Mobile Broadband

[Mark_Quested]

Dear Vodafone support and Vodafone users,

I have been experiencing a problem with the Vodafone Mobile Broadband Connect software package. 

I have three computers.  I tested my dongle the other day and it was working fine on my back up Netbook (the one I keep spare for emergencies, in case my usual Netbook breaks down).  So my dongle was and is in a working order, ditto the SIM card is fine.  Likewise, the Mobile Broadband Connect software, that is contained on the dongle and installed on my spare Netbook, works.  The netbook that works uses Windows 7 and is a new Netbook that I purchased for emergencies.   

However, I have been experiencing problems with the Vodafone Mobile Broadband connect software on my main Netbook, which runs on Windows XP.  I bought the Netbook in April 2010 and the software has been working.  However, during December 2010, the software kept crashing, giving me an error message of "Vodafone Mobile Connect has stopped working and has to close".  At the weekend, the software would not work at all, and everytime I pressed the icon, the error message came up every time. 

To resolve this, I used a back up of my Hard Drive, to restore the computer software.  The software now works again, thanks to my restoring all the software using  a back up copy. 

* * * *

Now here is my question!...

What could have caused the software to keep crashing and what could have caused the software to cease operating altogether? 

And other than using Windows Restore software, is there a simpler way that I could have resolved the crashing software error?

If any other users can give me advice as to what they did to overcome this problem, then I am sure that I, other users, and the Vodafone support staff would appreciate knowing!

Many thanks.

Mark Q

[jarviser · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted by "George" of Vodafone

"...

. Some versions of XP Service Pack 3 have a service called Windows Media Centre in place, this has been known to interfere with the modem drivers and cause all sorts of issues. If that's the cause of your issue then it can fixed by simply disabling the Windows Media Centre startup as follows:

• Fully close VMC (File > Exit) and unplug the modem
• Go to Start > Run and type in services.msc and then press Enter
• Scroll down the services list and look for Media Centre entries
• If these are present you'll see extender, scheduler and receiver
• Right click each one and then click stop
• Right click each one again and then click properties
• Change the startup type to disabled
• Reboot your PC
• Plug the modem back in after Windows has fully loaded

If all goes well then you'll be able to connect without any issues. Be sure to keep us updated with your progress .

George

eForum Team"

[Mark_Quested]

Thank you for the email.

Out of interest, do you have the Internet link to George's original email / posting?  Thank you.

Mark Q

[jarviser]

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Broadband/Mobile-Broadband-Dongle-constantly-Searching-for-Net...

Or you can type "media" into the search box top of the page

[Mark_Quested]

Another potential solution to this problem is to got to START, go to run, type in services.msc, the Services list should then appear, and then look down the list to Vodafone Mobile Connect.  If it does not say STARTED next to it, try clicking on the RESTART button (top left hand corner) and then try clicking on the Vodafone icon to see if the software reloads.