Problems in OQO 02 land
I think its necessary that I address some of the issues and concerns with OQO’s latest model, the OQO 02. It seems that many people have not even received their units yet. Just to be clear, the production unit I received was ordered from OQO directly through their website, I didn’t use any super Boy Genius powers to receive it. I didn’t even use the Boy Genius name on the order. The unit shipped to me just like it should to any of the other thousands of people that have placed orders, whether it be through OQO’s site or from a reseller like Dynamism. While my OQO is doing fine overall, there is a huge problem with the Sprint EV-DO modem, which is why they have delayed the initial Sprint and Verizon units.
Here is a quote from an OQO representative, "All our orders with Sprint and Verizon Wireless (WWAN) are on hold while some issues are ironed out with our WWAN product line. Rest assured, we are working hard to get the orders shipped in an expeditious manner, but our commitment to insuring we are shipping our customers a quality product must take precedent."
So you’re telling me that no one, in the entire company, tested a production device with Sprint or Verizon installed? Because anybody in the world could have seen the issues with the first units that I’m about to go into.
My device won’t get on the EV-DO network, just 1X even though I am in a blanket coverage EV-DO area. In addition, neither the Sprint software, nor any of the Novatel EV-DO modem drivers were installed, which lead me to believe that the modem physically wasn’t even present. This is problem one. Problem two seems to be the production quality. While the unit is extremely well-built, there are countless nicks and scratches all over the plastic parts of the device. To make things worse, the docking station I just received is even more scratched. It looks like it was literally dropped on pavement. Mind you the boxes were all sealed and protected from outside exposure in plastic wrap. I really expected more from OQO.
They are a small company and shipping delays happen, but atleast be upfront with your customers on realistic shipping times and delays, instead of quoting a "4-6 weeks" shipping timeframe when most people won’t receive their units until 16 weeks or more. We live in a day and age where everything moves so fast, and it seems like these guys can’t keep up. Most people expect to order a product and get it within days, not months — atleast I do. They should have had units available for shipping the day the computer went on sale. There needs to be something done about these issues. Not even for me, but for all the customers who have plunked down an average of over $2,000 for a product they have not even received yet. Take a page out of Dynamism, who have kept their customers up to date on the order status as soon as they get info, hats off to you.
Let’s see what happens with OQO in the near future.
Sounds like you now do have the latest version of the software. If you do, then the last thing is that somewhere in the program, you have a settings choice about dial up or something that is like always on — others have described this as checking a box somewhere in the settings within the software. i’m blanking on the exact step (sprint can probably help you), but my memory says it’s called something like ncis or ncim or something like that. i’ve read two other users post that once they did this, their units stopped disconnecting and they had suddenly improved battery management. good luck, and please post again after your call to let us know how it goes. i’m on fence right now between sprint or verizon model and is only reason i am waiting. i have not read of any posts with verizon evdo problems with oqo, but have seen a few re sprint (some were early recipients, after which oqo announced sprint modem failures and stopped shipping — so their problems were obviously real).
Your home issue is probably a coverage problem. I used to live in la, and couldn’t use sprint as my phone provider because it couldn’t handle the topography — i ended up with the gsm provider at the time — forgot what it was called, but it is now what is cingular/att. i now have tmobile for phone and have zero coverage problems when i’m in la, including up in the hills.
Under Settings/Sprint Mobile Broadband – Novatel Wireless I’ve found the “Enable Network Adapter (NDIS)” item you reference. It was unchecked. I checked it and Windows installed a new device.
I then tried to connect. Sprint reported that I was connected, but I could not get out to the Internet. Network Properties displayed a map showing that I was connected to the local area network (I was not) but not to the Internet. The Internet connection had a big red X across it.
I then disconnected, unchecked NDIS, and tried to reconnect. I got the usual error message from Sprint that the device was having trouble. I exited Sprint, restarted it and I connected successfully. I was able to surf the ‘net without disconnecting. Note that I also didn’t have to reboot the OQO this time.
This attempt was also made from the 2nd story of my house. I am undoubtedly in a marginal area (Santa Monica Mountains above UCLA near the 405 Freeway!?) Being on the 2nd story probably gave a slightly better signal and kept the modem from dropping the connection. Still, when it does drop the connection it should not require a reboot of Windows to reconnect.
I consider this an ongoing issue and I will report back when and if OQO support manager Adam Gould ever calls me to arrange a conference call with Sprint. Today will be the 2nd day he has failed to follow up.
Okay, I tried NDIS on the OQO 02 again. This time it worked. I put the OQO into sleep mode then powered it back up and the Internet connection (EVDO from the ground floor by the way, but then dropping to 1XRTT) worked shortly after bringing up the browser. NDIS is supposed to reconnect automatically, and it did. Will this eliminate the reboot-on-lost-connection problem? It is promising, but who knows? So far so good.
Yep. That is it exactly. The other users who have reported the same problems as you then reported all fixed once they had the newest Sprint software and then checked that box. Sorry that it didn’t work for you. Look forward to hearing more after you call(s).
Just saw your latest post. Good. Glad to hear it worked. That is exactly what the other posters said after this fix. Is an always connect option, so the reboot issue goes away, too (at least it did for them). Shame that OQO and Sprint don’t tell users this out of the box. I suspect that if you go ahead with your scheduled call with Sprint, this is what they will walk you through.
One more. Clearly, the 1xrtt problem is a coverage problem. That, Sprint probably won’t be able to fix via a phone call, unless they have a button at headquarters that instantly installs new towers.
Just to finalize this issue with Sprint locking up, enabling NDIS seems to have fixed the problem. I traveled out of town this weekend and used the OQO on the road, literally on the road while moving and at various locations in N. California. It never locked up. I used both WiFi and EVDO.
Also, for what it is worth, I finally received a contact back from OQO support but at this point I do not care to waste more time speaking with them or Sprint.
For those encountering this problem, be sure to exit the Sprint software and reboot after enabling NDIS. It didn’t work when I enabled NDIS without exiting and restarting. Good luck!