nB - Psion IR travel modem - internet

[terence_d]

Hi,
I have being trying to connect to the net via the psion ir travel mdoem.
It seems to be dialing OK and the connection gets established, but soon freezes up and no more data seems to be getting downloaded.
The screen has a partially loaded page and gets frozen at that point.
After a while I get the message network problem.
I am using Opera, downloaded last week and in the trial period.

Help!

Terence

[diem]

I have heard the odd report that the IR travel modem is not the most reliable device. Have you used it for internet access with any other device? If not then I would be inclined to suspect it first. Do you have anything else you can use to connect, so as to take the travel modem out of the loop and see if the problem goes away?

[terence_d]

Hi diem,

Thanks for the reply.

I did use the modem a bit with a pocketPC but just to check email. Seemed to work OK.

I also use the modem to check email occasionally thro the nB email program and that works OK.

When used with nB built in web program, the same thing occurs. Things look OK initially but after about 15 seconds or so the partially loaded page freezes and then nothing...

Sometime ago I remember reading something about timer settings, has this anything to do with it?

Are there any settings on modem or internet that have to be checked?

any suggestions are most welcome.

Regards,

[diem]

Your usage pattern previously did not require continuous data transmissions via the modem - checking and sending email is a 'bursty' activity - whereas browsing web pages will put the modem under more stress.

Once again I would suggest trying a different modem with the netBook (a mobile phone via IR perhaps?) since I suspect the modem is the source of the problem. Alternatively, there may be some AT commands that might help, although as I don't use the modem I can't make any particular suggestions - have a bit of a browse at Psion's knowledge base (www.psion.com/myPsion) or Mike McConnell's site perhaps (www.mikemcc.net).

[paniq]

Have you tried connecting via some other program, eg email, news, ftp. Its just could be a problem with Opera.

I had a problem with it on a revo+, it froze and said network problem (I was still connected to the web & could open another internet app & access the connection)

you probably to reinstall

[terence_d]

Hi diem,

Spent some time browsing the sites as suggested. Made some changes to the AT settings as suggested by Mikes site -- still no go. Checked email once again and it works perfectly.

Paniq,

Yes, eventually it does give me a network problem message. But this happens only with web browsing. So the problems are very similar. How do you mean re-install? I reloaded the OS last night and tried with no avail.



All along I refused to believe the problem could be with some hardware made by the psion guys. I have used their products for some time now siena, 5 and now the netBook and I continue to be amazed at how stable and practical they are.
But I am begining to accept diems suggestion that something is inherently wrong with the psion 56k IR modem.


Broadband is quite popular now here in India and I am very interested in setting up a broadband connection wirelessly at my home. I have read that this has been done before and can someone point me in the right direction. ?? I think this wlll make my pc redundant and the netBook my main machine.

I will visit the Uk soon and will want to buy all the cards, etc that i would need.

Thanks anyway for all the suggestions

Terence

[diem]

regarding broadband + wireless - check my FAQ at the URL below - I've written a complete guide.

Regarding your original problem, in your most recent post you suggest that you only get the problem with Opera - is this really the case? Have you tried using FTP to transfer a large number of small files? Even this is not as much load as browsing, because the downloads are sequential. Browsing puts a connection under the most load, because most browsers download multiple objects (web pages, individal graphics) concurrently.

[terence_d]

Hi diem,

The problem exists only in web and opera. This confirms your theory that it is a problem when the modem is put under stress with heavy data transfer.

I dont know how to use ftp, never done it.

I will check out your website re: broadband.

Thanks.

[paniq]

Don't think its the modem stress? I've downloaded 200K of newsgroup articles (took ages though!) with no prob!


Nic

[diem]

I've confirmed that early examples of the IR travel modem used a faulty chip that would stop talking after a while. It might be worth contacting Psion - they helped out this other user (check the last couple of posts on this thread):

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5337

[terence_d]

Hi Diem,
Thanks for the reply.
That seems to explain it.
I am not looking forward to chasing Psion about this, just too much effort, esp since I am in India.
I am in the process of setting up a home broadband and wireless net access and intend to use these fantastic forums to decide on the best equipment.
Thanks all for the replies and suggestions.
Regards,
Terence

[netBookBabe]

Terence

Can I suggest it might be time to cut your losses with the travel modem and treat your netBook to a Psion Gold Card modem instead? They're not too expensive to buy second-hand and, in my experience, much more convenient and very reliable.

Just a thought. :)

Julie