50 miles from New York City).

If I can get 4 bars in MCM, would I be getting >100 kbps? Otherwise, I may as well drop my $80/month contract and go back to dialup Sad