Mobile broadband problems

[142094]

I currently have mobile broadband with Vodafone, using a dongle. For the past few days it has been running very slow, downloads are slow even though it is saying the connection is 3G. Usually it is 3G+ at all times. This has happened before, but usually rights itself after a couple of hours. I'm also currently using it in the same place all the time, so connection to a mast shouldn't be a problem.

I get this error code when clicking on interrogate devices:

Cannot communicate with DNS server (xx.xxx.xxx.xx)

Just wondering if any techies know what the problem might be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[red circle]

I live in a 'rural' area (1 mile outside the M25) therefore nothing works properly.I have had a mobile broadband dongle (not vodaphone) for a year now and its been the best thing I ever bought,it does however get its knickers in a twist from time to time with slow speed or 'no network' messages.I have found that if I unplug it and delete its program then reload it again it seems to put things right.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I use a voda 3G dongle too - but only when all the other options are unavailable! Its not great, particularly on the move.

They had issues with upgrading their DNS server last year, and the advice from Voda was:
- disconnect and re-connect. With the dongle removed, delete the device from list of 1 devices in the Voda status window (the HUAWEI device). Then re-insert the device. It re-instals itself with new IP settings. and let the roaming feature find new network IP settings, including alternative DNS server numbers.
The advice from users was:
- manually change the NS IP numbers in Network Properties to some open access DNS servers, namely:
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

And for what its worth, the advice from me is:
- do both!
ie Delete the device (and let it re-instal itself, AND add these DNS servers (use "advanced" so that you leave the Voda-installed DNS IPs in the list and simply add the open access ones.

If you'd like more help from Voda, try:
Updating_VMClite_version_2.pdf

 

[142094]

Thanks for the help from both of you, I'll have a try and see what happens. Normally it is very good, outside of peak hours, and I'm usually awake at random times of the day so doesn't usually bother me. However since around Friday, even at 3am it has been slow. Only a few months left on the contract now, and it did include a "free" laptop so I'm not too angry yet.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just as an update, uninstalled the dongle and put it back on again - seems to be working a bit better now (touch wood). Don't know why it does it as it can be a PITA butas long as it keeps up this speed should be good.