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[Varche]

I have an (orange) usb2 dongle modem and it was installed with a 5 metre usb cable to "improve" the signal. Don't know whether that 5 m cable was usb or usb2.

I thought I could improve it with a 10 m USB cable. Bought one and it is labelled USB2. The dongle is USB2 but my ancient PC is USB.

I can't get it to work with the brand new cable. Could it be an issue with backward compatibility? Cable length too long?! faulty cable. Am clutching at straws really

Are the dongle modems designed to get best reception when horizontal?

[cem_devecioglu]

I always go in trouble with long usb cables..so I avoid them..

[pscocoa]

I am a regular user of mobile broadband and have never heard of this solution. I use my dongle modem all over the place and I assume you do the "search for networks" bit in the menuto check your provider is offering the service.

If you do not see your providers service then end of story. What make and model of dongle I assume Huwawei

[pscocoa]

I think you have to upgrade to usb 2 to make this work - on an ancient machine does not seem worth it.

[zirk]

Think 10m might be pushing your luck, the dongle is taking its power from the supplied 5 volts, could be theres just to much of a voltage drop through that extra length.

Some dongles have an external antenna socket, looking at one now has a small plastic flap covering it, extending the antenna would be a better option.

Shouldn't make to much difference wiether the dongles horizontal or vertical but with any antenna keep it away from other things, they like there own free space.

Chris.

[Varche]

It is an ancient PC but no funds at present for an upgrade (unless there is a USB2 card I could buy for a few £'s)

The Orange man's Laptop got a good signal with my Huwawei E160E dongle outside the house. His solution as I didn't want to move the PC was the 5 m USB cable. That improved the signal to about half of an outside signal. He did say at the time (in Spanish) that a longer cable wouldn't help - Maybe as Zirk says the voltage drop is too much.

I like the idea of an antenna extn to the dongle. It looks as though it has slots on the side. Any ideas where you get them from and how much approx please? Edit http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/11dBi-External-Antenna-Ariel-HUAWEI-E160E-ORANGE_W0QQitemZ250458770643QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_LaptopAccessories_PCMCIACards?hash=item3a50818cd3  - seems a lot of money! I could ask here but that would involve the cost of a "tradesman visit and install". No one does any DIY here except for Brits!

[zirk]

It is an ancient PC but no funds at present for an upgrade (unless there is a USB2 card I could buy for a few £'s)

The Orange man's Laptop got a good signal with my Huwawei E160E dongle outside the house. His solution as I didn't want to move the PC was the 5 m USB cable. That improved the signal to about half of an outside signal. He did say at the time (in Spanish) that a longer cable wouldn't help - Maybe as Zirk says the voltage drop is too much.

I like the idea of an antenna extn to the dongle. It looks as though it has slots on the side. Any ideas where you get them from and how much approx please? Edit http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/11dBi-External-Antenna-Ariel-HUAWEI-E160E-ORANGE_W0QQitemZ250458770643QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_LaptopAccessories_PCMCIACards?hash=item3a50818cd3  - seems a lot of money! I could ask here but that would involve the cost of a "tradesman visit and install". No one does any DIY here except for Brits!

That ebay one is probably a bit ott for the job, plus its mag mount, thinking all you need is to get something outside bolted to the wall somewhere.

No idea on cost but have a look here:
http://www.panorama.co.uk/uk/products/mobile_broadband_wall_mount.html

[dbug]

USB leads over 5 metres usually require a booster in the lead.  If its a 10m lead with no signal boosting the you will have problems using it.  The only difference between USB1 and USB2 leads is slightly better screening on USB2 - a good quality USB1 will perform better than a poor quality USB2.

You may find your dongle will perform better on a USB2 port (the USB2 port is different from USB1) - you can get PCMCIA USB2 ports for laptops or PCI USB2 cards for desktops quite cheaply now.

[BigAl]

A cheaper option is http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/clip-antenna-for-huawei-usb-modems-crc9-connection-p18115.htm

[pscocoa]

Not sure that any spend on ways to get old pc to work is going to be effective - try and get a more modern machine whcih will perform well with your applications - methinks you will be able to cobble something together and then find machine's performance is just not up to what you want to do when connected. Find something XP based.

[Vamps]

I am currently sitting in a caravan in North Yorks where my O2 phone signal is very poor. I have a '3' dongle which just plugs in and works fine, I had no idea that putting extra cable on it will make the signal better, will have to try it.....

[Omegatoy]

lolol being as i know Varches place of residence, you would not believe how isolated and in the sticks he is, have seen his ancient computer system   as well, however he is fairly high up so im surprised his dongle doesnt work properly as im on one here? however mine is vodaphone, know people who have tried movistar dongles(dont bother) and know 2 people who have orange dongles, and strangely enough one of them his dongle will only work in one place in his house!!!! but he is on a laptop so he can sit on the toilet and use it!!! Varche doesent have that option!! hope you get it srted buddy!!

[Andy B]

.... but he is on a laptop so he can sit on the toilet and use it!!! Varche doesent have that option!!  ....

You mean Varche doesn't have a toilet?  :-/  :-/

      

[Omegatoy]

.... but he is on a laptop so he can sit on the toilet and use it!!! Varche doesent have that option!!  ....

You mean Varche doesn't have a toilet?  :-/  :-/

      

 

[cem_devecioglu]

lappies are not stable in toilet instead I will use a desktop.. serious