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    TZ with Win 7 - Sprint Broadband Problem

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by GusRandall, Nov 8, 2009.

  1. GusRandall

    GusRandall Notebook Enthusiast

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    I did a clean install of Win 7 Home Premium 32bit and when I was done, I couldn't use the internal evdo card. I installed the driver for the modem, the SmartWi program (both the original and the updated version), and installed the Sony Notebook Control Utilities Bundle but it still doesn't work.

    When I try to turn on the sprint modem from within SmartWi, I get an error message: "Hardware switch is off. Please turn ON hardware switch and try again."

    I turn that switch on and off and it makes no difference to the sprint connection. I still get that message. Not only that but if I click on "turn off Wireless Lan" in SmartWi, I get the same error message.

    What's interesting is that when I turn the hardware switch off, the switch lights turn off and when I turn the hardware switch on, I the lights turn back on - in particular, it shows the WLAN.

    So I don't think the problem is really with the Sprint modem. I think that the problem is that the whatever in the software is supposed to communicate with the hardware switch is not working. I just don't know what it is or how to fix it. I spent 3 hours in chat and on the phone with Sony level 2 tech support and they couldn't fix it and kicked it up to the "engineers".

    I've seen some discussion of this online but been unable to fine a clean solution. Any help you could provide would be appreciated.
     
    GusRandall, Nov 8, 2009
    #1
  2. reb1

    reb1 Notebook Evangelist

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    I had a problem like this on my sisters computer when she updated to vista. The only thing that helped was an uninstall utility that removes every bit of the EVDO software. There is a free one for up to vista operating systems. After doing this and rebooting the computer I only installed the most current program for her card. Some times after installing other programs we need to repeat this procedure. The windows uninstall feature did not remove enough of the EVDO software to allow full function. If you have already tried this than you can always call your wireless carrier and see if they have other software that will work. I had to do this on my verizon on my xp setup. The software on the web link was unstable. They sent me a cd with a version that is stable.
     
    reb1, Nov 9, 2009
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  3. lamtutu

    lamtutu Notebook Consultant

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    Sprint evdo is working fine with my TZ(WINDOWS 7).Make sure you install EVDO driver before install smartfi.There is a new version of smart fi from sony support download.
     
    lamtutu, Nov 9, 2009
    #3
  4. GusRandall

    GusRandall Notebook Enthusiast

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    What Sony Software did you install and in what order?
     
    GusRandall, Nov 9, 2009
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