Common Problems with Mobile Broadband Dongles

There are a number of problems that you may face when you get a mobile broadband dongle.  Some of these problems seem to pop up even before you get the actual device, while others come after you have the device.  It is best that you know what these problems are and the solutions to them.  When you know these you will not be surprised, and will be able to easily fix most problems when they arise.

Will the Mobile Broadband Dongle Work with your Computer?

We all know that computers have to be compatible with certain things in order to use them together.  It stands to reason then that the mobile broadband dongle may not be compatible with all computers.  The actual fact, however, is that a dongle should work with any computer that has a USB port.  This is true for both PC and Mac devices, as the dongle is compatible with both operating systems.

Of course, you have to use a bit of logic when it comes to the operating system.  If you are running an operating system that is older than Windows XP then you will have a problem.  In fact many new dongles do not support Windows XP either because this is viewed as an obsolete operating system.  With a Mac you will probably need to have OS X to use a dongle.  If you are using Linux then you have to check if the dongle is compatible.  The best way to find out is to ask the Linux community about compatible dongles.

The Dongle is not Installing

When you plug your dongle in for the first time, it should automatically start to install.  If it does not then do not panic - which is something a surprising number of people actually do.  This is something that happens often, but there is an easy solution.  You simply have to follow a set of steps, as outlined below:

·         While the dongle is plugged in, go to the ‘My Computer’ section in your Windows Explorer. 

·         You should see an icon for the dongle in this section.  If you do not try pulling the dongle out and plugging it into a different USB port. 

·         Once you see the icon you should right click on it.

·         On the list go to the ‘explore device’ option.  If there is an install or auto-run feature listed, click on that. 

·         The dongle should now start installing.

Can’t Locate the Network on a Mac

If you have installed everything correctly but you still cannot find the network there is something you should look for first.  Look at your dongle and see whether the LED light is flashing green.  If it isn’t, then you are not connected to the mobile broadband network.  If it is, then you have to find out whether or not the sim card is PIN-enabled. 

If it is, you will need to take the sim out of the dongle and put it into your phone.  From your phone you should be able to disable the PIN code.  This is the most common cause of this problem and it can affect Mac and PC users both.

Everything Installed Properly but you Cannot get Online?

If you have this problem the first thing you should do is see if you are in the coverage zone.  This is the most common reason for not being able to connect to a network.  If you are in a coverage zone you should next investigate the USB port you are using.  If your port is not working correctly then you will not be able to get online.  You should try plugging your computer into a different USB port, if you have one. 

You can Send Text Messages

A feature that mobile broadband dongles have is that you are able to send and receive text messages on your computer.  This is done through a software package that is installed when you connect your dongle.  If you are unable to use this then you should look at the settings in the message centre.

You should look at it like a mobile phone.  If your phone does not have the correct settings it will not be able to send a text message to the correct place.  The settings are very easy to fix and your provider should be able to tell you what the settings should be.  If the settings are not in the manual you get then you should contact your provider and input the correct numbers into the settings fields.

The Resolution of the Web Pages is Very Low

If you are looking at a website and find that the resolution seems very low then you have a problem.  You should not keep this resolution as it is, because this is bad for your eyes and tires them.  This is often caused by a setting put in place by your service provider.  This is a compression setting that only the provider will be able to change.  You will need to contact your provider if you have this problem. 

If this is not caused by a compression setting you may need to upgrade the dongle software.  You should be able to find the upgrade on your provider’s website. 

Your Dongle is Broken or Lost - What Now?

An area that providers don’t usually cover when they talk to you about the dongle is: what you should do if you lose it or it breaks.  This can actually cause a lot of stress for people because they worry about what the next step is.  Most providers will offer insurance on the dongle when you first sign up for the package.  If you took the insurance you should be fine; if you didn’t then you are likely to be liable for the cost of a replacement. 

If you do not want to pay for a new dongle you will not be able to get online for the remainder of your contract.  Of course, you will still be paying the monthly fee to your provider.  It is important that you contact your provider right away if you lose the dongle.  When this is done they will stop the sim card so you do not have to pay if someone else tries to use the dongle.

Sam Jones needed to get a mobile broadband dongle quickly.  A few minutes online using sites such as uSwitch told him everything he needed to know about the latest deals.