Category: A600

Reviewing the Cricket Um185 Broadband Modem

Paul

So I got the Modem and wanted to test out the speed being stationary, So I go to my usual site Speedtest.net look at the speed, check below for speed.
As you can see this went fairly well. It does depend on your Cricket Coverage area. So you want to hear all about it.

First thing if you are upgrading from the UM100 Broadband Card, You’ll want to uninstall the Quicklink Software.  To do that you can uninstall it by going to:

Computer > C: Drive > Program Files > Cricket > Quicklink > UNWISE.EXE

(This will uninstall the Quicklink software, I’d suggest after you uninstall it you reboot.)

Install the UM185 Software and Drivers:

CricketUm185setup1CricketUm185Pref2twitter me and tell me what you think. Maybe you’ll twitter will be on my review site.

Deciding the need for a Full backup or backing up your important files

Paul

This weekend I talked about Backups on the [intlink id=”3455″ type=”post”]Mike Tech Show listener Round table[/intlink], and I heard from one or two people saying you can’t do a full backup with Allwaysync, and to a point that is true but I really don’t need a full back and some have said the program is only good for Synchronization and not backup.

I could debate that last point because what is a backup?  Wikipedia defines it as “backup refers to making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event”.   So backing up and Synchronizing are essentially the same thing.  Some users will argue that it is getting every file on your hard drive but I don’t think so.   I however will tell you that Most files on your hard drive don’t need to be copied.   Due to the fact that if you get a complete backup of your windows directory you will most ly end up where you left off, Viruses or some file that corrupt.   I don’t make copies of the windows for that one reason, I have all OEM systems and don’t need to worry about the Windows because when I do a system restore, I get my system back to the Factory default.

With Vista you have some data that is never put in Windows system, like your email settings and other such important date.  This is usually put in the Application Data directory, which is usally “[DRIVE]\USERS\[USERNAME]\AppData” . To get to the directory in Vista just type “%APPDATA%” in the Vista search bar and hit enter.  So I tell Allwaysync to copy everything in that directory including subdirectories.  This is where my configuration files are put for each and every program I install or run!!

People will also argue that you need to compress the data or use a Proprietary software to backup your hard drive, although this can be useful.  The more complicated the process the more chance there is for failure.  My dad always told me to keep it simple.  The simplest is usually the best in my opinion.  If I were to need to backup data, I do not need any program to get to it.   This is how I like it, plus if the drive starts to go bad you have more time to move the data off the backup drive because of moving parts and the magnetic properties could change the compress file just one bit and you would not be able to access the programs inside of it.

I also have a 500 gig external backup drive for use with keeping my data backed up, which my two laptops only use 380 if I back up all of my hard drive space but in my case my data drive is usually just used a safegaurd if I did need to do a restore on the road.  I’d still have my important programs ready to re-install and restoring my configuration files.  I wouldn’t be in the dark if I had to restore on the road.  This is how I keep my important safe.  I use:

  • [intlink id=”3059″ type=”post”]My A600 Broad Band Sd Card[/intlink] — Passwords and such on it

  • My External hard drive —  Important Software and important files

  • Mozy Free 2 Gig – I use this also to put my Passwords and my configuration files here.  It’s free but you can pay 4.95 a month for unlimited.  I like it and it works really well.

  • My spouses computer – We keep our important passwords on each other computer just in case we are on the road with one laptop we can always have access to the passwords for each of our accounts.

This has worked for me for quite some time but this isn’t for everyone, some require the compression on the hard drive and that is fine but I don’t.  I hope this clears it up on what I said on the Mike Tech show.  I did however make a mistake.  This software is not bit by bit coping it is however a file by file copy.   That was my fault and no others.  I’m only human.  Hope you understand.

Vista Sp2 To Come out in Second Quarter of 2009 — Not Compatiable with Cricket Broadband

Paul2 Replies

Well that isn’t really news we knew this was coming from my previous post about [intlink id=”3402″ type=”post”]Sp1 being sent out to all users[/intlink].
[ad#cricket-right-ez]But what I did hear won’t be a good feeling to all those who have Cricket broadband.   From a source that has contacted me and let me know, SP2 will break Cricket Broadband.   I on the other hand have to wait to see what all they put in the SP2 to figure out how to fix this small problem.   Until then I would suggest to all who like or want to continue to use Cricket broadband to install and use the Service Pack Blocker.

Download this and run as an Administrator in command line.  (START > SEARCH “cmd” > right click on CMD.EXE and run as admin.)  (You’ll want to extract this program first but You’d want to do:

  • The executable creates a registry key on the computer on which it is run that blocks or unblocks (depending on the command-line option used) the delivery of a Service Pack to that computer through Windows Update. The key used is HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate.When the ‘/B’ command line option is used, the key value name ‘DoNotAllowSP’ is created and its value set to 1. This value blocks delivery of a Service Pack to the computer through Automatic Update or Windows Update.

    When the ‘/U’ command line option is used, the previously created registry value that temporarily blocked the delivery of a Service Pack to the computer through Automatic Update or Windows Update is removed. If the value does not exist on the computer on which it is run, no action is taken.

This will help prevent it from downlading and installing the SP until Either Cricket or I have the chance to test out how to fix the problem.  Any questions can be posted on the Forums and I’ll answer them as quickly as possible!!

*UPDATE 1/1/2010*

The Latest update from Cricket is that Both the [intlink id=”3059″ type=”post” target=”_blank”]A600[/intlink] and [intlink id=”4641″ type=”post” target=”_blank”]The UM185C[/intlink] works with Vista Sp2 and Windows 7 32 and 64 bit systems.  So you no longer have to worry about it not working!!!

Miketechshow Listener Roundtable : #242 Backups

Paul

We had a great time talking about backing up our system. On a side note, I’d like to tell people that During the Round table, I was restoring my system due to a major network issue. The system wouldn’t stay connected at all to my network or my [intlink id=”3059″ type=”post”]USB A600 Cricket Modem[/intlink].  I used the A600 Modem during the podcast [intlink id=”2601″ type=”post”]with Skype[/intlink], so the quality isn’t as good as it should but that is due to two different factors.  One I had a cheap headset and two the bandwidth limitations.  This however shows that this is possible and works really well.  I also used the [intlink id=”3387″ type=”post”]Antenna[/intlink] for the Skype meeting.   It actually seems like a stable connection.   Although Mike has told us in his email this might be the last Round Table, so if you want this to continue you can either email him or twitter him telling him you want to keep seeing these podcasts.  I also talk about [intlink id=”2646″ type=”post”]Roboform[/intlink] and how I make sure the passwords are backed up.   We did talk about making sure to test our backups, so we know if the backup process works.   I have to say my backup procedure was without doubt working for me.   Even though I had some issues with Vista security updates after the restore, my restore to laptop didn’t take more than an hour to get the programs that I wanted back on the system.
Mike Tech Show Listener Roundtable #242 Backups

Follow us on Twitter –

IRC chat log from show [here]

Show Links –

System Image:

Syncronization Programs:

Backup Software:

Online Backups:

Online Photo Backups:

Other Solutions:

Reviewing the Cricket A600 RF Connector

Paul

359921 - Cricket A600 359921 – Cricket A600 Connector

I also got two types of Antennas for this connector, ARC-FR0803R30 and AA-012 – Dual-Band Mini Magnetic Mount Cell Phone Antennas. Thanks to Wpsantennas for the chance to review them. I’ve found them to help reception and increase the response to load website. I also gained easily 1 bar of signal but in some cases I could gain 2 bars of signal with the ARC-FR0803R30. This product is useful because it can be used as an directional antenna and if you know the Cell towers and you can aim it, that way you get better signal.

I used the AA-012 around my area while my wife was driving and it helped keep the reception steady and not make it sluggish when you move from on tower to another. All in all, I find the Antennas from Wpsantennas.com to help signals. They have a full range of Antennas to use and also they have Amplifiers that will boost your signal, in case your on the edge of Cricket Broadband. This would give you a better chance at getting on the internet. The AWS (1700-2100 MHz) amplifier available yet but they assure me that they will be the first one to have it. I can’t wait to go on a long Highway drive and check out the Aa-012 on the Highway. In case you would like to know where the RF connector is [intlink id=”3337″ type=”post”]just check out this post[/intlink]