Unlocking 3G on the VPCZ1190X

Hey folks,
First of all, I would like to say that I just registered to the forum, so I can be considered quite a noob. However, I do intend on buying a VPCZ1190X.
My problem is pretty simple, but I don't know if the solution is that direct.
As I am a resident of South America, Brazil to be more precise, I was wondering how I could get the Verizon 3G to work on my carrier.
Does this require any hardware modifications? Any soldering? I wanted to keep my laptop's warranty, but I really need the 3G connectivity.
Hope you guys can help me.
Thankfully,
Andre Baracat

 

A forum member has attempted to solder a sim card holder and change the firmware image but the modification failed. May be they destroyed the board whilst soldering. If a sim card holder is successfully soldered you may find out as was the case with the VGN Z models that you can use the HSDPA network.

You have stated though that you would rather not do any soldering.
I've seen these on ebay may be this might work.

USIM SIM Card Reader Expansion Pack 3G/HSPA WWAN Module on eBay (end time 11-Jun-10 23:25:14 BST)

Or you could look into replacing the Gobi card with a Novatel card that also comes with a sim card holder. This was tested as working in the previous VGN Z but until it's tried in the VPC-Z no one can say it will work 100%.


Really may be consider buying from the EU i think as the wwan cards are unlocked and also they come with a sim card holder so you don't need to worry about soldering and you can easily change the sim card without opening your laptop. You also i believe get a 1 years international warranty as well but look into that more if you're contemplating doing this.

Notebook.de ship internationally. They used to carry a number of models but it seems with a refresh coming out soon that they only carry one model right now. You could also ask them to fit a US keyboard for you and they might be able to do this.

 

Try to download and install this ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/WWAN_CONNECTION%20MANAGER_B1_GENERIC_ALL_1.X_32BIT-64BIT_E_1.0_1.0.0.1_ALL.ZIP .
It´s the european connection manager "Webtogo Oneclick Internet". Press the config button, there is an option called firmware, try to flash with "Generic (UMTS)" option.

 

^
Yes people have installed that but without a sim card holder and a sim card inserted into your laptop you cannot actually test it.

 

Well if u have a Verizon account in the USA and u travel to BRAZIL u can use WWAN there/
Just ask verizon top activate International; roaming and u will all set.However prices are high per MB.

 

Thanks for all the answers.
Rachel, would I lose GPS functionality if I swapped the GOBI card with this one from ebay?
I heard the GPS is dependable on the GOBI card.
I would really like to have both the GPS and 3G work for me here in Brazil, but it seems like that is not gonna be an easy task.

I have just seen the Option site. Is it easy to remove the GOBI 2000 and replace it with the GTM382AWS??
It seems to solve all of my problems. Do u guys know if it is difficult to obtain drivers or to put it to work?
Thankfully,

 

You can get the drivers of the Option website by using the IMEI number on your card.
Also, would you solder a sim card slot or would you use one of the sim holders above?
To my knowledge you cannot use the Option GMT 382 card on the EVDO networks.
So this would i believe require you to use a sim card slot to use the HSPDA networks etc.

Getting GPS to work might be tricky because even if you used the EU TT wwan software Sony do not enable GPS by default in EU. Sony use Gobi cards in North America but they have for some models used Option cards in the EU. The smart network/smart wi is what turns the wwan on. The smart wi is the North American software and if you try that with the Option software you might be able to get GPS working. I think that the thinkpanter has attempted this, you might want to PM them.

This is the Novatel card that i was referring to before that has a sim card holder.
There may be more recent cards like this now i'm not sure.
Novatel 850D

A forum member did this upgrade on the last gen Z.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/5168067-post4.html

 

I don't know why I don't have permission to PM him, but my doubt still confuses me.
The Option cards do not have a SIM card holder??
I don't need to use EV-DO to access the internet, right? My carrier offers 3G HSDPA, in the 850Mhz and the 2100Mhz Bands, I would be able to connect to the internet with the Option GTM328W wouldn't I? Another question, how hard is it to add a sim card slot on the 328W?? I know the GTM382W has a GPS receiver on it and this is what I'm thinking:

Get the GTM382W, add the SIM card holder.
Swap it with the GOBI2000 that comes with the Z.
Download the drivers from the Option site.
Download Garmin software and have it recognize my GPS receiver from the GTM382W.
Is that possible??

Really appreciatte your help.

 

No the Option mini pci cards do not come with a sim card holder.
Only the wwan boards in the EU and Japan do.
You could use the Novatel card i linked to.

The forum members name is thepinkpanter. I don't know what i was writing before lol.
I will PM them for you. May be you don't have enough posts.
They have soldered a sim card onto the wwan board of the North American wwan board. They could point out to you the one that you would need to buy.
If you're going to do any soldering then you might just be able to use the Gobi card with the EU firmware put on it.
May be if you've never done soldering before you could get someone with experience to do this for you for a small fee.

 

You're fast Rachel!
So my plan of getting the

Option GTM382 7.2Mbps 3G WWAN HSDP Unlocked not MC8775 - eBay (item 320541299653 end time Jun-29-10 23:49:59 PDT)

(i know i should get the GTM382W, not the GTM382E) and adding the

USIM SIM Card Reader Expansion Pack 3G/HSPA WWAN Module - eBay (item 200449878675 end time Jun-11-10 15:25:14 PDT)

has just gone to hell?
I was so confident it would work!!

I don't see why it wouldnt!
Sorry for being such a noob, but I'm trying really hard haha

 

You didn't state that you had any interest in the USIM.

It should work but i've never used the USIM so have no idea how good it is.

Edited to add:
You could try the USIM with the GOBI 2000 card first and the EU Gobi firmeware using smart wi. You might find that you can use the GPS.

 

So, if I buy the USIM, do I need any soldering?
The GOBI board that comes with the Z supports which bands?
I need it to support 850, 2100MHZ on HSDPA. I don't remember, but I think it is quadband.
If I download and use the EU firmware, the GOBI will be unlocked right? And I will be able to use all of the frequencies it supports + use my SIM card with the USIM. A bonus would be the GPS, but u said you're not sure. I don't see why the GPS would be blocked by Sony, that's just plain stupid.
Thanks for your help,

 

Hello Rachel,

sorry for my late help......unfortunately when I am not in Europe for me is not easy to responding promptly ,
when i bought the laptop and i started the IFX upgrade and I don't know what kind mistake i did but my device was always on error and I did think for some welding mistake or because I didn't use the antistatick wrest bend ,
than one day I did try to do last test by restoring the full system and suddenly everything started working properly......strrrrrrrrraaange!
anyway here is the sim slot :
SIM Card Reader/Slot/Holder WWAN 3G Module Sony VAIO P - eBay (item 350330733263 end time Jun-18-10 03:34:36 PDT)

and some of my photos.........

ciao ciao

 

thepinkpanter that is great that the reinstall solved your issues.

baracat i posted in my first few posts that no one knows if the North American Gobi 2000 will work on the HSDPA networks unless they actually try it with a sim card slot first. You can try it and it might be wise to do so to try and save yourself some money. As some members found out with the VGN North American Z once they soldered a sim card slot they could use the Gobi card in the EU on the HSDPA networks.

The Gobi 2000 can be used anywhere in the world.
Have a look at the spec sheet.
http://www.qualcomm.com/common/documents/analyst/Gobi_2000_ProductSheet.pdf

If you buy the USIM you don't need to any soldering.

 

That's great. Just changed my plans. Going to buy the Z with the GOBI and have the USIM ordered. It seems to me that it is a simple process to add it to the mobo isn't it? Like dettaching the GOBI and reattaching it together with the USIM.
But anyways, if there is no need to solder with the USIM, why do people solder at all?
Is there a difference on the two methods?
I can't wait to test!!

 

I don't understand about the WWAN card preference.

Being intergrated and fully international (EVDO/UMTS) + GPS is cool, and reception is usually better than regular 3G USB modem. However, in the end it's not practical at all for most of the people around the world.

Do you really go to many countries that you always need cross network bands? Do you really NEED GPS? Are you willing to spend so much money on 3G data plans each time you travel to other country? Most importantly, do you know that intergrated cards eat much more battery than regular USB modems? Do you know that you have to shut down the system before you can swap sim cards?

If I'm you, I'd go for combo USB modem+GPS like sierra wireless apex 880. Currently I don't find a strong need of the GPS, I'm using ZTE 3G modem for my VAIO VPCX127, and I find the battery life is about the same as when using wifi. If you opt for aircard, they should have even less power consumption. It looks ugly to have an extra bit sticking out, yes, but trade it for more battery juice (like extra 30mins~60mins)? Sound good to me.

Don't get me wrong, I never say intergrated cards are *useless*, it's just not *practical* for most people. If you need it, then buy it, that's only if you need it.

 

baracat a big reason to solder a sim card and especially if you live outside of the US is to easily swap your sim cards if you need to. Now i presume you would need to open up your laptop if you wanted to swap your sim card.
I also own more than one sim card. If i travel as well i just buy the sim card i need in advance and just pop it into my laptop and use it my destination.

In regards to usb dongles, built in wwan without a doubt is just a much more elegant solution. If there was no built in wwan the second choice for me to use is an express card.
I think all ultraportables and thin and light laptops now really should come with a in built wwan option.

I've got a HSDPA usb stick (it came free with my provider) and i haven't found that it consumes less power than a built in mini pci card. Where did you read that?
Express cards do though use less power than external usb sticks.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Internet-online-anywhere-everywhere.14870.0.html

 

I'm not sure if it apply to all intergrated cards but the specs of the Gobi 1000/2000 is that they operate at 3.3v+- consuming 1000mA average with a 2500mA peak, while USB port, operating at 5v, consuming 500mA. If converting it to watts, it'll be around 2.5W max for USB and 3W~8W for gobi.

I don't know about realife usage, but using my ZTE 3G USB modem does give me more or less the same battery life as using wifi. I believe most people would experience WWAN card consuming more power than wifi, but I'm getting around the same battery life for both 3G USB modem and wifi.

Not to say it's fair for me to judge without having a real unit to test, but if the above reading of the specs are correct, then my conclusion should be correct.

Do correct me if I'm wrong.

PS: Unless the WWAN card is shut down at driver level, it'll still suck up power even if it's not switched on.

 

I really don't mind about losing that battery life. My carrier offers me a lot of advantages of 3G and I have unlimited internet access. I agree that usb sticks are much easier to use, but I prefer integrated, a matter of taste. About the GPS, it is a need for me as I travel a lot around Brazil and would love to have a very big interface on my car.

 

Yes wwan for a lot of people seems to consume more power than wifi. Testing both or some external test results would be useful though.
You may well have a power efficient usb stick and how power conservative they are might vary slighty depending on which model you own.

With the mini pci cards there are all different power classes for the different bands so i don't think it might be as straight forward as that.
GSM/GPRS 1800/1900 Mhz –Power Class 1 =2W
etc

You can just turn the wwan card of with smart network/smart wi and it shouldn't keep on draining your power.

 

I still think you'll end up lots of works to do just to get the WWAN and GPS working, with some risk and warranty void...

But in the end it's what makes you happy the most important.

I believe nobody will try to surf with GPRS speed, no?

And it's already 2W for basic GPRS, should be even more power hungry for EDGE/UMTS and not to mention HSPA?

Yup, my 3G modem should be power efficient unit, which is pretty much what everybody is using nowadays and it looks like a regular usb storage drive. My brother is still using the old Huawei E220 where sometimes it require you to connect to 2 USB to ensure plenty of power to drive the modem, but my ZTE require just one. But the point here is, the *maximum* draw of USB is around 2.5W, and most USB devices use less, while WWAN card usually draw more power than that.

Regarding switching off the WWAN card, I read somewhere that the WWAN card still consume quite a bit even if switched off.

 

Well i've only used the modern type of usb sticks and i found them to be pretty power hungry and certainly no less than a built in wwan solution.

Also, the signal i get with built in wwan seems to be overall stronger.

It is a little hard to be certain on the power consumption without actual testing or seeing data but:

I found this data below for the Lenovo Gobi 2000 card.

GSM Power Class:

MCS1-4 (GMSK): GSM850/900: Class 4/2W/33dBm GSM1800/1900: Class 1/1W/30dBm
MCS5-9 (8-PSK): GSM850/900: Class E2/0.5W/27dBm GSM1800/1900: Class E2/0.4W/26dBm

UMTS Power Class: Class 3 (23dBm)

UMTS reference sensitivity:
Band V(850): Nom <-110dBm, Max: <-104dBm
Band II(1900): Nom <-107dBm, Max: <-104.7dBm
Band I(2100): Nom <-109dBm, Max: <-104.7dBm
Performance specifications:

Peak power consumption
Supported Voltage Range 3.0V - 3.6V (3.3V +/- 9%)
Nominal Operating Voltage 3.3V
Average Standby Current / Power (Radio off) <30mW
Average Idle Current / Power (Attached to network) <30mW
Data Transfer Peak Current / Peak Power <2.8W
UMTS: 384 kbps (Packet-Switched)/64 kbps (Circuit-Switched) DL; 384 kbps (Packet-Switched)/64 kbps (Circuit-Switched) UL
GSM: 14.4 kbps UL/DL
GPRS: 85.6 kbps DL; 42.8 kbps UL
EDGE: 247.4 kbps DL; 123.70 kbps UL
3G: 7.2 Mbps DL; 2.0 Mbps UL


LENOVO THINKPAD AT&T GOBI 2000 BROADBAND OPTION - 78Y1398 / PCMicroStore.com - Hot Deals on Computer Hardware, Consumer Electronic, Camera Accessories, Ipod MP3 Accessories, Gaming Accessories, Iphone Cell Phone Accessories, and many other Computer a

 

USB ports only support 2.5W power. The card above draws <40mw when connected to a network at idle. Even if it ran the full 2.5W all the time that is not much power. Well Designed notebooks draw 15-20W running on average an extra 40mw-2.5W is insignificant.

 

Why do u think Ill end up with lots of works and Ill risk voiding my warranty?
All I'm gonna do is put the USIM and flash the minicard with the EU firmware. Will I lose warranty with those steps?
Thank you

 

I just searched about the USIM, you still have to take your laptop apart and do something with the WWAN. I think once you open your laptop, it'll void the warranty, which is quite common for most manufacturer...

I think taking off the chasis and installing the USIM still is quite a bit of works (is the USIM sim holder aligned with the sim slot on the chasis? If not you'll have to take the laptop apart when you want to change the sim).

 

Yes, I'm planning to take my laptop apart. Is that really that difficult?
I have some experience on hardware, have mounted and dismounted a few PC's back in the day, but never messed with notebooks, I know it's fragile and so but I don't see where that might be so hard.
About the USIM, my carrier offers me a really good service plan. I have international roaming for really good prices, I don't need to change my SIM card often, actually, I think Ill put it in and forget it there.
Back to my original question:
Why do you think it'll be hard for me to get GPS working?
I thought that if I installed USIM together with EU firmware I could get 3G working, and when I turn on WWAN, the GPS receiver also turns on, so I go to my GARMIN software, download the maps, and have it recognize the receiver.
Wouldn't this work??
Thanks a lot

 

Interesitngly, they removed the spec anywhere except the HP version WWAN gobi card so you see the "peak power consumption" left blank. Then there's the data transfer power consumption at <2.8w. Maybe the above spec also include the GPS?

It's not difficult to take a laptop apart, just that buying a laptop should be just plug and play in my personal point of view. That said, if it makes you happier, why not?

If you have 3G working anywhere, then you shouldn't have problem working with the GPS.

 

Update to my situation

I was intending to buy the Vaio VPCZ1190X CTO at SonyStyle online, but it seems they don`t accept paypal from another country having it shipped to the US, damn bureocrats.
I was searching through Amazon, and I found this

Amazon.com: I5520M/2.40GHZ/6G/256G/13.1/DVD/WIN7/S: Electronics

it seems to be a VAIO Z11SGX/S, do you guys have any idea which notebook this is? Does it come with the GOBI card?
I`m so pissed off at Sony right now I just thought about buying a MAC.
Just kidding, but anyways, any comments on this specific model??

Another option

buying the Z112GX/S and adding a WWAN Card with GPS, it shouldn`t be that hard, right?

Thanks for the responses

 

The amazon model sounds like a lot of money...

My situation is like you baracat, in my country Malaysia there's no WWAN option for either the Z or the X (I think same to other models too).

In the end, you don't lost big time without the built in wwan. I actaully thought buying GPS/3G USB drive and it should work wonder, you just carrying an extra piece of small device, and probably save lots of money that way too...

 

Yeah, it's a lot of money, but it comes with 6gb of RAM and the 256GB SSD and the WWAN, just got the specs from another site.

I think I'll just go with this one and buy the USIM and try to get it working. How much would that configuration cost in Sony Style? Is it that much expensive?
Thanks

edit.: Just configured the model on SonyStyle with the configs that are the same as my Amazon model. It is actually more expensive to buy it from Sony than from Amazon, that's before taxes. If I include taxes, I would never buy from SonyStyle.

 

So what's the word on getting the inbuilt wwan for the vaio z unlocked for other 3g providers?

I plan on taking the us model back to australia and would like to use it on their 3g gsm network.

Is this possible to do now?

 

Hey man, my situation is the following:
My laptop is arriving from the USA in 4 days, I have ordered the USIM from ebay and I hope that's gonna make everything but the EV-DO CDMA to work, the 3G, in my point of view, with the help of people in here, will work together with the GPS!

 

Let us know how it goes... so are you trying to connect to a 3g gsm network?

 

Yes man, but Im gonna have to attach the USIM to the notebook..
Still dont know how to do it physically, but Im sure some forum members are willing to share some of their knowledge and held a friend!