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Configuring VDX for Verizon Access with Gomadic Cable


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Topic: Configuring VDX for Verizon Access with Gomadic Cable

Keefer Lucas
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Configuring VDX for Verizon Access with Gomadic Cable

I just got the Gomadic cable to connect my VDX to my cell phone. Below are the directions provided on their web site. I can't get past step one. On my VDX there is no "connection" section under my Preferences Application. I can't find anything anywhere that will allow me to "Create a Custom Connection".

And in true web-business form, there is no phone number on the web site.

Directions from site:

How do I configure my Visor to use Verizon Wireless as my ISP?

Step 1: Go to the Preferences Application, Connection Section
Step 2: Create a Custom Connection (you can select the name)
Step 3: Change Connection Method = "Serial to PC"
Step 4: Go to the Details Section and set Speed = "19.2 Kbps", Flow Control = "On"
Step 4: Go to the Network Section.
Step 5: Create a new Service (you select the name)
Step 6: Set User Name to qnc (lower case letters)
Step 7: Set Password to qnc (lower case letters)
Step 8: Set Connection to the name you selected in Step 2
Step 9: Go to the Details section and set connection type = "PPP", Idle timeout = "Power Off",Query DNS = <checked>, IP Address = "Automatic"
Step 10: Go to the Script section
Step 11: Tap End, change it to Send
Step 12: Add in the command atdt#777
Step 13: Tap End, change it to Send CR
Step 14: Tap End, change it to Delay
Step 15: Add in the command 4
Step 16 Leave the last line as End.
Step 17: Select OK

02-05-2002 04:53 PM

MarkEagle
VisorCentral Staff

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

I remember seeing something that Verizon needed an OS 3.5 device because of the Connection stuff, but I'm not sure if that's still the case.

Try ignoring steps 1 thru 4 and change these settings under Modem Prefs:

Step 1: Go to the Preferences application and Select Modem
Step 2: Change your Standard Modem settings to Speed = "14.4K", Flow Control = "Off", Country = "Other" and String = "AT&FX4"

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

02-05-2002 10:20 PM

Keefer Lucas
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Boo Hoo

Okay. Now I am starting to feel left out (refering to an unrelated string where I emphatically stated I had never been inconvenienced by having Palm OS 3.1 vs. 3.5).

I am more than a little upset. The Gomadic site clearly states that the product is compatible with the VDX. In my case it clearly is not (and my situation is hardly unusual). I have two dial-up ISP accounts, neither of which will connect over the Verizon wireless network (don't even get through to the modem, just a message saying that service is unavailable to the ISP access number). I can't seem to directly access my Verizon Wireless features with a VDX, so I guess I need to get my money back.

Too bad the Gomadic people don't seem to have a phone number, or respond to email. Seems so typical these days, with regard to tech products. I've said it before....I sure wish I was in a business where people sent me money and I didn't have to take their calls or answer their emails.

Grrrrr.

02-05-2002 10:55 PM

VTL
Member

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

I use Verizon (via my StarTac) with my Prism and a Gomadic cable, with no problems. As I recall, I had a PDF file from Verizon's website that had instructions, AND it did feature instructions on how to connect using a Palm OS 3 device.

Unfortunately, I can't find the PDF file in question - I switched firms, and I think it's on my old computer. However, if you go rummage about Verizon's website maybe you could find it.

02-06-2002 06:29 AM

nwhitfield
Member

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK
Posts: 92

Re: Boo Hoo

quote:
Originally posted by Keefer Lucas
The Gomadic site clearly states that the product is compatible with the VDX. In my case it clearly is not

I think all you have to do is ignore the bit about the connection options; on a Deluxe, all the connections go via the serial port, cos there's nowhere else for them to go (that's why it needs software like IrLink to redirect that to the infra-red port).

So, as Mark says, just ignore the bits about the type of connection, plug the cable in, and it should communicate with it.

It in doubt, download a program like OnLine (a terminal emulator), connect with it, and send the string "AT" followed by return. If you get a repsonse of "0" or "OK" then you're talking to the modem in the phone, and you're half way there...

Nigel.

02-07-2002 11:34 AM

Keefer Lucas
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

Continued failure

I switched tacks and called Verizon; they attempted to walk me through the set-up, with customized settings for the modem identical to the ones on the Gomadic site (the only substantive difference was setting the modem to dial 00).

When I try to connect I get the message "Error: Serial Timeout. Could be bad Cable or Faulty Modem (0x0305)" This is, not coincidently I suspect, the same message I get if I try to connect without even plugging the phone and cable into the device. It simply has no "interaction" with the phone at all...the phone doesn't achknowledge a change in state at all when I try to access it with the VDX. At the local Verizon store they had hardware that would theoreticallty allow me to access the Visor via a serial port cradle; unfortunately they wouldn't let me try it (and its not like I want to lug a serial port cradle around with me either, which is why I bought the Gomadic cable in the first place).

All these questions could be so easily addressed if Gomadic had a phone number and/or responded to email.

02-07-2002 11:11 PM

MarkEagle
VisorCentral Staff

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Re: Continued failure

quote:
Originally posted by Keefer Lucas
I switched tacks and called Verizon; they attempted to walk me through the set-up, with customized settings for the modem identical to the ones on the Gomadic site (the only substantive difference was setting the modem to dial 00).

Walk yourself through this how-to PDF from Verizon's site. Pages 3 - 6 give instructions for OS3.1. See if there's any difference to what you've already been told.

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

02-07-2002 11:49 PM

suncor
Member

Registered: Jul 2001
Location:
Posts: 13

Anyone have any other ideas? Anyone ever get this to work successfully? I have a VPL and a supplynet cable. I followed the Verizon directions for 3.5, and the connection works perfectly. I just received my VisorCentral contest prize VDX and followed the Verizon directions for 3.1. The cable is also compatible with the VDX, and I'm using the same phone that works with my VPL. I'm getting the same error as Keefer. I really want to give the deluxe to my boyfriend as a gift, but I know he'll be really disappointed if he can't have wireless access. Help please?! Thanks.

02-20-2002 01:22 AM

Keefer Lucas
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

I gave up

After several emails back and forth with Gomadic I finally gave up. They confirmed that all the settings were correct, and that I should get a connection, but I just can't. The local Verizon store is no help. I considered sending the whole kit and kabootle (VDX, Phone, Cable) to Gomadic to see if they can make it work; I think I probably won't do that, and will just make do with the email access I get on my Kyocera phone sans PDA.

Its almost time for a new PDA....leaning towards a used Platinum or a new Pro...anything to get me to Palm OS 3.5 at this point...what I really am waiting for is an integrated wireless Visor like the Palm i705 that allows me to use Springboard modules (and costs $275ish).

02-20-2002 02:19 AM

suncor
Member

Registered: Jul 2001
Location:
Posts: 13

I read some more posts, and it seems that a VDX cannot connect to Veizon qnc. The supplynet guy says they have been working on it with Verizon, but as far as I can tell, no success so far. Apparently it will work with a dial up ISP. Unfortunately, our DSL does not offer any dial up connection.

02-20-2002 02:44 AM

Keefer Lucas
Member

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

quote:
Originally posted by suncor
Apparently it will work with a dial up ISP.

That may be true, though neither of the dial-up accounts (two separate ISPs) that I have cannot be accessed through my Verizon cell phone. When I dial the ISP access number I get one of those annoying announcements that says something to the effect "we cannot provide service to this number". I don't even get to hear the funky modem sound.

Until I hear directly from a VisorCentral user who definitively claims to have successfully connected his or her VISOR DELUXE to the VERIZON network, I think its safe to say it can't be done at this time.

Last edited by Keefer Lucas on 02-21-2002 at 03:01 AM

02-20-2002 07:04 PM

FrancoC
Member

Registered: Nov 2001
Location:
Posts: 3

Using Visor Deluxe with Verizon

I just received my cable from gomatic.com for my Motorola ST7868W and Visor Deluxe. I too got the same failure message using the instructions from Verizon. However, I found this link which I was successful in getting my visor to dial my local ISP directly & was able to do a Avantgo Hotsync from my cell phone. Here is the link:

http://www.pluscellular.com/visor_settings.htm

By the way, even after making these changes, I STILL COULDN"T LOG ON using the "qnc' user name & password or dial with the '00' phone number option. This still gives the "Error: serial timeout. Could be bad cable or faulty modem. (0x0305)" message.

I had to dial the ISP DIRECTLY to get the modem to connect.

Hope this helps.. and I'd love to know if ANYONE can get the 'qnc' way to dial in to work!

Regards,
Franco