Resolved MiFi 2200 or wifi issues?

I recently signed up for Verizon Wireless Broadband using the MiFi 2200. This device connects to internet via cell phone towers. There are two options for connecting to the Mifi. Via WIFI or with a USB tether hooked directly to the device.

This device will allow up to 5 wireless connections to the internet at once. Smart phones, pdas, game systems etc....basically anything with a wifi connectivity.

When using the tether it does not require a passcode however the wifi does require it. When I first set it up, my desktop did not have a wifi device so I hooked it up with the tether. The connection was slow with only one small bar showing or none. Alternatively, I have a laptop as well and also set up the connection on that using wifi. That works with strong signal (5 bars) with the device in the same spot (right by the desktop) as the tether hookup, it's just a matter of unhooking the USB and letting the wifi work on the laptop without ever moving the location of the MIFI.

Question 1. Why would the tether signal be so much worse than the wifi when the actual device doesn't move? Also, the tether is poor when directly hooked to my laptop as well. Now I tried in different parts of the house using the laptop and the wifi hooks up fine but the tether was always poor. I could never get the signal above 1 bar anywhere in my home when using the tether.

So to solve this issue, I purchased a Linksys wifi card and installed it on my desktop hoping to avoid the tether and go wifi with the desktop. The installation appeared to go fine. Its a card directly hooked inside computer case with antennae out back (not a usb).

The Linsys picked up the MIFI device as a connection, I click connect and it asks me for the passcode, I enter the passcode provided and it always fails at this point. It acts as if the passcode is invalid.

So my next step was to check other wifi devices to see if they would connect. The Wii gamesystem did not work. The PS3 did not work.

So, I had a friend come over with his laptop. He had no problems hooking up. His wifi recognized the device, typed in the passcode and got connected with no issues, just like my laptop. After he gets hooked up with no issues, I then return to the Wii and PS3 and after some resets and more connection configurations, somehow I got them both to connect. Both required the passcode and the passcode worked with these systems as well.

So now I am back to my desktop trying to figure out how to get it to connect. Verizon has been no help at all and they continue to be stumped. I removed their access manager software and re-installed. I removed the Lynksys driver and re-installed (twice). Still nothing helps. It keeps telling me the passcode is invalid. According to Vista, the Linksys is working fine. It appears to be working as well since it continues to recognize the connection.


Anybody have any suggestions on this issue that I could try?

 

TonyT

I expected the tether to be less, just not from excellent on one end all the way down to non-existing on the other when comparing the two. I didnt know if there was something wrong with my device or if it's just the way it is. Verizon techs couldn't explain it either. Also when I connect with the tether, it gives me this GLOBAL access message which according to Verizon means the device thinks I'm out of the country.

It connects reliably on my laptop every time so logic says I should be able to connect my desktop reliably every time and thus would be worth the money spent. I have little options where I live. No cable available on my street and only other choice is dialup or sattelite. I could switch my product to an aircard and maybe try that on the same plan but lose the mobility of the MiFi. That might be my next option.

Any thoughts on the desktop connection issue?

 

I'm having the same problem, and posted in another thread.

I tried checking the language settings, and everything is in order (set to English).

Thanks for the idea.

 

Dannywifi- Yeah I posted a comment to you as well and caught you are having the same issues as mine. My settings are check out as English as well. I dont think the language regional settings would do much for connection issue...maybe the Global message mine gives me when tethered but its set on English so dont think that is it.

Did you try any other wifi connectible devices besides your Vista computer (game systems, pda, smartphone etc?) to see if they connect or an xp machine somewhere?

 

**Update**

My wife was on the phone with Verizon for about an hour this afternoon, apparently they now have a department that deals with the MIFI. He told her that when the initial release went out for these MIFI's, some of the devices were defective and the password that was printed on the back of the device was not the password that was actually programmed into the device. He said that we must be "really unlucky" because we got two defective ones. He said he has seen this issue, and the fix is a new device.

I'm holding out hope, but not a ton since we've already been told the "defective device" bit before and it didn't help us. But, this guy apparently did seem really knowledgeable, so who knows....

Anyway, I thought you might want to call Verizon yourself, and see if you can get anywhere this time. Apparently, there was some email that went out recently from some big wig from Verizon that officially stated that this was a problem that they were having.

 

Dannywifi Thanks for update. Im not sure if this is goodnews or bad for me since my MIFI does connect using the password on my xp laptop...I just wish it would connect on my Vista machine...I hope it works for you. Maybe third times the charm.

 

posted this in my thread...

**Update**

We received our new MIFI yesterday, and still could not get Vista to talk to it.

I was able to get my Wii connected to it (finally), so there must have been something to the password issue. Once connected with the Wii, I used the Wii's internet channel, and went into 192.168.1.1. I was able to remove the security setting, eliminating the need to type in a password. We live on three acres out in the country, so we don't have anyone close enough to access the MIFI.

I then tried to connect again using Vista but to no avail. This confirms my original thought that there is some setting in Vista that is not communicating with the MIFI.

Any thoughts?

 

Firewall is turned off, has been since we got the MIFI.

 

Danny- Ive given up on TonyT giving us anything good to go on. He is simply generating ad clicks by posting generic advice.

 

Tony T-

I sincerely apologize to you TonyT if I jumped to wrong conclusions. My browser (whenever I post a response to your advice) jumps to an advertising tab. I cant backclick to see the post but have to either close the tab and refresh the bbs tab or simply close browser and restart BBS page. Only on posts to you for whatever reason but never has done it on dannywifi. ????? Coupled the wiggy browser action with the standard advice you have given out so far, I jumped to a poor conclusion on my end. I'm sorry.

On the brighter side (at least for me) you have given me some things to go and try to see if i can get this thing to work. I wasnt aware of the double firewall thing in VISTA or the Liknsys software issue or to check Novatel techs to see if they have a solution for vista connections? Better advice this round. Thanks.

 

No luck with Novatel yet. They gave me same advice as Verizon so far although did point me in direction of Lynksys incompatable with Vista wifi software. Am trying Lynksys support now.

I disabled Vista Firewall but can only find one spot to disable it...TonyT you mentioned that the firewall needs to be turned off in two spots? I checked around on BBS for disabling firewall on Vista but didnt find anything conclusive on how to do that and make sure I know its still not turned on.

Also sent notice to administrator to merge the two threads on this issue but havnt heard back yet.

 

dannywifi- Novatel techs are saying the MiFi is 100% compatable with VISTA. They gave me three things to try.

1. Upgrade the VZAM to 7.0. Verizon already had me do this before and did not change anything on my end. Didnt know if you have 7.0 or not.

2. Go in to Verizon Mifi site and change the security to OPEN. I havnt tried this yet although you said you connected your Wii and did try it with no luck.

3. Check with Linksys support to see about compatability issues with VISTA software. I am waiting to hear back from their support. This might just be my problem which I know may not help your end but posting it here just to keep the thread updated.


Also for those checking in on this thread, is there a link on BBS that explains in detail on how to completely disable or turn off Vista Firewall? My firewall says disabled or off but Tony T says it must be turned off in two different settings and it might still be running?

 

Tony T- Thanks....our posts mustve been crossed as I didnt catch your earlier post until after I posted my request.

Firewalls are off and still no connection. Lynksys seems to be my final option.