Payt Dongle And Sms

[Mark64]

Hi there

Hoping someone can clarify something for me? I'm using a Vodafone 3G dongle on my laptop (the white Huawei one) and it has automatically installed SMS software which doesn't seem to work. I'm not using a SIM card: I'm just using the dongle to connect to the net.

I've read that the dongles are only set up for data transfer and not SMS and I've read elsewhere that you can receive SMS messages but not send them. So I guess I've got two questions . . .

1 Can you receive SMS messages using the "phone number" on the dongle?

2 If SMS either way doesn't work: why does Vodafone package the software on the dongle in the first place?

Many thanks.

[Neil_Brown]

Sorry - I always get that wrong.

*#100# should give you the number of the account attached to the SIM

(Just for completeness, IMEI relates to the hardware, so, it's actually the IMEI of the handset in which you made the request, rather than the SIM )

[Retired-Reidar]

Hi Mark

What a roller-coaster of a thread.

Out of curiosity, what laptop/computer are you using, your screen resolution on the screen shots look a little like that of the Dell Mini with the built in Modem, but please.....correct me if I'm wrong.

If this is the case then it's possible you are using two versions of the software (i.e. VMC 9 from the laptop...icons on the desktop, and VMC Lite which runs direct from the modem.

Please let me know as I have a theory,

Thanks

Reidar

eFOrum Team

[Neil_Brown]

I'm going to guess that it's an LG machine

[mholzke]

What a roller-coaster of a thread.

Well I can only agree...

I have the same problem that I don't receive SMS on my dongle...and after all the discussion I'm still no wiser.

What I actually try to do is to sign-up for MyAccount for online topup, hence need to receive the activation code.

On enquiry with vodafone helpdesk (SubmitContactUsQuery ) I was told to do the registration by sticking the SIm in a normal phone which did and still don't succeed. Also got pointed to this forum, so hopefully Reidar you have some input for me...I get the funny feeling the SIM is actually not SMS enabled. We actually got two dongles and while else all perfect both have the same SMS issue.

Looking forward to something helpful...

BTW: Is it true that you only recv not send?

[Neil_Brown]

Yes - on PAYT you can only receive, not send, at the moment.

[Mark64]

Yes - on PAYT you can only receive, not send, at the moment.

Hi guys

Thanks for the feedback

Well spotted Neil! I guess the LG Intelligent Update icon gives a slight clue

Reidar: it's an LG Notebook X110. Just for reference the battery IS rubbish (two hours) and there's no optical drive but fine for everything I need (iTunes, DivX movies, emails and the web). My journey to work and back is less than the battery time so it's not really a problem . . . and even better on the wallet at £230.

Thanks for the theory on the software! Happy to try anything.

The number via *#100# is unsurprisingly the same as the one displayed in the VMC software and I've tried it in every available setting in the SMS software to no avail. Still can't receive SMS messages. Incidentally, the help settings on the SMS software appear to relate to the VMC software and don't show (unless I'm mistaken) where to change settings to receive SMS texts. You might want to look into that in future releases.

So I guess my original question (despite the roller-coaster ) still remains: why package it with the dongle if it doesn't work?

I'll look into software conflicts in the meantime. Many thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

[bryanblencowe]

yeh *#100# will get you the phone number, the reason why you will not beable to send text's from your dongle is the simple fact that it does not have any calling credit. The £15 top-ups just give your your data usage.

[Mark64]

Apologies to mrphoney and mholzke for not recognising your input:

mrphoney: many thanks, it confirmed that the numbers do tally.

mholzke: I'm with you on this! I don't know too much about phones but I like to think I know a little about PCs and I would guess your average user would have given up long ago on the SMS side of the software.

And as Blackberry_Geek (among others) has confirmed you can (in theory) receive but not send SMS messages. The software doesn't give that impression. Otherwise, why's there a Sent items box?

Don't get me wrong: the VMC software is great and works fine. Imho take the SMS software off the dongle until it works or at least warn people about the limitations. I loved the idea, but let's face it: it doesn't really work does it?

[KD]

Hi Guys

I'm sorry for all the confusion here.

With the Top Up and Go service you are able to receive SMS but not send.

We currently have an issue with the registration process for online billing where the SMS that you need to complete during registration isn't being delivered. This is with both modem and normal SIM cards. Our engineers are investigating this and it will be fixed as soon as possible.

To see if your other SMS are being received try texting the modem SIM from a different number - Is the message received? If it is then everything is working normally.
If you don't receive it put the SIM in a phone and try sending a SMS to it - Does it now come through? If it doesn't check out the Text Message Troubleshooting section of the Help Centre.

Have a look at our other great tools to manage your account online here.

I'm sure we can get you up and runing.



Kirsty
eForum Team

[Neil_Brown]

In answer to the point "why the sent items box, if sending is not possible?", I guess it's because it could be supported one day.