Usb Stick K3520 Ras Error 631

[Dgardiner]

Hi,

Ongoing problem with the dongle keeps dropping connection after about 8-10 mins. Error Code 631. Im running Windows XP on IBM laptop

Have had vodafone mobile broadband for over 12 months, but the problem has only begun in last 2 months or so. My Location has not changed.

Running Windows XP on IBM laptop.

So far no attempts by Vodafone tech support over the phone have solved the issue including

- replacing the dongle for brand new one
- reinstalling new mobile connect software
- changing 3g settings (using only and preffered settings)
- deleting all other mobiles on pc

The connection speed averages around 300-500kbps on 3G on a good day.

I think the problem may lies with the strength of the 3G signal, even though Im in cental london and 3 stories up, it alternates between poor and very poor. Although this didnt seem to cause any problems last year, why would this be?.

BTW It holds connection fine from my office location, also London, but not at home.

Last advice from vodaphone was to just use GPRS.....im sorry, but Im not paying £25 a month for that speed. Especially as Im supposed to be in a 3G area.

So can someone please help or advise what maybe causing the error, before I give up on this.

Thanks

[Dgardiner]

another twist....

if I set leave it on streaming video...it connects perfectly on 3g and doesnt drop at all, until I try and access another webpage, then it drops.

[Retired-Jon_V]

Hi DGardiner,

I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with one of our modems.

The error 631 indicates that the connection has been terminated by something on your side of the connection, rather than ours. This could be the modem itself, or Windows.

If it was us disconnecting for any reason, for example, due to poor coverage, a timeout, or using the wrong APN, then you'd usually get an Error 619 or Error 31, indicating that the remote computer has terminated the connection.

Since in your particular case the connection is being terminated at your end, it suggests that the coverage, although poor, is not the real cause of your issue.

Since the modem has recently been replaced, we can also rule this out as a problem. That only leaves the computer itself, or Windows. Have you installed any new Anti-Virus or Firewall software recently which would coincide with this issue? The fact that you only get disconnected when you try to open a new web-page would seem to back-up the fact that this is a software issue.

Unfortunately this type of problem is outside of our normal scope of support, and so we'd strongly recommend having this looked at by a PC Specialist. Failing that, if you have another computer you could test the modem in that, and would confirm the problem if you no longer get this error message.

Keep us updated, and I wish you the best of luck in getting to the bottom of this one

Jon

eForum Team

[Dgardiner]

thanks, Ill try a different PC from this location and see what happens and let you know.

[Dgardiner]

Hello again,

Im using the exact same set up in another location on the same signal strength and im not getting any problems at all. Can you please check out the signal in my home location. Regards

Dominic

[Retired-Lee]

Hi Dominic,

Thanks for trying what Jon suggested. At least we can rule out the dongle as being the problem.

I have checked the postcode in your profile, and can confirm that all sites in the area have been handling traffic perfectly for the last 15 minutes. Tell me, has the problem rectified itself? Or is the postcode in your profile incorrect/should I be checking another?

I have also taken a look at our notice board and we have nothing reported. That's not to say there isn't anything wrong, just that it's not been reported yet!

If you could get back to me as to whether the postcode's right or not, we'll be able to move this forward for you.

Cheers,

LeeH
eForum Team

[Dgardiner]

The problem has not rectified itself im afraid to say. The postcode in my profile is correct yes.

Its still dropping connection every 3-5 mins. Unless Im downloading or streaming video in which case it holds up ok.

Ive only tried it in 2 locations, my home and at work W4 5AN. No problems at the work location and signal strength is about the same.

Dom

[Retired-Wayne]

Hi Dom,

I've taken a look at this again for you.

I have looked at the two locations you have provided and the cell information for each of those sites. I can see that the two sites are both quite busy cells. On a cell site a Voice call will take priority over data calls for emergency reasons. This means that when a site is busy like the sites that you are using are, it is quite normal for you to be disconnected every so often

Could you confirm at what times of the day this is happening?

Also, when you used the device in a different location and it worked without any trouble, do you know the postcode of that area?

Let me know and I'm sure we'll be able to sort this out for you

Thanks

Wayne

eForum Team

[Dgardiner]

It works fine at work in w45an, i tried it in SW18 last week and it stayed connected overnight no problems.

But at my home location it still drops, there is no particular time of day, it seems to do it all the time. It can be just 3 mins or 10 mins or 20mins into a session.

Im using it now on Sunday morning and its been ok for 15mins so fa.

Why do voice calls get priority....are they paying more than I do for a priority service!? Thats doesnt seem fair, is that laid out clearly in your terms and conditions?

I was warned by our IT team at work that this service will struggle to cope once demand increases and mobile broadband grows more popular. One year into my contract and their prediction seems to be coming true. I have not reccomended this service to anyone who has asked as I have had many problems over the year. I would advice Vodafone to increase the bandwidth they have or else this service is not going to last. Now I know why BT are spending so much on advertising their more reliable service.

Thanks for your assistance, Ive put up with this for a couple of months. Ill give it a bit longer and hopefully you can work out what the problem is, but then Im afraid Im going to have to switch to a more reliable service.


Dom

[Retired-Daz_V]

Hi DGardiner,

It's a shame to hear you're suffering this issue, I've checked out the general area (there are a lot of sites) and as coverage is overlapping, chances are that it probably is general congestion rather than a specific site fault.

Whilst I agree that this would be frustrating for me too, the benefit of the mobile broadband is that you can work anywhere - in this sense, it was never designed to compete with a hard-line broadband connection for direct comparison. As I'm sure you also know, data transmission over the air is always going to be slower and more at the mercy of your local cell node; congestion for mobile broadband is no different to congestion for fixed line providers, albeit you feel it more as the clients-to-server relationship is magnified. It's a standard effect, and one we help keep in control by auto-disconnection for users after periods of inactivity to open up the bandwidth for everyone else.

A better solution will be to check out our Vodafone At Home service: if fast broadband in one location is what you need, the trade-off from portability is greatly increased speed that remains unaffected by local variables (such as cell site, local user numbers, etc..). Why not check it out?

If you need any advice, please do let us know!


Daz

eForum Team