OK: Dell XPS Desktop - Novatel/Merlin s620 | FAIL: PC5740

arisdj · EVDO Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

First time around wasn't so good, but now with a newer card everything works good so far. Here's the details...

I'm using a Dell XPS 400 with a PCI to PCMCIA Controller Card (Ricoh RL5C475 II) on Windows XP Media Center, and I have dual Pentium D processors (2.8Ghz RAM each).

I originally purchased the PC5740 from Sprint and had the following happen - install went ok, internet had decent signal strength (more-so on the low end), and there didn't seem to be any USB conflicts - until... the blue screen of death! I was pretty worried since it took 4 times to restart my computer, even in safe mode. Once i was up and running again, I started to search these forums, finding out that some cards don't work with certain computers. sooo... I updated my bios, updated my chipset, and updated all my drivers. I then un-installed everything, took out my PCI card and inserted it into my last open PCI slot. Then I re-installed the software and tried again. I ended up getting the blue screen of death just about everytime I was connected, sometimes within 5 minutes. Also, my computer would lock up every now and then, and I was forced to unplug from the wall. I noticed in my device manager, there was a red X over the "NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller". But only on one of the two shown. Re-enabling the device never worked, and neither did leaving it disabled. Coming back to these forums, I read that using another card might do the trick...

So I ended up trading the PC5740 for the newer Novatel/Merlin s620, which I was told works better with newer systems. So when I got home, I re-installed everything from scratch (I chose not to install the Byte Compression thing), and when the drivers were installing, I noticed some different balloon messages popping up. This time around, the card was being installed as a "CDMA EV-DO Modem", and is lised as a "USB Composite Device" in the device manager. Hopefully, this is what it needs to cooperate with my hardware, since it never did this with the previous card.

So far so good! One major difference I'm noticing now is my signal strength. I'm averaging about 4 bars 3/4 of the time (although it's only been a few hours). It seems like every 15 minutes I go down to about 1 or no bars, but only for a few minutes and then it's back up again. Can't really say if this is card related, or due to the fact the I'm in an apartment complex behind a wall with the nearest window 20 feet away. Regardless, my signal is overall a lot better.

I'm interested to see what happens if my computer goes into stand-by, or starts hybernating. With the 5740, my computer would freeze just after the screensaver started.

I'll post updates as time goes on. Anyone have any similar experiences?

Very Happy

arisdj · EVDO Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

Since my original post I've had NO problems whatsoever.

I did however choose to upgrade the Sprint Connection Manager, which set me back another 4 hours of waiting for a connection until Sprint's system was updated - which they don't tell you once you upgrade (hence recommended only once a month), but I had a very nice representative tell me "Everyone here who uses these cards go through the same thing whenever we upgrade our software. You end up waiting a while for your account to be re-activated. So you're better off doing those updates only if you're experiencing problems, and if you've got time to spare."

Nonetheless, after the upgrade I had the same great connection. I noticed however, that I had some new options in my preferences. For one, there's now the option to connect to a lesser strength signal (1xRTT) if for some reason the card can't find the EVDO signal. The default setting was to have the card make the best choice for me, based on signal strength - sounds alright, so I gave it a try. WRONG! It seems the card had no problem switching to the 1xRTT, but never went back to EVDO. In fact, every time I was in 1xRTT I lost my connection completely. I couldn't even update the profile, and received username/password errors when trying to connect. The solution? I turned it off, and set the option to use EVDO ONLY. What a difference that made. Now whenever my signal got low, it just stayed low, but like I mentioned in my original post, it went back up as it always does.

some info on EVDO vs 1xRTT...

"If you look where the signal bars are, it will say EVDO or 1xRTT. If you are in a 1xRTT (slower), you will get performance that is 2x - 3x dialup speed, but that depends on the number of signal bars you are getting. A 1xRTT connection will get around 60 - 90K, an EVDO connection will get an average of 300K - 500K, a turbo charged card will get 700K-1000K. Depending on your location, how close you are to the towers, how busy things are, your physical location, you may get much better speeds (or yes, even at times, slower)."

Now I just have to figure out how to convert my signal to Wi-Fi. Any help with this?

Smile

arisdj · EVDO Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

Since my last post, the signal strength has been more noticeably on and off. I decided to run some benchmark tests from www.testmy.net. I also ran a few just before this post, all within an hour's time, and as you'll see, I got some really mixed results...

1st download test - 409 Kbps or 50 kB/s - best one so far, although I forgot to copy the specifics unlike the next two tests.

2nd download test - 194 Kbps or 24 kB/s - 3X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 42.67 sec - running at only 30.74 % of your hosts average (spcsdns.net)

3rd download test - 297 Kbps or 36 kB/s - 5X faster than 56K 1MB Download in 28.44 sec - running at only 47.07 % of your hosts average (spcsdns.net)

Wow. Doesn't seem all that great afterall. Boosters anyone?

Another not so great connection issue I noticed - streaming video. Sometimes the video just stops and the sound keeps going (and yes, I've changed all my settings every which way in the player preferences). Other times the video progress bar starts going, and all I get is a blank black screen. And then there's the times where the video looks like it's working, but all I'm getting are some movie stills for each scene of animated content.

Overall, not too excited lately. Hopefully Sprint will keep updating their towers and whatnot; and maybe down the road my $60 EVDO card, my $200 deposit, and my $60/month service charge will start to make sense. Any similar opinions?

Sad

harlan.koehn · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

I'm reading your post with interest. I recently had lots of trouble with a PC-5470. We are currently waiting on a second one to arrive because a Sprint rep decided that the card may be faulty. Now I wish we had opted for the s620. You can read my post at:

http://www.evdoforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2750

I'll take any of your wisdom on the matter that I can get.

Do you live in an urban area? Do you think it's true that Sprint has the best wireless data network out there right now?

arisdj · EVDO Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

Well, I'm using a PCMCIA adaptor in a PCI slot on my desktop, while I'm pretty sure you're using the standard slot in a laptop. From what I've read so far, I understand laptops respond differently from pc's. I actually have a laptop laying around I could always test on, but I'm honestly not too familiar.

To answer your other questions - I do live in a suburban area, bordering DC. And I should note, that my cell phone (also Sprint) gets about the same choppy service in my apartment. The reason my PC5740 card bombed was because it's an older model (also the most basic version they offer), and it was incompatible with my PCI card (as a lot of different brands are). What led me to the adaptor card I purchased was the fact I could buy it right away at a local computer store, and just wished that it would work - unfortunately it didn't (not with the 5740). Thus, why I ended up getting a new EVDO card model (s620). Laptops have a slightly different scenerio since the card might be mounted/read differently, and with different hardware configurations you'll have even more different scenerios. The only issue aside from compatibility might easily be an update of your BIOS/processor/device drivers. I've heard of it working for a few, but you'd also just as easily pickup a new card model - the s620. That's what ended up working for me, but it's hard to say if that will work for you. Certainly, it's an option if all else fails. Sprint should replace the card at no charge.

In regards to Sprint's data network offering the best - that might just depend on your area. I actually used to have Verizon (from same area) and had horrible service, especially sinced I lived in a basement. When I changed to Sprint, I never had anything less than full service no matter where I went (DC metro area). Although, you'll always find places (like my new apartment) that gives you trouble. For some reason my cell and data service is really bad indoors, even next to the window. But as soon as I walk outside it's all better. Could be interference, who knows. Both Sprint and Verizon use the CDMA protocol, which I'm almost positive is the best out there right now. I also think Sprint has a pretty aggressive strategy to be the largest network, and I know they have continuing plans to upgrade and expand as much as possible - which undoubtedly works in my favor.

I'm curious to see if your new 5740 card makes a difference. Anyhoo, good luck, and let me know how your situation turns out. Very Happy

zack10467 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

I first purchased the Merlin connection card from sprint it was a pain in the ass Sad

I was getting blue screens every 5-10mins when connected it said something about a USB Driver I never had this problem before so it had to be the sprint card I ended up trading it for the Sprint Pc-5740 it is working great I am getting more bars and faster connections however I am still getting the blue screns like every 2-3 hours which is not that bad but still I would like to know if someone has a solution for this problem since I am seeing the effects on my hard drive now. I have a Compaq V2000 laptop with a Dual Core Turion 64bit processor and 768megs of ram. Thank you in advance Smile

arisdj · EVDO Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

For anyone that's been following my previous and original posts regarding the wireless EVDO card, here's the latest update...

Shortly after my last post, I was getting some seriously low signal strength just about all the time. I haven't experienced any compatibility problems or card errors, but having a wireless card became plain old uselss. I started to average about 5 minutes for web pages to finish loading, not to mention streaming audio or video was completely out of the question. So... in the last month or so I haven't actually used the card at all. And just to make my life that much better, I'm forced to cancel the card service altogether, and that means paying a $200 cancellation fee. BULLSH*T. Pardon my French. Now where's that wonderful DSL that always works...

windjammer547 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

Finally a place to share our complaints about this card. I too own a sprint Novatel Wireless Merlin S620 card. Im running this on a DV5139 laptop.

Ive had the card for 3 months or so. I was getting blue screens nearly once a day. Three days ago sprint provided a new driver in their connection manager update. Since then I have only recieved one crash. Im crosshing my fingers that was a fluke.

What I discovered was that it mostly only crashed when multi tasking (downloading a file while watching movies and chatting at the same time. ) Yes I pushed the system hard to see what it would do. Since the card runs on the USB hub I thought maybe it was a lack of power. My lappy only runs a 65 watt power supply. Today I was able to download two files and watch a movie while chatting and no crashes. Ive actually been able to replicate this behavior three days in a row. So I think its fixed but then I will believe it after its NOT crashed for at least a month.

Now onto the real complaint. I dont have a problem when things dont always work, especially if the company that provides the service or product owns up to the failure. But when I called Sprint, they told me right away that it couldnt be the card but only the computer. Then the technician listed off over a dozen other laptops that were NOT compatible. That tells me its their Card?. The majority were dells. Like nearly all of them. LOL>> Doesnst that eliminate like 60 percent of the market? Maybe im wrong. When I called HP, all they could tell me was the obvious things, like reload drivers, update bios etc. And then of course, "IM sorry sir but we dont support the card so we cant help you."

Then I called the manufacturer of the actual card (Qualcom) They told me it sounded like a driver issue, but "Sorry sir we dont make the drivers, thats another vendor but we aren't sure who that is".

Its a joke for sure. I found out that Dell now sells some models with these wirless broadband cards built in. Now that I know I like the service (When the card works) my next computer will have a built in one. That way when I get a blue screen, I will point the problem to Dell and say "HEY fix the card problem or give me my money back period". Now it will be on their head to fix the problem, and not give me the runaround as a customer to try and troubleshoot the errors.

Im getting approx 1 megabit download speed which is much better than my DSL with Qwest I had. So far I've been able to connect everywhere I go. dont give up the ship yet. One thing I found that helped also was to stop using sprints connection manager and run the connection through the modem connection wizard. All you need is the password and a dialing code. That actually helped keep me from crashing as often, until I finally got a new driver.

Again I wish there was a better answer to give you guys. Mine pretty much works now. The problem is that Sprint is a bottom feeder. they want to sell you something, but then dump it off on the customer because they Dont make the card, they dont make the computer and they dont make the drivers. its clearly someone elses problem. Lucky for them their service actually rocks or I would have dumped this acount long ago.

AuriRahimzadeh · EVDO Newbie Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

I get the crashes all the time as well with my S620 card. I've had the blue-screens and lockups with all Sprint wireless cards I've owned that have been Merlins / Novatel Wireless. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what's causing it. The issues all occur on laptops, and it doesn't matter if I use a Compaq, Toshiba, or Acer (Ferrari) laptop. I'm considering the following may be the problems:

1) Crappy driver software. Makes sense, since ALL Novatels have had problems.
2) Trend Micro antivirus software, which I had installed on all three machines and with all Novatel/Merlin card versions
3) Power issues where the card drains the system and causes a restart due to a hardware fault

Does anyone else have these same issues?

Does anyone have a laptop and have NO crashes?

I also have problems where the card will not be recognized unless I reboot. Anyone else having this problem? I've had the same issue on multiple laptops...

Thanks!

-Auri Rahimzadeh, Author, Hacking the PSP
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