Category: Virgin Mobile

What To Do before you Call Virgin Mobile Support!

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1 hour with Technical Support!

Gee thanks for wasting an hour of my time for nothing!  Couldn’t I of done this offline?  This isn’t like it is rocket science or is it?  When I started this trek to fixing my 3G signal, I never knew it was going to be such a big ordeal.  I mean, lets face it it isn’t like I don’t know what I am doing with my Android Phone.  I’ve been getting Error codes like 67, 3000, and 2048.   So i called them and they had me do a bunch of stupid stuff.   Here is what I suggest you do before you call Virgin Mobile.  That way you can at least be ahead of the game:

  • Turn off Cell Phone and if Possible take out battery for at least 15 seconds.
  • Try doing an Activation and Seeing if that resolves your problem!
  • Dial ##virgin# (##847446#) and view or edit your MSID (Mobile Station ID) and MDN (Mobile Number).   You’ll need to verify they are something other than 10 zeros!
  • Check for firmware updates.   On my Kyocera Rise, you can do that by going to System > System Updates.   This might help fix your problem before you even consider calling Virgin Mobile.   No bets though.
  • Last ditch resort!!  Do a hard reset on your Android Phone.   Not recommended but if you do this and you still have problems then it isn’t your phone.   You will need to reactivate the phone once it has been done and all photos, videos, and anything else on the phone is lost.   So it is a last resort.   Do this though, you will need to hold the down key and power button until you see the phone power up.  Using your volume keys select factory reset or something like that.

Although It seems Virgin Mobile is having some major 3g service issues.   I do hope they fix it.  I have tried everything other than just going back to Straight Talk.   This has been the lousiest experience in my life.   Has anyone else had this problem with your 3G service from Virgin Mobile Lately?

Paul Sylvester

Reviewing the Kyocera Rise by Virgin Mobile!

Paul

What about the HTC Inspire 4G!

I recently had to buy a new phone.   My HTC inspire got broken, sad to say but it does happen.   You know when you have to replace a  phone because of the screen glass is broken, kind of thing you don’t like to see happen.   It does though no matter how hard you try, it will happen eventually on most phones. Thank Good for the Worth Ave Group insurance coverage for Cell Phones, if i didn’t have that it would of been a pain to get this Cell phone.

A lot under the Hood!

There is a lot going on under that hood and I won’t go into much detail about this because I don’t want to bore you with details but what I will tell you is this:

  • Google Movies & TV — You can watch any show you own on Google with this little device.   So you can always keep up with shows or movies while on the Go!   I do suggest downloading them whenever possible using WIFI but it is still good to have while on the road!
  • Netflix — Although most phones do this it has the screen size to actually do a decent enough job of watching it through it!
  • Android 4.0 — I got mine with Android 4.0 but it had to be upgraded in firmware.   That is ok, it still is a nice phone!

The Kyocera Rise From Virgin Mobile is in fact a very good Phone.   I got signal where the HTC never did, although this is a 3G phone, it is still can go a lot more places.   I suspect it is because of the Sprint Network but it is only a guess.

I could go on and on about this phone but in all truth if you aren’t convinced now to buy it then you will never buy it.   I simply love this phone and it is going to be my main phone for quite a while until I can get enough money for even better phone maybe a Samsung Galaxy S3 or S2 from Virgin Mobile or Sprint, now that would be Sweet!

Paul Sylvester

Reviewing the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Prepaid Mobile Hotspot (Virgin Mobile)

Paul

Click picture to see the Price! (Affiliate Link)

My Review of the Mifi 2200 Card!

I probably am not the only one who will be reviewing the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Prepaid Mobile Hotspot(Virgin Mobile) card (Affiliate link).   I do however have used this card for over 3 weeks and I wanted to give you my opinions on this.  I know I originally bought this for a really good deal for $69.99 and I said a few weeks ago that I was going to talk about this little card.

Technical details:

  • What’s in the Box: MiFi Broadband2Go Prepaid Mobile Hotspot, AC charger, USB cable, battery, carrying pouch

  • experience faster average download speeds of 600 kbps – 1.4 Mbps

  • Ready-to-connect with no software to install

  • Universal Wi-Fi for ultimate compatibility

  • Connect up to 5 devices simultaneously

 

Observations on the Mifi Virgin Mobile!

I have had several weeks to play around with the Mifi card.   I must say that I am really impressed with this.   I don’t have a lot of options on having broadband in my neck of the woods, so when I found this on sale.   I really couldn’t help myself because I could now do what I have always wanted to do.   Having internet where I am live and be able to blog more readily available to me.

Pro’s:

  • Stream Hulu, CBS, NBC, Royal Pains (Affiliate link), Mythbusters (Affiliate link) and Netflix!  (Might require less quality and some buffering but I had no problems watching what I wanted, when I wanted to.)

  • Portability of having WPA connections wherever I went.

  • I even used my Sisters Ipad to stream Netflix and YouTube on the Mifi card.

  • Uses the Sprint Network

  • Can use Linux and other Operating systems with the card.

Although, I don’t stream all the time and thus I am probably not one of those who is going above their ceiling cap they have.   I’ve heard once you get above a certain limit.   Probably 10 gigs or something like that they will cut you off but that is something they will not say for sure.   The 2.5 gig limit will slow your speed down but I’m fine with that.  I haven’t had any problems with the slow down.

Con’s:

  • Battery life — I was able to use my battery for over 6 hours without recharging it but that was with me using it almost all the time.   If you have a long drive or am planning on use it more in your house.   It is best to just keep it plugged in when you use it.  (You can use a Dual USB Car charger to keep the Mifi working while travelling!)

  • Signal Strength — You basically have to keep it close to the windows to get any decent signal strength from the closest cell tower.   I haven’t had much problems with speed but I occasionally have had signal drops and reconnects from time to time.

  • Cricket Wireless broadband — This is just as good as Cricket Wireless broadband but since they aren’t in the are or have 3g services in my area, I had to go with Virgin Mobile.

 

All in All!

To sum it up, this isn’t a really a bad deal for the price.   Even though the so called “unlimited” is slower than normal speeds after 2.5 gb used, it is probably not going to be any faster than when you use it on a daily basis and thus it is still a good way to have internet in areas where there may not have many internet options.  The Novatel MiFi 2200 from Virgin Mobile (Affiliate link) isn’t a bad choice with a no contract.  I’ll definitely recommend it for those who might just be needed for spots that don’t have internet!

Paul Sylvester

 

 

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The Novatel Mifi 2200 is coming!

Paul

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It’s Been ordered!

I ordered a Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200(Virgin Mobile) from Amazon and was it a deal.   Normally Priced at $129.99 to $149.99, I paid $69.99 and that was Half off the price.   I am just waiting for it to come!  I don’t know how well it will work but I am quite eager to try it out.   I even got free shipping with this deal.

What does that mean to you guys, I will be looking into the connection speeds and actually maybe even testing the 2.5gb limit to see how far I can go before they start complaining to me.

I won’t expect much!

This isn’t going to be a mifi killer but it will at least help me do what I have needed.   You will need to pay $20 to $50  per month for a top up card or have them charge you credit card directly.   I never really like doing that, they always seem to include sales tax.   It is always best just to go buy them at the store and use them that way.   I have always found them to be cheaper than charging my credit card.

I’ll review this later on!

I think this will be a good alternative for people who might need occasional internet.   I don’t expect to be able to stream videos and such all the time or even a lot.   I will review this later on for a complete assessment of it’s capabilities and critic how well the batter last and such.    I don’t know a lot about it but you can be sure, I will dive in and give it my best!

Paul Sylvester

 

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