New TZ91 available in Japan!

For the millionth time - the WWAN card you have is locked to a provider in Japan. You need to get that card unlocked (which is unlikely) or replace it to work with Orange in Europe. Or get an ExpressCard/USB solution.

 

I understand this Fender, but in order to try to get it unlocked/working (or at least try), I need to find out what model it is, so that I can install the correct driver!!!!!

It is trying to install drivers for a Globetrotter HSDPA device, although it cannot find on the internet.

I guess I need to find a program that identiffies internal components ..... (any ideas?)

 

I've never used it so don't know whether it would help you with the WWAN components, but I saw someone in the Toshiba forums posting some printouts from Belarc Advisor on his R500.

 

Globetrotter never let you download the needed device drivers if your device is built for a service provider and has SIMLOCK.

Globetrotter will ask the serial number of the device, and if it has simlock you only can download the software from the service provider...

You can try to identify the device with Everest.
www.lavalys.com

 

Don't listen to anyone InTrigger and keep searching for the unlocking the simcard!
You will help a lot of people that lives in Europe and need the WWAN built-in .
Did you notive any difference from the 32gb to the 64gb SSD in terms of speed?

 

You ordered a TZ twice now from PriceJapan, right? I'm contemplating doing the same thing. How did your clean install experiences go? Was it hard to deal with the Japanese Vista that comes with the PriceJapan TZs? Did you wipe out the recovery partition?

Thanks!

 

You ordered a TZ twice now from PriceJapan, right?

Correct - the second time I ordered, from transferring the money to receiving laptop, the time taken was only 7 days (order placed 19th/Oct, laptop in hand 26/Oct)

I'm contemplating doing the same thing. How did your clean install experiences go?

Perfect no issues whatsoever (I have vista ultimate) - I have not tried an XP install but I may do so in the future

Was it hard to deal with the Japanese Vista that comes with the PriceJapan TZs?

No because I wiped the drive

Did you wipe out the recovery partition?

Yes, I do not see the need for it - I will probably sell it within a year and I am hoping I will not have any issuews by then

 

Thanks for your help + suggestions esskay/pdudas

Jack_sparrow - don't worry about that - I will not rest until I have a definitive conclusion

Even if I do find out that it is not possible to unlock it/use it in europe, I would prefer to confirm this for myself rather than believe the speculation

Also, there is a built in antenna etc... so if it does not work out, I can always replace the WWAN module. I even plan to see if there are any Sony service centers in the UK where they can do it for me. I am sure that if I expolain the siuatioonj, there may be a chance that they are willing to help

 

InTrigger,

You're a pioneer, go forth into the unknown

I'm not sure if you've opened up your tz yet, but from press releases it looks like sony uses the GTM378 HSDPA module from Option, hence this is why your tz is trying to download the Globetrotter drivers.

The big question is; is the module usim locked to NTT Docomo or is it software locked? (ie you need docomo software to use the service). If it's software locked then you will just have to find a generic software and drivers for the module (or software from another provider, which allows you to self configure).

If it's usim locked to a specific provider then you can try these guys http://www.cellcorner.com/xshp/unlock-phone-codes/imei-unlock-option-max-36.html
or you can maybe buy the unlocker from http://www.dc-unlocker.com/home

the Option GTM378 HSDPA module can be used in Europe, Asia and Australia as it uses UMTS in the 2100, 1900 and 850 MHz bands and EDGE/GPRS in four bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz).

Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

Great info, Pharfignewton! And I love your handle too!

 

Amazing! Thank you for the great information Pharfignewton.

You have catapulted me forward in my quest!!!

I will try your suggestions asap and get back to you guys on the results.

I tried getting the drivers form the option site, but as previously discussed, you need the IMIE/serial numbers to be able to download them

Does anyone have these drivers/know where we can get them?

 

There's also this:
http://gsmhosting.com/vbb/showthread.php?p=2805986

which talks about unlocking the GSM 378.

To get Option's sofware/drivers, go here:
http://www.option.com/support/globetrotter_ql/ql_downloads.shtml

I used that with my GT Max when I had it instead of Cingular's stuff.

BTW, I assume Sony gives you a slot to put your SIM card in somewhere or else unlocking is worthless.

 

Some more info I found ... the 378 may be useless in the USA potentially if it doesn't have the 850 and 1900 bands as it appears there are 3 variants - see the 378 PDF linked below:

 

Excellen FenderP - Thanks

I will try it as soon as I get home from work - there are definitely doubts about using it in the US as it is most likely the 1700 version, however I am in Europe, which to my knowledge, uses the 2100 network which is supported.

Fingers crossed!

I may have to sell my expresscard merlin after all ;-)

 

Is T-Mobile using the 1700 band in the US? I can't remember what they are using, but I know it's not the same as AT&T.

 

T-Mo still has no 3G in the USA. Only GSM/EDGE.

 

That's incorrect. Here's what the media were reporting *last* October:

"T-Mobile will start building the new network this quarter and it will begin offering service commercially starting in mid-2007. It plans to have most of the network completed by 2008, with the full network completed in 2009."

"The announcement comes in the wake of T-Mobile spending $4.2 billion for 120 new wireless spectrum licenses in the 1,700 and 2,100 Mhz bands, covering the entire United States."

 

No, it's correct. It's not available yet. I have friends on T-Mo. Still GSM/EDGE.

 

OK, "partially correct!"

 

Great job guys! Think I'm going to order TZ91 with the WWAN!

I have one question for you and sorry that is out of topic but you seem experts:
My brother has a Toshiba Satellite and when he was upgrading the BIOS the laptop went off and from then can't open it again. He went to fix it today and they told him that probably it burned the motherboard...is it possible to be this or they try to make some extra money??

 

InTrigger, you are the man

Let us know how it goes!

Has anyone saw the green TZ? In pics seems really nice.

 

Options mobility manager software can be found at

http://www.option.com/support/globetrotter_ql/ql_downloads.shtml

or you can try T-mobile site, software should be similar

http://lastmile.t-mobile.co.uk/datacardhelp/user/page.phtml?page_id=97

 

Thanks guys, I installed mobility manager + GT Connect, however it says no device found, as these programs do not contain the actual drivers required for the GTM478 device

I still need to find the driver - I have tried calling Option HQ in Germany to get through to support, but could not get through

I will try again later today

I can't believe what a mission it is to get the damn drivers - this system of IMEI + serial number request before being able to download drivers makes no sense at all to me. It only:

a) increases pressure on their technical support

b) makes it harder for people to use their products!

c) pisses me off lol

 

Keep at it, dude, we are all rootin' for ya

 

Quick update for alll you guys - Good news (I hope)

I have just been in touch with a very nice person from OPTION support, and explained to him the situation. The results:

1) Not possible to get the drivers from the website because the IMEI/SERIAL is only available for external devices, so you can only get drivers for external WWAN cards (USB, PCMCIA, EXPERESSCARD)

2) 2100 is the European standard, so he told me that the WWAN should work in EUROPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And from the pdf with the specs that was posted earlier, it is the 2100 (Rx Diversity) variant that is supported by the card. This has nothing to do with compatibility - it simply allows the receiver to increase signal quality somehow in a low signal quality envirmonment!

3) This means that (touch wood), the receiver works in Europe. So the only issue is to whether it is locked to Docomo, which from the other helpful links posted, should not be a problem, as there are numerous companies/products that can unlock this particuliar card.

4) He will forward my request to the relevant department and they will send me the correct drivers!

5) He left me his mobile number so I can chase him

Come on baby - Its almost time to kick ass and chew bubble gum, but I'm all outta gum.....................................

 

This is great news. Just goes to show that you should never give up/in despite stringent opposition from the naysayers. Best to find out on your own.

 

Just one more little piece of info I found from another thread in this forum.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=177288

Apparently, it costs over 1000Euros for 2 x GTM378 module

http://shop.voipdistri.com/product_...-Mbps-.html&XTCsid=r6iong7as1akh96hhtb5jengc5

So, anyone whois planning on buying a tz91 from Japan should seriously consider the WWAN option (+130Euros with pricejapan) just in case it works (or wait to see my results)

 

just realised it was a development kit (whatever that means), but I am sure if you can find them (as they are mini pciexpress), they will cost at least 300 Euros

 

So, if I understood good this http://shop.voipdistri.com/product_i...h96hhtb5jengc5 cost 1000euros and from Sony Japan if you order it with the WWAN is 120 euros (even if is locked)?

About the process of getting the WWAN worked...so from option support they told you that is not a software problem but a simcard issue? The problem is to unlock the sim now? Can't wait for your results!

 

Seems like yes, the motherboard get burned. It happened to a friend of mine exactly the same, when he was upgrading BIOS the screen went black and he couldn't restart windows. It will cost around 300 Euros to fix it.

 

Does anyone have an SZ or European TZ with built in WWAN?

If so, can you check on device drivers, which driver is used for the option WWAN module. There are so many to choose from - it is very difficult to get hte correct one.

 

Dev kits will always cost MUCH more. I don't see why this card would cost more than $/Euro 200. It ain't all that.

 

How are you doing with this? You may have to post this question in a separate thread, because SZ users don't read TZ threads. And I'm not sure there are too many UK users on this forum, particularly with WWAN-equipped TZs.

 

Thanks ubercool

Its ok, finally got the drivers to install

Next step, try and get my sim card working (haven't used my 3g+ service for a while, so I hope it is still connected)

I will keep you guys posted

Confirmed that it is an OPTION GTM378

 

Update, got the simcard in - typed my
pin code

response - this device is locked, so I am gonna try and unlock it - So it is actual simlock, not just software lock

 

Yea, that's what we figured. No wireless service provider wants to give you up so easy.

 

I am contacting Sony Vaio support first to try and get the unlock code directly from Sony

If this fails, then I will have to go via the alternative route - getting it unlocked from third parties

I am very optimistic - I am sure this is dooable

After that, once I suceed, I will post a quick guide for everyone else

 

Great man, let's cross fingers

Can't wait for making usable this WWAN!

 

I assume you're contacting Sony Japan, because Sony in Europe won't have the unlock code for the Japan provider.

 

For those that they ordered TZ from colpic of ebay, do you guys know the colour of the TZ198 that he's selling? Couldn't find it... And the Wireless WAN Sprint Mobile Broadband service will work in Europe?

 

Red -- they're the TZ198N/RC -- I believe that's the only model released by Sony so far, so no other choice.

 

As Bruce says, it's the Bordeaux Red. The Sprint network in the U.S. is based on Qualcomm's CDMA technology, which is not compatible with GSM used in Europe.

The only places this WWAN modem will work are Korea, Japan, Brazil, parts of Chile and a few other places that escape my flagging memory.

 

Quick update:

I am running back and forth from Sony Japan ==> Option ==> Sony Japan....

1) Sony Japan: they don't have any codes

(after making numerous expensive calls to Japan in order to find an English speaking Sony rep)

2) Option: they have the codes, but are under contractual obligation NOT0 to give them out (OEM) ==> they have conacted for me the Option salesperson in Japan directly responsible for the Sony Account.
He/She will try and get the info for me.

They will get back to me asap

ALTERNATIVE OPTION:

I have contacted the manufacturers of the dc-unlocker USB device (which unlocks many Merlin/Option etc..) WWAN devices, and they will get back to me as to whether they can lock the internal GTM378 module.

I know for a fact that it can unlock the external USB Option Globesurfer ICON 7.2 WWAN modem (which internally uses the GTM378 chipset), so in theory, it should work.

Long process guys, but hopefully I should get a definitive answer soon.



3)

 

Good stuff! Thanks.

 

Keep up the good work InTrigger, you're almost done!
Me, and at leat other three people are waiting your results and after we order with WWAN.

Is more easy to unlock an iphone!!

 

Small update - email received from Option:

Dear sir,

We are still in the process of getting a POC for all support inquiries concerning Sony. As soon as we have more information, we will get back to you.

As this is a newer line of production and cooperation, not all aspects of after-sales service have been determined yet.

We are sorry for the inconvenience this might have caused.

--

Best regards,


Customer Support Engineer
Option nv, Gaston Geenslaan 14, B-3001 Leuven

 

my reply:

Dear Sir,

Thank you very much for keeping me updated with regards to the progress of this query. I very much appreciate that you are putting the time and effort to help me, and also establishing this link which I am sure will be very useful for other customers.

Most of all, i look forward to using your WWAN module ;-)

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind Regards,

 

Lol InTrigger!

One small step for them, a huge step for humanity

Come on Option, is an issue of survive! I really need the WWAN!!

 

You do realize that all the time you've spent trying to get it working, it was probably worth your time to get a USB or Expresscard WWAN solution and call it a day, right?

 

FenderP I think thats kinda missing the point a bit. For some of us this is the make or break of buying the TZ. Its not only a really cool project but also offers hope, if successful, to unlock all other wwan enabled TZ's or other laptop types with this card and variants of it.

For me WWAN is an essential and on a laptop like this an expresscard will not suit, sticking out the side ruining the style and being easily stolen (hanging around in court with the kind of people that rob whatever is not nailed down never mind the library where everything detachable will be detached). Dont know whose worse, the criminals or the law students. Some would says theres no difference. As for the usb style, not a good idea. If you were to accidently knock it off the side of a table on a laptop like this what do you think would happen. Close your eyes and hear the beautiful sound of a motherboard snapping at the usb port. Not fun and very expensive.

So Intrigger I'd just like to applaud you on your efforts and wish you evey success. Keep up the good fight.