GPRS on Orange with Netbook

[Spuddey]

Hi,

I am still having trouble getting my Nokia 6310i and my Psion 7book running the latest OS to connect to Orange via GPRS. I have it set up on my 5mx and it appears to work (although I am having trouble sending email, but not receiving!).

Has any one actually got this combination working?
If so can I know your settings and any 'wrinkles' you had to use to get it to work?

I have tried soft resets and even went to the point of a hard reset and reboot to no avail!

Any ideas will be gratefully recieved!

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by Spuddey
...I am having trouble sending email, but not receiving!)This sounds to me as though you could be trying to use the wrong smtp server. For sending mail you need to use the smtp server of your GPRS provider, not your normal ISP. I don't use Orange, but Mike does, so he will no doubt be able to confirm what this setting should be.

As for the rest of the problem, it's very puzzling. There are certainly others having the same difficulty with S7/7Book though I know several people with netBooks (myself included) for whom it is working fine. Anyone out there got GPRS working OK on S7 or 7Book?

Julie

[MikeMcC]

I am still having trouble getting my Nokia 6310i and my Psion 7book running the latest OS to connect to Orange via GPRS. I have it set up on my 5mx and it appears to work (although I am having trouble sending email, but not receiving!). I cannot explain why it works with the 5mx but not the 7Book but if you want to check the settings I use they are on my website at:

http://home.clara.net/m-mcconnell/GPRS_phone_settings_3.htm

If you still have problems, create the file path C:\Logs\Etel\ and, after your next connection attempt have a look at the GSMTSY.txt log file in the Etel folder as this may give an indication of the problem.

As far as sending mail is concerned, make sure you have entered smtp.orange.net as the SMTP server in your mail settings.

[Spuddey]

Many thanks for the info regarding the outgoing email. This is now working on the 5mx.
All I need now is to find someone who has managed to get GPRS working on a 7book with orange.........

[MikeMcC]

All I need now is to find someone who has managed to get GPRS working on a 7book with orange......... Can you be more specific about the problem you are having and have you looked at a log file?

[Spuddey]

I intend to have a concerted effort at getting to the bottom of this over the weekend so have not yet tried a log file.
I will let you know all of the error messages etc as soon as I can. Unfortunately I am rather busy at work at the moment so it is having to wait!
Thanks for your continued interest in my problem.

[Spuddey]

Oops, had to have a go at the settings, have changed the outgoing as per the 5mx and now everything is as per your website settings for the 5mx on my 7book.
I tried to connect and the machine says it is dialing, then it comes up with the following message:

Program Etel Server
Reason code USER
Reason number 23

Under this is the following message:

Problem connecting to Remote Mailbox
Server has closed

I have also now saved the log as requested, I had a quick look and I don't understand it. I attach the file for your attention and hope it can cast some light on the problem.

Many thanks for your help again, I have yet to see a problem on this site that gets the better of you! So here's hoping!

[MikeMcC]

The GSMTSY.txt file was incomplete because the dialup never ran its full course but there were no errors in the file that was created.

Try performing a 'soft' reset and see if that clears the problem of the Etel server crashing.

Have you installed the "Mobile GPRS Update"? If not download that from my website and install it although, after installation, you may have to delete the IRDA.PRT file which it installs in C:\System\Libs\ if you find that the port is inaccessible.

The other thing to check if you are having crashes is that, in Control Panel, you don't have Auto Switch Off set to more than 30 minutes as there is a bug which causes problems (usually spontaneous resets) when you try to use the Infrared port.

[netBookBabe]

I'm not too sure the Mobile GPRS Update will help here - those of us running the latest netBook OS release have found we have not needed it, although it was definitely necessary on the previous release. Nevertheless, anything is worth a try!

Spuddey, I'm just wondering whether you did a restore of data after installation of the OS on your 7Book, and if so, did you follow the advice NOT to restore the commsdb.dat file? The notes that come in the readme file with the OS download give instructions on how to exclude it from the restore process. You then need to recreate it manually after the restore is complete. Again, I'm not at all sure this would make any difference, but it's another thing to try - if you can face another hard reset!

Julie

[Spuddey]

Thanks for your replies.

I tried the GPRS update and it made no difference so I removed it when I did my hard reset.

As far as the reinstall went with the file you mention, yes I did it wrong initialy (that will teach me to follow the instructions) but then I did it again and recreated all of my internet and email settings.

I have done a 'significant' number of soft resets as I have to to get it to work with GSM after an attempt with GPRS!

I read somewhere that it might be worth doing a soft reset and then entering all the settings for GPRS again and then trying it before using a GSM connection. Do you think this is worth a try?

The only other idea I had was to try PsoLOC's GPRS helper, what do you think?

Thanks for your help.

[MikeMcC]

I have done a 'significant' number of soft resets as I have to to get it to work with GSM after an attempt with GPRS! The only reason this would be necessary is if the GPRS dialup failed and the port hadn't been released properly. Presumably you get the "Already Exists" error message?
I read somewhere that it might be worth doing a soft reset and then entering all the settings for GPRS again and then trying it before using a GSM connection. Do you think this is worth a try? You could rename (to hide) the Commsdb.dat file, perform a soft reset and then enter all of your modem and ISP settings again from scratch. That might help.
The only other idea I had was to try PsoLOC's GPRS helper, what do you think? I don't even know what it is but if it helps you, give it a try :)

[Spuddey]

I will try the re-entering of the internet settings etc when I get a chance.
I have tried PsiLOC GPRS helper - and it failed to load so I have given up with that!

I have been looking at the Nokia documentation that came with my phone and this may have a bearing on my problem although I don't really understand it. I have attached it as a pdf document and would be grateful if you could cast your eyes over and see if it sheds any light on my problem. The item I am interested in is 9.2.1 (sorry it is not the full document, I had to print it on my psion with pdfprinter to get it small enough to add to this message - who needs microsoft!)

Many thanks again for your time. This is the most fantastic forum for help - psion should take note!

Spuddey

[MikeMcC]

I have attached it as a pdf document and would be grateful if you could cast your eyes over and see if it sheds any light on my problem. The item I am interested in is 9.2.1 (sorry it is not the full document The full .pdf file for the Nokia 6310 is actually on my website. :) However, some caution is necessary as they keep referring to Message Suite 1.52 which must only be installed in the original Series 5 "Classic". I am aware of the AT+CGDCONT string which is shown and that is actually the string that enabled me to connect with a Series 5 "Classic" and GPRS (because there is a restriction in the number of characters the S5 allows).

By all means try AT+CGDCONT=,,"orangeinternet" though I suspect this will run the default configuration of AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","orangeinternet"

The fact still remains that your 5mx is connecting with GPRS and the 7 isn't and it is the difference in machines which must lie at the root of the problem, not your settings (assuming they are identical in both machines).

[Spuddey]

Mike,

Thanks for your help, I will try the settings and report back.

I have found a document on Portal PDA (Ruey Loon's site) relating to using a GPRS globe trotter card in a series 7, this appears to work so perhaps it is not a machine architecture problem?
The article is not attached as it was still too big even in pdf format. The link is as follows:

http://www.portal-pda.com/guides/WirelessOptionOnS7.wrd

Hopefully it might shed some light on matters for you. He shows all the settings he uses to get it to work which I don't fully understand (I am full of enthusiasm but am still learning how all this internet stuff works!).

If this is any use let me know, if not I apologise for wasting your time.

Spuddey

[netBookBabe]

Spuddey

I started a new thread in the 7Book forum just to see if anyone had got GPRS working with a 7Book. At least a couple of people have, as you may have seen, so I think we can probably discount a machine architecture problem (unless it could have anything to do with the original build of the S7).

I'm not sure that investigating settings needed for a Globetrotter card will serve any purpose, since what you are wanting is to use your cellphone, so I think we could be adding further complications there.

Would you care to post the actual settings you are using? I don't think you've already done so, and you never know, we might just spot something that gives a clue.

Julie

[Davidish]

Call me ignorant, but am I the only one who thought the Option GPRS card doesn't work with the Netbook because of current issues? This is indeed great news, if it really does work with the Series 7 - it must work with the netbook, n'est pas?

D

[netBookBabe]

David, you're NOT on your own - I thought it also needed the new motherboard version of the netBook to work with the Option card, so I had discounted it as an, errm, "option" for me at this point in time.

Can anyone clarify this for us please?

Julie

[daredevil]

I believe it should work unless you have those very early hardware. My netbook is JABA8020086 which I know is not the rev.10 board and it works.

[Davidish]

daredevil! That's splendid news. I'm curious, do both GPRS and GSM modems work?

My Netbook is of a similar age, so I hope I have a similar experience to your good self.

Important question: Where did you get your Option card from? They look awfully expensive to buy direct from Orange (my mobco). Do you know where the cheapest place to buy them is?

Cheers,
David.

[Jan Gent]

Setting up GPRS with Orange and 5mx was easy following the information on Mike's website.

With my Mbook I suffered the same problems as Spuddey:

Program Etel Server
Reason code USER
Reason number 23

Installing the Mobile GPRS Update (on C) did solve that problem, and deleting C:\System\Libs\IRDA.PRT made the IRDA port work again.
But now LAN/WIFI was disabled.
Deleting C:\System\Libs\TCPIP.PRT solved that problem.

So to get gprs working on a Mbook, install update and delete IRDA.PRT AND TCPIP.PRT. :)

I even have the impression that Opera (on wifi) is working faster than before updating my mbook.

Probably you can delete more files of the update, haven't tried yet.

Jan

[Jan Gent]

.... and Siemens S55

[cangiante]

important notice for all potential globetrotter buyers...

Option is launching the updated globetrotter which is capable of WI-FI together with GPRS/GSM functions. it may not work with our netbooks but there is something you should be aware of: price for the standard globetrotter should reduce in a few months from now.

my netbook was bought in december 2001 and therefore it does not not the latest motherboard version. it works anyway:)

I am using a vodafone connect card which I bought with my vodafone one fidelity points and works quite well (even if my GPRS T68i seemed to work better). it is SO easy to connect via GPRS from everything even if you are standing in line for a cappuccino cup;)

At the moment I am performing also some tests for SMS and FAX, (as well as for voice calls). I am not still happy about the results but hope to get some sound results in a few days from now.

I have already a PDF file with the specs of the new WIFI GPRS GSM option globetrotter:you can PMme if you want a copy.
PLS I do not want to create false expectations since it is very difficult it will work in our netbooks.