R520 + Mc218 Gprs

[macfaji]

Ericsson R520m and MC218

I have an Ericsson R520m and MC218 that I am trying to use for email etc on the O2 Ireland using GPRS.
They worked together successfully but slowly using GSM Data and I now want to upgrade to GPRS, but have had no luck overcoming a number of problems.

Getting settings for the phone was difficult as O2 Ireland "do not support that phone; it's in test". Eventually I got settings and the R520 worked on GPRS for a week or so but then the handset would turn itself off and back on again for no apparent reason, or when turned off the green light would continue to flash even though the screen was blank. An assistant in an O2 shop suggested it might be a software problem in the phone which would have to be upgraded by Ericsson. Battery life was certainly appalling while on GPRS.

Since then I cannot get further than menu 6-1 (the home page prompt - O2 GPRS), so have had no GPRS access on the handset.

I have been totally unable to connect the MC218 (5mx clone) to the web using the R520 GPRS: Internet and Message simply hang at the "connecting" stage and eventually time out.

Any suggestions?

[MikeMcC]

Julie uses an Ericsson R520m with O2 and her settings are in a file on the General Info page of my website. Try those settings and if you still have problems, I'm sure Julie will try to help further.

[_JJ_]

To check the software version in the phone, enter > * < < * < * then select 'Service info' and 'SW information'. I think the latest version is R4A, but anything after R2S should be fairly stable. Some of the versions before R2S were pretty bad though...

To get it upgraded, you need to take the phone to an E/// service point. Upgrade takes about 2 hours.


Cheers,

JJ

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by macfaji
I have been totally unable to connect the MC218 (5mx clone) to the web using the R520 GPRS: Internet and Message simply hang at the "connecting" stage and eventually time out.

Any suggestions? A shot in the dark here, but I'm wondering whether you might be using WAP settings, rather than Mobile Internet, which is what you need for access from the Psion.

As Mike suggested, have a look at my settings, which are posted on his website - they work perfectly for me with my MC218, netBook and RevoPlus.

We got the same phone, the same network and the same PDA - we MUST be able to get it to work!

Julie

[macfaji]

I've checked the software using JJ's prompt and it's R1J. Thanks JJ.

I found Julie's settings, updated the MC218 with the GPRS update and deleted the IRDA file. Still no joy.
O2 Ireland have told me to use "internet" as the APN and "gprs" as the username and password. With these set and the Nokia 6310i settings from Nokia's website,

http://www.nokia.com/phones/productsupport/legal.html?file=6310i/N6310i_Psion_Devices.pdf

I can use a 6310i to make a GPRS connection and browse away, so I suspect it's something to do with the modem initialisation string for the R520 and/or its software standard.

I'm going to try a friend's R520 which is a year newer and probably a different update to see if there's any difference.

Although the name is the same, O2 bought Digifone in Ireland, so I'm not sure if it's absolutely accurate to say they're the same network. Below is a link from O2-IRL's website for setting up PDAs:
http://www1.o2.ie/products_services/mobile_internet/gprs

I'm grateful for all the help so far, and will keep tinkering...

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by macfaji
Although the name is the same, O2 bought Digifone in Ireland, so I'm not sure if it's absolutely accurate to say they're the same network. macfaji

Sorry, I missed the reference to Ireland in your original post, and you don't have location shown in your profile. :(

That said - APN as "internet" and username/password as "GPRS" are exactly the settings that O2 UK gave me which were quite definitely WRONG. Yes, they work for access on the phone itself, but not correct for the Psion.

Try asking them for settings to use for Mobile Internet on a Windows laptop - I was advised by a very helpful person on Ericsson tech support that these should work, and indeed they did.

You could try setting the APN to "mobile.o2.ie" - just a guess, but then guesswork worked better for me than any info given to me by o2!

I'm assuming you HAVE set up a data account in DataComm on your phone, specifically for the Psion. The "CID=x" setting there needs to agree with the AT+CGDCONT=x" on the Psion. If the digit corresponding to "x" differs, then change it in the Psion init string to match the phone.

Just a few more ideas - don't know if any of that is any help. Sorry if I've stated some obvious stuff that you've already taken care of.

Julie

[macfaji]

I've been tinkering with laptop settings on the 218 and I'll have a go with your suggestions.
It's only this evening that I've tumbled to the "CID=x" but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to continue.
Should I attempt "open internet" or is basic "internet" sufficient?


Thanks again.

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by macfaji
Should I attempt "open internet" or is basic "internet" sufficient?I'm sorry, I don't understand that question at all.

Julie

[macfaji]

Following is copied from the O2.ie website http://www1.o2.ie/pop3

Internet
Given that your PDA or Laptop computer has the potential to be always on line you may want to limit the types or amount of information which is sent through to your device. There are two types of connections which you can configure when connecting to the Internet, basic 'Internet' access or full 'Open Internet' access. The following settings do not apply to your pre-configured WAP settings on your phone.

Open Internet
By selecting the ?openinternet? APN option you will be able to access all services available on the Internet. Applications & services which you have initiated from your device as well as other Internet based services destined to your device will be received allowing you unrestricted access to the world wide web.

I have successfully connected using a newer R520; I think JJ's software issue is the problem and can post the full settings if asked.