I just acquired a usb wireless modem to connect to the Internet via the
cellular network here in Italy. It almost works. The software, including
the driver, installs. The connection software makes a successful connection,
even at high speed (HSDPA) but it's a connection that is not visible to
programs seeking to go online: there is no transfer of data. I managed to
work around this by creating a separate connection in Dial-Up Networking or
by using the service provider's generic connection software. Now the
connection succeeds but at a certain point â?? it could be two minutes, it
could be 40 â?? the exchange of data stops. The connection is not lost â?? it's
just a connection that is not functioning.

I spent a lot of time with technicians from the provider and the
manufacturer who denied any responsibility for the condition â?? until the
manufacturer (Onda, an Italian firm that puts its brand on a product made in
China, of course. I can't figure out whose design it is. It's a pen drive
format, the model number is MT505UP) disclosed in a P.S. that the product is
not certified for XP Media Center Edition.

Now, what I'd like to know for a start is, what is so peculiar about Media
Center that poses a problem for the designers of drivers and software? I
thought it was just a minor embellishment of XP Professional.

If it is known what this peculiarity is, can't someone at Microsoft help
these befuddled designers to adapt their software to the system?

Short of that, is there any way to change the configuration of Media Center
or the services enabled or disabled to facilitate coexistence with the modem?

I realize this is an obscure problem â?? but that's why I'm turning to this
forum, in the hope that someone out there can put me on the road to solving
it. Thanks.

Re: USB Cell Modem Balky by CSM1

CSM1
Wed Apr 23 15:52:31 PDT 2008

"johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:16D26CD1-29A6-4945-BEAB-B36CB4FD5FF9@microsoft.com...
>I just acquired a usb wireless modem to connect to the Internet via the
> cellular network here in Italy. It almost works. The software, including
> the driver, installs. The connection software makes a successful
> connection,
> even at high speed (HSDPA) but it's a connection that is not visible to
> programs seeking to go online: there is no transfer of data. I managed to
> work around this by creating a separate connection in Dial-Up Networking
> or
> by using the service provider's generic connection software. Now the
> connection succeeds but at a certain point - it could be two minutes, it
> could be 40 - the exchange of data stops. The connection is not lost -
> it's
> just a connection that is not functioning.
>
> I spent a lot of time with technicians from the provider and the
> manufacturer who denied any responsibility for the condition - until the
> manufacturer (Onda, an Italian firm that puts its brand on a product made
> in
> China, of course. I can't figure out whose design it is. It's a pen
> drive
> format, the model number is MT505UP) disclosed in a P.S. that the product
> is
> not certified for XP Media Center Edition.
>
> Now, what I'd like to know for a start is, what is so peculiar about Media
> Center that poses a problem for the designers of drivers and software? I
> thought it was just a minor embellishment of XP Professional.
>
> If it is known what this peculiarity is, can't someone at Microsoft help
> these befuddled designers to adapt their software to the system?
>
> Short of that, is there any way to change the configuration of Media
> Center
> or the services enabled or disabled to facilitate coexistence with the
> modem?
>
> I realize this is an obscure problem - but that's why I'm turning to this
> forum, in the hope that someone out there can put me on the road to
> solving
> it. Thanks.


The unique part of Media Center that interferes with normal communication
may be the Media Center Services. You can try disabling the three Media
Center services in Services to see what happens.

I have no idea if that would do anything for you.

The Media Center interface hooks into a lot of network services and tuner
services.

Network is used to download Guide information.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--



Re: USB Cell Modem Balky by johnnino

johnnino
Fri Apr 25 10:45:01 PDT 2008

Thanks, CSM1. That's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind.
Unfortunately, in a day of trial, disabling the three Media Center Services
didn't make any difference. I've still got a very erratic connection. It
can hold for more than an hour or it can go down in less than two minutes.
But the experiment helps clarify where the fault may lie. I appreciate your
help.

"CSM1" wrote:

> "johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:16D26CD1-29A6-4945-BEAB-B36CB4FD5FF9@microsoft.com...
> >I just acquired a usb wireless modem to connect to the Internet via the
> > cellular network here in Italy. It almost works. The software, including
> > the driver, installs. The connection software makes a successful
> > connection,
> > even at high speed (HSDPA) but it's a connection that is not visible to
> > programs seeking to go online: there is no transfer of data. I managed to
> > work around this by creating a separate connection in Dial-Up Networking
> > or
> > by using the service provider's generic connection software. Now the
> > connection succeeds but at a certain point - it could be two minutes, it
> > could be 40 - the exchange of data stops. The connection is not lost -
> > it's
> > just a connection that is not functioning.
> >
> > I spent a lot of time with technicians from the provider and the
> > manufacturer who denied any responsibility for the condition - until the
> > manufacturer (Onda, an Italian firm that puts its brand on a product made
> > in
> > China, of course. I can't figure out whose design it is. It's a pen
> > drive
> > format, the model number is MT505UP) disclosed in a P.S. that the product
> > is
> > not certified for XP Media Center Edition.
> >
> > Now, what I'd like to know for a start is, what is so peculiar about Media
> > Center that poses a problem for the designers of drivers and software? I
> > thought it was just a minor embellishment of XP Professional.
> >
> > If it is known what this peculiarity is, can't someone at Microsoft help
> > these befuddled designers to adapt their software to the system?
> >
> > Short of that, is there any way to change the configuration of Media
> > Center
> > or the services enabled or disabled to facilitate coexistence with the
> > modem?
> >
> > I realize this is an obscure problem - but that's why I'm turning to this
> > forum, in the hope that someone out there can put me on the road to
> > solving
> > it. Thanks.
>
>
> The unique part of Media Center that interferes with normal communication
> may be the Media Center Services. You can try disabling the three Media
> Center services in Services to see what happens.
>
> I have no idea if that would do anything for you.
>
> The Media Center interface hooks into a lot of network services and tuner
> services.
>
> Network is used to download Guide information.
>
> --
> CSM1
> http://www.carlmcmillan.com
> --
>
>
>

Re: USB Cell Modem Balky by CSM1

CSM1
Fri Apr 25 11:21:19 PDT 2008

You are welcome.

I hope you get the problem sorted.

One question, are you sure that you have a good wireless connection for the
whole time and not experiencing signal drop outs?

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--
"johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9EFB9826-C065-4110-B51A-6F9C85C90A26@microsoft.com...
> Thanks, CSM1. That's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind.
> Unfortunately, in a day of trial, disabling the three Media Center
> Services
> didn't make any difference. I've still got a very erratic connection. It
> can hold for more than an hour or it can go down in less than two minutes.
> But the experiment helps clarify where the fault may lie. I appreciate
> your
> help.
>
> "CSM1" wrote:
>
>> "johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:16D26CD1-29A6-4945-BEAB-B36CB4FD5FF9@microsoft.com...
>> >I just acquired a usb wireless modem to connect to the Internet via the
>> > cellular network here in Italy. It almost works. The software,
>> > including
>> > the driver, installs. The connection software makes a successful
>> > connection,
>> > even at high speed (HSDPA) but it's a connection that is not visible to
>> > programs seeking to go online: there is no transfer of data. I managed
>> > to
>> > work around this by creating a separate connection in Dial-Up
>> > Networking
>> > or
>> > by using the service provider's generic connection software. Now the
>> > connection succeeds but at a certain point - it could be two minutes,
>> > it
>> > could be 40 - the exchange of data stops. The connection is not lost -
>> > it's
>> > just a connection that is not functioning.
>> >
>> > I spent a lot of time with technicians from the provider and the
>> > manufacturer who denied any responsibility for the condition - until
>> > the
>> > manufacturer (Onda, an Italian firm that puts its brand on a product
>> > made
>> > in
>> > China, of course. I can't figure out whose design it is. It's a pen
>> > drive
>> > format, the model number is MT505UP) disclosed in a P.S. that the
>> > product
>> > is
>> > not certified for XP Media Center Edition.
>> >
>> > Now, what I'd like to know for a start is, what is so peculiar about
>> > Media
>> > Center that poses a problem for the designers of drivers and software?
>> > I
>> > thought it was just a minor embellishment of XP Professional.
>> >
>> > If it is known what this peculiarity is, can't someone at Microsoft
>> > help
>> > these befuddled designers to adapt their software to the system?
>> >
>> > Short of that, is there any way to change the configuration of Media
>> > Center
>> > or the services enabled or disabled to facilitate coexistence with the
>> > modem?
>> >
>> > I realize this is an obscure problem - but that's why I'm turning to
>> > this
>> > forum, in the hope that someone out there can put me on the road to
>> > solving
>> > it. Thanks.
>>
>>
>> The unique part of Media Center that interferes with normal communication
>> may be the Media Center Services. You can try disabling the three Media
>> Center services in Services to see what happens.
>>
>> I have no idea if that would do anything for you.
>>
>> The Media Center interface hooks into a lot of network services and tuner
>> services.
>>
>> Network is used to download Guide information.
>>
>> --
>> CSM1
>> http://www.carlmcmillan.com
>> --
>>
>>
>>



Re: USB Cell Modem Balky by johnnino

johnnino
Mon Apr 28 13:44:08 PDT 2008

Pretty sure the underlying connection is good. Indicators show a good signal
and there is no change at the moment data transfer fails.

Meanwhile, I may be getting it sorted. Found a tip in an Italian forum and
it seems to be working. Installed a tiny program that sends out a ping every
3 seconds. That seems to have convinced the modem not to take a coffee break
while I'm navigating -- and it's held up over the past day. Tip comes from a
forum of disgruntled owners of the modem who are having problems similar to
mine -- and they've all got XP Home or Pro. So I'm beginning to think that
the "non certification" for Media Center was just a smokescreen for a lazy
tech support group.

Still, if you or anybody else, see any reason why Media Center may be the
problem, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks again for pitching in.


"CSM1" wrote:

> You are welcome.
>
> I hope you get the problem sorted.
>
> One question, are you sure that you have a good wireless connection for the
> whole time and not experiencing signal drop outs?
>
> --
> CSM1
> http://www.carlmcmillan.com
> --
> "johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9EFB9826-C065-4110-B51A-6F9C85C90A26@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks, CSM1. That's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind.
> > Unfortunately, in a day of trial, disabling the three Media Center
> > Services
> > didn't make any difference. I've still got a very erratic connection. It
> > can hold for more than an hour or it can go down in less than two minutes.
> > But the experiment helps clarify where the fault may lie. I appreciate
> > your
> > help.
> >
> > "CSM1" wrote:
> >
> >> "johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:16D26CD1-29A6-4945-BEAB-B36CB4FD5FF9@microsoft.com...
> >> >I just acquired a usb wireless modem to connect to the Internet via the
> >> > cellular network here in Italy. It almost works. The software,
> >> > including
> >> > the driver, installs. The connection software makes a successful
> >> > connection,
> >> > even at high speed (HSDPA) but it's a connection that is not visible to
> >> > programs seeking to go online: there is no transfer of data. I managed
> >> > to
> >> > work around this by creating a separate connection in Dial-Up
> >> > Networking
> >> > or
> >> > by using the service provider's generic connection software. Now the
> >> > connection succeeds but at a certain point - it could be two minutes,
> >> > it
> >> > could be 40 - the exchange of data stops. The connection is not lost -
> >> > it's
> >> > just a connection that is not functioning.
> >> >
> >> > I spent a lot of time with technicians from the provider and the
> >> > manufacturer who denied any responsibility for the condition - until
> >> > the
> >> > manufacturer (Onda, an Italian firm that puts its brand on a product
> >> > made
> >> > in
> >> > China, of course. I can't figure out whose design it is. It's a pen
> >> > drive
> >> > format, the model number is MT505UP) disclosed in a P.S. that the
> >> > product
> >> > is
> >> > not certified for XP Media Center Edition.
> >> >
> >> > Now, what I'd like to know for a start is, what is so peculiar about
> >> > Media
> >> > Center that poses a problem for the designers of drivers and software?
> >> > I
> >> > thought it was just a minor embellishment of XP Professional.
> >> >
> >> > If it is known what this peculiarity is, can't someone at Microsoft
> >> > help
> >> > these befuddled designers to adapt their software to the system?
> >> >
> >> > Short of that, is there any way to change the configuration of Media
> >> > Center
> >> > or the services enabled or disabled to facilitate coexistence with the
> >> > modem?
> >> >
> >> > I realize this is an obscure problem - but that's why I'm turning to
> >> > this
> >> > forum, in the hope that someone out there can put me on the road to
> >> > solving
> >> > it. Thanks.
> >>
> >>
> >> The unique part of Media Center that interferes with normal communication
> >> may be the Media Center Services. You can try disabling the three Media
> >> Center services in Services to see what happens.
> >>
> >> I have no idea if that would do anything for you.
> >>
> >> The Media Center interface hooks into a lot of network services and tuner
> >> services.
> >>
> >> Network is used to download Guide information.
> >>
> >> --
> >> CSM1
> >> http://www.carlmcmillan.com
> >> --
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Re: USB Cell Modem Balky by CSM1

CSM1
Mon Apr 28 18:23:02 PDT 2008

I hope you do have the problem sorted.
Bad software if one has to keep pinging the modem to stay connected.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--
"johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:797F8DE3-8CB1-49D1-8622-A0942E3BBF43@microsoft.com...
> Pretty sure the underlying connection is good. Indicators show a good
> signal
> and there is no change at the moment data transfer fails.
>
> Meanwhile, I may be getting it sorted. Found a tip in an Italian forum
> and
> it seems to be working. Installed a tiny program that sends out a ping
> every
> 3 seconds. That seems to have convinced the modem not to take a coffee
> break
> while I'm navigating -- and it's held up over the past day. Tip comes
> from a
> forum of disgruntled owners of the modem who are having problems similar
> to
> mine -- and they've all got XP Home or Pro. So I'm beginning to think
> that
> the "non certification" for Media Center was just a smokescreen for a lazy
> tech support group.
>
> Still, if you or anybody else, see any reason why Media Center may be the
> problem, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
>
> Thanks again for pitching in.
>
>
> "CSM1" wrote:
>
>> You are welcome.
>>
>> I hope you get the problem sorted.
>>
>> One question, are you sure that you have a good wireless connection for
>> the
>> whole time and not experiencing signal drop outs?
>>
>> --
>> CSM1
>> http://www.carlmcmillan.com
>> --
>> "johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:9EFB9826-C065-4110-B51A-6F9C85C90A26@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanks, CSM1. That's exactly the sort of thing I had in mind.
>> > Unfortunately, in a day of trial, disabling the three Media Center
>> > Services
>> > didn't make any difference. I've still got a very erratic connection.
>> > It
>> > can hold for more than an hour or it can go down in less than two
>> > minutes.
>> > But the experiment helps clarify where the fault may lie. I appreciate
>> > your
>> > help.
>> >
>> > "CSM1" wrote:
>> >
>> >> "johnnino" <johnnino@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:16D26CD1-29A6-4945-BEAB-B36CB4FD5FF9@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I just acquired a usb wireless modem to connect to the Internet via
>> >> >the
>> >> > cellular network here in Italy. It almost works. The software,
>> >> > including
>> >> > the driver, installs. The connection software makes a successful
>> >> > connection,
>> >> > even at high speed (HSDPA) but it's a connection that is not visible
>> >> > to
>> >> > programs seeking to go online: there is no transfer of data. I
>> >> > managed
>> >> > to
>> >> > work around this by creating a separate connection in Dial-Up
>> >> > Networking
>> >> > or
>> >> > by using the service provider's generic connection software. Now
>> >> > the
>> >> > connection succeeds but at a certain point - it could be two
>> >> > minutes,
>> >> > it
>> >> > could be 40 - the exchange of data stops. The connection is not
>> >> > lost -
>> >> > it's
>> >> > just a connection that is not functioning.
>> >> >
>> >> > I spent a lot of time with technicians from the provider and the
>> >> > manufacturer who denied any responsibility for the condition - until
>> >> > the
>> >> > manufacturer (Onda, an Italian firm that puts its brand on a product
>> >> > made
>> >> > in
>> >> > China, of course. I can't figure out whose design it is. It's a
>> >> > pen
>> >> > drive
>> >> > format, the model number is MT505UP) disclosed in a P.S. that the
>> >> > product
>> >> > is
>> >> > not certified for XP Media Center Edition.
>> >> >
>> >> > Now, what I'd like to know for a start is, what is so peculiar about
>> >> > Media
>> >> > Center that poses a problem for the designers of drivers and
>> >> > software?
>> >> > I
>> >> > thought it was just a minor embellishment of XP Professional.
>> >> >
>> >> > If it is known what this peculiarity is, can't someone at Microsoft
>> >> > help
>> >> > these befuddled designers to adapt their software to the system?
>> >> >
>> >> > Short of that, is there any way to change the configuration of Media
>> >> > Center
>> >> > or the services enabled or disabled to facilitate coexistence with
>> >> > the
>> >> > modem?
>> >> >
>> >> > I realize this is an obscure problem - but that's why I'm turning to
>> >> > this
>> >> > forum, in the hope that someone out there can put me on the road to
>> >> > solving
>> >> > it. Thanks.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> The unique part of Media Center that interferes with normal
>> >> communication
>> >> may be the Media Center Services. You can try disabling the three
>> >> Media
>> >> Center services in Services to see what happens.
>> >>
>> >> I have no idea if that would do anything for you.
>> >>
>> >> The Media Center interface hooks into a lot of network services and
>> >> tuner
>> >> services.
>> >>
>> >> Network is used to download Guide information.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> CSM1
>> >> http://www.carlmcmillan.com
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>