Does anyone have any knowledge of Xandros, a Linux alternative to Windows? I am thinking about giving it a try.
Grateful for any advice or comments.

Xandros website


Many Thanks

I bought a Vodafone 3G quad-band datacard in the week which was delivered on Friday, but has now been sent back because it appears to be faulty.

Regarding the business of the datacard being unlocked or locked to a particular network, would I be correct in thinking that none of the 3G datacards are actually locked themselves? Instead, is it the accompanying "Dashboard" software which locks the datacard to a particular network?

In my digging I came across this web page which explains how to set up the datacard for use with any airtime provider without using the locking "Dashboard" software.

If this is the case, presumably I could buy any 3G datacard (eg Vodafone, Orange or O2) and just set up a different connection for different USIM cards in different countries. Presumably I would just need to find out the connection details for the different airtime providers as detailed on pages such as this.

CCC, not specifically but I have played with Linux a bit over the years. The main thing to remember is that even if it looks like windows it isnt windows, below the surface its very different. This has a lot of consequences such as inability to run Windows programs, a different support model and many applications that are very superficial.

Dont get me wrong Linux is a great product and I very much admire the people who dedicate themselfd to making Linux and linux applications avaiable and supported. It is however different and if you need specific applications that are not Linux you may well have problems.

Hilary, I have not used a 3G datacard or even seen one however I would expect the locking to be done at a different level than software. I expect its something done via the SIM card (or equivalent).

Derek will probably be able to give a proper answer as he is an expert on mobile data protocols.

Spacie, thanks.

I'd be surprised if the locking was anything to do with the SIM card, but I did wonder if it might be locked through the firmware of the datacard.

The datacards are made by a company called Option who sell not only to Vodafone but also to Orange, T-Mobile and a string of other airtime providers in different countries. Firmware can be downloaded from the Vodafone website, but I was wondering if this were the same as the Option firmware or whether it had been tampered with by Vodafone to lock it to their network.

The people who sell the "unlocked" datacards intimate that the unlocking is done by changing the APN through the settings within the "Dashboard" software. Unfortunately, however, the APN details seem to be greyed out and therefore unchangeable which is why I suggested in my post above using the datacard as a simple modem without the Dashboard software and setting up a connection using the APN details for the airtime providers of the SIM cards that I intend to use.

I know that D's the expert here and I'm hoping that he will explain the workings when he's got time.

Expert? Moi? Aw shucks, Tim. Let me tell you, experts in this sort of stuff are few and far between and are, in the main, sad.

Hil:

The simplest solution, I believe, to your problem would be to buy SIM cards for the local Vodafone partner company in each of the countries you visit. In Spain, it's Vodafone Espana, in France it's SFR. It should "just work". Otherwise, let it roam and put up with the ludicrous overcharging.

The APN thing is truly a nightmare, particularly with PAYG SIMs. Sometimes, they won't let you use data. However, I talked to some of our guys who have experience of roaming with Voda 3G cards for a particular application, and they found that in Belgium, a SIM card from PROXIMUS (the local Voda partner) just worked.

FWIW, the 3G card is probably not locked to a network (which is done by associating the IMEI of the card with a particular network).


[Edit] I just tried an O2 SIM (subscription, data-enabled) in a Voda 3G card and it connected to O2 GPRS, but the "dashboard" software gave me an error 619 when I tried to connect. Error 619 means, of course, "something has gone wrong: see if you can work out what it is".

I haven't tried playing with the APN yet . . .

Blimey, that was quick D.

:o)

What you've said makes sense. When I first posted, I hadn't realised that Vodafone had a presence in Spain where I thought that service was split between Movistar and Amena. During my diggings of the last few days, I've discovered Vodafone.es and it obviously makes sense to use them if the APN settings won't need to be changed.

I would, however, like to get the thing working before I go not only to make sure that it works, but also to find out how to use it. If I can't get it to work in this country with my Orange and Virgin mobile SIM's, I guess I'll have to pick up a Voda SIM to try it out.

I did think that I was being clever in trying to avoid the roaming costs. I've probably wasted more time now through fannying around trying to sort it out than I'm likely to save in roaming costs.

Error 619 is what I got too which is why it's currently gone back.

Hilary

Before you connect to the Internet using a data card, switch off automatic downloading of updates for Windows, Firefox, Adobe Reader, Virus software etc. That will save you paying a fortune to download the updates. You could also restrict the size of emails that are automatically downloaded and Internet Explorer has an option to not download pictures, which is less useful but does save data traffic.

3G....turn off the pictures to save data traffic...

Hmmm?

Good advice Optimist. Had a lengthy joke e mail from a friend while in Spain - cost me about 8 and the updates for this that and the other keep creeping in when you're not looking.

That's great advice, Opti, thanks.

Another datacard was delivered this morning, but I still can't get it to work with my Orange SIM even after changing the APN and uninstalling the Dashboard software to use the datacard as a simple modem. I'm going to try it with a Vodafone SIM later and I'm hoping that it will work, otherwise it's going back and I'll scrap the whole idea of taking a laptop away with me. If it works I'll buy Spanish Vodafone and SFR SIM cards when I get out there and just re-install the Dashboard software for the relevant country.

I've got to say that I'm a bit miffed as the datacard was advertised as being unlocked for any network. What cobblers!!!

new PC (3 months old)playing up,
the motherboard is not holding the bios settings,tried removing everything from MOBO including battery and resetting CMOS and loading 1009 bios from ASUS site,
still in the bios the year and time keeps resetting to all different years etc,
will not boot into windows and when going into BIOS its all over the place,
is there anything i can do before sending back the MOBO,

it is A8N32-SLI Deluxe gaming motherboard,ASUS,

many thanks

steve

Try changing the battery. Losing BIOS settings is often down to faulty or worn out battery.

Could be perhaps a faulty contact with the battery.

As it keeps setting the date to different years as opposed to 1/1/2000 then I would suspect something more serious.

Send it back!

Help Please,

I have a Sony VIO wireless Laptop which I am very happy with.

Also use V21 as broad band ISP, also very happy.

However, I am hoping to wander around in a Motor home in Europe, ie. England, France, Spain, Portugal and maybe Morocco.

I use to down load and access Internet via a nokia mobile (4years ago)
and it was expensive.

I believe I can buy a external card ? to use to access the internet similar to a mobile phone and I have been told the charges are reasonable.

Has anybody overcome similar problems, and what Servers did they use and approximately at what cost?

I wish to be able to download end of the day Sharescope data, deal on the internet sites and view moneyam and E-mail etc.

Any help appreciated.

Fred,

See the last 20 or 30 posts re Vodafone 3G cards. You can buy them as new on eBay for around 50.

I actually got my card connected on 3G last night using a Voda SIM. I'm disappointed that it's not unlocked as advertised, but I don't see that as being a major problem if I can get Voda.es and SFR PAYG SIMs to work and avoid the roaming costs.

Hilary Thank you. Now even more confused.

I had this problem last time I wander off for 2 weeks and came back 8 months later.

I thought charges would be less this time. I had bills for a while of up to 200 a month but was making it in the market at the time.

In portugal I was using Portugeese Sim card in a Nokia. the problem with cost was when I left Portugal and went to Spain and France.

May rely on Cafes and plugging into hotspots.

MM at 62 should you be playing around with Virgins.

Hilary, Fred, MM

You guys might be interested in learning about 'Wardriving'

But do I remember how MM might already be an afficionado?

More on it at Tapping into wireless