Free 3 broadband dongle

talos · May 18, 2009, 16:38:30

Mine's not arrived either

Lance · May 18, 2009, 16:39:49

Quote from: Rik on May 18, 2009, 16:35:30
Mine isn't working.

Whats wrong with it?

Glenn · May 18, 2009, 16:42:12

Needs a £10 top up?

Rik · May 18, 2009, 16:50:56

No, sadly, that's what I was trying to do when it stopped. The first install was fine, it connected and downloaded a software update, installed that, re-booted and I was trying to get to my account when the signal dropped. Did a walk about, which didn't help, checked that Windows wasn't able to turn it off to save power, removed and re-plugged the dongle. Nada. Called support, 40 minutes of banal advice and waiting while the guy checked with other departments, eventually they came back and said the phone number was blocked for some reason, they'd have to unblock it and let me know.

Luckily, 0870 calls are effectively free now.

Lance · May 18, 2009, 17:00:28

What a PITA! $:-\$

Rik · May 18, 2009, 17:02:01

My feelings exactly.

Sebby · May 18, 2009, 17:09:14

Keep reminding yourself that it was cheap!

Rik · May 18, 2009, 17:11:37

I am, Seb, I am - it's just disappointing when you have a new gizmo and can't play with it.

Steve · May 18, 2009, 17:35:49

I must admit mine didn't work until I put the SIM in.

Its probably the same number.

Rik · May 18, 2009, 17:46:54

Shall we check?

I did have the SIM in, I'm pleased to say (yes, I read the 'manual'

). The first thing mine did, Steve, was to d/l and update to the Connections applet, did you find the same?

Steve · May 18, 2009, 17:54:46

It checked for updates but I don't think any were available,it then proceeded to connect to "my 3" account at which point I registered a credit card and did a top up and then transferred that as a mobile addon.

Rik · May 18, 2009, 18:01:04

How odd. I must have an old one then.

It wouldn't do anything before the d/l, then wouldn't work after. Deep joy.

psp83 · May 18, 2009, 21:48:56

I should be getting mine this week, hope it works. will need it in july

Rik · May 19, 2009, 08:47:51

I'll keep you posted, Paul.

Glenn · May 19, 2009, 08:52:43

Mines arrived

not tried it yet

Rik · May 19, 2009, 08:54:08

If everyone else's works with no problems, I shall cry.

Glenn · May 19, 2009, 09:41:51

Sorry Rik, but mine seems to work.

Rik · May 19, 2009, 09:46:03

I am wounded.

talos · May 19, 2009, 10:12:11

Did anybody get an email to say it had been dispatched?

Rik · May 19, 2009, 10:15:03

Not me. Though I may send an email when I despatch it.

talos · May 19, 2009, 10:17:51

Thanks Rik, I'm still waiting

Rik · May 19, 2009, 10:18:44

You can have mine, Bob.

quandam · May 19, 2009, 12:25:56

Rik

Just tried to use mine and had the same problems as yourself. Rang 3 CS and after some investigation it appears that I am not in a 3G area. I then told the guy that I had bought a dongle from them some 18 months ago and that one receives a signal and can be used in the same location. It all went quiet, I assume shoulders were shrugged

To prove it to myself I dug out the old 3 dongle and gave it a whirl, you guessed it, it worked!! Albeit not a super dooper signal but a useable one none the less.

I would have thought that you were definitely in a 3G area (MK?) whereas mine could be iffy. When you visit Scotland in a few weeks if you will be in a fairly highly populated area, ie Aberdeen, Inverness or the like, it should work well for you.

When you rang did they mention that you may not be in a 3G area?

One good thing, it didn't cost a fortune.

Rik · May 19, 2009, 12:29:34

No, they didn't say it was a coverage issue, Q, quite the opposite, they said coverage was good and there were no local problems. It did work to start with, downloaded the software update quite speedily and it was only after that the problems started. According to 3, the number has been 'blocked' and it will take 24 hours to resolve. So, I'm waiting.

Sebby · May 19, 2009, 14:26:13

What I pain. I wonder why that would have happened.