4G LTE MHS29IL no internet but strong signal ?

[typeandrun]

I tried to use this device for internet service on a Dell laptop and an Acer notebook.  Both have Windows XP SP3 OS.  Service showed all bars on the laptops but could not connect.  I tried multiple re-boots, but no success.  I am located in Nancy, KY.  I have used an older wireless device from Vzn and had no problems.

TIA !

[John_Getzke]

Oh so theres a new hotspot model on the VZW market now eh?  Looks like the Novatel MiFi 5510L but more square.

You mention that you are connected to the device but I wonder if you are.  Could you look up and post your IP Address for us?  It should be a simple 192.168.x.x. Anything else suggests that your computers were not accepted onto the device, most likely because of a password conflict. 

Double check the WiFi password information on the back of the device to make sure you are entereing it correctly.  If you have a previously named wireless profile and password on those devices it may be conflicting with your new device.  Navigate to your View Available Wireless area and then select the Advanced options to manage your wireless profiles.  Wipe out any previous profiles with similar names and then try to reconnect to create a new one.

You might also want to see if you can access the Hotspots Admin page.  Normally this can be done in a browser by navigating to your default gateway which is normally 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.100.1. 

If you cannot access the routers admin page then you are not fully connected to the device. If you can connect to the admin page then you have a Service Provider problem.  VZW may not be allowing that device onto the network and you will have to replace the SIM or speak to VZW support for your options in that area.  Assuming you are in a good coverage area VZW will most likely have to register your device and clear up any account problems that have occured.

[typeandrun]

Well now it gets even more odd.  As mentioned in above note, I could not get internet while located in Nancy KY.  However in the greater Cincinnati area, I had same signal strength (strong) and was able to get internet as long as a modem in my house was unplugged.  So....does this mean I WILL be able to get internet in Nancy KY, or will it revert back to original issue??  And why did I have to disconnect a modem for this hotspot device to work?

[John_Getzke]

A second modem should have no impact on your Jetpack unless the computer you were using happened to be connected to both devices.  In which case you should always be restricting your computers to one internet connection at a time.

Connecting in Cinci confirms that your Jetpack CAN work as it is configured and that your passwords are correct on the laptop.  We can rule out the local wireless problems between your Jetpack and your computer.  However, it does not confirm that your KY location will be successful.  Something could still be getting in the way of your reception or kicking you off the VZW network in that area.  VZW may be tampering with the 4G LTE signal or something else temporarily.

Try it out again for us and compare your results.  If your Jetpack has a Diagnostic log feature try turning it on and posting some of the information for us to review.   

[typeandrun]

Re-tested in Kentucky this past weekend and it worked.  Have no idea why though.
Follow up question to your statement:
"A second modem should have no impact on your Jetpack unless the computer you were using happened to be connected to both devices. In which case you should always be restricting your computers to one internet connection at a time"
What do you mean by the bolded statement?  I should delete the home wireless from available connections list?  I thought I could select one over the other.  Thanks!

[John_Getzke]

That's good to hear.  There must have been some kind of temporary problem in the Kentucky area that you tried before that has now resolved itself.

Here's a key that might help explain my statement:

Modem: Connects to Service Provider (Verizon, ATT, Comcast, Time Warner, etc) for your Internet Connection

Router: Connects one network to another (Linksys, Netgear, Belkin, etc) and builds your Local Area Network

Switch: Expands a single network connection into many

Mobile Hotspots are a combination of these three networking devices in one unit.  Your home networking equipment usually only performs 1-2 of these duties at a time unless you happened to purchase an all in one device.

One Internet connection at a time means essentially one modem at a time.  Lets say you are in your home with a cable Internet connection and a VZW Jetpack at the same time.  Your cable provider has a modem and your Jetpack has a modem built in.  It would be possible for you hard wire connect to your home router or modem and wirelessly connect to your Jetpack at the same time.  In this situation your computer would be connected to two Internet connections (modems) forcing your OS to pick and choose how to request and receive its Internet traffic.  While it is possible to pull this off with the correct configuration it is likely going to over complicate your environment and cause strange problems.  You would want to disable either your Ethernet cable connection or your Jetpack for troubleshooting so that your computer is only connected to one Internet connection at a time.

Hope that makes sense.  Let us know if you have any other problems or questions.